Library

Non-toxic.

Yanzhi (Orchil) is the main treatment for infants' otitis exudativa (ear oozing); drip its juice into the ear (Recorded in Kaibao Bencao). It invigorates blood and resolves acne toxin (Bencao Gangmu). [Name] She (Li Shizhen stated). According to research (Fu Houzhong) (Hua Shi Gujin Zhu records), Yanzhi originated during the reign of King Zhou of Shang. [Origin] Produced in the Yan region, hence named Yanzhi; sometimes written as "KT She". [Color and Preparation] Yanzhi is made by condensing the juice of *Baptisia tinctoria* (Red Indigo Flower), mixed with grease for women's facial makeup. The Xiongnu called their wives "Yanshi" (阏氏), pronounced similarly to "Yanzhi," meaning its color is lovely, like Yanzhi. [Usage] Used in medicines treating blood disorders. [Texture] (Li Shizhen stated) There are four types of Yanzhi: One type is made by dyeing Hufen (Chinese lead powder) with the juice of *Baptisia tinctoria*, which is what Su E's Yanyi refers to as Yanzhi; its leaves resemble thistle flowers and cattails, produced in the West, known in China as Honglan (Red Blue), used to dye powder for women's complexion. Another type is made by dyeing powder with the juice of Shan Yanzhi flower, which is what Duan Gonglu's Buhu Lu describes as a flower growing in clusters in the mountains of Duanzhou, with leaves resembling indigo, blooming in the first lunar month, shaped like smartweed; locals harvest the buds to make Yanzhi powder, which can also dye silk like Honglan. A third type is made from the juice of wild pomegranate flowers (recorded in Zheng Qian's Hu Bencao). A fourth type is made by dyeing cotton with Zicao (Arnebia root), called Hu Yanzhi (Foreign Yanzhi) (recorded in Li Xun's Nanhai Yaopu); nowadays, people in the south often use Zicao to make Yanzhi, commonly called Zigeng. Additionally, juice from Corchorus capsularis seeds (Luokui zi) can be taken and mixed with flour for the face, also called Hu Yanzhi. [Taste] Sweet. [Nature] Neutral. [Therapeutic Effects] Prevents acne toxin from entering the eyes; chew Yanzhi and apply the juice to the eyes. [Combined Treatments] For cracked nipples, chew Yanzhi and apply the juice. ○ For infant thrush (E kou chuang), where white patches are thick as paper, use Pi Zi Yanzhi (rough Yanzhi) mixed with breast milk to apply; effective overnight. Use female milk for male infants, and male milk for female infants. ○ For inverted or depressed acne lesions, take 3 qian of dry Yanzhi and one walnut roasted until carbonized but retaining efficacy (Cun Xing), grind into powder, and take 1 qian with Huisu (Coriander) decocted in wine; repeat dose for effect. ○ For fistula sores swelling and pain, mix seven pig gallbladders with ten pieces of Mian Yanzhi (soft Yanzhi), wash them, mix with water, and apply seven times.

Non-toxic.

Ruo (Bamboo Leaf sheath) treats hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), hemoptysis (coughing blood), and lower bleeding in both men and women; all should be roasted until carbonized (Cun Xing) and taken with warm water, 1 qian bi. It also promotes urination, diffuses Lung Qi, treats throat obstruction (Hou Bi), and reduces carbuncles and swellings (Bencao Gangmu). [Name] Ruo, same character as "Ruo", referring to its leaves (Li Shizhen stated). Ruo resembles bamboo but is weaker, hence the name. Because it grows in sparse, open areas, it is also called "Ruo". [Origin] Ruo grows in flat marshy regions in the South. [Seedling Morphology] Its roots and stems resemble small bamboo; its nodes, husks, and leaves resemble reeds, but the leaves are green on the front and pale on the back, soft yet tough, replacing old with new, staying evergreen throughout the year. [Material Usage] People in the South use the leaves to make hats, wrap tea, salt, and rice dumplings (Zongzi), and women use them to line shoe soles. [Taste] Sweet. [Nature] Cold. [Therapeutic Effects] Treats all eye diseases; burn Ruo leaves in a cage, collect the ash, leach with water, and wash; long-term use yields results. ○ For sudden ear pain or redness/swelling/internal distension, take Qing Ruo leaves (green Ruo leaves) exposed after frost, specifically those about to rot, roast until carbonized, grind into powder, and apply into the ear; pain stops immediately. ○ For Chuinai (acute mastitis) and Ru Yong (breast abscess), burn Zong Ruo (leaves used for wrapping Zongzi) on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month to ash, take 2 qian with wine; disperses effectively, repeated success. [Combined Treatments] For throat closure and pain, mix equal parts of Ruo leaf ash and Dengxin Cao (Juncus effusus) ash, insufflate into the throat; very effective. ○ For Lung congestion causing epistaxis, burn Ruo leaves to ash, mix with 3 qian of white flour, grind evenly, and take 2 qian well water. ○ For unstoppable menstruation, mix Ruo leaf ash and Canzhi ash (silkworm paper ash) equally, grind into powder, take 2 qian per dose with rice drink. ○ For Changfeng bloody stool, roast Cha Lou Nei Ruo Ye (Ruo leaves inside tea baskets) until carbonized, take 3 spoons per dose on an empty stomach with glutinous rice soup. ○ Also treats Nan Nü Xue Lin (blood strangury in men and women) and chronic Wulin (five types of strangury); Ruo leaves from boiling wine bottles stored for 3-5 years or even 10 years are best. Roast 7 Ruo leaves until carbonized, add a little Shexiang (Musk), take with aged rice drink, three times daily. Someone cured this condition in two doses. ○ For urine flowing like a stream with lower abdominal qi pain, roast Cha Long Nei Ruo Ye until carbonized, add a little Shexiang, take with rice drink. ○ For astringent and obstructed urination, roast 1 liang of dry Ruo leaves to ash, mix with 0.5 liang of Huashi (Talcum), grind into powder, take 3 qian with rice drink. ○ For inverted acne crusts (Dao Ye), take 1 qian of Ruo leaf ash, a little Shexiang, take with wine.