典藏书目

Baijiezi (White Mustard Seed), with a pungent flavor and warm nature, is non-toxic. It enters the meridians of the Liver, Spleen, Lung, Stomach, Heart, and Bao Luo (uterus and its appendages). It can expel cold qi from the interior, stabilize the Five Viscera, drive out phlegm located in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces, ward off evil influences, resolve masses, treat malaria, descend lung Qi to calm wheezing, unblock orifices to improve vision, remove blood stasis to alleviate pain, and all these effects can be achieved effectively. It possesses the abilities to dissipate and descend, to tonify and ascend; when assisting various tonifying formulas, it is particularly effective in achieving results. Modern practitioners do not understand how to use Baijiezi to transform phlegm, instead frequently using Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome) and Nanxing (Arisaema Rhizoma) which consume healthy Qi, which is incomprehensible.

Baijiezi excels at transforming saliva and phlegm; there is no phlegm in the subcutaneous tissues and intermuscular membranes that it cannot eliminate, truly surpassing Banxia and Nanxing. Banxia has a drying nature that scorches Yin fluids, while Nanxing has a heavy taste that damages the Stomach Qi. Only Baijiezi digests saliva and phlegm without consuming the healthy Qi of the Lungs, Stomach, Liver, and Heart. It is suitable for use in Qi-level disorders, and even appropriate for use in Blood-level disorders.

Some doubt that Baijiezi can only eliminate phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces, but cannot eliminate phlegm in the Stomach and Lungs. It seems that eliminating phlegm in the Lungs requires Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb), and eliminating phlegm in the Stomach requires Banxia. However, who would know this is incorrect? The phrase "phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces" refers collectively to the Stomach and Lungs. The membranous structures within the Stomach and Lungs are especially prone to harboring phlegm. Since Baijiezi eliminates phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces, it means that wherever there is phlegm, it is thoroughly eliminated. Moreover, since the Lungs and Stomach are relatively superficial, how could they possibly be unable to be treated? Consider malaria: the pathogenic factor is precisely phlegm hidden within the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces. Using one liang (approx. 30-50g depending on era) of Baijiezi, stir-fried and ground into powder, formed into pills with rice water, and taken entirely in one day, long-standing malaria stops abruptly. Is this not clear evidence of phlegm elimination? After the malaria stops, the spirit and energy remain vigorous, is this not clear evidence of phlegm elimination without consuming healthy Qi? Therefore, Baijiezi's ability to eliminate phlegm truly surpasses Beimu and Banxia. Who says phlegm in the Lungs and Stomach cannot be eliminated?

Some argue that although Baijiezi eliminates phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces, it may still consume healthy Qi. How can there be any herb that eliminates phlegm without consuming healthy Qi? The answer is: Baijiezi truly does not consume healthy Qi and can stabilize the Five Viscera. If it consumed healthy Qi, the Five Viscera would not be stabilized. Could there be a situation where the Five Viscera are stable yet healthy Qi is consumed? Other phlegm-transforming herbs either stabilize the Lungs but not the Stomach, or stabilize the Stomach but not the Lungs. None compare to Baijiezi's ability to stabilize the Five Viscera. This is why it truly surpasses all other phlegm-transforming herbs.

Some doubt that Baijiezi eliminates phlegm without consuming healthy Qi, yet after usage, the phlegm remains unresolved, suggesting that the claim about eliminating phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces is not fully trustworthy. The response is: Baijiezi can only eliminate phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces, but cannot eliminate phlegm in the Kidneys. If phlegm persists after taking Baijiezi, one should tonify the Kidneys. When Kidney essence is sufficient, phlegm will naturally transform. Why doubt Baijiezi's efficacy in eliminating phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces?

Some suspect that Baijiezi eliminates phlegm in the Yin aspect but not in the Yang aspect. Is this true? The answer is: No. Baijiezi eliminates phlegm in both the Yin and Yang aspects without exception; there is no need to distinguish between Yin and Yang. However, it cannot resolve phlegm caused by water flooding and fire boiling in the Kidney meridian. All other types of phlegm can be eliminated without doubt.

Someone asks: Baijiezi is the seed of the mustard plant. People feel that eating mustard plants greatly aids digestion, so Baijiezi should also greatly aid digestion, implying it should not be consumed in large quantities. However, who knows that while the mustard plant aids digestion, the mustard seed transforms phlegm; they are different. One should not avoid the seed because it comes from a vegetable.

Some doubt that Baijiezi eliminates phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces without consuming healthy Qi, noting that few arguments remain unaddressed regarding this. But they do not know where exactly this phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces is located. The answer is: It is located in the middle region above and below the epigastrium (Wei Wan), not outside the upper and lower boundaries of the epigastrium. Although phlegm is distributed among the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, it essentially resides within the membranous structures of the epigastrium. Baijiezi excels at eliminating phlegm in the diaphragmatic membrane and intercostal spaces by acting within the epigastrium. Does it need to enter each of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs individually before eliminating phlegm?