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[Properties and Flavor] Bitter in taste. Neutral in nature. Another view holds it to be slightly cold. Non-toxic. It inherits the qi of Mid-Winter (the 11th lunar month) and, while growing, also acquires the pungent flavor of the earth. Its action is ascending; it belongs to Yang within Yin.

[Combinations and Contraindications] Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) serves as its guiding agent. It is incompatible with Zaojia (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina) and fears Liliu (Veratri Rhizoma).

[Indications and Actions] Primarily treats pathogenic heat from Shanghan (Cold Damage), phlegm-heat accumulation, deficiency consumption with muscle fever, vomiting with irritability, various types of malaria with alternating chills and fever, dizziness, red eyes, chest oppression with hypochondriac Qi stagnation, bitter taste in the mouth, and deafness. For women, it treats heat entering the Blood Chamber (Xueshi), various febrile conditions before and after childbirth, pediatric smallpox/rash, and emaciated fever caused by the five kinds of Ganic syndrome (childhood malnutrition syndromes). It dissipates carbuncles and sores, blood stasis, and Qi aggregation in the twelve meridians, with effects similar to those of Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus). (Supplement from *Bencao Beiyao*): Treats Qi knotting in the intestines, stomach, and abdomen; wandering Qi among the five Zang organs; pathogenic Qi in the chest; water retention and distension in the large intestine; and wet Bi syndrome causing shoulder and back pain with stiffness and spasms, Pi Bi syndrome, and sinking of Yang Qi. It pacifies the Ministerial Fire (Xianghuo) of the Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium, and Sanjiao, as well as headache and vertigo.

[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium, and Sanjiao meridians. It is a drug for releasing the exterior. (It is a guiding herb for these four meridians and a superficial-releasing herb for the Shaoyang Meridian; its functions include releasing the exterior, harmonizing the interior, reducing fever, and lifting.)

[Preceding Discussions] Li Dongyuan stated: Chaihu can guide clear Qi to circulate through the Yang pathways. It should be added for exogenous febrile diseases such as Shanghan, but not if there is no heat. It can guide Stomach Qi upward, ascending to enact the Spring generation. Li Shizhen stated: There are five types of consumption diseases. If the heat of consumption lies in the Liver, Gallbladder, Heart, or Pericardium, Chaihu is an essential herb for these four meridians. If the heat of consumption lies in the Spleen and Stomach, or if Yang Qi is sinking, Chaihu is an essential herb for clearing the clear and reducing fever. Only when the consumption lies in the Lung and Kidney should one exercise caution in its use. However, it is not absolutely contraindicated. Sun Lin stated: Whenever malaria or consumption fever originates from the marrow, adding harsh agents will further deplete Qi and Blood. Heat may reside in the skin, Zang organs, or marrow. For heat residing in the marrow, only Chaihu is effective. If genuine Yinchaihu (Stellariae Radix) is obtained, one dose can cure it. The southern variety has reduced potency and requires three doses for a cure. Wang Ang stated: Hypochondriac pain is mostly due to excess Liver Wood; Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) with Qingpi (Aurantii Fructus Pericarpium), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) is appropriate. Left-sided hypochondriac pain calls for invigorating blood and moving Qi; right-sided hypochondriac pain calls for resolving food stagnation and transforming phlegm. Furthermore, heat entering the Blood Chamber occurs in both men and women. In the Zang organs, Chaihu governs Blood; in the meridians, it governs Qi.

[Commentary] Nowadays, practitioners invariably use Chaihu for treating malaria. They believe treatment is insufficient without it, leading to prolonged and lingering illness with unpredictable complications, potentially damaging Yang Qi and Zheng Qi (Upright Qi). Yet physicians still claim Chaihu is the key herb for malaria. I used it at the onset of treatment, unaware of why the patient died. Patients' families also complain that Chaihu failed to treat the malaria. This reflects fate... In ancient times, treating consumption... emaciation... one must... but genuine...

[Contraindications] According to *Bencao Jing Shulü* by Mi Huanyong: It is contraindicated in cases of deficiency with rebellious Qi and vomiting, and in cases of Yin deficiency with blazing fire rising. It should not be used for malaria not involving the Shaoyang Meridian.

[Processing] *Bencao Beiyao* states: The variety produced in Yinzhou is white-yellow and large; the northern variety is slightly black and fine; both are good quality. The southern variety is hard and tough, making it unsuitable for use.