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Brother Xu Duiyan's mother was approaching eighty years of age. Her constitution was fundamentally Yin Deficiency (Yin Xu, a state characterized by a lack of cooling, moistening, and calming substances in the body), presenting with frequent dizziness, dry mouth, tinnitus, and palpitations; she felt comfortable taking nourishing medicines. In early autumn, she contracted dysentery, which later developed into Xiu Xi Li (Resting Dysentery, a chronic form of dysentery characterized by intermittent attacks). This condition persisted until the following spring, with bowel movements occurring ten to seven or eight times a day or night. Each defecation was accompanied by abdominal pain and tenesmus (a feeling of incomplete evacuation), with fresh red blood in the stool and occasional white mucous discharge. She appeared fatigued and had a poor appetite. Previous treatments were ineffective. Upon pulse diagnosis, her pulse was consistent with her usual state. I stated: "Her constitution is inherently Yin deficient, so nourishment is originally indicated. However, due to the prolonged dysentery causing Spleen Qi Deficiency and intestinal laxity, cloying/nourishing herbs are not suitable." The prescription imitated Yi Gong San (Efficacious Powder, a formula for tonifying Qi and strengthening the Spleen), adding He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Bian Dou (Lablab Semen Album), Lian Rou (Nelumbinis Semen), and Lao Mi (Old Rice). All versions of the prescription used Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix). After several doses, the dysentery did not cease.

During the second consultation, I told Brother Xu: "Your mother's condition belongs to Resting Dysentery. The root of the disease lies in the tortuous areas of the Large Intestine, where the efficacy of most herbs cannot reach. Even if you repeat the use of Ren Shen, it will be of no benefit." Brother Xu asked: "Then what should we do?" I replied: "Only Ya Dan Zi (Brucea Fructus) can achieve the desired effect." However, this herb is not recorded in standard Materia Medica texts, and other books rarely discuss it. Only *You You Ji Cheng* (Compendium for Children) records its functions, naming it Zhi Sheng Dan (Supreme Holy Pill). I have used it to treat this condition with much success. I showed him the book. Brother Xu said: "Based on the book and your experience, it must be correct. I only fear that this medicine is too potent for my elderly mother to tolerate." I said: "Your concern is valid. But each time, only thirty seeds are used. Removing the shells and using only the kernels amounts to merely two or three fen (approx. 0.6-0.9 grams). Moreover, they are wrapped in Long Yan Rou (Longan Aril), and combined with tonic preparations to support Zheng Qi (Upright Qi/Healthy Qi), there will definitely be no harm. Without this herb, the pathogen cannot be reached at its location; if the disease is not eliminated, it will cause greater harm." Following this method, she recovered completely in three days.

That autumn, the illness recurred. Brother Jia Han Zhou treated her, but after many days, she had not healed. He invited me to consult together. I said: "Ya Dan Zi was effective last spring; why not use it again?" Brother Xu still worried about his mother's advanced age and deficient constitution. I said: "When one has an illness, taking this medicine does not cause harm. It also resulted in recovery after three doses." Fearing a relapse, Brother Xu purchased this herb, ground it into powder, and mixed it into conditioning pills, hoping to eradicate the root of the disease. I said: "The plan for post-treatment care is ingenious, but grinding the powder into pills seems inconsistent with the proper usage. Please deliberate further with Brother Han Zhou. Continue with the original preparation method: swallow five seeds together with the pills each time." After taking them for two months, and up to three years later, the disease did not recur. This demonstrates the miraculous efficacy of this herb.

An Bo's Note: This case is also effective for long-standing Chang Hong (Intestinal Redness/Bloody Stool). It shows that medical practice values flexibility and adaptability.