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*Adiantum capillus-veneris* (Fish-Turtle Star-Venus Grass), also known as *Phoenix Tail Star-Venus Grass*.
It is also called *Single-Foot Golden Rooster* and *Duck-Foot Star-Venus*; wearing it can ward off epidemic pathogens. Recently, what I have seen in the market includes varieties with small, short, and narrow leaves, or large, long, and narrow leaves; none of these are the true *Biwencao* (Calamity-Dispelling Grass). The smaller variety is named *Qixingcao* (Seven-Star Grass), commonly called *Gupai Cao* (Bone-Chess Grass). It lacks the characters "five" and "six," likely because five and six represent the central numbers of Heaven and Earth, which do not easily form fixed structures; it grows as an epiphyte between rocks and trees. The larger variety is named *Jianji Jinxing* (Sword-Spine Star-Venus), measuring one to two chi in length, growing beside mountain streams; when old, stars appear on the abaxial surface of all leaves. These two varieties have already been recorded in the *Dongbi* section of the *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica).
The true *Biwencao* has leaves resembling duck feet, trifid (divided into three parts), with one leaf per stem, possessing a clear and fragrant aroma; when mature, star-like spots appear, but the fragrance diminishes. *Baicao Jing* (Mirror of Hundred Herbs) states: Duck-foot Star-Venus is indeed the Biwencao. Its leaves resemble duck feet, are large and thin, with star-like spots on the back; by the eighth and ninth lunar months, the stars turn yellow upon maturation. After drying, its aroma remains pungent and unchanged; however, if the leaves are too old or washed with water, they lose their fragrance. Harvest the tender leaves on the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu), dry them in the shade, and avoid exposure to fire.
Nature is neutral, taste is bitter, aroma is fragrant. It treats *Shanghan* (Cold Damage), malaria, dysentery, swelling and toxicity caused by wind-pathogens, seasonal epidemics, and foul qi. It disperses evil wind, treats *Ruyong* (Mastitis), heat sores, pediatric variola (smallpox), eye diseases, and *Gan* syndrome (childhood malnutrition/accumulation); it also treats *Hou Bi* (sore throat/throat obstruction) and *Sha Zhang* (sha distension/poisoning). Its aromatic nature penetrates and unblocks meridians, treating Gan syndrome.
*Baicao Jing*: To treat Sha Zhang, use Duck-foot Star-Venus grass, dried and powdered. Take a small amount and insufflate into the nose, or decoct and drink.
Xiaoquan Empirical Formula: For *Ding Zhong* (carbuncles/swellings), decoct Duck-foot Star-Venus grass in wine; one dose causes immediate resolution.

It grows on shaded mountain rocks. After Lixia (Start of Summer), shoots emerge; roots are fine like threads, spreading over rocks. Leaves are not opposite at nodes; one is elongated, the other round. The elongated ones resemble fish, the round ones resemble turtles. Fish-leaves become old after frost, developing star-spots on the back; turtle-leaves lack these spots. It also grows at the summit of Feilai Peak in West Lake.
It treats *Guzhang* (tympanites/distended abdomen), *Luoli* (scrofula), and fire-toxin diseases. *Caizao Zhi* (Record of Herb Gathering) states: Nature is cool; treats phlegm-fire toxin ascending to the upper body. (*Caizao Fang* [Recipe for Herb Gathering]: Resolves masses, phlegma nodules, and mumps.)
Master Yong's Formula: For throat injury caused by a pipe puncture, decoct Fish-Turtle Star-Venus grass into a thick decoction. For internal throat injuries, it immediately stops pain and heals. (Master Yong's Formula is also known as the Yongning Transmission Formula.)