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(Song Kai Bao Materia Medica records)
Medicines have male and female distinctions, referring to the presence or absence of flowers and fruits, or the similarity in shape and color. Only Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) has colors divided into red and white; its female and male plants grow together in the same place, with two vines intertwining and separating, resembling a heavenly couple gazing at each other and holding hands, regarded as an act of lust. (The consumer) must also cease external attachments, keep the mind free from restlessness, consume it steadfastly without resting, so that the form may transcend along with all things.

[Flavor and Nature] Bitter and astringent, slightly warm, non-toxic.

[Indications] Primarily treats scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis of the neck), eliminates carbuncles and swellings, treats wind affecting the head and face, cures five types of hemorrhoids, stops heart pain, nourishes blood and qi, darkens beard and hair, and enhances complexion. Long-term consumption strengthens sinews and bones, benefits essence and marrow, prolongs life, and prevents aging. It treats postpartum conditions in women, as well as leukorrhea and various other diseases.

[Evidence] It is said: Polygonum multiflorum originally grew in Nanhe County, Shunzhou, but is now found everywhere. It grows in regions south of the Five Ranges, Jiangnan, etc., with the best quality coming from Luoxian in Sichuan, Songshan, and Baicheng County in Henan. In the 7th year of Yuanhe (Tang Dynasty), Monk Wenxiang met an old man from Maoshan, which initiated the transmission of this story. Li Ao then wrote "Biography of He Shou Wu," stating: He Shou Wu was a person from Nanhe County, Shunzhou. His grandfather was named Nensi, and his father was named Yanxiu. Nensi was originally named Tian'er. Born frail, he was fifty-eight years old and had no heir. He once admired the Dao and lived in the mountains. One day, while drunk and sleeping in the wild, he suddenly saw two vines separated by several paces. Their stems intertwined for a long time before separating, and after separating, they intertwined again. Tian'er was surprised by this anomaly. At dawn, he dug up the roots, but no one recognized them. Later, a mountain elder came, showed them to him, and said, "Since you have no heir, and these vines are extraordinary, perhaps they are immortal herbs. Why not consume them?" The roots were pounded into powder and taken on an empty stomach with wine, one qian. After seven days, sexual desire arose. Within months, his strength doubled. Consequently, he continued taking it, increasing the dose to two qian. After one year, his chronic ailments were cured, his hair turned black, and his appearance rejuvenated. Within ten years, he fathered several children and changed his name to Nensi. His son, Yanxiu, lived to be 160 years old after consuming it; his grandson, Shouwu, also had many children and lived to 130 years old, with hair still black, hence the name Shouwu. A man named Li Anqi, a fellow townsman of Shouwu, received this prescription and narrated the story for dissemination. In spring, shoots and vines emerge, climbing bamboo, wood, and walls, resembling Stemona root (Mutong). Male and female plants grow together. Male stems are yellowish-white, female stems are yellowish-red. The vines frequently intertwine, sometimes vanishing invisibly. Leaves resemble those of Dioscorea (Shuyu) but lack luster; they close at night and open during the day. They also resemble Albizia leaves, opening by day and closing by night. In summer and autumn, yellowish-white flowers bloom, similar to Pueraria flowers. The seeds are angular like buckwheat, tiny like millet grains. The root has five angles, lobes resemble melons, shape resembles linked pearls, color varies between red and white; white is female, red is male. Roots growing underground for 50 years are fist-sized, called "Mountain Slave"; consuming them for one year turns beard and hair black. Those growing for 100 years are bowl-sized, called "Mountain Brother"; consuming them for one year reddens and brightens the complexion. Those growing for 150 years are basin-sized, called "Mountain Uncle"; consuming them for one year causes lost teeth to regrow. Those growing for 200 years are large enough to hold one dou of grain, called "Mountain Old Man"; consuming them for one year restores a youthful face and walking speed comparable to a galloping horse. Those growing for 300 years are large enough to hold three dou, called "Mountain Spirit," possibly shaped like birds, beasts, or mountains. This is a pure yang entity; consuming it makes one an earthly immortal. For processing, harvest in late spring, mid-summer, and early autumn on sunny days, collecting both male and female plants. Wipe off soil with cloth without damaging the skin when fresh. Dry under intense sun. Store in sealed containers, sun-dry once a month. Before use, peel and pound into powder; best taken with wine. For those with illness, take with Poria decoction as a guiding agent. Consumption should occur on even-numbered days. After ingestion, keep warm to induce slight sweating; do not allow profuse sweating. Guiding exercises (Dao Yin) are particularly beneficial; other preparation methods are ineffective. Taboos include iron utensils, pork, sheep blood, scaleless fish, radish, green onion, and garlic. Contact with these will render the medicine powerless. My ancestors said: Reading the indications in Kai Bao Materia Medica, it belongs to internally nourishing essence, blood, and meridians, and externally beautifying beard, eyebrows, and complexion. Thus, although the root is very small, the vines extend joyfully, growing outward to display the beauty of spring flowers. It is also said: Taking the union of male and female preserves the true qi of yin and yang, forming a tangible consciousness, rather than a flying spirit.

[Commentary] It is said: Polygonum multiflorum was originally named Jiaoteng (Intertwining Vine), naming it based on imagery. Because Tang Dynasty's Li Ao wrote "Biography of He Shi Shou Wu," and Song Kai Bao Materia Medica attached it to the Vining Herbs section, "He Shou Wu" was selected as the official name. According to Li's biography, this is a name formed through descriptive reference and phonetic loan. "He" implies bearing/carrying; "Shou" starts with "He" (grain); "Wu" represents the soul of the sun. This signifies bearing primordial yang and marking the method. Observing the intertwining of red and white indicates the harmonization of Metal and Fire without conflict, uniting Fire and Metal. Observing the closing at night and opening during the day indicates understanding the opening of Yang during the day and the closing of Yin at night. Therefore, consuming it preserves the pure yang body, becoming an earthly immortal. For processing, specimens as large as three dou, shaped like linked pearls, birds, beasts, or mountains, are superior. However, modern collections are only fist or bowl-sized; such rare treasures are hard to obtain. It is said that this land gathers spiritual energy, which in turn cultivates outstanding individuals; one must wait for outstanding individuals to access this spiritual energy. Even if sized like fists or bowls, though lacking such extraordinary efficacy, it can still maintain the Four Elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind), dispel disease, and prolong life. If Earth element loses firmness, it produces carbuncles, hemorrhoids, scrofula, and leprosy; if Water element loses moisture, it produces leukorrhea, strangury, essence depletion, marrow exhaustion, and blood dryness; if Fire element loses warmth, it produces coldness, cold extremities, apoplexy, and heart pain; if Wind element loses normal movement, it produces spasms, flaccidity, hemiplegia, and unsteady gait. It can still return Wind to normal movement, Fire to warmth, Water to moisture, and Earth to firmness, thereby eliminating various afflictions. It stabilizes the five forms, fills the five zang organs, beautifies hair, and enhances complexion. This essentially extends lifespan and strengthens the body. The Srimala Sutra says: Firmly rooted in vegetation without resting, one is named an Earth-Walking Immortal, with form transforming along with all things.