一名 ，即鼠莽，本作茧字，此物有毒，食之令人迷罔故名。山人以之毒鼠，
渔人以之毒鱼，与醉鱼草总一类
辛温，有毒。
《本经》主头风痈肿疝瘕，除结气疥瘙，杀虫鱼。
发明 莽草大毒，善杀鱼鼠，其性可知。《本经》治疝瘕结气，荡涤在内之宿积也。疗
痈肿头风，搜逐在外之邪毒也。但性最猛烈，服之令人瞑眩。《千金方》每与茵芋同为搜风
涤恶之峻剂。近世罕能用之。惟毒鱼之外，仅以浴顽痹湿风及煎嗽虫牙，然沐时勿令入眼，
中其毒者，惟草紫河车磨水服之可解，黑豆煮汁服之亦解。以豆汁浇莽根则烂，物类之相制
如此。至于茵芋人所未识，毋怪近世医术之卑也。
苦辛温，有毒。生泰山川谷。春生苗，高三四尺，茎赤，叶似石榴而短浓，又似
石南。四月开细白花，五月结实。今彭城、海盐、杭州、雍州、绛州、华州皆有，四月采叶
，七月采茎，阴干用之。
《本经》主五脏邪气，心腹寒热，羸瘦如疟状，发作有时，诸关节风湿痹痛。
发明 茵芋大毒，世亦罕用。《本经》虽有治羸瘦如疟状一语，皆是五脏有邪气，心腹
寒热所致，非能疗虚羸寒热也。其治关节风湿痹痛，是其正治。时珍曰，《千金》《外台》
诸方治风痫有茵芋丸，治风痹有茵芋酒，治妇人产后中风有茵芋膏，风湿诸方多用之。茵芋
、石南、莽草皆古人治风妙品，近世罕知。
Background Information:
Book: Benjing Fengyuan (Supplement to the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica)
Author: Zhang Lu
Dynasty: Qing Dynasty
Chapter: Mangcao (Dichroa Root/Herb) / Yinyu (Epimedium/Barrenwort related herb)
Category: Comprehensive
Mangcao, also known as "Bao" (pronounced like 'mi'), is the same as Shumang (Rat Poison Herb). The ancient character for it was written as "Jian". This plant is toxic; ingesting it causes mental confusion and dizziness, hence its name. Mountain dwellers use it to poison rats, and fishermen use it to poison fish. It belongs to the same category as Zuiyucao (Cocculus trilobus fruit/Manchineel-like plants).
Nature and Flavor: Acrid, Warm, Toxic.
*Shennong Benjing* records that it treats Toufeng (Head Wind disease), abscesses and swelling, hernia, and abdominal masses (Shanjia - hernia and abdominal growths). It resolves stagnant Qi, treats scabies and itching, kills parasites, and poisons fish.
Invention (Pharmacological Analysis): Mangcao has great toxicity and is effective in killing fish and rats, which reveals its potent nature. *Shennong Benjing* uses it for hernia and stagnant Qi in abdominal masses to purge old accumulations within the body. For treating abscesses and head wind, it searches out and expels external pathogenic toxins. However, its nature is extremely fierce; taking it induces a state of severe dizziness or vertigo (Mingxuan - a reaction indicating the expulsion of pathogens). In *Qianjin Fang*, Mangcao is often combined with Yinyu as a harsh agent to search out wind and purge evil. In modern times, few can utilize it. Apart from poisoning fish, it is only used for bathing stubborn bi-syndrome (painful obstruction), dampness, and wind, or decocted for gargling to treat toothache caused by caries. During bathing, care must be taken not to let the liquid enter the eyes. If poisoned, grinding Ziheche (Human Placenta) into water and drinking it can detoxify; drinking decoction made from Black Bean also works. Pouring bean juice onto the roots of Mangcao causes them to rot, demonstrating the mutual restriction between species. As for Yinyu, most people do not recognize it, no wonder the medical skills of recent generations are inferior.
Yinyu, Nature and Flavor: Bitter, Acrid, Warm, Toxic. Grows in the valleys of Mount Tai. Sprouts in spring, growing three to four chi high. The stem is red. The leaves resemble those of pomegranate but are shorter and denser, and also somewhat similar to Shinan (Pyrrosia leaf). Small white flowers bloom in April, and fruits set in May. It is currently found in Pengcheng, Haiyan, Hangzhou, Yongzhou, Jiangzhou, and Huazhou. Leaves are harvested in April, stems in July, dried in shade for use.
*Shennong Benjing* records that it treats evil Qi in the five zang organs, cold and heat in the heart and abdomen, emaciation resembling malaria with regular paroxysms, and painful obstruction (Bi syndrome) due to wind-dampness in various joints.
Invention (Pharmacological Analysis): Yinyu is highly toxic and rarely used in the world. Although *Shennong Benjing* mentions treating emaciation resembling malaria, this is caused by evil Qi in the five zang organs and cold-heat in the heart and abdomen; it does not mean Yinyu treats deficiency-type emaciation and cold-heat. Its treatment of joint pain from wind-damp Bi syndrome is its primary indication. Li Shizhen stated that in *Qianjin Fang* and *Waitai Mi Yao*, formulas such as Yinyu Wan treat Fengxian (Wind Epilepsy), Yinyu Jiu treats Fengbi (Wind Bi), and Yinyu Gao treats postpartum stroke in women. Many wind-damp formulas make frequent use of Yinyu. Yinyu, Shinan, and Mangcao were all excellent herbs for treating wind diseases in ancient times, but they are rarely known in modern times.