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Non-toxic.

Bailongxu (White Dragon Whisker) [Source: *Bencao Gangmu*]: Indicated for wind-dampness pain in the waist and legs of men and women, hemiplegia (left or right), deviation of the mouth and eyes, and tibia pain caused by the dispersion of qi and blood after childbirth. It is suitable for dizziness, dim vision, and unbearable pain in the waist and legs. However, it should not be taken for paralysis and atrophy caused by deficiency-labor (Xu Lao). Grind into powder; take one qian per dose. For those with weak qi, take seven fen. Take with unadulterated wine. After taking the medicine, lie on the bed in a sealed room, positioning oneself according to the affected side (left or right), waiting for sweat to appear naturally and dry itself. Do not cover with too many blankets. Do not get out of bed to expose oneself to wind for three days. Another prescription: For those with shallow/recent onset of disease, use three qian of powder, boil one pot of wine in a porcelain bottle. First take Jiegeng Tang (Platycodon Decoction), then after a while drink one zhan of wine. Take once in the morning and once in the evening (Source: *Baoshoutang Fang*).

[Origin] (Li Shizhen said): (According to Liu Songshi's *Baoshoutang Fang*): Bailongxu grows near water sources where stones are present, parasitizing on the nodes of the "Sofeng Tree" (Search-Wind Tree); it is the residual essence of the tree.

[Morphology]: The stems are fine like palm fibers, growing upright without branches or leaves. The authentic specimen is rare. There is a plant called Wanchan Cao (Ten-Thousand Coiling Grass) that grows near the roots of the Baixian Tree (White Line Tree); its fine filaments are similar, but it has slightly thicker stems and branches, which serves as the distinction. Accidental misuse is harmless. My commentary notes that the names of these two trees mentioned above are cryptic terms and cannot be verified.

[Taste]: Missing.

[Nature]: Neutral.

[Indications] (Li Shizhen said): (Recorded in *Baoshou Fang*): In the 12th year of Chenghua (1476 AD), Daoist Lu Xuzhen, aged 67, accidentally suffered from paralysis in June. He took Baihua She Wan (White Flower Snake Pill), which caused all his teeth to fall out. For three years, he lived with illness in the mountains until he obtained this prescription. After taking it for 100 days, he recovered his health and lived to the age of 100 before passing away. For men and women suffering from wind-dampness pain in the waist and legs, first take Xiaoxuming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction) and Shen Shi Tang (Damp-Percolating Decoction), and then take this medicine. For women with swelling and pain in the waist and legs after childbirth, first take Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) for two doses, and take this medicine on the following day. For cases of long-standing paralysis with old phlegm and weak qi, after sweating for three days from taking the aforementioned medicines, take one fen of Longxu powder daily, administered with good wine. Every other day, increase the dose: two fen, then three fen, then four fen, then five fen. Then, every other day, return to one fen and repeat the cycle. Continue until about one month passes, during which the illness gradually improves. This method is described as raising yang and descending qi, regulating marrow and steaming bone, pursuing wind and driving out evil, expelling blood and calming the spirit. Avoid sexual intercourse, and foods such as fish, goose, chicken, mutton, leeks, garlic, shrimp, and crab, as well as cold and wind-aggravating substances. Also avoid excessive alcohol consumption and wheat/flour products; only rice porridge and vegetables are suitable.

[Combined Treatment]: For various wind-induced paralysis and flaccidity of tendons and bones, use one liang of the root bark of Bailongxu, seven fen of Yaoyang Hua (also known as Laohu Hua/Tiger Flower), and three jin of good distilled liquor. Seal tightly, boil for the duration of one incense stick, and bury in the earth overnight. Those who can drink may consume three cups; those who cannot drink may consume one cup. Take before sleep. Effectiveness is seen when consuming three to five cups. If pain sensation remains, the condition is treatable.