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Rhamni Cortex (Shuli)
Indicated for alternating cold and fever, scrofula (Luo Li), and sores.
The bark tastes bitter, is slightly cold in nature, and is non-toxic. It is indicated for eliminating heat toxins from the skin of the body. Also known as Niuli, also known as Shuzi, also known as [Bei] (pronounced "bei").
Grows in fields and open country; it can be harvested at any time.
Note from *Tang Bencao*: This herb is also known as Zhaoli, also known as Zaoli, also known as Wucha. The bark is indicated for various sores, heat-toxin bi-syndrome, and alternating cold and fever. The fruit is indicated for worms in sores of cattle, horses, and other livestock; it can be applied externally after being crushed fresh, or mixed with fat and smeared, both methods are effective. The fruit tastes bitter; after harvesting and sun-drying, it is steamed nine times. Soaked in wine and taken three he (a traditional unit of volume), twice a day, it can expel blood clots and necrotic tissue, eliminate hernia, mass accumulation (Zheng Jia), and accumulated cold qi, which is highly beneficial. Both the bark and fruit have slight toxicity. Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to *Rihua Zi*: It tastes bitter, is cool in nature, and slightly toxic. It treats edema; the bark treats wind-bi syndrome.
*Tu Jing* states: Shuli is the same as Wuchaozi. *Ben Jing* does not record its place of origin, only stating that it grows in fields; currently, it is abundant in Sichuan. The branches and leaves are black, its juice is purple, and it tastes sweet and bitter. Harvested when fruits are ripe, sun-dried. Steamed nine times, soaked in wine and taken, it can expel... [Text fragment missing/unclear in source]. Also known as Niuli. Liu Yuxi's *Chuan Xin Fang* records: It is indicated for adults suffering from mouth gan-sores complicated by carbuncles on the back (Fa Bei), with a success rate of ten out of ten. Use Shan... [Text fragment missing], with five dou of water, decoct until half a day has passed, leaving thick juice. Immediately store in silver or copper vessels, re-decoct over water until one to two sheng remain. When slightly thickened, store in porcelain bottles. Take small amounts, warm, hold in mouth and swallow; cure is certain. Avoid soy sauce, vinegar, greasy foods, hot noodles, and generally avoid meat. If suffering from Fa Bei, re-decoct over water until extremely thick, mix into a paste, apply to the sore using cloth; this is miraculous. Dou Shi, wife of Liu An, Military Officer of Xiangzhou, suffered from mouth gan for fifteen years; her teeth fell out completely, gums broke and rotted, making it unbearable to approach. Using this prescription... she was cured.
*Shi Liao* states: Slightly cold. Indicated for abdominal distension and fullness. Its root is toxic; decocting a strong juice and holding it in the mouth treats periodontal issues. For cases where gan-worms erode the human spinal column, decocting a strong juice and administering it orally is beneficial. Its flesh is indicated for distension and grain-distension; mixed with flour to make cakes, eaten on an empty stomach, it will cause diarrhea shortly after. The decocted root juice can also be taken on an empty stomach, one zhan, to treat... [Text fragment missing].
*Yan Yi* states: Shuli is the same as Niuzi. The tree is seven to eight chi high; leaves resemble those of the plum tree but are narrower and less glossy. Fruits grow around the branches; they are purple-black when ripe and green when unripe. Leaves fall in autumn, while fruits remain on the branches. It is found everywhere, hence *Jing* does not specify its origin. Currently, it is very abundant in Guan-Shaanxi, Hunan, Jiangnan, and north of the Yangtze. Both the bark and fruit are used medicinally.