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[Recorded in the Middle Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
Louguo (a type of insect, commonly known as mole cricket) is colloquially called Digou (Earth Dog), and thus also referred to as Goujiang (Dog Ginger). Its distribution, morphological layers, and positional hierarchy are all comprehensive. The Qi of all Yang originates in the chest; if the mechanism closes (He), it becomes obstructed.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic.

[Indications] Primarily treats heat in the chest, enriches the skin and hair, and long-term consumption benefits Qi and promotes the growth of beard and eyebrows.

[Analysis] It is stated that the Shacao recorded in *Bielu* does not distinguish between roots and shoots. Later generations only used its roots, naming them Xiangfuzi, to the point where the name Shacao was forgotten. Shacao grows in wetlands in fields and is found everywhere, but is most abundant in Longxi, Fudu, and Liangzhe. Its shoots resemble Orchid grass but are softer, and resemble fine Daylily but are stiffer. The center of the leaf has a ridge like a sword, resembling Acorus or Chlorophytum species. The luster is similar, appearing tender green and sparse, differing only in minor details. In May and June, a single stem emerges, triangular and hollow, with several leaves sprouting from the tip. It bears green flowers forming spikes resembling millet, containing small seeds shaped like Sesamum seeds or Plantago seeds. The roots have many white fibrous hairs; beneath these hairs, one or two tubers form separately, growing continuously, wrapped in fine black fuzz. The larger ones resemble sheep dates, pointed at both ends. It withstands waterlogging and drought; even when split, it does not die. Ancestors stated: "It mostly arises from the transformation of Louguo." Locals often unearth Xiangfuzi from sandy wastelands or under Ophiopogon japonicus, some retaining the shape of Louguo, with two legs as roots, the head as shoots and leaves, and the body as the Xiangfuzi tuber, growing continuously and spreading annoyingly. Locals find this troublesome and switch to planting Cannabis sativa on such land. When Cannabis thrives without rain or dew, it eventually withers and dies, being called Goujiang; or it may be formed by the residual Qi of Ophiopogon transforming and condensing; or caused by Louguo devouring Ophiopogon and transforming. Thus, Xiangfuzi has a foul odor somewhat similar to Ophiopogon. If not grown in Ophiopogon fields, its origin is unknown, but it indeed begins with the transformation of Louguo. The *Lankavatara Sutra* states: "Transformation responds to separation,"...

Ancestors stated: The chest is the domain governed by Metal of the Lung; Qi is the function managed by Metal of the Lung; skin and hair are the external manifestations controlled by Metal of the Lung. Xiangfuzi functions to release the exterior and promote urination,...

[Analysis] It is stated: There are three varieties of Shacao: Tai, [missing character], [missing character]. *Erya* records [missing character]. *Piya* records Tai. *Zixu Fu* records [missing character]. *Erya Yi* records Tai, [missing character], and discusses [missing character]. *Bencao* conflates Tai, [missing character], and [missing character] into one substance. This is because differentiation should be done early. [Missing character] is Qing [missing character], also named Da Sha. *Shuowen Jiezi* considers Qing [missing character] similar to [missing character], but differs in size, growing in rivers and lakes, eaten by wild geese. Tai is Fusui, also named Shacao, referred to as [missing character] in *Zixu Fu*, and [missing character] in *Han Shu Yin Yi*, which can be made into clothing. It is loose and lacks warmth; woven, it resembles scales, with fibers hanging down, allowing rain to flow off, essential for common people. [Missing character] is Gao Hou, also named Housha, referred to as Sha in *Erya Yi*, Lvsha in *Guangcheng Song*, Qingsha by Yan Shigu, and mentioned in Yan Yuanxian Gong's *Ting Sha Ji*, stating this grass withstands water and drought, loves to spread, and does not perish even if stems dry and leaves fall, with stems and leaves resembling Sparganium erectum. *Tujing* refers to it as Shuileng, also named Shuoshua or Shuibaji. *Guangya* calls it Dimao. *Jishi Zhu* calls it Baoling Jushi. These names refer to its shoots, stems, and leaves. The root resembles Fuzi, attached continuously, surrounded by hairs, large ones like sheep dates, which are the fruits. There are also fine roots like white hair, with two or three tubers forming on the roots, present or absent; if present, they spread continuously, termed female (Pin). Recorded in *Bielu* as Xiangfuzi; in *Tujing* as Caofuzi, also named Shajie or Xugen Cao; in *Jin Guangming Jing* as Ruiduoduo; in *Tang Ben Zhu* as Quetouxiang; the Quetouxiang requested by Emperor Wen of Wei from Wu refers to the root Xiangfuzi of [missing character]. When combined with other aromatics, it enhances their fragrance. Therefore, its nature specializes in Kai-He (opening and closing), developing the Upper Jiao, disseminating the flavors of the five grains, steaming the skin, filling the body, and moistening the hair, like mist and dew irrigation. The Middle Jiao also relies on it for dissemination and transformation; the Lower Jiao relies on it for draining and unblocking. It not only disseminates the flavors of the five grains but also the flavors of various herbs, acting as the pioneer messenger for all medicines. If the Upper Jiao closes (He), the Qi of all Yang rebels in the chest, causing chest heat, frequent daytime sorrow and unhappiness, palpitations, and shortness of breath. By opening via Kai-He, after compliance, dissemination occurs. Then chest heat is eliminated, sorrow released, palpitations calmed, and shortness of breath benefited. Skin enrichment and hair growth are indeed auspicious signs of mist and dew irrigation. If there is food stagnation, fullness and hardness, or cholera with vomiting and reflux, or irregular menstruation, this indicates the Middle Jiao has lost its ability to disseminate and transform. If Bladder Qi is obstructed, or metrorrhagia and leukorrhea occur, or hematochezia and hematuria appear, this indicates the Lower Jiao has lost its ability to drain and unblock. If muscle wasting occurs, or rashes and itching, or skin contraction and hair breakage, this indicates the Upper Jiao has lost its ability to disseminate, failing to steam the skin, fill the body, or moisten the hair, losing its steaming, filling, and irrigating functions. Li Shizhen (Pinhu) said: With salt, it enters the blood; with green salt, it enters the Kidney; with wine, it moves collaterals; with vinegar, it resolves accumulations; with ginger, it transforms phlegm-fluids; with Ginseng and Atractylodes macrocephala, it benefits Qi; with Angelica sinensis and [missing character], it nourishes Ying; with Costus root, it disperses stagnation; with Sandalwood, it awakens the Spleen; with Agarwood, it regulates Qi ascent and descent; with Ligusticum chuanxiong and Atractylodes macrocephala, it resolves the Six Stagnations; with Poria cocos, it connects Heart and Kidney; with Foeniculum vulgare and Psoralea corylifolia, it guides Qi back to the source; with Magnolia officinalis and Pinellia ternata, it resolves abscesses and reduces distension; with Scallion and Perilla frutescens, it expels the Six Exogenous Pathogens; with Sparganium stoloniferum and Curcuma zedoaria, it grinds away masses and fixed pain; with Artemisia argyi, it warms the uterus. Acting as a pioneer messenger for various medicinal stones, the utility of Kai-He and Chuaimo (maneuvering open and close) is great.