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**Dujiao Yizhilian (Single-footed One-stemmed Lotus) & Bajiaolian (Octagonal Lotus, Supplementary)**

*Yue Xi Ou Ji* records: Grows in Guangxi. The herb resembles *Coptis chinensis* (Huanglian), with a very large root. When brought to a medicine shop, the fragrances of other medicines are completely dissipated, which serves as proof of authenticity. Those with three or five "feet" (root lobes) are of inferior quality.

*Bai Cao Jing* records: This medicine is produced in Guangdong. The root is as large as a fist. It sprouts in spring and dies after frost and snow. If properly stored over winter, the perennial root will sprout again the following year. The seedling grows about one chi tall; leaves are as large as a cup, resembling lotus leaves, green and lush. The stem has fine hairs. In June and July, stems emerge; the stems have white hairs, flowers hang slightly, similar to *Cymbidium goeringii* but smaller, with a slight red color.

*Bai Shi* records: In the mountains of Poyang, there grows a kind of grass that, when first sprouting, resembles a lotus pod, commonly called "Dujiao Lian." Transplanted into vacant spaces around residences or gardens, snakes dare not pass underneath it. Wang Jiguang had a snake hole in the thicket behind his house, which often caused harm to people. He planted several specimens of this grass outside the hole, and thereafter the trouble ceased. During the hot summer months, the odor from the hole was extremely foul. He ordered gardeners to dig up the soil to search, finding more than ten dead snakes, likely killed by the熏 (fuming/vaporizing) effect of the grass's scent. Another small snake came near the grass and instantly turned into water.

*Cai Yao Lu* records: The seedlings and leaves of Dujiao Huanglian resemble *Rheum officinale* (Tudahuang); the leaf surface is bluish-green and the back is reddish. The root is straight and yellow. Only those roots where red-banded snakes (*Ptyas mucosa*) coil beneath them are considered authentic.

Note: *Bencao Gangmu* states that *Podophyllum emodi* (Guijiu) is also named Dujiao Lian, but lacks references to treating ding sores. The descriptions of its shape in the Collected Explanations section differ slightly. Therefore, supplementary notes are provided here.

In the Gengxu year, while I was in Lin'an, a physician named Sheng Tianran told me that at the border between the ancient city and Yuhang, there grows a plant called "Duye Hua" (Single-leaf Flower). It grows in mountain gullies, never seeing sunlight. Its form consists of a single leaf containing one red flower inside, resembling a lotus. The flower emerges from the center of the leaf, with a root below shaped like a single garlic clove. Its leaves and flowers retract into the root upon hearing human voices. Those who encounter it mark the spot and dig, but find only the root; even if the root is split open to search, no trace of the leaf or flower remains. If obtained, regardless of the venomous snake bite, rubbing the site with the root eliminates the snake venom. If someone mistakenly ingests snake poison and transforms into a turtle-like creature, taking a small amount decocted in water cures the condition. It can also resolve all insect bites and stings, all insect and herbal poisons, and eighteen types of throat ailments, proving as effective as divine intervention. Whenever a person's nose becomes red, developing heat rash with extreme itching, known as "Sha Chong Shi Bi" (Sha Worm Eating the Nose), grinding and applying this root brings immediate cure. This is a naturally occurring miraculous substance. Those who encounter it in the mountains should throw whatever object they hold down to suppress it before digging, preventing it from escaping. Around any place where Duye Hua grows, there is approximately one chi radius devoid of grass. Do not pick it by hand, nor cut it with an iron knife; use a bamboo knife to dig, so as not to damage the root. Snakes love to coil beside this grass. Anyone bitten by a snake and poisoned must shed their skin; if one finds this herb and sleeps beside it for a night, the human poison is resolved, avoiding the misfortune of shedding skin. Large venomous snakes prefer to coil around its roots, making the soil there most toxic. Contact with the soil causes hand rot, yet obtaining its root can antidote hundreds of types of severe snake venoms. Beggars seek this item, believing it to be a treasure.

**Treating Ding Sores, Boils, and Carbuncles:** Grind the root, or grind the leaves with vinegar and wine, and apply externally to the swelling to reduce it.

**Treating Snake Bites:** *Zhu Shi Xiao Fang*: Use one stem of Duye Yizhihua, placed on floating soil spread by a stream. The root resembles mouse droppings. Take the root, chew it, and apply to the wound.

**Tuiding Duoming Dan (Retreat Ding Life-Restoring Pill):** *Wan Bing Hui Chun* states: This pill specializes in treating ding sores. Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 8 fen, Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) 7 fen, Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) each 1 qian, Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra) 6 fen, Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) 8 fen, Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) 1 qian, Chantui (Bombyx Cicadae) 4 fen, Zelan Ye (Lycopus Lucidus Folium) 5 fen, Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) 7 fen, Gancao Jie (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma cum Nodo) 1 qian, Dujiao Lian 7 fen, Ziheche (Placenta Humana), also known as Jinxian Chonglou (Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis), 7 fen. These are coarsely powdered, totaling 5 qian. First, take double the amount of Jinyinhua (1 liang) and Zelan (1 liang), using fewer leaves, along with 10 slices of fresh ginger. Pound them together, steep in good wine heated, strain, and drink hot. For those who do not drink alcohol, decocting in water is acceptable. Then, decoct 10 slices of fresh ginger in half wine and half water, drink hot to induce sweating. After symptoms subside, add Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 5 qian, decoct together, drink hot, to eliminate residual toxins through two or three bowel movements. If pus is present, add Heshouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix) and Baizhi Shao (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix apical part); if located on the foot, add Binglang (Arecae Semen) and Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus); for purgation, add Qingpi, Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Dahuang, Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), and Qianniu (Pharbitidis Semen).