叶形与臭梧桐相同,但薄而糙,气亦臭,五月开花成朵,一蒂百花,色粉红。
洗痔疮治疔 赤水元珠∶苍耳、臭牡丹各一大握,捣烂,新汲水调服,泻下黑水即愈。
一切痈疽淳安陈老医云∶用臭牡丹枝叶捣烂,罨之立消。
脱肛 秘方集验∶先将臭梧桐叶煎汤洗,后将浮萍草末掺上,不脱矣。(应昌按∶梧桐
二字
疑牡丹之讹,否则此方宜列入臭梧桐诸方之内,惜不得原书正之。)
草八角
木高二、三尺,叶如木芙蓉,八角有芒,其叶近蒂处有红色者佳,秋开白花细簇,取近
根皮
用。 唐王周金盘草诗注∶金盘草生甯江、巫山、南陵林木中,其根一年生一节,人采而服
,可解毒也。其诗云∶今春从南陵,得草名金盘,金盘有仁性。生在林木端,根节岁一节,
食之甘而酸,风俗竞采掇,俾人防急难,巴中蛇虺毒,解之如走丸,巨叶展六出,软干分长
竿,摇摇绿玉活, 香荷寒,世云酷暑月,郁有神物看;天之产于此,意欲生民安,云云
。味诗意,则似今之草八角,其性又能解蛇毒也。
苦辛温、有毒,治麻痹风毒,打扑瘀血停积,其气猛悍,能开通壅塞,痛麻立止,虚人
慎用
。
药鉴∶出于潜昌化深山中,叶角仰上,色黄,独茎一叶,五六月开花,双朵成对,粉红
色,
下垂,根圆而不长,俗名孩儿撑伞。 百草镜云∶草八角高尺许,根生疙瘩,独茎一叶,入
秋开花,只有两朵相对,粉红色,又名红孩儿。结子红色成对,如孩儿也。其根可以消毒,
入药,得草本者良。根治痈毒,余功同木八角。 葛祖方∶性温,治骨内之风。
按∶八角金盘有草木二种,木本者,其叶尖,角仰起如盘之状,叶背色黄,故曰金盘;
草本
者,叶尖角不仰,叶背不黄,微有分别。此药性热力猛,有毒,咀之味麻,虽壮实人亦宜少
用。服药后忌鱼腥猪羊牛马等肉,犯之令人癫狂,惟白菜菔(应昌按∶菜字疑莱字之讹,否
则菜字下当补一莱字可解)。入药用近根皮,酒煎服取汗即愈。力弱者发战作吐,病亦愈。
戚孔昭云,木八角之须,乃麻黄,未知确否。
Stinky Peony (Chou Mudan)
The leaf shape is the same as that of *Firmiana simplex* (Chou Wutong), but thinner and rougher, with a similar foul odor. It flowers in clusters in May, with one pedicel bearing many flowers, pink in color.
Treatment for hemorrhoids and carbuncles: According to *Chishui Yuanzhu*: Take a large handful each of *Xanthium strumarium* (Cang'er) and Stinky Peony, pound them into a paste, mix with fresh well water, and take orally. Healing occurs after the discharge of black fluid.
Treatment for various sores and ulcers: An old physician from Chun'an stated: Pound the branches and leaves of Stinky Peony into a paste and apply it topically; it will dissipate immediately.
Treatment for rectal prolapse: According to *Mifang Jiyuan*: First wash with a decoction of *Firmiana simplex* (Chou Wutong) leaves, then sprinkle powdered *Lemna minor* (Fupingcao) on the area; the prolapse will cease. (Yingchang's note: The characters "Wutong" are suspected to be an error for "Mudan"; otherwise, this prescription should be listed among those for Chou Wutong. Unfortunately, the original text could not be verified.)
Grass Bajiao (Cao Bajiao)
The plant is two to three chi high. The leaves resemble those of *Hibiscus mutabilis* (Mu Furong), with eight angles and awns. Leaves near the pedicel with red coloration are preferred. It bears small white flowers in dense clusters in autumn. The medicinal part is the bark near the root.
Note on the Poem "Jinpan Cao" by Wang Zhou of the Tang Dynasty: Jinpan Cao grows in the forests of Ningjiang, Wushan, and Nanling. Its root produces one node per year. People harvest and consume it to detoxify. The poem states: "This spring I came from Nanling, obtaining a grass named Jinpan. Jinpan possesses a benevolent nature. It grows at the edge of the forest, its root forming one node annually. Eating it tastes sweet and sour. Local customs compete to gather it, to guard against emergencies. In Bazhong, snake venom is neutralized as easily as a rolling ball. Large leaves spread six angles, soft stems divide into long poles, swaying like living green jade, fragrant yet cold. The world says that in the hottest months, divine beings watch over it here. Heaven produced this plant here, intending to ensure the people's safety." Based on the poem's meaning, this appears to be the current Grass Bajiao, which also possesses the property of resolving snake venom.
Taste: Bitter, acrid. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Toxic. Indications: Paralytic wind-toxin, blood stasis accumulation from trauma. Its qi is fierce and vigorous, capable of opening blockages, instantly relieving pain and numbness. Use with caution in patients with deficiency.
According to *Yaojian*: It originates from the deep mountains of Qianshan and Changhua. The leaf angles point upward, yellow in color. It has a single stem with one leaf. It flowers in pairs in May and June, pink and drooping. The root is round and not elongated. Common name: Child Holding an Umbrella.
According to *Baicao Jing*: Grass Bajiao is about one chi high. The root has tubercles. It has a single stem with one leaf. It flowers in autumn, with only two flowers facing each other, pink in color. Also known as Red Child. The seeds are red and paired, resembling children. The root can detoxify. For medicinal use, herbaceous varieties are superior. The root treats toxic sores; other effects are similar to Wood Bajiiao.
According to *Gezufang*: Nature is warm. Treats wind within the bones.
Note: There are two types of *Aralia chinensis* (Bajiao Jinpan): woody and herbaceous. The woody type has pointed leaves with angles pointing upward like a plate, and the leaf back is yellow, hence the name Jinpan. The herbaceous type has leaf angles that do not point upward, and the leaf back is not yellow; there is a slight difference. This medicine has strong heat and toxicity; chewing it causes numbness. Even robust individuals should use it sparingly. After taking the medicine, avoid fish, pork, mutton, beef, and horse meat. Violating this may cause mania. Only Chinese cabbage and radish (Yingchang's note: The character "Cai" is suspected to be an error for "Lai"; otherwise, the character "Lai" should be added after "Cai" to make sense). For medicinal use, use the bark near the root, decocted in wine. Sweating indicates cure. Those with weak constitution may experience tremors and vomiting, but the illness will also resolve.
Qi Kongzhao stated that the root hairs of Wood Bajiiao are *Ephedra sinica* (Mahuang), though the accuracy is uncertain.