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Bamboo Leaf 1 \pd306.bmp\
Bamboo Leaf 2 \pd307.bmp\
(Jin) Bamboo Leaf. Bitter, neutral, very cold, non-toxic. Mainly treats cough with qi rebelling upward, spasm of tendons, malignant sores, kills small insects, removes vexation and heat, wind convulsion (convulsions caused by wind pathogen), throat bi (swollen and obstructed throat), vomiting.
Root Decoction: Tonifies qi, stops thirst, tonifies deficiency, directs qi downward, eliminates toxins. Juice mainly treats wind-related disorders.
Fruit: Opens the spirit, lightens the body, tonifies qi. Grows in Yizhou.
Dan Zhu Ye (Light Green Bamboo Leaf). Pungent, neutral, very cold. Mainly treats phlegm-heat in the chest, cough with qi rebelling upward.
Zhu Li (Bamboo Sap/Charcoal Juice). Very cold. Treats sudden stroke, wind-bi (obstruction of channels by wind-cold-dampness), severe heat in the chest, relieves vexation.
Zhu Ru (Bamboo Sheath). Slightly cold. Mainly treats vomiting, warms qi, alternating chills and fever, hematemesis, metrorrhagia (profuse uterine bleeding), tendon spasms.
Ku Zhu Ye (Bitter Bamboo Leaf) and Zhu Li: Treat mouth ulcers, eye pain, brighten eyes, unblock the nine orifices.
Zhu Sun (Bamboo Shoot) (Shu Ben Cao calls it various shoots). Sweet, non-toxic. Mainly treats xiao ke (wasting-thirst syndrome), promotes urination, tonifies qi. Can be eaten for a long time.
Tao Hongjing said: There are many types of bamboo. The previous entry refers to a specific type, followed by Dan Zhu and Ku Zhu. Another type with thin shells is called Gan Zhu Ye (Sweet Bamboo Leaf), which is the best. There are also Shi Zhong Zhu and Huang Zhu, whose shoots are excellent but useless medicinally. For obtaining Zhu Li, only Dan Zhu, Ku Zhu, and [Certain] Zhu are used. Bamboo fruits come from Lantian; previously they had no fruit, but recently they have appeared speckled like wheat, suitable for making rice. According to Chen Cangqi's Materia Medica: Ku Zhu Sun (Bitter Bamboo Shoot) mainly treats insomnia, removes yellow heat from the face, eyes, and tongue, treats wasting-thirst, brightens eyes, resolves alcohol toxicity, removes hot qi, and benefits the person. All bamboo shoots can induce cold blood and qi stagnation. Dan Zhu Gen juice mainly treats fever and thirst caused by Danchi (mineral pills), and removes vexation and heat.臣 Yuxi et al., according to Yao Xing Lun: Dan Zhu Ye is sweet, non-toxic. Mainly treats hematemesis, toxic wind, suppresses Danchi toxicity, stops wasting-thirst. Bamboo charcoal juice treats sudden stroke, aphasia, and loss of voice; bitter variety treats red eyes. Also, Qing Zhu Ru (Green Bamboo Sheath) as an adjuvant drug is sweet. It stops hemoptysis in lung abscess, epistaxis, and treats five types of hemorrhoids. Ri Huazi said: Dan Zhu and its roots are sweet, cold, non-toxic. They treat infantile convulsions and "heaven-hanging" disease. Stems and leaves are used together. Also, Ku Zhu is bitter, cold, non-toxic. It treats insomnia, stops wasting-thirst, resolves alcohol toxicity, removes vexation and heat, induces sweating, and treats stroke-induced aphasia. Its effect when made into Zhu Li is the same as Dan Zhu. Meng Shen said: Shoots are cold. They treat rebellious qi, remove vexation and heat, trigger qi movement and cold syndromes; should not be eaten in excess. In Yue, there are Lu Sun and Jian Sun; fresh ones are slightly edible, old ones are not. Although Dan Zhu and Zhong Mu Sun are delicious, they can trigger back carbuncles and muggy gout. Also, Ci Zhu Li (Calm Bamboo Juice) treats wind-heat. Taken with food and drink, it is good. Shu Ben Tu Jing says: Bamboo nodes that are yellowish-white taste sweet. Named Zhu Huang (Bamboo Yellow). It particularly controls fever from mineral drugs.
Tu Jing says: [Certain] Zhu, Dan Zhu, and Ku Zhu are not recorded in Ben Jing regarding their origin provinces. Now they are found everywhere. There are many types of bamboo, but only these three are used medicinally; people often cannot distinguish them completely. According to the Bamboo Spectrum, the character [Certain] sounds like "jin". This bamboo is hard with short nodes, round in shape and strong in texture, white skin like frost. Large ones are suitable for boat-piercing, fine ones for flutes. Ku Zhu comes in white and purple. Gan Zhu resembles Huang Zhu and is lush, which is Dan Zhu. However, nowadays, Gui Zhu is mostly used for boat-piercing. There is a type used for flutes, also not named [Certain] Zhu. Ku Zhu has two types: one grows in Jiangxi and Minzhong, is very thick, shoots are extremely bitter and inedible; another grows in Jiangzhe, occasionally found nearby, has thick flesh and broad leaves, shoots are slightly bitter, commonly called sweet-bitter shoots, highly prized as food but rarely used medicinally. Dan Zhu has thin flesh and powder between nodes; Southerners use it to make Zhu Li. Physicians only use this one variety, largely consistent with minor differences from the Bamboo Spectrum. Bamboo fruits are no longer used and are rare.
Chen Cangqi Preface: For prolonged thirst and vexation, take Zhu Li. Shi Liao ranks Dan Zhu first, Gan Zhu second. Mainly treats cough/rebellion, wasting-thirst, phlegm-fluid retention, throat bi, ghost zhu (infectious/mental illness), evil qi, kills insects, removes vexation and heat. Ku Zhu Ye mainly treats mouth ulcers, eye heat, aphonia. Ku Zhu Ru mainly treats lower jiao heat obstruction. Ku Zhu Gen, finely sliced one jin, boiled in five sheng of water to yield one sheng of juice. Divided into three doses, greatly drains heat and toxic qi from heart, lungs, and five zang organs. Ku Zhu Sun does not generate phlegm; Dan Zhu Li is very cold. Mainly treats stroke, severe heat, vexation, relapse after exertion. Dan Zhu Ru mainly treats dysphagia and epistaxis. Bamboo fruits open the spirit, lighten the body, and tonify qi. Besides [Certain], Dan, Ku, and Gan, others are unsuitable for human use. Waitai Miyao: For fractures and swelling, avoid wind and excessive self-fanning; if wind-stroke occurs, it causes lockjaw and death. If already having wind-stroke, feeling neck stiffness and rapid body symptoms, urgently take this prescription: drink two to three sheng of Zhu Li. If lockjaw has occurred, force it open with an object. Avoid cold drinks/food and alcohol. If Zhu Li is hard to get due to sudden vexation, burn ten bundles together, collect the central juice, and administer to save life. Qianjin Fang: For headache after drinking alcohol. Take three liang of Zhu Ru, boil in five sheng of water to reduce to three sheng, strain, cool. Add three broken eggs, stir and boil three times, then drink. Another prescription: For continuous bleeding from gums. Soak four liang of Ku Zhu Ru in vinegar overnight, hold in mouth. Another prescription: For bleeding from teeth. Boil bamboo leaves strongly, add a little salt, hold at appropriate temperature. Another prescription: For persistent tooth bleeding. Scrape raw bamboo skin, soak in vinegar, have patient undress, ask another person to hold [something] on their back three times, and boil Ming Cao strongly, hold at appropriate temperature and gargle for cure. Another prescription: For epidemic febrile disease on day 5-6 with unresolved mental vexation. Mix half cup of Zhu Li with half cup of fresh water evenly. Take when not regular mealtime. Zhou Hou Fang: For cholera with muscle cramps and abdominal distension/pain. Boil bamboo leaf soup strongly to five-six sheng, apply heat to the cramped area. Another prescription: For Shanghan (cold damage) over five-six days. Make a small decoction of Qing Zhu Li, reduce amount, drink frequently, cover thickly to induce sweat. Another prescription: For sudden loss of voice/choking sound. Boil Ku Zhu Ye strongly and drink. Another prescription: For malignant sores in children. Boil bamboo juice, wash daily. Ge Shi Fang: For sudden wasting-thirst with frequent urination. Drink Zhu Li freely, cured in several days. Sun Taoren Food Taboos: For unknown malignant sores, burn Ku Zhu Ye, mix with egg yolk, apply. Mei Shi Fang: For postpartum body stiffness, lockjaw, blue face, limb extension. Drink one-two sheng of Zhu Li to regain consciousness.
Another prescription: For constant vexation during pregnancy, named Zi Fan (Pregnancy Vexation). Zhu Li Tang: Fu Ling three liang, Zhu Li one sheng, water four sheng, boil Zhu Li with water to yield two sheng. Divide into three doses; if not cured, repeat, or take Zhu Li occasionally. Another prescription: For red painful eyes like stabbing, inability to open, caused by liver excess-heat, or cataracts. Five he of Ku Zhu Li, two fen of Huang Lian, wrap in silk, soak in Zhu Li overnight, drop into eyes several times until hot tears flow. Shi Yi Xin Jing: Regulate mental vexation, tonify qi, stop thirst. Cook Ku Zhu Sun thoroughly, eat as desired. Also, Ku Zhu Sun treats wasting-thirst, promotes urination, directs qi downward, regulates wind-heat, and gout. Steam or boil and eat. Also, [Certain] Zhu Sun treats wasting-thirst, wind-heat, tonifies qi power, triggers qi bloating; steam, boil, or fry and eat as desired. Jian Yao Ji Zhong: For head sores. Large shoots, burn bamboo leaves to ash, measure sore size, mix ash with raw oil to apply, adding a little Nifen (lead subcarbonate) is good. Bing Bu Shou Ji: For back carbuncles, pre-ulcer heat/swelling. Use green bamboo tube for cupping, dig a pit storing water, lie with swollen part over pit, cup like mung bean size, continuously exuding, covering waist and ribs. Another prescription: For sores. Ci Zhu Sun Tuo (husk) ash mixed with oil applied is excellent. Another prescription: For stroke lockjaw, drink one sheng of Dan Zhu Li. Another prescription: For burns/scalds, sprinkle bamboo insect powder, effective. Another prescription: For infants with lockjaw and body heat. Warm two he of Zhu Li, divide into three-four doses. Newborns must not undergo acupuncture/moxibustion against nature, enduring pain damages five meridians, leading to epilepsy. Thus, rural children left natural do not have this disease, verify carefully. Another prescription: For children/adults with cough/rebellion, shortness of breath, sucking sensation in chest, coughing sputum/bad pus/sticky mucus. Take one he of Dan Zhu Li, three-five times daily, adults one sheng. Guang Li Fang: For metal wounds, stroke lockjaw near death. Half large sheng of Zhu Li, slightly warm, drink. Yao Shi Fang: For sudden toothache. Burn one end of Ku Zhu, collect juice from other end, rub on teeth frequently, cured. Shang Han Lei Yao: Treat relapse after intercourse, scrotal swelling, abdominal colic, near death. Scrape one sheng of bamboo skin, boil in three sheng of water for five boils, strain, take in one dose. Same as Mei Shi Fang. Zi Mi Mi Lu: Treat fetal movement, take Gan Zhu Root decoction. Another prescription for calming fetus, take Zhu Li. Another prescription: For pregnancy months 8-9, if falling from tree or startled by cattle/horses causing heart pain. Cut five liang of Qing Zhu Ru, boil in one sheng of wine to yield five he, take in one dose. If not cured, take again. Another prescription: Infantile epilepsy. Scrape three liang of Qing Zhu Ru, boil in three sheng of vinegar to yield one sheng, strain, take one he. Also treats infantile lockjaw and body heat. Another prescription: Infantile head/ear sores. Burn bamboo leaves to powder, mix with pig fat, apply. Egg white application is also excellent. Chan Shu: Treat accidental fall during pregnancy causing sudden pain. Two he of fresh Qing Zhu Ru, boil in one sheng of good wine for three-five boils, divide into three doses. Chan Bao: Treat pregnancy exhaustion due to husband's activity. Drink one sheng of Zhu Li, immediate cure. Another prescription: Postpartum blood/qi sudden deficiency with sweating. Three he of Dan Zhu Li, slightly warm, drink, repeat shortly. Yang Shi Chan Ru: Treat sores/itch. Burn bamboo leaves to powder, mix with egg white, apply, cured in three-four times. Another prescription: Pregnancy vexation due to Zi Fan. Take Zhu Li without limit, sip slowly. Another prescription: Treat fetal movement. An Tai Fang: Boil Tian Zhu Root to thick juice, drink. Yao He Zhong: Children talking wildly at night. Zhu Li two he per year of age, taken overnight until finished. Li Tian Gai Wen Ji says: Firecrackers repel evil spirits. Neighbor Zhong Sou was haunted by mountain demons, throwing tiles, opening doors/windows, uneasy. Sou prayed with Buddhist scriptures, but hauntings increased. Tian told him: Set off dozens of firecrackers in the courtyard day and night like New Year's Eve. Sou agreed, firecrackers went until dawn, silence and peace returned, stopped. Bie Shuo says: Old texts say bamboo fruits are eaten by luan and phoenix. Recently, bamboo blooms near roads, small white flowers like jujube, bearing fruit like wheat grains, odorless and astringent. Jiangzhe people call it bamboo rice, omen of famine, and the bamboo dies. Truly not food of luan/phoenix. Recently, thousands from Jiangnan reported: They have bamboo fruits as big as chicken eggs, wrapped in layers of leaves, sweeter than honey, eating makes chest clear. Grown in deep, lush bamboo forests. I obtained some, but dried out while keeping juice, yet taste remained. Thus knowing luan/phoenix food must be extraordinary.
Yan Yi says: Bamboo leaves, all bamboos and shoots, are slightly cold in nature, thus leaves have similar uses. Ben Jing does not mention shoot and Ku Zhu nature; if taking juice/oil, no need to strictly select. Zhang Zhongjing's Zhu Ye Tang uses Dan Zhu. Shoots are hard to digest, do not benefit spleen. A neighbor's child, two years old, lost care, high fever, coarse breathing, no appetite, sleeping much, head tilted back, groaning, slight vomiting/rebellion, eyes closed, frequent fright, for three-five days. Doctor treated as slow convulsion; treatment mismatched, not cured. Suddenly mother mistakenly gave medicine containing Ban Dou (Croton seed) as convulsion remedy, dissolved into five sesame-sized pills, forced down. After a while, severe vomiting. Object stuck in throat, wet nurse extracted with finger, about three cun long, thick as little finger, it was a dry Jian Sun (arrow shoot) dried on steps three days prior. That night symptoms settled, next day harmonizing medicine regulated, thus safe. Such is the difficulty of digestion. Classic says: Asking to know is called skilled. Children cannot speak, thus hard to treat, physicians must be cautious.