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[Shanzhuyu / Cornus Officinalis Fruit]
Taste and Nature: Sour, neutral, non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats pathogenic factors in the epigastrium, alternating cold and heat, warms the middle jiao, expels cold-dampness bi syndrome, removes three types of parasites, and long-term use makes the body feel light and agile. (Remove the pit before use).

Chen Xiuyuan states: Shanzhuyu is purple-red in color and sour-neutral in taste, inheriting the qi transformation of Jueyin and Shaoyang wood and fire. The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian both belong to Wind-Wood; the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian and Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian both belong to Ministerial Fire. The Juque acupoint in the epigastrium is the Front-Mu point of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, and the epigastrium is also the domain of the Spleen. The term "pathogenic factors" refers to spleen excess caused by Liver Wood pathogenic factors. When Foot-Jueyin Liver Wood has insufficient blood and hyperactive qi, it overacts on Spleen Earth; when the pathogen merges with Yang, it manifests as heat; when it merges with Yin, it manifests as cold. Furthermore, alternating cold and heat are symptoms of Shaoyang disease. Since Shanzhuyu inherits the qi transformation of Wood and Fire, it can treat these conditions. Shanzhuyu has a sour taste and astringent properties, which gather fire and guide it back to the Lower Jiao. Fire located in the lower part is called "Shaohuo" (Ministerial Fire), which generates Qi, thus warming the Middle Jiao. Shanzhuyu enters the Liver due to its sour taste; the Liver stores Blood, and Blood can nourish the skin and warm the muscles, thereby expelling whole-body Bi syndrome caused by cold-dampness. The "three parasites" are the result of abnormal Jueyin Wind-Wood transformation; Zhang Zhongjing's use of sour substances in Wumei Wan (Mume Pill) to treat ascariasis colic was inspired by this principle. The Liver, implying courage, is the zang organ that generates vital Qi and produces Blood. Sun Simiao included the sour taste of Wuweizi (Schisandra Chinensis Fruit) in Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Powder) to treat fatigue and make the body feel light, also derived from insights into Shanzhuyu.

Zhang Yinan states: In Zhang Zhongjing's Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), Shanzhuyu is used. Later generations removed Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) and Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) to create Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), regarding Shanzhuyu merely as an herb for consolidating essence and tonifying Kidney Water, with no other uses. This is due to complacency with simplicity and a lack of deep investigation. Now, carefully observing the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), the functions of Shanzhuyu are as described above. If learners can comprehend and expand its applications within the *Bencao Jing*, they will avoid the drawback of narrow-mindedness.

[Wuzhuyu / Euodiae Fructus]
Taste and Nature: Pungent, warm, slightly toxic. Indications: Mainly warms the middle jiao, directs rebellious Qi downward, stops pain, dispels dampness and blood Bi syndrome, expels wind pathogens, opens the cou li (skin pores), and treats coughing upward, alternating cold and heat. (Soak once before use).

Chen Xiuyuan states: Wuzhuyu has a warm nature, inheriting Spring Qi to enter the Liver Meridian. Its pungent taste with slight toxicity corresponds to Metal and enters the Lung Meridian. Its warm nature can dispel cold, while its strongly pungent taste allows the Lung's descending function to operate independently without interference; thus, middle cold can be warmed, rebellious Qi can be directed downward, and various chest and abdominal pains can be stopped. This is because the Lung's descending function takes command, stabilizing the center without other distractions. Zhang Zhongjing utilized it to treat Yangming disease symptoms such as desire to vomit after eating, and dry vomiting with salivary froth, grasping the implicit meaning beyond the literal text of the *Bencao Jing*. The Lung prefers warmth and dislikes cold; upon receiving the strong warmth and pungency of Wuzhuyu, the water passages become regulated and dampness is eliminated. The Liver stores Blood; if Blood is cold, it stagnates and forms Bi syndrome. Upon receiving the strong pungency and warmth of Wuzhuyu, the Blood becomes active and the Bi syndrome is resolved. When wind pathogens injure the body, the cou li close, leading to symptoms such as alternating cold and heat and coughing upward. Wuzhuyu's strong pungency and warmth open the cou li and expel the pathogens, thereby resolving coughing, alternating cold and heat, and other syndromes. However, there is still a point of doubt: Zhang Zhongjing's medication strictly follows the *Bencao Jing*, yet the phrase "in Shaoyin disease, with vomiting and diarrhea, cold extremities, and extreme restlessness bordering on death, Wuzhuyu Tang is indicated" does not seem to align with the *Bencao Jing*. One should not fail to realize that the vitality of the Shaoyin organs originates from the water and grain of the Yangming, nourishing life and interacting with the Central Earth. If Yin and Yang Qi do not return to the Central Earth, there is upper vomiting and lower diarrhea; if Water and Fire Qi do not return to the Central Earth, there is lower dryness and upper irritability; if the Qi of the Central Earth is internally severed, the extremities become cold beyond the elbows and knees, which is considered untreatable. Zhang Zhongjing employed the fierce potency of Wuzhuyu's strong pungency and warmth, assisted by the mild harmony of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) to stabilize the Middle Qi, and Ginger and Jujube to harmonize the Stomach and circulate to the four extremities. By specifically targeting the Yangming, he achieved the miracle of finding life in a desperate situation. The interpretations of Zhang Yinan and Ye Tianshi are relatively superficial.