Library

He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix), originally produced in Nanhe County of Shunzhou, is also found in various prefectures beyond the Five Ranges and in Jiangnan. Currently, it is available everywhere, with those from Xiluo, Mount Song, and Zhoucheng County of Nanjing being considered superior. The vines sprout in spring; leaves grow opposite each other, resembling *Dioscorea opposita* (Shanyao, Yam) but lacking luster. The stems creep among bamboo, trees, and walls. In summer and autumn, they bear yellow or white flowers similar to those of *Pueraria lobata* (Gegen, Kudzu). The seeds are angular, smaller than buckwheat, and roughly the size of millet grains. Roots are harvested in winter and autumn; large roots are fist-sized, possessing five distinct ridges, resembling small melons. There are two varieties: red ones are male, and white ones are female. Upon harvesting, while still moist, soil is wiped off with cloth. Subsequently, they are sliced with a knife made of bitter bamboo, soaked in rice washing water overnight, and dried in the sun. Iron must be avoided. They are pounded using a wooden mortar and pestle. Another account states: harvest roots in spring and flowers in autumn. After nine steaming and nine drying cycles, they become suitable for consumption. This herb was originally named "Jiao Teng" (Interlocking Vine) because He Shou Wu took it. He Shou Wu was a man from Nanhe County, Shunzhou. His ancestor, Neng Si, originally named Tian Er, was castrated at birth and remained weak. At fifty-eight years old, he had no wife or children. One day, while drunk and sleeping in the wild, he saw two vines growing from different roots in a field, their stems intertwining, separating after a long time, and then re-interlocking three or four times. Tian Er found this strange, dug up the roots, and asked villagers about them, but no one knew the name. He dried them, powdered them, and took them with wine for seven days. He regained sexual desire, and within one hundred days, his chronic ailments were cured. Within ten years, he fathered several sons and later changed his name to Neng Si. He also gave it to his son Yan, who both lived to be one hundred and sixty years old. Shou Wu himself lived to be one hundred and thirty years old after taking the medicine. In the seventh year of the Yuanhe era of Emperor Xianzong of Tang, Monk Wenxiang met an old man from Mount Mao and thus transmitted this story. Li Ao recorded this in his *Fang Lu*. He further described the vines as woody and lustrous, with leaves shaped like peach or willow leaves, asymmetrical on the back, growing singly rather than oppositely. There are male and female plants; female vines have yellowish-white coloration, while male vines are yellowish-red. Although they grow far apart, their stems intersect at night and sometimes become invisible. During late spring, mid-summer, and early autumn, on sunny days, both male and female plants should be harvested, dried under intense sunlight, powdered, and taken with wine for best results. When harvesting, retain as much root as possible, wipe off soil while moist with cloth without damaging the skin, and store in a sealed container. Sun-dry again once a month. Administration should occur on even-numbered days (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th). After ingestion, cover with clothing to induce sweating and perform Dao Yin (Qigong exercises). Consumption of pig blood and sheep blood is strictly prohibited. Since this narrative is quite detailed, it is recorded here.