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[Bio-information]
Book: *Bencao Huihui Jingyao* (Essentials of Materia Medica)
Author: Wang Haogu
Dynasty: Yuan
Chapter: Supplementary Materials from Tang Ben and Chen Cangqi
Category: Materia Medica

**Bihuile** (Snake-Repelling Thunder), bitter, very cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily resolves various toxins, eliminates phlegm, removes intense heat, treats headaches, and prevents epidemics. Also known as Bishelei (Snake-Repelling Thunder). Its appearance resembles coarse *Atractylodis Rhizoma* (Cangzhu, 苍术) rhizomes with eyes at the nodes.

**Yaowang** (King of Medicines), sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Resolves all toxins, stops epistaxis and hematemesis, and dispels irritability. The seedlings and stems are green; leaves exude juice when plucked, which is effective when crushed and drunk. ○ **Doumuxiang** (Douchenxiang), burning it removes foul odors and cures diseases/epidemics. According to the *Story of Emperor Wu of Han*, when the Queen Mother of the West descended, she burned Doumuxiang powder. Doumuxiang was presented by the Kingdom of Douqu, sized like soybeans; when applied to palace gates, its fragrance could be smelled for a hundred li. During a major epidemic in Guanzhong where corpses were piled up, burning this incense stopped the plague. The *Inner Biography* records that the dead revived; this is a spiritual incense not native to China, ranked first among herbs for its efficacy. ○ **Caoxigen** (Grass-Rhino Root), pungent, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily resolves various drug poisonings. In Lingnan and between Mozhou and Wuzhou, if poisoned by toxic grasses, taking this herb along with *Polygoni Multiflori Caulis* (Qiantjin Teng, 千金藤) can detoxify. It also treats gu poison, stream toxins, bites from vicious tigers, wild wolves, insects, and vipers, as well as epidemic malaria, miasma, chills and fever, cough, phlegm obstruction, flying corpse syndrome, throat closure, sores and swelling, pediatric chills and fever, erysipelas, sudden evil qi, strangury with blood, etc., all by boiling into a decoction. Named Caoxi because its efficacy resembles that of rhinoceros horn, it is the most potent for detoxification. Grows in Qu, Wu, Hong, and Rao regions; seedlings are two or three chi high with a single stem, roots resemble *Asari Radix et Rhizoma* (Xixin, 细辛), and grinding them into powder for oral administration is more effective. Those growing in water are called Shuixi (Water Rhino). ○ *Haiyao Bencao* (Marine Medicinal Materia Medica) states (According to *Guangzhou Ji*, it grows in Lingnan and the sea, with a single stem and opposite leaves, resembling *Veronicastrum* or *Asarum*. Neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily resolves all toxic vapors, injuries from tigers and wild wolves, stream toxins, and wild gu poisons. Should be crushed and taken orally; even those near death can survive if taken.) ○ **Wei** (Pteris multifida / Fern vegetable), sweet, cold in nature, non-toxic. Long-term consumption prevents hunger, harmonizes the middle jiao, and benefits the large and small intestines. Grows by water, leaves resemble duckweed. *Erya* states: "Wei means drooping." *Sanqin Ji* records that Bo Yi and Shu Qi ate it for three years without changing their complexion; they starved themselves to death after King Wu advised them against eating it. *Guangzhi* states: Wei leaves resemble duckweed, are edible, and beneficial to humans. ○ *Haiyao Bencao* states (According to *Guangzhou Ji*, it grows in sea pools and marshes. *Erya* commentary notes: Wei is a water vegetable, primarily promoting urination, reducing edema, and moistening the large intestine.) ○

**Wufeng Duyao Cao** (Windless Swaying Grass), wearing it promotes love between husband and wife. Grows in Lingnan; the head is like a pellet, the tail resembles a crow's tail, with two pairs of leaves that open and close and sway automatically upon seeing people, hence the name. ○ *Haiyao Bencao* states (According to *Guangzhi*, it grows in Lingnan and also in Daqin [Rome]. Warm and neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats wandering wind causing generalized itching; boil into juice for washing and applying. Tao Zhu Gong’s Art states: Collect wild herbs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month; this one is often found there too.) ○ **Lingyuzi** (Air Potato), sweet, warm in nature, non-toxic. Primarily tonifies deficiency, strengthens waist and knees, benefits the kidneys. Consumption prevents hunger. Dried, its efficacy surpasses that of *Dioscoreae Rhizoma* (Shuyu, 薯蓣). There are several varieties; this is one. Another version says: Large ones are egg-sized, small ones are pellet-sized, growing beneath the leaves. ○ **Baicaohua** (Hundred Herb Flower), treats hundreds of diseases, grants longevity and immortality. Also, flower juice is boiled and fermented into wine. *Yilei* records: Feng Gang from Yuyang frequently collected hundred flowers, soaked them in water, sealed them in mud, and buried them for a hundred days, then boiled into pills. If someone died suddenly, placing the pill in their mouth would revive them. Feng Gang took these pills for over a hundred years and entered Difei Mountain. *Lie Xian Zhuan* (Biographies of Immortals) records: Chisongzi during the reign of Emperor Yao attained immortality by consuming this. ○ **Hong Lianhua** (Red Lotus Flower) and **Bai Lianhua** (White Lotus Flower), sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Long-term consumption improves complexion, whitens skin, and anti-ages. Brought to China by Hu merchants from Western Regions. ○ **Han'ou** (Dry Lotus Root), sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily promotes longevity, prevents hunger, and stimulates black hair growth. Grows in Taihang Mountains, resembling lotus root. ○ **Yangbuchicao** (Sheep-Refusing Grass), bitter and pungent, warm in nature, non-toxic. Treats all wind-blood disorders, tonifies, and attacks various diseases. Taken as a decoction or infused in wine. Grows in Shuchuan valleys; leaves are slender and long; sheep refuse to eat it among other grasses. ○ **Pingpengcao Gen** (Nymphoides Root), sweet, non-toxic. Primarily tonifies deficiency, boosts qi and strength, prevents hunger with long-term use, and thickens the intestines. Grows in southern marshes; size similar to *Vallisneria* flowers, yellow before blooming resembling an abacus case, roots resemble lotus root. Can serve as grain in famine years. ○ **Shirui** (Stone Moss), Wang Changnian did not feel hunger from it. Grows on rocks in Mount Tai, resembling flower stamens. Made into pills and powders for oral administration. No longer available today. *Wang Yin Jinshu* records: Geng Bao entered Linlu Mountain, ate tree fruits, and consumed Shirui, achieving longevity. ○ **Xianren Cao** (Immortal Grass), treats pediatric acid sores. Boil into soup for bathing or crush for external application. Acid sores have small, hard heads; minor cases may heal spontaneously. However, if erysipelas toxin enters the abdomen, it is critical; one should preemptively drink cold medicines to prevent this, and wash the sore with this herb. It also brightens eyes and removes corneal opacities. Juice dripped into eyes. Grows in courtyards, two or three cun high, leaves slender with goose-tooth margins, not found in the north. ○ **Huizhou Baiyao** (Huizhou White Medicine), treats traumatic injuries, generates flesh, and stops bleeding. Crushed into powder and applied to sores. Efficacy similar to *Ampelopsis Radix* (Bailian, 白蔹), originating from Huizhou. ○ **Jiu Cao** (Rescue Grass), consumption allows fasting and longevity. Grows under large pines in Difei Mountain, sprouting like bamboo shoots. *Daoist Books* state Difei Mountain is six thousand zhang high; it grows below, and can likely be sought. ○ **Caoshi** (Herb Fermented Bean), pungent, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Treats foul qi, harmonizes the middle, benefits the five zang organs, opens the stomach, and promotes appetite. Grows in various countries of Brazil; herb resembles leeks. Fermented bean comes from the flower; humans consume it. ○ **Chen Si Ji**, pungent, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Treats various drug poisonings, heat toxins, erysipelas, carbuncles, epidemic high fever, throat bi, gu poison. Dispels wind-blood, tonifies. All taken as decoctions, or ground for topical application, or infused in wine. Originates from Lingnan. Also known as Qiantjin Teng and Shi Huangxiang. Currently, Jiangdong has another Qiantjin Teng, also known as Wuhu Teng, which has similar but distinct indications from Chen Si Ji, and they are definitely different substances. Chen Si Ji is a vine growing on soybean roots and leaves, with a pungent aroma. ○ **Qianliji**, bitter, neutral in nature, slightly toxic. Treats epidemic qi, jaundice with stagnation, malaria, miasma, and gu poison. Taken as decoction, induces vomiting or purging, or crushed for topical application to sores and bites from insects, snakes, and dogs. Vines grow by roadsides and fences, leaves are slender and dense, found in Xuanhu region. ○ **Xiaowen Jiu** (Emperor Xiaowen Leek), pungent, warm in nature, non-toxic. Treats abdominal coldness, distension, diarrhea, dysentery, and intestinal rumbling. Warms the middle and tonifies deficiency. Grows in northern border valleys, resembling leeks. Many people eat it to induce cloud-walking. Formerly planted by Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei, hence the name. There is also mountain leek, resembling leeks, growing in mountains, treating hair issues. There is also stone lily, growing among rocks. There is also wetland garlic, roots like small garlic, leaves like leeks, growing in plains and marshes, warming and tonifying, directing qi downward. At Huashui Source, there is Zhuge Liang Leek, taller; locals eat it, planted by Zhuge Liang during the Shu-Wei period. ○ **Yidai Cao** (Leaning-Waiting Grass), sweet, warm in nature, non-toxic. Treats blood and qi deficiency with consumptive disease, weak and painful waist and knees, flaccid paralysis, emaciation, pallor, severe trauma, infertility, and stagnant blood in women. Infused in wine and taken, it expels diseases rapidly, hence the name Yidai. Grows in Guangzhou, such as Anshan Valley, leaves round, two or three chi high, harvested in August. ○ **Jihou Cai** (Chicken-Husband Vegetable), pungent, warm in nature, non-toxic. Long-term consumption warms the middle and boosts qi. Grows in Lingnan. Gu’s *Guangzhou Ji* states: Jihou Cai resembles mugwort, emerges in February, suitable for chicken soup, hence the name. ○ **Taozhushu**, take the seeds and wear them to make women loved by their husbands. Grows in gardens, thin as celery, purple flowers, pods contain seeds. Strike with a mirror from the side, and the seeds pop out spontaneously. Harvest on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. ○ **Tiege**, sweet, warm in nature, non-toxic. Treats all wind-blood disorders, qi deficiency and weakness, making the person vigorous. Long-term use treats flaccid paralysis and hemiplegia. Grows in southern mountain gorges, leaves resemble *Lycii Cortex* (Gouqipi, 枸杞皮), vines like kudzu, black in color. ○ **Fuji Zi Gen** (Hen-Egg Root), bitter, cold in nature, non-toxic. Treats various drug poisonings, heat-induced irritability, acute jaundice, epidemic icterus, abscesses, malaria, miasma, sudden evil qi, chills and fever, headache, acute equine jaundice, and cattle epidemics. Grind with water and take; fresh is better. Also applied externally to carbuncles. Same efficacy as Chenjia Baiyao, but contraindicated in cholera and cold syndromes. Grows in Tiantai, Siming Mountains, leaves round and thin like coins, spreading vines, roots shaped like birds are superior. Also known as Chenglu Xian. ○ **Chenjia Baiyao**, bitter, cold in nature, non-toxic. Treats various drug poisonings. Grind with water and take; it attacks toxins in the abdomen and causes vomiting. If poisoning is suspected to persist, take more. Also clears chest and heart irritability, epidemic plagues. Originates from Cangwu; used by the Chen family for detoxification, hence the name. Vines and roots resemble *Ipomoea Batatas* (Tugua, 土瓜); tight and small ones are superior. Harvested in winter and spring. Also known as Jili Cai, edible by humans. Efficacy similar to Boluomen Baiyao and Chi Yao. Leaves like coins, roots like *Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix* (Fangji, 防己), originates from Mingshan. ○ **Zhenzhu Long**, bitter, cold in nature, non-toxic. Seeds treat carbuncles. Leaves turn white hair black, cause insomnia. Li Yong’s Formula states: Treats various heat toxins, stone qi activation, harmonizes the middle, relieves irritability. Grows by roadsides. Seeds are round red pearls, resembling *Solanum nigrum* (Longkui, 龙葵), but only the ripe seeds are red.