Library

(Class 38)

Jiulong Cao (Dragon Nine Grass)
Li Shizhen states: It grows in marshes and wetlands. The fruit is red and resembles bayberry (Myrica rubra). Its stems and leaves can detoxify various poisons and treat sore throat; crush and extract juice for administration. For fractures or injuries to bones and tendons, crush and apply to the affected area. For snakebites, crush and take the juice orally with 2 qian of Realgar (Xionghuang, 雄黄); pain stops immediately. Additionally, Yang Qingsou in *Waike* (External Medicine) states: To treat throat wind (Houfeng), swollen tongue (Chongshe), and trismus (lockjaw), take Jiulong Cao, also known as Jinchai Cao (Golden Hairpin Grass). Single-stalk specimens are preferred. Use only the root, not the bark. Crush it, wrap it in cotton on a chopstick, and rub it against the jaw joint to open the mouth. Then insert it deep into the throat to remove phlegm and saliva. Heat it over fire with salt and apply to the site; it will heal.

Lizhi Cao (Lychee Grass)
Li Shizhen states: *Weisheng Yijian Fang* (Simple Prescriptions for Health Preservation) records: Treats snakebites, dog bites, and tetanus (Poshangfeng). Take a handful of grass, approximately 3 liang, decoct in two bowls of wine until one bowl remains, and drink. Efficacy is indicated by sweating.

Shuiyin Cao (Mercury Grass)
Li Shizhen states: *Weisheng Yijian Fang* records: Treats blurred vision. Take 3 qian per dose, add a small amount of Equiseti Herba (Muzei, 木贼), one cup of water, and decoct until eight-tenths remain.

Touguc Cao (Bone-Penetrating Grass)
Li Shizhen states: Treats all rheumatic conditions affecting bones and tendons, including pain, spasms, and cold-dampness-induced foot bi syndrome. Sun’s *Jixiao Fang* records: Treats leprosy (Lifeng) with sores and tinea covering the body. Use Touguc Cao, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Kushen, 苦参), Rheum Palmati Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang, 大黄), and Realgar (Xionghuang, 雄黄), each 5 qian. Grind into powder, decoct in water, and fumigate in a sealed room surrounded by mats until profuse sweating occurs, then wash. *Puji Fang* records: Treats regurgitation and vomiting. Use Touguc Cao, Xanthii Fructus from single-stalk plants (Duke Cang'er), and raw Oyster Shell (Muli, 牡蛎), each 1 qian, plus three slices of fresh ginger. Decoct in water and take. Yang Cheng’s *Jingyan Fang* records: Treats early-stage swelling and toxic sores. Use equal parts Touguc Cao, Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma (Lulu, 漏卢), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng, 防风), and Sanguisorbae Radix (Diyu, 地榆). Decoct in water, dip cotton in the hot liquid, and wipe continuously; subsides in two to three days.

Sheyan Cao (Snake Eye Grass)
Li Shizhen states: Grows in ancient wells and long-standing shady places. Leaves resemble light green bamboo leaves, with red rings on the back resembling snake eyes. Tang Yao’s *Jingyan Fang* records: Treats snakebites; crush and apply to the affected area.

E Xiang Cao (Goose Neck Grass)
Li Shizhen states: *Shouyu Fang* records: Treats sores in the throat. Take flowers, grind with Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi, 白芷) and Zanthoxyli Pericarpium (Jiaogenpi, 椒根皮) into powder, and insufflate into the sore.

Sheyu Cao (Snake Fish Grass)
Li Shizhen states: Dai Yuanli’s *Zhengzhi Yaojue* states: Treats unceasing bleeding from metal wounds. Crush and apply.

Jiulichiang Cao (Nine-Li Fragrant Grass)
Li Shizhen states: Fu Zi’s *Yixue Jicheng* records: Treats abdominal carbuncles. Crush, soak in wine, and drink.

Baiyan Cao (White Mat Grass)
Li Shizhen states: A fragrant herb feared by insects. Sun Simiao’s *Qianjin Fang* records: Treats various insect-borne sores, scabies, and ringworm. Decoct roots and leaves in water and wash every other day.

Huanchang Cao (Intestine-Encircling Grass)
Li Shizhen states: Zhang Hezi’s *Rumen Shiqin* formula: Treats gu distension (Gu Zhhang). Dry and decoct in water; take daily until urination becomes smooth.

Za’er Cao (Ear-Tying Grass)
Li Shizhen states: Wang Zhizhong’s *Zisheng Jing* records: Used in formulas treating Qi deafness.

Tonggu Cao (Bronze Drum Grass)
Li Shizhen states: Fan Chengda’s *Yu Heng Zhi* states: Produced in Guangxi. Fruit resembles melon; treats ulcerative toxins.

Canjian Cao (Silkworm Cocoon Grass)
Li Shizhen states: *Zhai Xuan Fang* records: Treats swelling. Use 8 liang, combined with 8 liang winter melon peel, 8 liang perilla root and leaves, and 3 liang ginger peel. Decoct for fumigation and washing. Lie warm to induce sweat. After three washes, if urine becomes clear and abundant, swelling naturally recedes.

Ye Cao (Wild Grass)
Li Shizhen states: *Zhai Xuan Fang* records: Treats epigastric fullness (Piman). Use 5 jin. Place half in an earthenware pot, put ten eggs on the grass, cover with the remaining half, and soak in rice vinegar for two nights until shells soften. Steam over rice until cooked and eat at once; masses gradually dissipate. (*Jingyan...)

Xianxia Cao (Rosy Cloud Grass)
Li Shizhen states: Chen Xun’s *Jingyan Fang* records: Deficiency-cold of the primal organ, Qi attacking umbilical region causing pain. Use 1 liang of calcined mineral substance (Sha, 砂 - likely referring to a processed mineral or specific preparation context), 2 liang of raw Aconiti Lateralis Radix (Wutou, 乌头, peeled), and 2 liang of Xianxia Cao. Grind into powder. Seal in a small clay jar, heat slowly until red-hot. Mix the mineral with the grass, place inside without covering the mouth, and calcine using one cheng of fire. Remove when cool, mix with Wutou powder, form pills with steamed wheat cake the size of wu zi (wu berry). Take 3 pills per dose with vinegar soup.

Niu Zhi (Ox Fat)
Li Shizhen states: *Jingyan Liangfang* records: Treats bleeding from seven orifices. Grind into coarse powder. Take one spoonful, decoct in a pottery vessel. Cover head and neck with gauze and tie the base of the little finger.

Yajiao Qing (Duck Foot Green)
Li Shizhen states: *Puji Fang* records: Treats ding sores resembling strings of pearls. Grind together with Perillae Fructus (Yusu, 鱼苏) until paste-like, mix with sugar water, and brush onto the lesion.

Tianxian Lian (Heavenly Immortal Lotus)
Li Shizhen states: *Weisheng Yijian Fang* records: Treats malignant toxins, boils, and abscesses. Crush leaves and apply.

Shuangtou Lian (Double-Headed Lotus)
Li Shizhen states: Also named Cuisheng Cao (Inducing Birth Grass). Mainly treats difficult labor in women; holding it in the left hand facilitates delivery. Also treats swelling and promotes urination. *Weisheng Yijian Fang* records: Treats adult and pediatric gingival gangrene (Yagan). Crush and apply.

Zhulanzi (Pig Blue Seed)
Li Shizhen states: *Weisheng Yijian Fang* records: Treats purulent otorrhea, named Tong Er. Grind seeds into powder, insufflate into the ear using a tube; no more than twice.

Tianjie Cai (Sky Mustard Vegetable)
Li Shizhen states: Grows in plains and wilds. Small leaves resemble mustard. Bitter taste. Also named Jizhan. Mainly treats snakebites; combine with Boehmeriae Folium (Jinfucao, 金沸草), add salt, crush, and apply. Wang Xi’s *Yilin Jiyao* records: Treats toxic swellings in the axilla. Crush with salt and vinegar, apply. Reduces swelling and pain; stabilizes even if pus has formed. Also treats all toxic swellings.

Fozhang Hua (Buddha Palm Flower)
Li Shizhen states: *Puji Fang* records: Treats ding sores resembling cherries. Use roots, combine with fresh ginger and honey, grind to extract juice, and drink. Externally...

Guogong Ci (God Guo Thorn)
Li Shizhen states: Also named Guangguci. Crush leaves finely, mix with oil, and apply to bullous eruptions (Tianpao Chuang). Yu Tun’s *Yixue Zhengchuan* records: Treats asthma. Grind roots, decoct in water, and drink; symptoms stop.

Bianji Chai (Basket Handle Shrub)
Li Shizhen states: Grows in mountains. Wang Yongfu’s *Huiji Fang* records: Treats ...sores. Decoct bark in water and drink. Soon after, unbearable itching occurs; scratch to break skin, release toxic vapors, and heal.

Suimi Chai (Broken Rice Shrub)
Li Shizhen states: Mainly treats carbuncles and back infections. Take leaves for external application.

Yangshi Chai (Sheep Dropping Shrub)
Li Shizhen states: Also named Niushi Chai. Grows in mountains and fields. Leaves resemble Pedalium fructus (Heshi, 鹤虱). Blooms white flowers in April, some red. Seeds resemble sheep droppings, named Tiecaoz (Iron Grass Seed). Roots can poison fish. Use seedlings and leaves in summer, roots in winter. Mainly treats carbuncles and back infections; crush and apply to close wounds and disperse pus and blood. Dry powder mixed with grain water applied externally. Also treats severe hematochezia. Take 1 jin of fresh root, boil in 2 dou of raw baijiu until reduced to 1 dou. Drink according to tolerance on an empty stomach.

Shan Pipa Chai (Mountain Loquat Shrub)
Li Shizhen states: Wei Yilin’s *Defang Fang* records: Treats burns and scalds. Roast bark, grind to powder, mix with honey, and apply.

Sanjiao Feng (Triangle Wind)
Li Shizhen states: Also named Sanjiao Jian. Specimens growing on rocks are superior. Mainly treats pain from wandering wind-dampness and carbuncle toxic swellings.

Yexia Hong (Red Under Leaf)
Li Shizhen states: Mainly treats foreign filaments entering the eye, causing pain and swelling. Mix with a little salt, wrap in silk, drip juice into the eye, and stuff the opposite nostril (left eye -> right nostril; right eye -> left nostril).

Manjiang Hong (Full River Red)
Li Shizhen states: Mainly treats carbuncles; used in plasters.

Geshan Xiao (Mountain-Separating Dissolver)
Li Shizhen states: Produced in Taihe Mountain, white color. Mainly treats abdominal distension and food stagnation. Sun Tianren’s *Jixiao Fang* records: Treats Qi obstruction, dysphagia, and regurgitation. Use 2 liang Geshan Xiao, 1 liang chicken gizzard lining (Jizhoupi, 鸡肫皮), 1 liang Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix prepared with ox gall (Niudan Nanxing, 牛胆南星), 1 liang Cinnabar (Zhusha, 朱砂), and 2 qian Impatient Seed (Jixingzi, 急性子). Grind into powder, make pills with refined honey the size of adzuki beans. Take 1 qian per dose with mild ginger soup.

Shijian Chuan (Stone Seeing Penetrator)
Li Shizhen states: Mainly treats bone pain and large wind carbuncle swellings.

Xingzui Cao (Wake Drunk Grass)
Li Shizhen states: *Tianbao Yishi* records: Emperor Xuanzong planted it by Xingqing Pool. Grows in clumps, purple leaves with red centers. Drunk guests sniff the grass to wake up instantly. Hence the name.

Mutouhui (Grave Head Return)
Li Shizhen states: Dong Bing’s *Jiyan Fang* records: Treats metrorrhagia (Bengzhong) and leukorrhea (red and white discharge). Use one handful, half cup wine, half cup water, half cup child’s urine, and a pinch of fresh Carthami Flos (Honghua, 红花). Decoct until seven-tenths remain. Warm and take before bed. Recent onset: one dose; chronic: three doses cure. Effect is miraculous. A monk used this to treat Cai Da...

Yangmao (Sheep Fescue)
Li Shizhen states: Sheep like to eat it, hence the name. *Puji Fang* records: Treats painful swelling of throat obstruction (Houbi). Crush and swallow juice.

Azhi’er
Li Shizhen states: Liu Yu’s *Xi Shi Ji* states: Produced in Western Regions. Resembles Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Kushen, 苦参). Mainly treats traumatic injuries and fetal damage in women. Swallow a bean-sized amount; self-heals...

Axier
Li Shizhen states: *Xi Shi Ji* states: Produced in Western Regions. Resembles Lycii Cortex (Digupi, 地骨皮). Treats retained placenta postpartum and non-draining suppurating metal wounds. Chew thoroughly, apply; pus drains out.

Nugetsar
Li Shizhen states: *Xi Shi Ji* states: Produced in Western Regions. Resembles Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng, 桔梗). Treats metal wounds and severed intestines/tendons. Chew thoroughly, apply; tissues reconnect spontaneously.