Library

Xinjiang (New Crimson Fabric), used in Xuanfu Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Inula Decoction) from *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), treats Gan Zhuo (Liver Qi Stagnation), and also treats post-miscarriage bleeding in women. *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) alone omitted it; Huang Kunzai discussed it in detail in *Changsha Yaojie* (Explanation of Medicinals from Changsha), stating: Xinjiang has a neutral flavor, enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, promotes meridian circulation and resolves blood stasis, consolidates the Blood Sea to stop metrorrhagia. It is further stated that Xinjiang promotes urination and leaches out dampness; once dampness is removed, Wood Qi flourishes and blood rises, thus stopping metrorrhagia. Its various indications include stopping metrorrhagia, hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), bloody dysentery, and other hemorrhagic conditions; eliminating Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) in men; and treating postpartum dribbling urine. For stopping bleeding, it is burned to ash while retaining its nature and ground into powder; for Xiao Ke and urinary dribbling, it is decocted in water and taken warm. The mention of Xiao Ke in various conditions is attributed to excessive Spleen Earth dampness and insufficient Fire; this is likely because the author deeply detested Yin-nourishing therapies, so his statements were inevitably biased.

Zuo Muli (Left Oyster Shell), (select shells with the apex facing north and the ventral side facing south; those whose opening slants eastward are called "Left-Gazing," which are male, while right-gazing are female.) Zuo Panlong (Left Coiling Dragon), (which is pigeon droppings.) Zuo Chan Teng (Left-Coiling Vine), (which is Jin Yin Hua/Honeysuckle Flower). All are prized for being "left." Qin Jiao Root has spiral patterns; only those spiraling to the left are used as medicine, while those spiraling to the right cause Hong Kong Foot disease (Gouty Arthritis). Lu Ziyao said: This is because Heaven's Dao rotates to the left, and human vital Qi follows it.

Tao Ren (Peach Seed) easily causes abdominal distension. A son of a certain family in Zhenze, just over ten years old, died of abdominal distension after eating too many. The coffin was prepared for burial, but when opened a year later for cremation, the body was found lying prone in the coffin, hands and feet in a pushing position. It seems the properties of Tao Ren had subsided and then revived; the coffin was thin and brittle, preventing suffocation, but he turned his body trying to get out, lacked the strength to break the coffin, and died.

Zhu Fu (Pig Skin), Wang Haicang considered it fresh pig skin; Wu Shou considered it the black skin scraped off during slaughter; Wang Shishan cited *Li Yun Shu*: "Ge" is leather; "Fu" is the thin outer layer of the leather. Thus, Wu's view is correct. "Fu" implies superficiality. According to the commentary in the Imperially Commissioned *Yizong Jinjian* (Golden Mirror of Medical Tradition): Zhu Fu is the thin skin outside the leather; its texture is light, its flavor salty. Lightness allows dispersion, saltiness enters the Kidney. Hence, it treats Shaoyin sore throat, embodying dispersion within heat-clearing. This interpretation is detailed and covers the views of various schools.

Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) unblocks Stomach collaterals without removing the heart; if used in formulas nourishing Lung Yin, the heart should be removed. Chen Zaian stated this based on his clinical experience.

Flowers of all trees have five petals, except Osmanthus (Gui), which has four, and Gardenia (Zhi Zi), which has six. Gui is the tree of the moon; Zhi Zi is the Yexia/Zhanbo flower from the Western Regions. (Peach and Apricot flowers with six petals produce fruits with double kernels, which are poisonous and can kill.)

Shu Qi (Herb from Shu) in *Shanghan Lun* is the stem of Chang Shan ( Dichroa root). Ze Qi (Painted Plantain) in *Jingui Yaolue* is a different variety of the same genus as Da Ji (Euphorbia). They are no longer used as medicines. Only folk healers use Mao Er Yan Cao (Cat's Eye Grass) to treat water parasites, which is Ze Qi.

Li Dongbi considered Xiang Ru (Mosla Herb) a summer exterior-releasing drug, similar to using Ma Huang (Ephedra) in winter; those with Qi deficiency especially should not take it in excess. Modern people believe it relieves summerheat and generally use it as tea, which is wrong. Cheng Zhongling considered Xiang Ru an essential summerheat-relieving drug, yet medical texts call it a powder, and commoners call it a summer prohibition. If prohibited in summer, when should it be used? This is absurd and unjustly harms good herbs. Both views are recorded in Cheng Xingxuan's *Yi Shu*. I consider Li's view correct and reject Cheng's. (Although Xiang Ru is not a summer prohibition, it is suitable for releasing Yang Qi obstructed by Yin pathogens; it is not suitable for other summerheat diseases.) Modern people also wrongly use Huo Xiang (Patchouli Leaf) as summer tea. The only herb suitable for daily summer use to clear summerheat is aged Qing Hao (Sweet Wormwood Herb). I harvest Qing Hao in mid-autumn, clean and dry it, store it, and next summer decoct it in a steamer to collect the dew for tea, which is very effective.

Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit) specializes in clearing heat from the Heart and Small Intestine. *Benjing* and various materia medica do not mention its ability to resolve dampness. Only Zhu Danxi said it clears Spleen-Stomach damp-heat; Shen Zeshi said combined with Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) and Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark) it treats damp-heat; Wu Shi's *Bencao Congxin* said it clears Sanjiao and Large Intestine damp-heat. Recent physicians follow this, regarding it as a key damp-draining herb. However, Lian Qiao has three uses: 1. Clears guest-heat from the Heart Meridian; 2. Clears heat from the Upper Jiao; 3. Is the sacred herb for sores and ulcers. This exhausts its functions.

Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry) is described as sweet-neutral, bitter-cold, slightly cold, or sweet-slightly-warm by various texts, without explaining the rationale. Only Zhang Shiwang in *Benjing Fengyuan* stated it is sweet, red, and undoubtedly warm. Because *Benjing* grouped roots and fruits together without distinction, later authors confused the fruit's slight coldness with the root's great coldness. Nature produces things unevenly; e.g., Cornus Officinalis Flesh astringes essence while the seed slides essence; Angelica Sinensis Head stops bleeding while the Tail breaks blood; Citrus Rind eliminates phlegm while the membrane gathers phlegm. Even Yan Di tasting herbs only recorded flavor, color, and shape; how can a sweet, red, plump substance be cold? His discrimination surpassed others. In my youth, taking Gou Qi Zi caused toothache; in middle age, it was comfortable. Also, patients with Liver disease and fire often worsened with Gou Qi Zi, confirming its warming nature.

Zhang Shucheng's *Bencao Xuan* stated that dates used in formulas, regardless of black or red, are actually large red dates; black dates are steamed with honey. Steaming dates with sugar and honey damages the Spleen and Stomach and aids damp-heat over time. Red dates are mild and harmonize the Stomach; black dates are rich and tonify the Middle. They should not be mixed. The idea that they aid damp-heat is sound; excessive consumption causes dental caries... *Long Mu Lun* treats internal cataracts with Wu Tui San (Five-Shed Powder), using Long Tui (Snake Skin), Chan Tui (Cicada Slough), Feng Huang Tui (Hen Eggshell), Fo Tui (Silkworm Paper), and Ren Tui (Male Infant Hair) in equal parts, burned to ash, powdered, taken with cooked mutton liver. Fo Tui and Ren Tui are new names, supplementing medicinal aliases.

Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings) takes the bamboo radical, but colloquially sometimes uses the grass radical as "Ru"; Qing Xiang Zi (Celosia Seed) takes the grass radical, but colloquially sometimes uses the bamboo radical as "Xiang". Both are errors.

Fu Ling (Poria) is the residual Qi of Pine; Zhu Ling (Polyporus) is the residual Qi of Maple; Lei Wan (Omphalia) is the residual Qi of Bamboo, also called Zhu Ling. Zhu Ling is in the Middle Grade of *Benjing*, Lei Wan in the Lower Grade, Fu Ling in the Upper Grade. Fu Ling is most used in formulas because it absorbs Pine's essence; long-term use calms the soul, nourishes spirit, prevents hunger, and prolongs life. Ju Ling grows on orange trees like mushrooms and treats mastitis, seen in Zhao Shuxuan's *Bencao Gangmu Shiyi*.

Ge Xian Mi (Green Algae) forms on stones in mountain caves soaked by water, found in deep mountains of Chu, Shu, and Yue. Long Qingfei's *Shiwu Kao* says it clears spirit, resolves heat, treats phlegm-fire, and prolongs life with long-term use. *Bencao Gangmu Shiyi* says it is cold and should not be eaten much. It is not used medicinally but makes delicious soup. Add vinegar first, then soak in boiling water until soft.

Mulberry is widely used: leaf, branch, flower, fruit, root bark, juice, ear fungus, gall, oil, insect, parasite, mantis egg case—twelve types. Lotus is widely used: seed pod, node, stem, leaf, calyx, rootlet, flower, receptacle, fruit, coix seed, juice, starch—twelve types. Both have fibers; one embodies Metal Qi, the other Water Essence. *Lixu Yuanjian* states only Mulberry and Lotus are pure throughout.

The annotation for Wang Bu Liu Xing San in *Jingui Yaolue* says: If Wind-Cold is present, do not take the southeast root of Mulberry. Later commentators argued that Wind-Cold pathogens in collaterals require upward dispersal, but Mulberry root descends and benefits Lung Qi, failing to expel external pathogens. Wu Jutong elaborated: Mulberry root descends firmly from Lung to Liver/Kidney; acceptable for internal injury, but for external contraction, it draws pathogens into Yin, causing chronic cough. Di Gu Pi (Wolfberry Bark), the deepest root of Wolfberry, reaches bone; contraindicated in Wind-Cold external contraction. These details are in *Wenbing Tiaobian*, supplementing materia medica. Few modern physicians distinguish drug properties carefully. In autumn of Bingchen year, my relative Mrs. Wu contracted Wind-Cold with cough and asthma. A doctor used Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark) as the chief ingredient, worsening the cough. She stopped it, switched to Xing Su San (Apricot and Perilla Decoction) modified, and recovered.

During the Wanli reign, Lu Zuyi (see *Sanshi Yiyan*) treated a dying plague patient, wife of Mr. Shen. Neighbor Shao Nanqiao donated silver for funeral costs. Adding Bai Shao (White Peony Root) and using only 1 qian of Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), she recovered in four doses. This shows Ginseng was cheap then; now poor people need over 10 taels for 1 liang. Even with good doctors, what can be done?

Xing Ren (Apricot Seed) moistens Lungs and moves Qi. Soak in water, remove skin and tip, stir-fry with bran until yellow. For Wind-Cold, use raw with skin and tip for dispersal.

If Ginseng does not agree, eat raw Radish. Yao Yun's *Bencao Fenjing* says Hawthorn resolves it. *Bencao Gangmu Shiyi* says Chestnut Shell decoction resolves Ginseng power better. I believe mild cases can be resolved, severe ones cannot. Use cautiously, do not prescribe blindly.

Yu Zan (Hemerocallis Bulb) and Feng Xian (Impatiens Stem) are in the Poisonous Herbs section of *Bencao Gangmu*. Yu Zan's poison is in the root; Feng Xian's in the seed. Both penetrate bones and damage teeth. Pearl Orchid and Jasmine roots are also poisonous and lethal.

Tobacco appeared in the late Ming Dynasty, originating from Tabasco, flowing to Luzon, then to Fujian. Shima Town in Fujian produced the best. Materia medica list it in the Poisonous Herbs section. *Huiyan* says eating it causes breathlessness and coma, proving it is harmful. *Beiyao* says fire smoke consumes blood and shortens life; its only benefit is dispelling miasma and purifying filth. Many enjoy it; tobacco shops rival wine shops. Though less harmful than Opium, it consumes Lung Qi and injures Yin Blood. Patients with cough, asthma, consumptive disease, hemoptysis, Qi deficiency, or flaming fire should avoid it.

Qing Fen (Calomel) is acrid, dry, and toxic. Effective for Yamei Chuang (Syphilis), but toxins enter sinews and bones, causing other diseases. Da Feng Zi (Croton Seed) for Leprosy is similar. Formulators must be cautious.

Materia Medica states Gardenia clears fire when raw, stops bleeding when charred. *Linzheng Zhinan* uses charred Gardenia for external contractions. Huang Tuian noted recent preference for charred over raw. Zhang Zhongjing's Gardenia Decoction forbids use in patients with loose stools due to bitterness/coldness. Charring reduces coldness, making it safe for loose stools, explaining why raw use is rare.

Many drugs come from overseas; Chinese drugs are treasured abroad, e.g., Tea for Western Regions, Rhubarb for Tanggu Te, Bombyx Batryticatus for Japan. Previously, special tribute included Tu Fu Ling (Smilax Glabra Rhizome), raising prices 100-fold (*Qiantang County Gazetteer*).

Bo He (Mint Leaf) is light and dispersing. Elderly and sick should not take much. Luo Jinghan from Taizhou, healthy over 70, took Mint for wind-cold without sweat, sweated profusely, and died. Uncle Zhou Yutang recovered from palpitations but ate Mint Cake, causing asthma, sweating, and insomnia; treated with heavy Ginseng and Aconite to calm him.

Xiang Shi (Acorn) refers to the Oak tree. *Shijing* calls it Li, Xu, Zuo, Chu (non-fructifying). *Erya* calls it Rou Xiang Shi, also Zao Dou, wild chestnut. Astringes intestines, stops dysentery, surpasses Poppy. A large tree near Hangzhou Academy provides shade; nuts fall at night, sounding pleasant.

Lu Ziyao's *Bencao Chengya Banji* lists Tea's benefits: slimming, removing fat, increasing strength, pleasing mind, benefiting memory, opening ears/eyes, relaxing limbs/joints, relieving depression, aiding recitation, promoting alert sleep. Zhang Xingyun's *Tiaoji Yinshi Bian* says Tea consumes essence/blood, having no restorative effect. Persuading everyone to stop drinking is hard; drink clear, avoid strong/excessive amounts, substitute with other herbs if possible. Thirst/heat syndromes worsen with Tea. Ancients didn't drink Tea exclusively; *Erya* only mentioned soup/drink. *Chajing* and *Chalu* are ignored by rational scholars. Zhang's view is correct; if substitution isn't possible, adhere to "less and clear." Old Tea (5-20 years) may cause aphonia or sudden death due to toxicity. Rarely known.

Yang Xiluo's *Benjing Jieyao Kaozheng* says Wei Rui (Polygonatum) and Qi Ye (Toxicodendron Leaf) treat Yin deficiency and promote fertility (Hua Tuo's Qi Ye Qing Zhan San). Qing Zhan is unrecognized; some say Polygonatum leaves, others Wei Rui. Two elderly scholars in my hometown died taking it. Some say Qi Ye is Wu Jia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex); *Benjing* calls it Chai Qi. A soldier with arm pain drank Wu Jia Pi wine with Wei Rui and recovered. Did ancient formulas work like this? *Gangmu* may have mistakenly attached Toxicodendron. Toxicodendron is toxic; *Benjing*'s "prolonged use lightens body" and *Baopuzi*'s "immortality" are unbelievable. I saw a lacquer worker covered in sores from accidental exposure; ingestion is dangerous. Tao Hongjing said raw lacquer is highly toxic. Ancient texts didn't use leaves, so flavor/nature is missing; *Gangmu* likely guessed indications. Using Wu Jia Pi instead of Qi Ye is rational. Ancient formulas require careful scrutiny; don't blindly trust predecessors.

*Bencao Gangmu Shiyi* records Ji Shen Shui (Chicken Spirit Water) for eyes: hollow a radish near the stem, insert an egg, plant until leaves grow, extract liquid for eyes to restore vision. *Chongqing Tang Suibi* records Sai Kong Qing method: bury a radish with an egg underground from Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice, wrap in women's clothes, store in porcelain to avoid lightning. Yolk and white turn to clear water; drops cure blindness. Try these methods.

Ke Yunbo doubted Shu Qi in Niujie Decoction. Zou Run'an argued pulse floating with heat cauterization indicates excess; treating excess as deficiency causes throat dryness/hematemesis. Causing vomiting accelerates blood loss. *Qianjin* and *Waitai* don't use Shu Qi for non-plague/non-malaria cases, suggesting formula error. Fang Dazhang suggested Shu Qi is a typo for Shu Shu (Millet). Ancient "Qi" lacked water radical, resembling "Shu". Millet nourishes Heart, warms Middle, astringes intestines, calming spirit with Long Gu/Mu Li. (See *Shouyin Yizhui*.)

Many herbal shapes are similar: Dang Yu resembles He Shou Wu; Gou Wen resembles Huang Jing; Tou Shan Gen resembles Mi Wu; Tian Zha resembles Shi Long Rui; Ji Guan Zi resembles Qing Xiang Zi; Chi Liu Cao Gen resembles Qian Cao Gen. Good/poisonous differences are vast; users must distinguish carefully.

Human-shaped He Shou Wu is rare and extends life, but not always. Tang Zhiqing's *Yiju Baibian* recounts a scholar buying two human-shaped roots for 2000 cash, preparing with Adzuki beans, dying of diarrhea days later. Was it incompatible constitution or hidden toxicity? Be cautious. Fei Xingfu's *Xi Wu Can Lue* details Tou Er Can (First/Second Silkworms) better than other commentaries. *Zhou Li* prohibits Yuan Can (second-generation silkworms). *Bencao* mentions Late Silkworm Sand/Cocoons but doesn't distinguish. First-generation second-batch silkworms are distinct. Hatched from first-batch moths, raised after Qingming, mature quickly, harvested in 20 days. Cocoons, pupae, sand, and dead silkworms are medicinal; dead ones treat smallpox effectively. Spring air gives them healing properties. *Bencao* likely refers to this. Second-batch silkworms, fed mulberry leaves during plum rains, become hot/toxic, infested with maggots. Cocoons/silk are cheap, used only for fertilizer, never medicine. Modern pharmacies sell mostly first-batch silkworm sand/cocoons. Authenticity is lacking.

Cow milk is hot and tonifies Yang; effective for deficiency-cold. Relative Wang Zhiting in Changxing reported local production. Milk is collected in summer; locals chase away mother cows, catch calves, slaughter them, dry guts, and collect coagulated milk blocks. Each tael can...