\r乌药\ph357.bmp\r,生岭南邕容州及江南,今台州、雷州、衡州亦有之,以天台者
为胜。木似茶 ,高
五、七尺;叶微圆而尖,作三桠,面青背白,五月开细花,黄白色;六月结实。如山芍药而
有极粗大者,又似钓樟根,然根有二种∶岭南者黑褐色而坚硬;天台者白而虚软,并八月采
。根以作车毂形如连珠状者佳。或云∶天台出者,香白可爱,而不及海南者力大。
\r没药\ph358.bmp\r,生波斯国,今海南诸国及广州或有之。木之根株,皆如橄榄,
叶青而密。岁久者,则
有膏液流滴在地下,凝结成块,或大或小,亦类安息香。采无时。今方多用治妇人内伤
痛楚,又治血晕及脐腹 刺者。没药一物,研细,温酒调一钱便止。又治历节诸风骨节疼痛
,昼夜不可忍者。没药半两研,虎胫骨三两涂酥炙黄色,先捣罗为散,与没药同研令细,温
酒调二钱,日三服。大佳。
\r海桐皮\ph359.bmp\r,出南海已南山谷,今雷州及近海州郡亦有之。叶如手大,作
三花尖。皮若梓白皮
,而坚韧可作绳,入水不烂。不拘时月采之。古方多用浸酒治风蹶。南唐筠州刺史王绍颜
撰《
续传信方》着其法云∶顷年予在姑熟之日,得腰膝痛不可忍。医以肾藏风毒攻刺诸药莫疗。
因览《传信方》备有此验。立修制一剂,便减五分,步履便轻,故录之耳。海桐皮二两,牛
膝、芎 、羌活、地骨皮、五加皮各一两,甘草半两,薏苡仁二两,生地黄十两,八物净洗
,焙干,细锉,生地黄以芦刀子切,用绵一两都包裹,入无灰酒二斗浸,冬二七日,夏一七
日,候熟,空心食后,日、午、晚卧时,时一杯,长令醺醺。合时不用添减,禁毒食。
Linderae Radix (Wuyao) grows in Yongzhou and Rongzhou of Lingnan, as well as in Jiangnan. It is now also found in Taizhou, Leizhou, and Hengzhou, with the best quality coming from Tiantai. The tree resembles Camellia sinensis (tea plant), growing five to seven chi tall; the leaves are slightly round and pointed, branching into three, with a green upper surface and white underside. It blooms small yellowish-white flowers in May and bears fruit in June. The fruit resembles wild peony, sometimes very large. The root resembles that of Lindera aggregata (Diaozhang), but there are two types: those from Lingnan are dark brown and hard; those from Tiantai are white and spongy/soft. Both are harvested in August. The roots used as medicine are considered superior if they resemble the hub of a wheel or a string of beads. Some say that Tiantai Lindera has a pleasant white fragrance but is less potent than that from Hainan.
Myrrha (Moyao) originates from Persia, and is now also available in various countries south of the sea and in Guangzhou. The rootstock of the Myrrha tree resembles an olive tree, with dense green leaves. In older trees, gum exudes and drips onto the ground, solidifying into lumps of varying sizes, resembling Benzoin (Anxixiang). It can be harvested at any time. Current prescriptions frequently use Myrrha to treat internal injuries causing pain in women, as well as blood syncope and stabbing pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions. Using only Myrrha, finely powdered and mixed with warm wine (one qian), stops pain immediately. It is also used to treat joint pain caused by various wind conditions (Li Jie Feng), which are unbearable day and night. Take half liang of Myrrha, finely powdered, combined with three liang of Tiger Tibia Bone (Hujinggu) coated with butter and roasted until yellow. First, crush and sieve the bone powder, then mix thoroughly with Myrrha. Take two qian mixed with warm wine, three times daily. This is highly effective.
Peltastis Cortex (Haitongpi) comes from valleys south of the South Sea, and is now also found in Leizhou and coastal prefectures. The leaves are palm-sized and tri-lobed. The bark resembles the inner bark of Catalpa (Zibai pi), is tough enough to be twisted into ropes, and does not rot when submerged in water. It can be harvested at any time. Ancient prescriptions often use it soaked in wine to treat wind-induced limb paralysis or coldness. Wang Shaoyan, Prefect of Yinzhou during the Southern Tang dynasty, recorded this method in his "Continued Records of Verified Prescriptions" (Xu Chuanxin Fang): In past years, while residing in Gushu, I suffered from unbearable lower back and knee pain. Physicians attributed it to wind-toxin attacking the Kidney system, and no medicines worked. Upon reviewing the "Chuanxin Fang," I found this verified remedy. I immediately prepared one dose, and my symptoms decreased by five percent, allowing me to walk lightly. Hence, I record it here. The prescription consists of Haitongpi (two liang), Achyranthes Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Xiong), Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Phellodendri Cortex (Digupi), Acanthopanacis Cortex (Wujiapi) each one liang, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) half liang, Coicis Semen (Yiyiren) two liang, and Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Dihuang) ten liang. Wash the eight herbs cleanly, dry them by baking, and cut them into fine shreds. Cut the fresh Rehmannia root with a reed knife, wrap it in one liang of cotton, and soak it in two dou of unadulterated wine. Soak for fourteen days in winter or seven days in summer. Once ready, drink one cup at a time when fasting, after meals, and before sleep at morning, noon, and evening, aiming for a slight buzz. Do not alter the formula during preparation, and strictly avoid toxic foods.