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Non-toxic. Vining growth.

Zhu Yao Zi (Swine Kidney Vine): Applied externally to treat all kinds of swelling and toxic sores (Modern addition). [Seedling] According to records: The perennial vine has a circumference of up to one chi. When tender, it is green; when old, it turns purple-black with cracks on the surface. It grows mostly beside mountain streams and ravines, climbing trees and rocks. Each stem tip bears three green leaves; when broken, red juice exudes. Fishermen collect it to dye nets. It flowers in March, with red-purple flowers resembling those of the knife bean (Strophostyles umbellata). In summer, it produces pods containing either one or two seeds; the pods are purple with white veins and shaped like a swine kidney, hence the name. After frost, the pods fall and split open, revealing the seeds, which people also eat.
[Origin] Grows in Xirong County, Guangxi.
[Seasonality] Grows in May and June; harvested in August and September.
[Preservation] Sun-dried.
[Medicinal Part] Seed kernel.
[Texture] Resembles a swine kidney.
[Color] Purple skin, yellowish-white flesh.
[Taste] Sour, sweet.
[Nature] Neutral.
[Qi Property] Thin Qi, Yin within Yang.
[Odor] Fragrant.
[Processing] Remove skin before use.
[Indications] Sore throat; hold in mouth and swallow saliva.
[Compound Prescription] Combined with Shancigu (Fritillaria cirrhosa bulb), Xuisui Zi (Euphorbia lathyris seed), Daji (Euphorbia pekinensis root), Wen Ge (Clam shell), She Xiang (Musk), Xiong Huang (Realgar), and Zhu Sha (Cinnabar) to make pellets for external application on all malignant sores, carbuncles, back abscesses, and hard swellings. This prescription is the Modified Shenxian Taiyi Golden Pill.

Niu Ling Teng (Cow Neck Vine): Sweet, warm, non-toxic. Treats coldness in the abdomen, pain and weakness in the waist and knees, frequent pale urination, and impotence. Decocted as liquid or soaked in wine. Grows in high mountains of Lingnan. Shape is narrow like a cow's neck; dried in shade.

Zhen Cai (Pillow Wood): Pungent, slightly warm, non-toxic. Treats cough, phlegm-fluid retention, accumulations, distension, and "ghost qi" invasion (mental confusion/spiritual disturbance). Decocted for oral administration or used as a bath water for tinea pedis (Hong Kong foot) and pediatric sores/scabies. Grows in valleys of Nanhai. Used for boat construction inferior to camphor wood; usable where medicinal woods are unavailable.

Gui Bo Teng (Ghost Arm Vine): Bitter, warm, non-toxic. Treats carbuncles/swelling; crushed stems and leaves applied externally. Vine soaked in wine to dispel wind and blood stasis. Grows in forests and ravines of Jiangnan. Leaves resemble pear or hawthorn leaves; locals also call it "Gui Bo".

Mu Ji (Wood Halberd): Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Treats Pi Qi (accumulated masses in organs). Grows in mountains. Leaves resemble Gardenia leaves.

Nu Zhe (Slave Tallowwood): Bitter, slightly warm, non-toxic. Treats old blood masses (Jia), male Pi Qi, and sudden stagnation. Thorns combined with Sanleng (Sparganium tuber) and Mabian Cao (Verbena officinalis herb) decocted into a thick syrup. Take after meals if disease is in the heart; take on an empty stomach if below the navel; expect expulsion of evil matter. Grows in wild areas of Jiangnan, resembling Tallowwood, with thorny nodes, evergreen in winter.

Wen Teng (Warm Vine): Sweet, warm, non-toxic. Treats wind-blood accumulation and coldness; soaked in wine. Grows in valleys of Jiangnan, evergreen, climbing trees.

Chi Chi (Ghost Tooth): Non-toxic. Treats acute shock (Zhong E), invasion, and abdominal pain. Decoction of rotting bamboo roots that entered the ground first. Also called Gui Zhen; named secretly due to its malevolent nature.

Tie Chui Bing (Iron Hammer Handle): Non-toxic. Treats "ghost strike" and aggressive spiritual intrusion causing severe symptoms. Combined with Tao Nu (Old Peach Twig) and Gui Jian (Arrow-shaped Twig) into pills.

Gu Chen Ban (Ancient Coffin Board): Non-toxic. Treats ghost qi invasion, acute abdominal pain, back stiffness, shortness of breath, nightmares, palpitations, and spirit oppression. Decocted with water, wine, and peach branches growing eastward; induces vomiting and purging. Refers to coffin wood from ancient tombs; older is better. Fir wood is best; thousand-year-old wood connects with spirits, used for zither bottoms. *Erya* commentary notes: Fir grows in Jiangnan, coffins buried do not decay.

Ci Mu (Kind Mother Vine): Non-toxic. Branches and leaves roasted until fragrant/yellow, cooked in rice; promotes Qi descent, relieves thirst, prevents sleep. Treats pediatric phlegm stagnation. Grows in forests; leaves resemble cherry leaves; small tree over 10 feet tall; recognized by locals.

Fan Luo (Rice Basket Vine): Burnt to ash, non-toxic. Treats post-epidemic dietary stagnation. Take one cubic inch dose. Southerners call baskets "Fan Luo". Ash of basket ears applied topically for dog bites. Basket made of bamboo.

Bai Ma Gu (White Horse Bone): Non-toxic. Treats malignant sores. Combined with Huanglian (Coptis rhizome), Xixin (Asarum root), Bai Niu Xi (Achyranthes root), Ji Sang Pi (Mulberry bark), Huang Jing (Polygonatum rhizome) etc., burnt to ash, leached with water for topical use. Treats scrofula, malignant sores, ulcerating polyps, vitiligo; apply after abrasion. Alternatively, decoct stems/leaves alone for dysentery. Grows in Jiangdong; resembles pomegranate but smaller, opposite nodes.

Zi Yi (Purple Clothing): Bitter, non-toxic. Treats jaundice, sudden heat, yellow eyes/heaviness, diuresis, and hot dysentery. Decocted. Ash leached for hair washing to promote growth. This is the flower of ancient Mulberry Brocade; found on stones/tiles; dyes brown; promotes diuresis. *Guangji Fang* states it promotes hair growth.

Shu Bi (Hair Comb): Non-toxic. Treats lice infestation. Juice ingested for live lice entering the abdomen causing mass-like symptoms. Comb residue mixed with water ingested for pediatric malignant Qi and cholera-like vomiting/diarrhea.

Dao Gua Teng (Inverted Hanging Vine): Bitter, non-toxic. Treats all old blood stasis and postpartum disorders, knotting pain, rising blood threatening death. Decocted. Grows in deep mountains; resembles Rubus (Hanging Hook), with reverse thorns, hanging upside down on leaf tips.

Gu Mu Sha (Old Wood Sand): Also known as Bai Wei, non-toxic. Treats post-illness dietary recurrence. Collect soil under feet of patient walking at onset (size of coin); left side for men, right for women. Combined with anvil dust and one rat head (or 3-7 rat droppings), decocted; highly effective. For sudden cardiac/abdominal pain, place anvil dust inside shoe soles. Table dust burnt and applied to lip sores.

Gu Ce Mu (Ancient Toilet Wood): Treats ghost possession, wasting diseases, epidemics, and spirits. Burnt facing the door on the day/time of the Tai Sui deity to fumigate. Fumigates stick wounds to prevent cold wind entry. Toilet sticks burnt under bed to generate upward heat for difficult labor, cholera with cold limbs/cramps. Also treats acute shock/guest Qi. Though humble, its efficacy is recorded.

Tao Jue (Peach Stump): Non-toxic. Treats sudden cardiac/abdominal pain, ghost transmission, blood stasis, malignant Qi distension. Decocted. Three-year-old stumps are best. Peach properties expel evil; stumps further ward off malignancy. Same function as Peach Talismans.

Suo Tou (Spindle Head): Treats aphonia and dysphagia. Prick palm to induce pain, restoring speech; left hand for men, right for women.

Jiu Yue Zhang (Moon-Saving Staff): Treats lunar eclipse sores and ear fissures. Burnt to ash, mixed with oil for application. Staff refers to wood used to beat objects during lunar eclipses. People also crush Moon Laurel seeds for post-auricular eclipse sores. In Jiangdong, obtained in streets after April/May new moons; size of raccoon bean, pungent/aromatic when broken. Legend says they fell from the moon. Mountain laurel is medicinal, how much more so Moon Laurel? Should recognize its efficacy. Common in Jiangdong, rare in North; perhaps due to lunar path influence? Monk of Lingyin Temple, Yuhang, cultivated one; discussed by modern poets. *Han Wu Dong Ming Ji* mentions distant flying chickens carrying laurel seeds south, explaining why North lacks them.

Di Long Teng (Earth Dragon Vine): Bitter, non-toxic. Treats wind-blood emaciation, internal/waist-foot coldness, poor nutrition; soaked in wine. Grows in Tianmu Mountain, coiling like a dragon. Climbs trees; similar to other dragon vines but slightly different. Also found in Wuzhong.

Huo Cao Tou (Fire Trough Head): Treats scorpion stings; stand horizontally over well to heal. Charcoal from fire troughs treats metal wounds; scraped and applied to stop bleeding and regenerate tissue. Carrying it wards off evil spirits. Heating it underwater extracts mercury.