Cypress leaves, also known as Baiye or Bianbaiye, are mentioned in the book "Jin Kui Yao Lue Fang Lun". They are the branches and leaves of the cypress tree Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. They are mostly harvested in summer and autumn and dried in the shade.
[Processing methods] 1. Cypress leaves: "Remove the thick stems" (from the book "Shi Yi De Xiao Fang"). "Dry in the shade" (from the book "Yao Pin Bian Yi"). Currently, the original medicinal material is taken, impurities, thick stems, and fruits are removed, and ash is sifted out.
2. Charred cypress leaves: "Burn the ash to preserve its nature, grind it into fine powder, wrap it in paper, and leave it on the ground overnight to remove the toxicity" (from the book "Shi Yao Shen Shu"). "Fry until black" (from the book "Ben Cao Hui Zuan"). Currently, clean cypress leaves are placed in a pot, fried over high heat until the surface is dark brown and the inside is golden yellow, sprayed with a little water to extinguish the sparks, and then taken out and cooled.
3. Fried cypress leaves: "Fry until yellow" (from the book "Jiao Zhu Fu Ren Liang Fang"). Currently, clean cypress leaves are placed in a pot, fried over low heat until yellow, and then taken out and cooled.
4. Charred cypress leaves: Clean cypress leaves are placed in a pot, fried over low heat until charred yellow, sprayed with a little water to extinguish the sparks, and then taken out and cooled.
5. Vinegar-treated cypress leaves: Clean cypress leaves are fried over high heat while sprinkling vinegar until they turn black or dark brown, then taken out and cooled. For every 100 kg of cypress leaves, 5 kg of vinegar is used.
6. Salt-treated cypress leaves: "Fry in saltwater and then bake until dry" (from the book "Shou Shi Bao Yuan"). Currently, clean cypress leaves are fried over low heat until heated through and the color darkens. Saltwater is sprayed in, and then fried until completely black. Finally, the leaves are taken out and cooled.
7. Steamed cypress leaves: "Steam nine times and sun-dry nine times, grind into powder" (from the book "Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang"). "Steam until dry" (from the book "Shi Yi De Xiao Fang"). Currently, cypress leaves are steamed for about 3 hours until they become shiny and fluorescent green, then taken out and sun-dried.
