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Wild Malan, Single-foot Malan

*Oujiang Zhi* records: Also known as One-branch Fragrance. Note: In the "Jijie" (Collected Explanations) annotation under the entry for Malan in *Bencao Gangmu*, it states: There is also a Shanlan growing on the side of mountains, resembling Liu Jinu (Artemisia japonica), with leaves that are unbranched and not opposite; the flower center is slightly yellowish-red. It greatly tonifies blood, but there is no mention of its efficacy in treating phlegm obstruction and opening blockages.

*Bai Cao Jing* records: Shanmalan is extremely effective in treating Dingchuang (carbuncles/furuncles), hence the name "Ding Jian Pa" (Carbuncle-sees-fear). Wherever it spreads, roots grow at the nodes, hence the name "Guixian Qiao" (Ghost Immortal Bridge). These are common names given arbitrarily based on folk perceptions.

Indications: Treats wind-phlegm causing Hou Bi (throat closure) and Jing Feng (convulsions); applied externally to treat Dingchuang and relieve pain; juice extracted by crushing is applied to treat Xiao'er Shedu (herpes zoster/shingles in children); decoction is used to wash hemorrhoid swelling and scabies/pruritus (*Bai Cao Jing*).

Wind-phlegm causing Hou Bi: *Yongjia Xianzhi* records: Take the root of Shanmalan, crush it, and soak it in human milk. For male patients, use milk from a nursing woman; for female patients, use milk from a nursing man. After soaking for a short while, have the patient lie supine on a stool with their head hanging down. Drip the milk into the nostrils (left for males, right for females). When the patient feels phlegm and saliva obstructing the throat, immediately turn around, lower the head, open the mouth, and allow the phlegm to flow out naturally. The illness is cured when the phlegm is exhausted. However, after this medicine enters the nose, the patient must not make any sound; stop immediately if phlegm is produced.

Pediatric Jing Feng (convulsions): With clenched jaw, administer the decoction juice into the throat, and recovery will occur.

Suo Hou Feng (Lock-throat wind): Swelling of the head, face, and neck, inability to eat or drink. *Chuanxin Fang* records: Mash Baimalan (White Malan), extract thick juice using well water, mix evenly with white wine slurry, and administer orally.

Ulceration in the seams of the neck, legs, and ribs in children: *Yangsheng Jingyan Fang* records: Mix Malan juice with Liuyi San (Six-to-one Powder) and apply topically; recovery will occur.

Red swelling and flowing fire (erysipelas) in both legs of adults: Mash Malan into a paste. It can treat red swelling and burning heat in the legs of adults, or damp-heat lurking in the collaterals where the skin surface is neither red nor swollen but pain is extreme. The patient complains of leg heat, but upon touch by others, it feels extremely cold. This is called Bing due to Fu Qi (latent pathogenic qi). Apply this paste, and immediate recovery occurs.

Liuzhu (flowing abscesses): Prescription passed down by Gu Jinzhou: Harvest Shanmalan, cook thoroughly, and mix with sesame oil and soy sauce as a vegetable dish. It will subside naturally within half a month.

*Bai Cao Jing* states: Malan has a fragrant aroma and can be eaten as a vegetable. This variety is wild, has an offensive odor, and is inedible. Sprouts appear in March; stems are red and coarse; white flowers bloom in autumn, clustered and fine, harvested in March. Because its function is to cool blood, similar to Malan, it is named accordingly. Stems, leaves, and roots are all used as medicine.

Properties and Actions: Cold in nature, cools blood, treats damp-heat, snake bites, and pediatric sores.