Library

Shu (Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus), see details under the entry "Wenju Luying".

Xiakucao (Prunellae Spica) grows in the valleys of Shujun. It is now also found in Hedong, Huaihe, and Zhejiang prefectures. It begins to grow after the Winter Solstice. The leaves resemble those of Inula (Xuanfu). It flowers in March and April, forming spike-like inflorescences that are purple-white in color, resembling the flowers of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen). The seeds also form spikes and wither by May. Harvested in April.

Zaoxiu (Paris polyphylla), also known as Zihache, commonly called Chonglou Jinian. It grows in sunny valleys and Yuanju. It is now also found in Hezhong, Heyang, Huazhou, Fengzhou, Wenzhou, and between the Jianghuai regions. The seedlings and leaves resemble those of Wangsun and Jiubai, arranged in two or three layers. It blooms yellow-purple flowers in June, with red-yellow stamens and golden filaments hanging down. It bears red fruits in autumn. The root resembles fat ginger, with a red skin and white flesh. The roots are harvested in April and May and dried in the sun for use.

Huzhang (Polygonum cuspidatum), also known as Ku Zhang. Old texts do not record its specific origin prefectures; it is now found everywhere. Seedlings emerge in March, with stems resembling bamboo shoots. They have red spots and branch out immediately upon emerging. The leaves resemble small apricot leaves. It flowers in July and fruits in September. Those produced in the South do not flower. The root bark is black, turning yellow when broken, resembling willow roots. Some plants grow over one zhang tall. The *Erya* states: "This is Huzhang." Guo Pu comments: "It resembles Hongcao but is thicker and larger, with fine thorns, and can be used to dye red." Roots are harvested in February and March and sun-dried. People in Hedong burn the roots to ash and apply them to various malignant sores. Medical practitioners in Zhejiang take the roots, wash off the wrinkled skin, cut and roast them, pound and sieve them, then make honey pills the size of adzuki beans. Taken with aged rice water, they are very effective for treating intestinal hemorrhoids and bloody stools. Commonly, licorice root is decocted together to make a beverage with an amber-like color, which is pleasing to the eye. Stored in bottles placed in wells to cool thoroughly like ice, it effectively resolves summer heat toxicity. Its juice can dye rice to make porridge cakes, which are delicious.

Shuweicao (Salvia plebeia), old texts do not record its specific origin, stating it grows in plains and marshes. It is now found everywhere. Only people in Qian province harvest it as medicine. The seedlings resemble mugwort. In summer, spikes grow at the stem tips, numbering four or five, resembling Plantago asiatica spikes. The flowers are either red or white. The *Erya* states: "This is Shuweiao." It says it can be used to dye soap grass. Leaves are harvested in April, flowers in July, and dried in the shade. It was often used in ancient times to treat dysentery. Yao's records state: Decoct the juice until thick like thin malt syrup. Drink five he per dose, three times a day. Use red flowers for bloody dysentery and white flowers for non-bloody dysentery; the illness will heal.