Library

Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats internal injury (shang zhong), dispels bi syndrome (painful obstruction), directs rebellious qi downward, tonifies the five zang organs for deficiency and emaciation due to chronic fatigue, strengthens yin essence, benefits jing (essence), replenishes internal exhaustion, harmonizes stomach qi, promotes muscle growth, expels pathogenic heat and fei qi (heat rash) from the skin, and treats pain, cold-bi, and weakness in the feet and knees. Long-term consumption thickens the intestines and stomach, lightens the body, prolongs life, stabilizes the mind, and eliminates fright. Also known as Linlan, Jinsheng, Dulan, or Shikuai. Grows on rocks by streams in the valleys of Lu'an. The stems are harvested in July and August and dried in the shade.

Luying (Euphorbia humifusa) serves as its guiding herb. It is incompatible with Ningshuishi (Calcium Carbonatum) and Badou (Crotonis Fructus), and fears Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) and Leiwan (Polyporus). The Dendrobium currently used originates from Shixing. It grows on rocks, has small fruits, and when treated with ash water from mulberry branches, turns golden in color and resembles the thigh of a grasshopper; this is considered the best quality. Similar varieties exist in nearby regions, with those from Xuancheng being of secondary quality. Those growing on oak trees are called Mujie (Wood Dendrobium). Their stems are long and pale in color. Lu'an belongs to Lujiang Commandery. Currently, Mugejie is also produced in Shian, but it is hollow and elongated, unsuitable for pills and powders, and can only be used for wine infusion or decoction. Secular prescriptions most frequently use it to tonify deficiency and treat foot and knee ailments.

[Verification] To prepare dried Dendrobium, first wash with wine, rub, steam, and then roast/dry; do not use ash water. In Jingxiang, Hanzhong, and Jiangzuo, there are now two additional types: one resembles barley, linked in clusters, with a single leaf at the head, and has a cold nature; the other is as large as a sparrow's thigh, named Quebi Jie (Sparrow Thigh Dendrobium), and is fresh. Like Maijie, it has leaves at the stem apex, while other Jie types resemble bamboo, with leaves growing between the nodes.

Bitter and sour in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats wind-cold-dampness causing flaccidity and bi syndrome, limb contracture, knee pain with inability to flex or extend, expels blood stasis and qi stagnation, treats burns and sores caused by fire-heat, and induces abortion. It treats internal injury resulting in shortness of breath, male genital atrophy/wasting, urinary incontinence in the elderly, tonifies the middle jiao and reconnects severed tendons/vessels, fills the marrow, relieves headache and lower back/spine pain, treats amenorrhea and blood accumulation in women, benefits jing, promotes yin qi flow, and stops premature graying. Long-term consumption lightens the body and enhances resistance to aging. Also known as Baibei. Grows in river valleys of He'nei and in Linqu.

Incompatible with Yinghuo (Firefly), Luying, and Guijia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum); fears Baiqian (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix). The Achyranthes bidentata currently produced in Caizhou in nearby regions is the largest, softest, and most moist. Its stems have nodes and resemble Niuxi (Achyranthes root), hence the name. It is said that there are male and female varieties; the male variety has purple stems and thicker nodes, which is considered superior.

[Verification] For various herbs, those harvested before August should be sun-dried or fire-dried. Those harvested from October to January may be dried in the shade.