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Different from the Zhenzhu Cai (Pearl Vegetable) in the Vegetable Section.

*Linzheng Zhinan* (Guide to Clinical Practice) records: Zhenzhu Cao (Pearl Grass), also known as Yinyang Cao (Yin-Yang Grass), and Jia Yougan (False Oil Citron). This grass has small pearls on the back of its leaves, opening during the day and closing at night. It is three or four cun high, grows at the foot of walls in residential areas, and is found everywhere. In the Guihai year, while residing in Xixi to inspect land fengshui, I saw small grasses by the roadsides in the mountains and fields. The leaves were like those of locust trees but narrower and smaller, with small pearls growing on the leaf backs, as large as Fengxianzi (a type of plant), hanging in clusters, turning red after frost. Asking the locals, none recognized it. Upon returning home and consulting *Zhinan*, I realized this was indeed Zhenzhu Cao. Viewing it at dusk, the leaves were indeed closed.

It is effective in treating various diseases in children, as well as various types of gan accumulation (chronic malnutrition syndrome characterized by emaciation), wasting and thirsting syndromes, and impending blindness. Grind into powder, take with plain boiled water, or cook together with fish and meat. (From *Zhinan*)

*Bai Cao Jing* (Mirror of a Hundred Herbs) records: Grows on rocks, spreading over a zhang long, rooting at the nodes, with numerous shoots. The leaves are velvety, fine, and greenish. Also known as Jiutou Shizi Cao (Nine-Headed Lion Grass). Also known as Jinchai Cao (Gold Hairpin Grass).

Note: *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) only mentions Jiulong Cao (Nine-Dragon Grass) incidentally within the Weeds section. The one surgical prescription cited from Yang Qingsou describes the seedlings and leaves, which indeed match this grass. However, the claim that it bears red fruits resembling bayberries is incorrect.

Nature: Warm. Action: Promotes blood circulation. Indications: Wind-bi (wind-rheumatism), traumatic injuries, single or double throat swelling (tonsillitis/pharyngitis), gout.

Mastitis (Nai Yong): *Jiabao Fang* (Family Treasure Prescription): Mash Jiulong Cao, apply mixed with fermented bean curd board.

Eliminating Bedbugs (Chouchong): *Jingyan Guangji* (Extensive Collection of Empirical Experiences): Place Jiutou Shizi Cao at the four corners of the bed, using two or three pieces per corner, under the straw mat, allowing them to dry naturally. This is miraculous for eliminating bedbugs.

Erysipelas / Herpes Zoster (Hongbai Shechan - Red and White Snake Coiling): *Wangshi Mifang* (Wang Family Secret Recipe): Calcine Jiulong Cao until carbonized but retaining efficacy, mix with sesame oil, and apply externally. Zhou Shi's *Jiabao* treats snake bites by mashing Jiulong Cao to extract half a bowl of juice, mixing with 2 qian of Realgar (Xionghuang), taking orally with wine to relieve pain. This grass bears red fruits resembling bayberries; its juice can also treat sore throat. Note: The shape described in this record matches that recorded in Yang Qingsou’s surgical texts. It may be a case of same name but different substance. It is distinct from Shizi Cao. Both are preserved here pending further verification.

Tiexianshou (Iron Broom)

*Ge Zu Fang* (Prescriptions of Ancestor Ge): Also known as Longya Cao (Dragon Claw Grass), Shijianchuan (Stone-Piercing Grass), Dihufeng (Earth Hornet), Diwugong (Earth Centipede).

*Bai Cao Jing* records: Diwugong resembles Shenxian Duizuo Cao (Immortal Sitting Opposite Grass), distinguished only by purple spots on the leaves. Furthermore, the flowers of Shenxian Duizuo Cao appear in pairs at each node, whereas this grass clusters at the stem apex, in groups of three, four, five, or six. Suspected to be Shijianchuan.

Longya Cao grows in mountain soil, sprouting at Lixia (Start of Summer) to cover the ground. Leaves have slight hairs. Stems rise one to two chi high. Flowers form spikes at Hanlu (Cold Dew). Flowers are yellow and small. Roots have white buds, pointed and round like dragon claws, blooming yellow flowers at the top, hence named Jinding Longya (Golden-Topped Dragon Claw). Also known as Tiehufeng (Iron Hornet) due to black old roots resembling hornets. Another variety, Ziding Longya (Purple-Topped Dragon Claw), has white hairs on stems, slight hairs on leaves, shoots up at Cold Dew, blooms purple flower spikes. Both varieties sprout in February, leaves opposite and prostrate, wither in September, harvested in July.

Note: *Bencao Gangmu* lists Shidachuan (Stone-Hitting-Pierce Grass) under "Named but Unused," stating only its ability to stop bone pain and treat severe wind sores, without mentioning other uses. However, *Ge Zu Yi Fang* records its broad functions and correlates various names. *Bai Cao Jing* states that the two types of Longya Cao and Diwugong are not the same substance. Regarding functions: Shidachuan treats jaundice; Diwugong treats jaundice caused by trauma. Thus, *Bai Cao Jing*, noting similar uses, annotates under Diwugong suspecting it is Shidachuan, and annotates under Longya Cao that it is also named Shijianchuan. Functions include descending qi, invigorating blood, regulating hundred diseases, dispersing fullness, treating traumatic hematemesis, metrorrhagia, dysentery, and intestinal wind bleeding. Clearly, the functions of these two substances differ. It is unknown why *Ge Zu Fang* conflates them. This book was transmitted from the late Ming Dynasty; there may be errors, or there may be valid insights. I dare not speculate rashly, recording this here for future verification.

Zhao Xuemin notes: Jiang Yi’s *Yaojing Shiyi Fu* (Supplemental Ode to Mirror of Medicinals) says: "Rolls out phlegm in the esophagus and chest, calms retching from inverted stomach; who recognizes Shidachuan?" The annotation states: Esophageal obstruction and inverted stomach have always been feared by doctors and patients alike as incurable diseases. I obtained this remedy, achieving nine successes out of ten attempts, comparable to grain in a famine or fur coats in deep winter. Thus, I composed a song to record it. The song goes: Who recognizes Shidachuan? Deep green leaves with serrated edges, width less than an inch, length doubled; Round stems embrace each other continuously. Autumn brings yellow flowers with five fine petals, fruit flat and small with needle-like spines clustering; Old roots generate bases about three chi long, spring shoots follow sibling shoulders. Large leaves interspersed with small leaves, layer upon layer contrasting freshly. Taste bitter, pungent, neutral, enters Lung organ, piercing intestines and stomach to overcome hardness. Harvest stems and leaves, crush for juice, using cane sugar and white wine as assistants. Drinking for esophageal obstruction dissolves phlegm immediately, restoring swallowing function first. Worldly eyes are ignorant, few knowers exist; Qi-Huang (medicine) does not recognize it, name spreads in vain. Cinnabar and Goujian, matters of Immortal Ge; I love health preservation, leaving these words. Based on the shape described in the song, it resembles Tiexianshou. Therefore, both theories are preserved and appended.

In the Guichou year, I personally planted this grass in my garden. I observed it shooting stalks after Xiaoshu (Minor Heat), flowering and budding at Dashu (Major Heat), forming spikes just like Verbena officinalis (Mabiancao). Its flowers are yellow and small, clustered on the stems. Only then did I realize Verbena officinalis has purple flowers, hence the name Ziding Longya. This grass has yellow flowers, named Jinding Longya, completely unlike Diwugong. However, since this grass also bears the name Diwugong, *Bai Cao Jing* suspected it to be Shijianchuan.

*Li Shi Caomi* (Secrets of Grasses by Li) records: Shijianchuan grows in bamboo forests etc., leaves small like mugwort, flowers reaching one chi high. Treats traumatic injuries and diaphragmatic qi stagnation. Here, Shijianchuan leaves are like mugwort, differing significantly from the deep-veined serrated leaves of Shidachuan.

*Ge Zu Fang* records: Resolves retained food, disperses middle jiao fullness, descends qi, treats various hematemesis conditions, inverted stomach and esophageal obstruction, malaria, bi-sore throat, sprains, intestinal wind bleeding, metrorrhagia/dysentery with food retention, yellow and white jaundice, carbuncles and sores, lung abscess, breast abscess, hemorrhoidal swelling.

Early-stage Breast Abscess (Ruyong Chuqi): *Bai Cao Jing* records: Take 1 liang of Longya Cao, half hu of white wine, decoct until half a bowl remains. Take after a full meal. Early stages resolve; if pus has formed, it will suppurate, and importantly, limit pus discharge.