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Shanglu (Phytolaccae Radix), also known as Danglu. The red variety has inferior properties, while the white variety is of good quality.
Acrid and cold, toxic. Scrape off the skin with a copper knife, soak in water overnight, or stir-fry with vinegar, or steam with black soybeans. Using the red root harms the body, causing hallucinations of seeing ghosts. Taking it with raw water can be fatal.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states it treats edema, hernia, and abdominal masses (shenjia), bi syndrome (painful obstruction), eliminates carbuncles and swellings, and expels evil spirits and entities.
[Invention] Shanglu's bitter-cold nature damages the spleen; its action descends to promote diuresis. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* specifically addresses edema and hernia, sharing similar efficacy but different properties with Daji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix) and Gansui (Kansui Radix). It should not be used by those with weak stomach qi. For patients with swelling and difficulty urinating, mash the red root, mix with 3 fen of Shexiang (Moschus), apply to the center of the umbilicus, and bind tightly with cloth. Once urination becomes smooth, the swelling subsides. Alternatively, boil garlic with white Shanglu and drink the juice to treat swelling diseases. Zhang Zhongjing used it in Muli Zexie San (Oyster and Thunberg Fritillary Decoction) for post-illness edema below the waist, employing urgent methods to dissipate fluid because the patient cannot withstand harsh pathogenic factors after severe illness. However, if edema is caused by spleen deficiency, misusing this herb may yield temporary results, but relapse will occur shortly thereafter, rendering it incurable.

Yelangdu (Stellerae Radix), bitter, acrid, and cold, highly toxic. Aged material is superior; use after vinegar processing. Produced in Mount Tai, Donglu region; resembles Fangkui (Adenophorae Radix). Submerged in water is Yelangdu; floating is Fangkui.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats coughing and wheezing, breaks up food stagnation and accumulations, cold-heat water retention, malignant sores, scrofula (shulou), ulcerative lesions, evil spirits, and gu poison, and kills birds and beasts.
[Invention] Yelangdu is highly toxic and not a commonly used herb. According to the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, it treats coughing and wheezing only suitable for patients with solid constitution, robust qi, and sudden violent coughs. It can also break up food stagnation, cold-heat, and water retention due to its rapid and potent action. Its ability to kill birds and beasts implies its efficacy in treating malignant sores, ulcerative lesions, and gu poison. The *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies) uses 2 liang of Yelangdu and 0.5 liang of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to treat continuous pain and distension in the heart and abdomen. When added to Xuanfuhua (Inulae Flos) and made into honey pills, taken three times daily, it treats cold pain in the abdomen and qi stagnation in both hypochondria. As a powder applied externally, it treats malignant sores, scabies, and tinea. I observe that Yelangdu and Fangkui share the same root, differing only in density. Although their indications in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* differ, both are "mingxuan" substances (herbs causing intense reactions before improvement), and their functions are not significantly different. Currently, light and floating specimens sold as Yelangdu are undoubtedly Fangkui. However, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions strengthening bone marrow, benefiting qi, and lightening the body. Its nature favors dispersal, and its strength can attack and expel three types of parasites, thus achieving the effect of benefiting qi and lightening the body. While the *Shennong Bencao Jing* does not explicitly mention expelling worms, its use against gu poison is identical to that of Yelangdu.