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Di Skull (San Sheng Luo Bo)

Also known as Zi Jin Pi, and alternatively called Ba Bi Hu. *Bai Cao Jing* records: The seedlings, leaves, and roots of wild *Lai Fu* (Radish/Raphanus sativus) are identical in shape to those cultivated at home; although the flesh is white, the skin color is yellowish, which is its distinguishing feature. *Wang Shi Bo Ji Fang* refers to dried radish as Xian Ren Gu (Immortal Bone), while the common people also call it Di Skull.

*Yan Shan Zhi* records: Shan Luo Bo (Mountain Radish) has a cold nature and resembles garden-cultivated radishes. Locals use it to treat Yong Ju (carbuncles and sores) by crushing it to extract juice for oral administration, and applying the dregs externally is also effective. (In the Geng-Rou year, I arrived in Lin'an. There was an abandoned garden within the official residence containing much Phytolacca acinosa, which locals called Shan Luo Bo. This shares the name but is a different substance from the one mentioned above.)

Treatment for Fei Yong (Lung Abscess): *Bai Cao Jing* records: Crush seven units and administer the extracted juice orally.

Commentary: Di Skull refers to wild radishes accidentally left behind after harvesting; their roots remain underground, shriveled and devoid of flesh, becoming fibrous with age. Resembling a skull, hence the name. It can greatly unblock Lung Qi and resolve toxicity caused by coal smoke inhalation; it is not dried radish. The statement by Wang Yu Zhong is not yet clear.

Pi Kuai (Abdominal Masses): *Yi Zong Hui Bian* records: One piece of aged Mu Gua (Chaenomeles fruit), four liang of Di Skull (the withered root of radish seeds), decocted into juice. Frequently consume one small cup; the mass will be eliminated in a few days.

Wan Ying Dan (Universal Elixir) - *Hai Chang Fang*: Treats Jaundice transforming into Gu Zhang (Tympanites/Ascites), asthma and regurgitation, fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm, pain in the Zhong Wan region, as well as pediatric Gan Ji (infantile malnutrition) with accumulated heat, Jin Kou Li Ji (Dysentery with inability to eat), Jie Xiong Shang Han (Exterior-constraint Chest Binding Cold Damage), labor-induced Huang Zhong (Yellow Swelling), and Tuo Li Huang (Fatigue-induced Yellowing). Use Ren Zhong Bai (Human Urine Salt crust; best if stored outdoors away from feces, quenched seven times in fire and vinegar) one liang, Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Bai Bo Zi (Radish Seed), and Di Skull (Radish growing in soil) each five qian, Sha Ren (Amomum fruit) two qian. All above are stir-fried. Add one Chen Xiang Yuan (Aged Citron). Grind all into fine powder, form pills with honey the size of Sophora seeds. Take three, five, or seven pills per dose, either washed down with Deng Cao Tang (Juncus effusus decoction) or wine.

This is an artificially manufactured preparation. Tang Zheng Sheng transmitted this method, claiming it was secretively taught: Take one water radish, drill seven holes around it, insert seven seeds of Ba Dou (Croton tiglium), plant it in the soil. Wait for it to produce seeds, harvest the seeds and replant them. When the radish matures, drill seven holes again, insert seven Ba Dou seeds, and replant. Repeat this process three times. On the fourth time, when the plant is about to flower, pull it up by the roots, dry it in the shade, and store it in a jar. For patients with Gu Zhang, crush one pill and decoct it in water for oral administration. For extremely severe cases, two pills will cure it immediately.