Library

Wang Lianshi stated: This refers to the withered and aged sunflower; its seeds possess a fierce nature, capable of promoting qi circulation and expelling pus. When mixed with musk (Moschus) and *Impatiens balsamina* seed (Bajiziqi), pounded into a paste, and applied to the umbilicus, it can induce abortion.

I (Zhao Xuemin) note: In winter peach orchards, dried and residual peaches remaining on trees are also called "Ghost Skeleton" (Guiku Lou). Although the name is identical, the substance is different from the one mentioned above.

*Notes from an Official's Travels* records: The "white drum nail" found outside the Great Wall is the dandelion (*Taraxacum mongolicum*) known in the interior regions. Its leaves have serrated edges, and its foliage spreads gracefully over the ground, differing significantly from those grown in the interior. Dandelions in the interior bloom early with single petals; those growing in desert areas bloom before the Summer Solstice, resembling yellow chrysanthemums at first glance, dazzlingly covering the ground with overlapping petals and delicate colors. At this time, in late spring, grass has just begun to sprout. Consuming this plant in the frontier regions yields a delicious taste that is inexhaustible, comparable to spring leeks and autumn Chinese cabbage. Harvesting and eating it clears heat and fire, making it an excellent remedy for strangury (Lin syndrome). When its stem is broken, white juice exudes. In midsummer, various insects breed; if human hands touch this juice, illness ensues which is difficult to cure with common medicines. Applying the concentrated juice topically results in immediate recovery. Zheng Fangsheng stated: There is a variety with two flowers per stem, growing over a chi tall. Digging several chi deep reveals roots as large as fists, sometimes shaped like embracing human figures. Pounding these into juice and taking them with wine treats dysphagia (Yige) with miraculous effect.

The contents described above were not covered in *Bencao Gangmu*. Furthermore, the dandelion produced in the frontier differs from that in the interior. *Bencao Gangmu* classified dandelion under the category of soft and slippery herbs, belonging to the herbal section; however, since the desert-dwelling variety is used as a vegetable by locals, it is now classified under the vegetable section. This classification follows their respective categories.

Functions: Clears toxic heat and stagnant heat, promotes lactation and relieves strangury, reduces swelling, treats dysphagia, and cures all injuries from venomous insects and snakes.

*Records of Xiangzu* states: Produced in Fengshan County, Taiwan, it was allegedly planted by the Three-Jewel Eunuch (Zheng He) in the early Ming Dynasty and is effective in treating various diseases.

*Records of Southern Yunnan* states: Produced among the Baiyi people in Yunnan. Ingesting a dose of one Dao Gui causes lifelong cessation of sexual desire. Locals use it to feed breeding horses to prevent estrus.

Produced in central Sichuan, it is twisted like dry branches, possesses a pungent and spicy taste, and does not resemble ginger in shape. It can also be used as a food ingredient. Bao Ruji in *Southern Central Records* stated: Villagers from Fucong Township treated me with wooden ginger and local tea. I accepted the wooden ginger, made a soup with it, and found the taste similar to zanthoxylum paste. This is indeed that substance.

Taste: Pungent. Nature: Hot. Functions: Treats stomach cold, disperses cold accumulation and phlegm-qi stagnation caused by cold.