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[Shennong Bencao Jing · Lower Grade]
【Flavor and Nature】Acrid, warm, highly toxic.
【Indications】Primarily treats cough and rebellious qi caused by wind-cold and pathogenic factors, spasms and contractures due to cold-dampness, knee pain preventing walking, breaking up masses (Zheng), hard accumulations, and blood stasis masses (Jia), as well as metal weapon wounds (Jin Chuang).
【Verification】It is stated: Fuzi originates from the valleys of Qianwei and Mount Shaoshi. Recently, those produced in Mianzhou and Longzhou along the Shu Road are considered superior; although available elsewhere, their efficacy is weak and unsuitable for use.
Mianzhou was formerly Guanghan, governing eight counties. Only Zhangming County produces Fuzi. Among the twenty townships under Zhangming's jurisdiction, only Chishui, Lianshui, Changming, and Huichang produce Fuzi, with Chishui producing the most. Every year, after the upper fields are harvested, farmers work the ridges in the fields. They select seed roots from places such as Long'an, Longzhou, Qigui, Mumen, Qingdui, and Xiaoping. Sowing occurs in the eleventh lunar month, with seedlings emerging in spring. The stem resembles wild mugwort but is glossy; the leaves resemble ground hemp but are denser. The flowers have purple-yellow petals, and the calyxes are long and round. The fruit resembles mulberry drupes, being fine and black. Roots harvested in the seventh lunar month are called "Zao Shui" (Early Water); they are curled, shriveled, and small because they have not fully matured. Harvesting in the ninth lunar month is optimal. There are seven varieties; while sharing the same origin, their terminal forms differ. The initially planted small root is Wutou (Aconiti Radix); if it has a slight lateral tip, is elongated and black, attaches laterally to Wutou but is not physically connected, it is called Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata); if it grows laterally in pairs, it is called Gezi; if it grows alone without lateral attachments, measuring three to four cun in length, it is called Tianxiong (Aconiti Radix); if it has an attachment with a sharp tip, it is called Tianzhui; if the attachment protrudes upward, it is called Cizi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix); if the attachments grow scattered, it is called Lulanzi. Their vascular bundles are interconnected and solid, like offspring attached to the mother. Because Fuzi is prized, the name "Fu" (attachment) is specifically used for it. Generally, if one seed root produces six or more offspring, they are all small; if it produces two or three, they are slightly larger; if it produces a single special offspring, it is exceptionally large. Regarding the shape of Fuzi, those in a squatting posture with distinct nodes and few angles are superior; those with many nodes and resembling mouse teats are secondary; those with irregular shapes, scars, defects, or wind-induced wrinkles are inferior. Regarding color, those with a flower-white hue are superior; iron-gray are secondary; green-blue are inferior. Tianxiong, Wutou, and Tianzhui are best when plump and heavy in the hand. Lulanzi and Cizi are like lowly laborers in gardens, insignificant and rarely counted. Lulanzi is what Lei Xiao called Mugua Zi (Strychnos Semen) and Meng Shen called Huzhang (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix). Gezi is Wu Hui (Aconiti Radix); Tianzhui belongs to the Tianxiong category; this name does not appear in medical formularies, but its functions should be similar. However, it is easy to plant but difficult to mature; efficacy may be sparse and quality altered. Some seeds are good but seedlings do not flourish; some seedlings bloom but roots do not fill out; some rot during processing; some shrink upon drying. This originally belongs to Qi transformation, repeatedly transforming into dissipation, as if divine beings secretly manipulate them. Hence, gardeners often pray to deities, calling them "medicine demons" for this reason. Processing method: Roast in willow wood ash fire until wrinkled and folded. Scrape off the offspring roots and base with a bamboo knife. Split open. Dig a pit on level ground under a roof, place it inside, and remove it the next morning to dry-roast. For the yin-processing method: Raw Fuzi, peel the skin, tips, and base. Slice thinly. Soak in flowing water from the east and black soybeans for five days and nights. Remove and sun-dry. Didan is its guiding herb. It is incompatible with Wugong (Centipedae Corpus). It fears Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix).
【Commentary】It is said: Fuzi, Tianxiong, and Cizi are all seeds of Wutou. Those growing singly without a partner are called Tianxiong; those growing laterally in pairs are called Fuzi; those growing laterally and extending outward are called Cizi. Cizi corresponds to Qingyang (Shaoyang); Fuzi corresponds to Xianming (Yangming); Tianxiong corresponds to Juyang (Taiyang). Therefore, Fuzi governs Xianming (Yangming), primarily moistening the Zongjin (tendons), binding the bones, and facilitating joint movement. If Xianming (Yangming) Yang is deficient, Zongjin becomes lax, leading to spasms and knee pain preventing walking. Furthermore, it governs the failure of Zongqi to converge for respiration, causing cough and rebellious qi, and blood losing Qi's control, forming hard masses and accumulations. All these arise from wind-cold and cold-dampness becoming Bi syndrome, failing to transform into pathological heat manifestations. If lung heat scorches the leafy tissues, leading to Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome), it should be avoided. Ancestors stated: When cough and rebellious qi involve deep pathogens, cold-dampness is severe, joints are already lax, and hardness is solidified and knotted, it is not... [Text incomplete]

(Note: Qingyang refers to Shaoyang; Xianming refers to Yangming; Juyang refers to Taiyang. The difference between Yang deficiency in Xianming and Yin deficiency in Taiyin...)