气味苦寒，无毒。主治五脏肠胃结热，黄胆，肠痔，止泄痢，女子漏下赤白，阴伤蚀
疮。（柏，音百，俗作黄柏，省笔之讹。）
（黄柏木出汉中山谷及永昌、邵陵、房商、山东诸处皆有。今以蜀中出者，皮浓色深为
佳，
树高数丈，叶似紫椿，经冬不凋，皮外白里深黄色，入药用其根结块，如松下茯苓。）
黄柏气味苦寒，冬不落叶，禀太阳寒水之精。皮浓色黄，质润稠粘，得太阴中土之化。
盖水
在地之下，水由地中行，故主治五脏肠胃中之结热，黄胆，肠痔。治结热者，寒能清热也。
治黄胆、肠痔者，苦能胜湿也。止泄痢者，先热泄而后下痢，黄柏苦寒，能止之也。女子漏
下赤白，阴伤蚀疮，皆湿热下注之病。苦胜湿而寒清热，故黄柏皆能治之也。以上主治，
皆正气无亏，热毒内盛，所谓下者举之，结者散之，热者寒之，强者泻之，各安其气，必清
必静，则病气衰气，归其所
宗，此黄柏之治皆有余之病也。如正气稍虚，饮食不强，盒饭禁用。
愚按∶黄柏禀寒水之精，得中土之化，有交济阴阳，调和水火之功，所治至广。而《珍
珠囊药性》云∶黄柏疮用，
一言蔽之。后人徒事歌括者，信为疮药而已。其曰珍珠，殆以鱼目欺世尔。
气味苦寒，无毒。主治五内邪气，胃中热气，面赤，酒 渣鼻，白癞，赤癞，疮疡。
（卮，酒器也，卮子象之，故名，俗作栀。《本经》谓之木丹，《别录》谓之越桃，今南
方
及西蜀州郡皆有之。木高七八尺，叶如李，浓而深绿，春荣夏茂，凌冬不凋，五月花开，花
皆六出，洁白芬芳，交秋结实，如诃子状，生青，熟则黄赤，其中仁穣亦红赤，入药宜用山
栀子，皮薄而圆小，刻房七棱至九棱者为佳。李时珍曰∶蜀中有红栀子，花烂红色，其实染
物亦赭红色。）
栀子气味苦寒，其色黄赤，春荣夏茂，凌冬不凋，盖禀少阴之气化。少阴寒水在下，而
君火
在上也。花多五瓣，而栀花六出。六者水之成数也。稍秒结实，味苦色赤，房刻七棱九棱，
是下禀寒水之精，而上结君火之实。主治五内邪气，胃中热气者，禀寒水之精，而治热之在
内也。面赤，酒 鼻，白癞，赤癞，疮疡者，结君火之实，而治热之在外也。栀子能启寒水
之精，清在上之火热，复能导火热之气以下降者，如此。
栀子生用能起水阴之气上滋，复导火热以下行，若炒黑则但从上而下，不能起水阴以上
滋，
故仲祖栀子豉汤生用不炒，有交 水火，调和心肾之功。而后人委言栀子生用则吐，炒黑则
不吐，且以栀子豉汤为吐剂。愚每用生栀及栀子豉汤，并未曾吐。夫不参经旨，而以讹传讹
者，不独一栀子为然矣。
【黄柏】
气味苦、寒，无毒。主治五脏及肠胃中的郁结之热，黄疸，肠痔，止住泄泻和痢疾，治疗女子经血淋漓不断或带下赤白，以及阴部损伤腐蚀而成的疮疡。（“柏”读音为bǎi，俗写作“黄柏”，是省略笔画造成的错误。）
（黄柏木产于汉中山谷以及永昌、邵陵、房商、山东等地都有。现在以四川出产的为好，树皮厚、颜色深为佳。树高几丈，叶子像紫椿树，冬天不落叶，树皮外面白色里面深黄色，入药使用其根部结成块状的部分，形状像松树下生长的茯苓。）
黄柏气味苦寒，冬天不落叶，禀受了太阳寒水的精气。树皮厚且色黄，质地滋润稠粘，得到了太阴中土的化育。大概是因为水在地之下，水流经由地中行，所以能主治五脏肠胃中的郁结之热、黄疸、肠痔。治疗郁结之热的，是因为寒性能清热。治疗黄疸、肠痔的，是因为苦性能胜湿。止住泄痢的，因为先有热泄然后才下痢，黄柏苦寒，能够止住它。女子经血淋漓赤白、阴部损伤蚀疮，都是湿热下注导致的疾病。苦能胜湿而寒能清热，所以黄柏都能治疗这些病。以上主治功效，都适用于正气没有亏损，热毒内盛的病症，也就是所谓的“下者举之，结者散之，热者寒之，强者泻之”，使各脏腑之气安宁，必须清静，那么病气就会衰退，正气回归其所宗主的地方，这是黄柏治疗的都属于有余（实证）的疾病。如果正气稍微虚弱，饮食不强健，就应当禁止使用。
我按语：黄柏禀受寒水的精气，得到中土的化育，有交济阴阳、调和火水的功效，所治疗的病症非常广泛。而《珍珠囊药性》说：“黄柏用于疮疡”，用一句话概括了它。后人只拘泥于歌诀的人，相信它只是治疮的药罢了。它被称为“珍珠”，大概是像鱼目混珠那样欺骗世人罢了。
【栀子】
气味苦、寒，无毒。主治五脏内的邪气，胃中的热气，面色发红，酒渣鼻，白癞风，赤癞风，疮疡。
（“卮”是酒器，“卮子”因形状像卮而得名，俗写作“栀”。《本经》称它为“木丹”，《别录》称它为“越桃”，现在南方及西蜀各州郡都有。树高七八尺，叶子像李树叶，浓密深绿，春天茂盛夏天繁茂，经历冬天不凋落，五月开花，花都是六瓣，洁白芬芳，到了秋天结果实，形状像诃子，生时青色，熟时黄红色，其中的仁瓤也是红赤色，入药宜用山栀子，皮薄而圆小，刻痕呈七棱至九棱的为佳。李时珍说：蜀中有红栀子，花烂呈红色，它的果实染色也呈赭红色。）
栀子气味苦寒，颜色黄赤，春天茂盛夏天繁茂，经历冬天不凋落，大概禀受了少阴的气化。少阴寒水在下，而君火在上。花多五瓣，而栀子花六出。六是水的成数。稍后结实，味苦色赤，果壳刻痕七棱九棱，这是下禀受寒水的精气，而上结成君火的果实。主治五脏内邪气、胃中热气的，是禀受寒水的精气，来治疗在内部的热。面色发红、酒渣鼻、白癞风、赤癞风、疮疡的，是结成君火的果实，来治疗在外部的热。栀子能启发寒水的精气，清除在上的火热，又能引导火热之气向下运行，如此这般。
栀子生用能兴起水阴之气向上滋润，又能引导火热向下运行；如果炒黑则只从上往下，不能兴起水阴之气向上滋润。所以张仲景的栀子豉汤生用不炒，有交济水火、调和心肾的功效。而后人妄言栀子生用会呕吐，炒黑则不会呕吐，并且把栀子豉汤当作吐剂。我每次使用生栀子及栀子豉汤，从未见过呕吐的情况。那些不参究经典旨意，而以讹传讹的，不仅仅只有栀子这一种情况罢了。
[Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai)]
Flavor and nature: Bitter, cold. Non-toxic.
Indications: Treats stagnant heat in the five zang organs and intestines/stomach, jaundice, intestinal hemorrhoids, stops diarrhea and dysentery, treats leukorrhea with red and white discharge or metrorrhagia in women, and sores/ulcers caused by erosion of the yin region. ("Bai" is pronounced bǎi; "Huangbai" is a common variant, an error resulting from omitting strokes.)
(Phellodendron trees grow in valleys of Hanzhong, as well as Yongchang, Shaoling, Fangshang, Shandong, etc. Currently, those from Sichuan are considered best, characterized by thick bark and deep color. The tree can be several zhang high, leaves resemble those of the purple toon, evergreen through winter. The outer bark is white, inner bark deep yellow. The medicinal part used is the knotted root mass, resembling Poria cocos growing under pine trees.)
Phellodendri Cortex has a bitter and cold flavor. It remains evergreen in winter, inheriting the essence of Taiyang Cold Water. Its bark is thick and yellow, with a moist and viscous texture, obtaining the transformation of Taiyin Central Earth. Since water lies beneath the earth and flows through it, it effectively treats stagnant heat within the five zang organs and intestines/stomach, jaundice, and intestinal hemorrhoids. To treat stagnant heat, its cold nature clears heat. To treat jaundice and intestinal hemorrhoids, its bitter nature overcomes dampness. To stop diarrhea and dysentery: since hot diarrhea precedes bloody dysentery, the bitter-cold nature of Phellodendri Cortex can arrest this progression. Leukorrhea with red and white discharge and erosive sores of the yin region are all diseases caused by damp-heat sinking downward. Bitterness overcomes dampness and cold clears heat; thus, Phellodendri Cortex treats these conditions. The aforementioned indications apply to cases where righteous qi is not deficient but internal heat-toxin is abundant. This aligns with the principles: "raise what sinks, scatter what stagnates, cool what is hot, drain what is excess." By ensuring each qi rests in its proper place and maintaining clarity and stillness, pathogenic qi declines, and righteous qi returns to its source. Therefore, the treatments provided by Phellodendri Cortex are for excess syndromes. If righteous qi is slightly deficient or dietary intake is weak, it should be strictly contraindicated.
My commentary: Phellodendri Cortex inherits the essence of Cold Water and obtains the transformation of Central Earth, possessing the function of harmonizing yin and yang, and balancing fire and water. Its scope of treatment is extensive. However, *Zhenzhu Nang Yaoxing* states: "Phellodendron is used for sores," summarizing its use in one phrase. Later generations, merely memorizing rhymed prescriptions, believe it is solely a medicine for sores. Calling it "Pearl" is likely akin to passing off fish eyes as pearls to deceive the world.
[Gardenia Fruit (Zhizi)]
Flavor and nature: Bitter, cold. Non-toxic.
Indications: Treats evil qi within the five internal organs, heat qi in the stomach, facial flushing, rhinophyma (alcoholic nose), vitiligo (white leprosy), erythema (red leprosy), and sores/ulcers.
("Zhi" refers to a wine vessel; the fruit resembles this vessel, hence the name, commonly written as "Zhi". *Shennong Bencao Jing* calls it "Mudan", *Bencao Jing Jiu Yi* calls it "Yuetao". It grows in southern regions and western Sichuan prefectures. The tree is 7-8 chi high, leaves resemble plum leaves, dense and dark green, flourishing in spring and summer, evergreen through winter. Flowers bloom in May, typically six-petaled, white, fragrant. Fruits form in autumn, resembling Chebula terminalia fruits; green when raw, turning yellow-red when ripe. The aril inside is also red. For medicinal use, wild Gardenia fruits are preferred: thin-skinned, round and small, with 7 to 9 ridges are best. Li Shizhen noted: In Sichuan, there is red Gardenia with reddish flowers; its dye yields a ochre-red color.)
Gardenia Fruit has a bitter and cold flavor, with yellow-red color. It flourishes in spring and summer and remains evergreen through winter, inheriting the Qi transformation of Shaoyin. Shaoyin Cold Water is below, while Sovereign Fire is above. Flowers usually have five petals, whereas Gardenia flowers have six. Six is the completion number of Water. The fruit forms later, bitter in taste and red in color, with 7-9 ridges on the capsule. This indicates it inherits the essence of Cold Water from below and forms the fruit of Sovereign Fire from above. Treating evil qi in the five internal organs and heat qi in the stomach utilizes its inheritance of Cold Water essence to treat heat located internally. Facial flushing, rhinophyma, vitiligo, erythema, and sores utilize its formation of Sovereign Fire fruit to treat heat located externally. Gardenia can inspire the essence of Cold Water to ascend and nourish, and simultaneously guide fire-heat qi to descend.
When used raw, Gardenia can raise the qi of Water-Yin to nourish upward, while guiding fire-heat downward. If stir-fried until black, it only acts from top to bottom and cannot raise Water-Yin to nourish upward. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing's Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction (Zhizi Chi Tang) uses raw, unroasted Gardenia, possessing the function of interacting with water and fire, and harmonizing Heart and Kidney. Later generations erroneously claimed that raw Gardenia causes vomiting, while roasted black does not, and classified Zhizi Chi Tang as an emetic. I have never observed vomiting when using raw Gardenia or Zhizi Chi Tang. Those who do not investigate the canonical principles but spread errors are not limited to just Gardenia.