Bai Ji Li (Chao), Ci Ji Li (Chao)

Acrid, such that it disperses, and bitter, such that it drains, Tribuli Fructus (ci ji li) is light in weight, enabling it to reach the upper burner to calm the Liver and extinguish internal wind, while at the same time dredging Liver and Lung wind-heat, relieving Liver constraint, promoting the flow of qi, and breaking up blood stasis. It is used in the treatment of headaches or dizziness from ascendant Liver yang; red eyes and excessive lacrimatiion from wind-heat; wind-heat causing itching from wind-rash; and pain in the chest and flanks, irregular menstruation, breast abscess, or difficult lactation associated with Liver constraint stagnating the flow of qi. For insufficient lactation accompanied by painful breasts, it has been used as a stand-alone herb, dry-fried and ground into a powder. Encountering the Sources of the Classis of Materia Medica states that it \'is an important herb for treating wind and to brighten the eyes.\' In an entry emphasizing the acrid-dispersing properties of the herb, the Divine Husbandman\'s Classic of the Materia Medica states: \'Governs noxious blood, breaks up fixed abdominal masses, clumping, gathered accumulations, throat painful obstruction, and urinary difficulty.\' Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians adds: \'Governs wind-itching all over the body, headache, cough, and rebellion injuring the Lungs, and Lung atrophy disorder; stops irritability, and directs the qi downward.' The dried fruit is dry-fried until darker yellow. This method of preparation reduces its acrid-dispersing qualities, enhancing its ability to calm the Liver, anchor the yang, soothe the Liver, and release constraint. It is most often used in the treatment of Liver yang headaches and dizziness, pain in the chest and flanks, and insufficient lactation.--Bensky: Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3rd ed.