The Cork Tree

The Cork Tree original: 蘖木 (nièmù) is the Yellow Cork Tree original: 黃蘖 (huángbò); scientifically known as Phellodendron amurense. It grows in the mountain valleys of Hanzhong a region in modern Shaanxi province and in Yongchang in modern Yunnan. Today it is found in many places, though those harvested from the Shu region modern Sichuan are considered to be of the highest quality.

The tree reaches several zhang in height one zhang is roughly 10 feet or 3 meters. Its leaves resemble those of the medicinal cornel original: 茱萸 (zhūyú) and the Chinese mahogany original: 椿 (chūn); they do not wither even during the winter. The outer bark is white, while the inner bark is a deep yellow color. The roots form knotted clumps, much like the Poria fungus original: 茯苓 (fúlíng), a medicinal mushroom used in many formulas found beneath pine trees. In the fifth and sixth lunar months, the bark is harvested; the rough, wrinkled outer layer is stripped away, and the rest is dried in the sun.

When used as medicine, its flavor is bitter, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. It is primarily used to treat accumulated "heat" within the five viscera the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys and the stomach and intestines. It is used for jaundice and intestinal hemorrhoids, and it stops diarrhea and dysentery. For women, it treats "red and white leakages" menstrual irregularities or vaginal discharge, as well as genital injuries and eroding sores. It heals "fright-qi" nervous agitation or shock that lingers between the skin and muscle, and treats skin that has become red, hot, and swollen. It is also used for red, painful, and heated eyes, as well as mouth sores.

The root has an alternative name: Tanhuan original: 檀桓. It governs a hundred ailments of the heart and abdomen, settles the soul and spirit original: 魂魄 (húnpò), and allows one to withstand hunger and thirst.