Library

[Harm] Ziwan (Asteris Radix): Its flavor is pungent and dispersing, and its nature is slippery; it is a substance for temporary use. It is not suitable for exclusive or heavy use in cases of Yin deficiency with lung heat. Even when used, it must be combined with herbs such as Tiandong (Asparagi Radix), Baibu (Stemonae Radix), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex) to avoid harm.

[Efficacy] Ziwan: The bitter taste can direct Qi downward, while the pungent and warm nature moistens the lungs and benefits Metal (Lung). Therefore, it is a supreme remedy for protecting the lungs, treating hemoptysis, directing Qi downward, resolving phlegm, moistening the lungs, and treating bloody sputum and consumptive coughs due to labor. It can open throat obstruction and draw out foul saliva/phlegm. Although it enters the highest regions, it excels at descending, allowing Qi transformation to reach the Bladder (Zhou Du Zhi Fu), thereby promoting free urination. However, since its nature is warm, it should not be used heavily in cases of Yin deficiency with lung heat. If used exclusively, it must be assisted by Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Maidong. The root that is jointed, purple, moist, and soft is considered superior. The white variety is called Nüwan and primarily enters the Qi level.

[Processing] Harvest the roots in the second or third lunar month, dry them in the shade, remove the head and upper part, wash with water flowing from the east, soak in honey overnight, and bake until dry for use. Use two fen of honey for one liang of herb.

[Harm] Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex): Sweet and cold, it purges the Lungs. It is suitable for cases where there is fluid retention in the lungs or excess Lung fire. Its nature is not purely benign and should not be used heavily. It is contraindicated in cases of Lung deficiency without fire but with spontaneous free urination, and in cases of cough caused by wind-cold. The part of the mulberry root visible above ground is called Ma'e, which is toxic and can cause death.

[Efficacy] Sangbaipi: Sweet, pungent, and cold, it purges excess Lung Metal, stops cough and stabilizes wheezing, unblocks stagnation in the Small Intestine, expels water, reduces distension, reduces swelling, treats skin edema, dissipates blood stasis, governs descending Qi, and can stop thirst, direct Qi downward, and clear phlegm.

[Processing] There is no fixed time for harvesting. When using, select tender roots from the eastern side of trees older than ten years. Scrape off one layer of greenish-yellow thin bark with a copper knife. Take the inner white bark, cut it, bake until dry for use, or process with honey before adding to prescriptions. Do not remove the slime within the bark, as the medicinal power resides there. Avoid iron and lead.

[Harm] Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus): Its merit lies in dispelling wind and resolving phlegm, and scattering excess pathogenic factors. It is contraindicated in cases of stroke with locked jaw, pediatric palpitations and night crying due to Heart deficiency causing restless soul and spirit, or channel-tendon stiffness due to Blood deficiency, provided there are no external pathogens causing disease. It is also contraindicated in women with metrorrhagia and postpartum residual pain if not caused by invasion of wind-cold. Currently, people treat pediatric convulsions indiscriminately without distinguishing between deficiency and excess, which causes great error.

[Efficacy] Jiangcan: Salty, pungent, and neutral in dispersion, it enters the Lung, Spleen, and Liver meridians. Both flavor and qi are thin, light, floating, and ascending. Receiving the qi of clear transformation, it can dispel wind and resolve phlegm, dissipate nodules and promote menstruation. It treats stroke-induced aphonia, headache and toothache due to wind, throat obstruction and pharyngeal swelling, erysipelas, itching, and other diseases caused by wind-heat. It eliminates scrofula, draws out toxin from carbuncles, promotes lactation, removes scars, treats male genital itching, and female metrorrhagia and strangury. It is suitable for blood disorders caused by wind-heat attacking the Liver, but should not be used in Blood deficiency. If silkworms suffer from wind disease, using them to treat wind likely relies on the principle of resonance of similar energies. Fried silkworm pupae treat wind diseases and emaciation due to consumption; taken as powder with drink, they treat pediatric malnutrition and emaciation, promote muscle growth, reduce fever, and expel roundworms; applied externally, they treat malignant sores. Silkworm cocoons are sweet and warm, able to purge ministerial fire of the Bladder, guide clear Qi to moisten the mouth, and stop thirst. Also known as Can'e (Bombyx Mori), when burned to ash and taken with wine, it treats non-suppurating carbuncles, which break the next day. It also treats various sores, lower bleeding, and metrorrhagia. Decoction juice stops thirst and regurgitation, and expels roundworms. Candui (Silkworm Molt), also known as Mingretui, is sweet, neutral, and non-toxic; it treats various hemorrhagic diseases, cures throat obstruction and wind-stroke epilepsy, and detoxifies various medicines and insect poisons. It is needed for difficult childbirth and sterilization in women. Yuancan'e (Adult Bombyx Mori) has hot qi and lustful nature, consolidating essence and strengthening yang. Yuancangsha (Bombyx Batryticatus excrement) is sweet, pungent, and warm. Silkworms belong to Fire, so their nature is dry; dryness can overcome wind and eliminate dampness, mainly treating rheumatic diseases. After washing clean and drying, stir-fry until yellow and steep in wine to treat immobility of joints, stubborn numbness of skin, cold pain in waist and legs, and various diseases of cold blood and blood stasis. Saositang (Water from reeling silk) can suppress Heart fire and treat thirst. Jianzhongyuzhi (Juice from pupae inside cocoons) is collected under cocoon jars; jianluzhi (brine from cocoons) treats insects entering the body and erosive prurigo/scrabies. Baiducan (White-bellied silkworm) and Wulansican (Black-rotten dead silkworm) applied externally treat erysipelas and sever rooted erosive sores.

[Processing] Harvest in the fourth lunar month. When using Jiangcan, regardless of morning or evening, choose those that are white, straight, and fine. First, soak in rice bran water for one day until the slime from the silkworm emerges, resembling snail slime floating on water, then drain. Bake gently over low fire until dry. Wipe off yellow flesh, hairs, black mouths, and claws with cloth. Use for pills and powders, or grind into powder like flour for medicinal use.