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(Tang Bencao)
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Mainly treats breaking blood stasis, reducing distension, relieving pain, treating residual disorders after childbirth, and is extremely effective in stopping bleeding from metal wounds (Jin Chuang).
[Verification] It is said: Originates from Hezhong, Mengzhou, Hanzhong, Chuzhou, Jiangnan, Yuezhou, and is also found elsewhere. Seedlings emerge in spring, growing two or three chi high.
A single stem grows straight upward; leaves resemble those of Atractylodes lancea (Cangzhu), being pointed, long, rough, and astringent to the touch, green on the surface and white on the back. In the ninth month, branches form at the stem tips bearing spikes, with clusters of a dozen small flowers each,
yellow calyxes and white petals, resembling autumn chrysanthemums. After three or four days, the flower centers split open like cotton fluff. Fruits then develop, with seeds and fluff resembling those of Xumaizi. For processing, stems and leaves are discarded, using only the seeds. Rub off the thin shell with coarse cloth, mix with wine, steam from Si hour to Shen hour, then dry in the sun for use.
[Commentary] It is said: Liu Jinu was rarely used in ancient formulas. It was first included in the Xi Grass section of Tang Bencao. According to Li Yanshou's History of the Southern Dynasties, Emperor Gaozu of Song, whose childhood name was Jinu, was unsuccessful in his youth. While cutting reeds in Xin Zhou, he saw a large snake and shot it before returning. The next morning, he went again and heard the sound of pounding medicine in a hazel forest. Following the sound, he found young boys in blue clothes leading others in pounding medicine. Upon asking the reason, they said: "Our master was wounded by Liu Jinu; we are pounding this medicine to treat him." He asked: "Why not kill me?" They replied: "Liu Jinu is a king; he cannot be killed." He shouted them all away and collected their medicine. Every time applied to metal wounds, it healed immediately. Thus, this herb was named Liu Jinu. Zheng Qiao's Tong Zhi states: People in Jiangnan, because in Han times the character "Liu" was composed of "Mao, Gold, Knife," referred to "Liu" as "Jin" (Gold). Hence, this herb was also called Jin Jinu. The Zi Shuo says: Liu means execution/kill; Ji means attach/rely upon; Nu means servant/doer. Observing its indications and morphology, it seems to borrow qi and blood, attaching itself to act as a doer. Its function is to pierce and break, which is essentially executing. The meaning of its name may derive from this.

(Tang Bencao)
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet and pungent, neutral, slightly toxic.
[Indications] Mainly treats water retention syndromes. Grind twenty seeds with water, take orally to induce vomiting of foul foam; increase to thirty seeds, take once every three days, stop when cured. Wind deficiency cold syndromes
[Verification] It is said: Originally came from Hu regions; now found everywhere, especially abundant in northern areas. Seedlings emerge in summer, appearing red or white. A single stem grows straight upward, over one zhang high, with nodes like sugarcane, hollow inside like Chi Jian (Astragalus root). Leaves resemble grass and gourd leaves, thick, lush, and large, with five points per leaf. Between summer and autumn, spikes emerge from the forked stems, bearing clusters of yellow flowers. Each spike produces dozens of seeds, with soft spines like . Three or four seeds combine to form one unit; when dry, they split open, resembling Croton tiglium (Badou) or Niu KT, mottled with green, yellow, brown, and reddish hues, visually striking. Inside the shell is the kernel, tender white like Euphorbia lathyris (Xuisui Zi); the oil within can be used to prepare seal paste. For each use, take five sheng of shelled kernels, pound extremely fine, boil in one dou of water until foam rises; skim the foam until it ceases. Then simmer gently, boiling down the foam, removing water until clear, with no steam rising, indicating the oil is formed. Pour into ceramic vessels; upon cooling and solidifying, it becomes like fat, stable over time. Do not use Heiyao Chilizi during processing; these have no external spines, are pointed at both ends, lack spots, and are highly toxic if ingested mistakenly. When using Ricinus communis seeds, boil in salt water for half a day, remove shells and skins, take the inner kernels, grind finely. Those who consume Ricinus must never eat roasted beans thereafter; violating this causes fatal abdominal distension. Beans are kidney grains; Ricinus facilitates fetal respiration, preserving innate vitality.
Mr. Wang Shaolong stated: Ricinus has strong absorbing power, thus it can draw out pathogenic qi and eliminate有形 (tangible) pathogens, mostly acting externally rather than through ingestion, which is indeed insightful.
My predecessor said: The embryo of Ricinus begins with Yin qi, making Yin the master of internal qi, transforming Yang to solidify the exterior form. Form is endowed between Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice, growing during the season of flourishing beauty, setting fruit at the beginning of return. Thus, where it is taken, there is land generating Yang; what form it takes, it is an object generating Yang. For individuals with internal Yang qi, it need not enter the stomach; mere contact gathers Yang qi and instantly eliminates Yin death, swift and agile, like a drum responding to a beat.
[Commentary] It is said: The naming logic is peculiar, and therapeutic efficacy is diverse. Treating fontanelle protrusion and hemorrhoids, grasping palms to facilitate labor. Place left wind-head on right, right wind-head on left, massage top and Tianzhu point vertically, apply to heel and Bao Fu area. Regarding inserting tongue to open orifices, resolving throat obstruction and dispersing muscle tension, retracting prolapsed intestines, eliminating Hong Kong gout, and treating retained bones and lingering blood, stagnation causing water masses, carbuncles and sores swelling, corpse-wandering dan liu, as well as facial paralysis and joint dysfunction, suitable for ingestion, application, fumigation, or insufflation, all act swiftly like a drum responding to a beat. Therefore, "Bi" refers to the human umbilicus; superiorly connects to the fontanelle, allowing Qi passage, meeting extraordinary meridians at the vertex; inferiorly connects to "Bi", assisting Qi, coupling meridians at the heel. "Ma" is great , the leader of Yin group. Summer features foot drums placed on the instep; Yin dynasty had pillar drums piercing through columns; Zhou dynasty had hanging drums planted and suspended above, all related to . By considering the name and meaning, one understands the utility of resonant Qi and resourcefulness on both sides.
(Bi refers to the human umbilicus, where the fetus breathes via the umbilicus. Fontanelle allows Qi passage, meeting extraordinary meridians at the vertex, where the perfected person breathes via the fontanelle. Bi assists Qi, coupling meridians at the heel, where the true person breathes via the heel. Pillar drums metaphorize Bi, hanging drums metaphorize , foot drums metaphorize heel. Three respirations proceed together, three drums strike simultaneously, truly responding like a drum to a beat, swift as shadow.)