Library

Zhu Zhai recorded during his tenure in Rencheng: Under the Daoist Nun Bridge outside Qiantang Gate grows Hongpi Teng (Red-barked Vine). For those suffering from Ban Zhi Feng (Hemiplegia) and Da Ma Feng (Leprosy), take four liang of the vine, soak it in one large pot of Wuhui Jiu (Wine without ash impurities), and simmer it in a pot over boiling water for the time it takes to burn three incense sticks. Remove and drink the medicinal wine; for those with good constitution, drinking until intoxicated is the limit. For every bowl of regular wine consumed, add three or four spoons of the medicinal wine, and continue drinking until all the medicinal wine is finished, then the pathogenic wind will heal itself. The wind evil exits from the fingernail crevices; to verify this, place bamboo paper on the table directly opposite the fingertip—if the paper moves as if blown by wind, it indicates that the wind evil is exiting from the fingertip.

It grows at the foot of Yin Mountain, sprouting at Lixia (Start of Summer). It has a single stem that climbs, piercing through the center of the leaves, with new leaves emerging from the stem. The leaves are round at the base and pointed at the tip, resembling a plow harrow, and similar to San Jiao Feng (Triangle Wind); the branches and stems have thorns. *Wuli Xiaoshi* records: Litou Ci Teng (Plow-head Thorn Vine) has triangular leaves like a plowhead, often growing by fences; it can treat Luo Li (Scrofula) and also arrest malaria. It is also known as Pili Mu (Thunderbolt Wood), Fangsheng Ban (Square Victory Board), Dao Jing Gou (Inverted Gold Hook), Laotie Cao (Branding Iron Grass), Daogua Zijin Gou (Hanging Purple Gold Hook), Hebai Cao (River White Grass), Lijian Cao (Plow-tip Grass), Kuoba Cao (Harrow Grass), Longxian Cao (Dragon Immortal Grass), Yuhua Hua (Fish-tail Flower), and San Mumian (Three Cottons). Those from Jiangxi have the greatest potency; locals harvest it to poison fish, causing clams and snails to die as well. Its nature is extremely fierce; smoking silkworm eggs with its smoke prevents hatching, so silkworm raisers avoid it. Mountain people use it to fumigate bedbugs.

It treats Guzhang (Tympanites), Shuizhong (Edema), Pi Ji (Abdominal masses), Huang Bai Dan (Jaundice), persistent Malaria, Yu Kou Bian Du (Chancre-like sores), and Die Da (Traumatic injuries). To remove bedbugs, burn the stems under the bed.

*Wanbing Huichun* records: For any snakebite, use Ban Kang Gui (a vine, contextually referring to this herb or similar vines used similarly) in any quantity. This herb grows in April and May and is rare after frost appears in September. The leaf tips are green like plow points, the vines have small thorns, and the fruits are round like pearls, turning from green when raw to black when ripe. They taste sour. Crush the leaves to extract juice, mix with wine, and take according to tolerance. Apply the dregs to the wound site for immediate healing.

To treat Bai Huodan (White Fire Erysipelas): *Jiusheng Kuhai* prescribes Leigong Teng (Tripterygium Wilfordii Root Bark) 5 qian, Pingdi Mu (Ardisia Japonica Root) 3 qian, Cheqian Cao (Plantago Asiatica Herb) 4 qian, Tianqing Diba Ye (Achyranthes Bidentata Leaf? Context implies specific local herb) and Sanbai Cao (Saururus Chinensis Herb) each 3 qian, decocted and taken orally.

Another external wash prescription: Leigong Teng and Hebai Cao decocted for bathing.

To treat Edematous Distension: *Jiusheng Kuhai* prescribes Pingdi Mu 3 qian, Leigong Teng 5 qian, Cheqian Cao 4 qian, Tianqing Dibao Cao 3 qian, and Lulutong (Liquidambar Formosana Fruit) 5 pieces, crushed, decocted, and taken orally. Severe cases resolve after ten doses.

To treat Zuoban Chuang (Sacral Decubitus Ulcer): *Qiuquan Jiami* prescribes Ouzeigu (Sepia Shell) 5 qian and Leigong Teng 3 qian, ground into fine powder, applied by rubbing. If dry, mix with rapeseed oil for application.

Wang Lianshi's method: Zhenglong Cao (Steamed Dragon Herb), i.e., Zhenlong Gen (Thunder Dragon Root), called Leigong Teng by mountain people, is steamed in wine and taken orally to treat Wind-pathogens. Combined with Bashanhu (Euonymus Alatus?), it forms Longhu Dan (Dragon-Tiger Pill). When thrown into water, it poisons fish; humans who ingest too much become comatose.

To treat Fanwei Yige (Regurgitation and Dysphagia), Malaria, Hematemesis and Hematochezia, Hou Bi (Sore Throat), Shiji Xinteng (Food Stagnation Heartache), Xu Bao Zhangfu (Deficient Fullness and Abdominal Distension), Yinshe Zhongda (Scrotal Swelling), Die Da Shan Na (Traumatic Sprains and Dislocations), Fabing Ding (Carbuncle on the Back)...