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Take half a cup of mint juice to dissolve the medicine and take it orally; then consume half a he of warm wine. It is ideal if phlegm and saliva are vomited out shortly afterward. For pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, add equal parts of *Bombyx Batryticatus* (Jiangcan, 白僵蚕). (*Heji Jufang*)

**Umbilical tetanus with mouth contraction**: Three raw tips of *Aconitum carmichaelii* deoxyaconitine mother root (Chuanwu, 川乌), half a golden-red centipede (*Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans*, Wugong, 蜈蚣) (soaked in wine and roasted dry), and a small amount of *Moschus* (Shexiang, 麝香). Grind into powder. Blow a small amount into the nose to induce sneezing, then administer one *zi* dose via mint decoction. (*Yonglei Fang*)

**Wooden tongue swelling**: Tips of *Aconitum carmichaelii* deoxyaconitine mother root (Chuanwu, 川乌) and *Croton tiglium* seed (Badou, 巴豆) ground finely, mixed with vinegar for topical application. (*Jijian Fang*)

**Unbearable toothache**: Seven tips of *Aconitum carmichaelii* lateral root (Fuzi, 附子), seven tips of *Aconitum kusnezoffii* root (Tianxiong, 天雄), and seven whole scorpions (*Scorpio*, Quanxie, 全蝎), ground raw into powder, applied topically. (*Yonglei Fang*)

**Ben tun hernia qi pain, or testicular swelling and pain**: Quling Wan (Bell-removing Pill): Use seven raw tips of *Aconitum carmichaelii* deoxyaconitine mother root (Chuanwu, 川乌) and seven seeds of *Croton tiglium* (Badou, 巴豆) (peeled and oil removed). Grind into powder, bind with rice cake paste into pills the size of a Chinese quince seed, coat with *Cinnabar* (Zhusha, 朱砂) and *Moschus* (Shexiang, 麝香). Take two pills each time, on an empty stomach with cold wine or cold salt water. Take once every three or two days; do not overconsume. (*Liao Fang*)

**Nail trimming causing sores, unhealed for years**: Equal parts of tips of *Aconitum karakolicum* root (Chuanwutou, 川乌头) and *Phellodendron amurense* bark (Huangbai, 黄柏), ground into powder. Wash the area, apply the powder, until healed. (*Gujin Luyan*)

**Mouth ulcers in old and young**: One tip of *Aconitum kusnezoffii* root (Wutou, 乌头) and one *Arisaema erubescens* tuber (Tiannanxing, 天南星), ground into powder, mixed with ginger juice, and applied to the sole of the foot. Apply to the left foot for males and the right foot for females. Cure within two or three applications. (*Benjing* Lower Grade)

**[Names]** Baimu (*Benjing*).

Li Shizhen said: Tianxiong grows from or transforms from planted Fuzi. Its shape is long but does not produce side roots, hence the name Tianxiong. Those that are long and pointed are called Tianzhui, named after their shape.

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Bielu* states: Tianxiong grows in the valleys of Mount Shaoshi. The roots are harvested in February and dried in the shade.

Tao Hongjing said: Currently, Tianxiong harvested in mid-August is used. Tianxiong resembles Fuzi but is thinner and longer, sometimes reaching three or four cun. These three herbs (Tianxiong, Wutou, Fuzi) originally came from Jianping, thus called "Sanjian" (Three Jian). Those from Yidu Mountain are now considered the best, called Xijian (Western Jian). Those from the Qiantang region are called Dongjian (Eastern Jian); their efficacy is weaker and dissimilar, hence it is said that Xibing (Western Ice-like quality) surpasses Dongbai (Eastern White-like quality). When processed with ash, some become hard like ice, which is undesirable.

Su Gong said: Tianxiong, Fuzi, and Wutou are best when sourced from Mianzhou and Longzhou along the Shu road. Even if available elsewhere, their potency is weak and dissimilar. Tao's assertion that they are all named because they come from Jianping is incorrect. The sprout of Wutou is called Jin, pronounced Jin. *Erya* states: Ji refers to Jin grass. Now, Jin is erroneously written as Jian, leading to the interpretation of Jianping.

Kou Zongshi said: Various accounts of Tianxiong are comprehensive. However, the true Tianxiong is that which, upon initial planting, does not produce Fuzi or Cezi, but grows large independently over years. Shu people cultivating it particularly avoid this form, considering it unfavorable, similar to the concept of silkworms turning into stiff white ones.

Li Shizhen said: There are two types of Tianxiong: one is the elongated form produced by or entirely transformed from planted Fuzi in Shu, akin to the varied shapes of planted taro; the other is naturally grown wild Aconite species from other regions. Thus, *Bielu* notes regarding Wuhei: those longer than three cun are Tianxiong. For medicinal use, only Sichuan-produced, previously processed Tianxiong should be used. Some say those weighing one liang and five qian with elephant-eye patterns are best. I have seen...

**[Processing]** Lei Xiao said: It is suitable to process until the skin wrinkles, removing the skin, tip, and base. Alternatively, drying in the shade like Fuzi is acceptable.

Meng Shen said: For pills and powders, process and remove the skin; for decoctions, using the raw herb with the skin is excellent.

Li Shizhen said: One method for cooked use: Soak ten liang in wine for seven days.

Dig a pit, heat half a sheng of charcoal until red, remove the fire, pour two sheng of vinegar over it. Wait until dry, then place the Tianxiong inside while hot. Cover with a small basin overnight, remove, and use after discarding the navel part.

**[Flavor and Toxicity]** Pungent, warm, highly toxic. *Bielu* states: Sweet, greatly warm.

Li Quan said: Greatly hot. Should be processed with *Zingiberis Rhizoma* (Ganjiang, 干姜).

Xu Zhicai said: *Polygalae Radix* (Yuanzhi, 远志) acts as an assistant. Detests *Corchoropsis* (Fubi). Avoids soybean paste juice.

**[Indications]** Treats severe wind, bi-syndrome due to cold-dampness, joint pain (Lijie tong), spasms and flaccidity, breaks up accumulations and pathogenic qi, treats metal wounds, strengthens sinews and bones, lightens the body and enhances mobility (*Benjing*). Treats alternating head and face pain due to wind, heart and abdominal accumulations, heavy joints, inability to walk, removes bone pain, nourishes Yin Qi, strengthens willpower, makes one brave and tireless in labor. Also induces abortion (*Bielu*. Yu Xi notes: According to *Huainanzi*, Tianxiong benefits the spirit of roosters. Annotation says: Take one piece of Tianxiong, insert into a rooster's intestine, crush and eat raw to make one brave.) Treats wind-phlegm cold-bi, soft-leg toxic wind, stops asthma and急促 breathing, kills bird and insect toxins (Zhen Quan). Treats all wind and qi disorders, aids Yang pathways, warms Water Organs, supplements waist and knees, benefits essence and eyesight, opens nine orifices, benefits skin, regulates blood vessels, treats limb paralysis, drains water from chest and diaphragm, breaks up masses and nodules, expels pus and relieves pain, reconnects bones and resolves blood stasis, treats spinal curvature, cholera with muscle cramps, induces sweating, stops genital sweating. Processed and held in the mouth to treat throat obstruction.

**[Elucidation]** Kou Zongshi said: To tonify deficiency-cold, Fuzi must be used. For wind diseases, Tianxiong is often used, choosing larger pieces because their many tips possess heat nature that does not tend to descend, thus utilizing their dispersing action.

Zhang Yuansu said: Only Tianxiong can tonify Upper Jiao Yang deficiency.

Zhu Zhenheng said: Tianxiong and Wutou have robust Qi and grand form, serving as assistants for lower body conditions.

Li Shizhen said: Wufu and Tianxiong are herbs that tonify Mingmen Yang deficiency of the Lower Jiao; tonifying the lower benefits the upper. If there is Upper Jiao Yang deficiency, it belongs to the Heart and Spleen categories, where Ginseng and Astragalus should be used, not Tianxiong. Moreover, the tips of Wufu and Tianxiong grow downward, and their Qi descends. Their navel is where the sprout grows upward. Kou Zongshi's claim that its heat does not descend, and Zhang Yuansu's claim that it tonifies Upper Jiao Yang, are both errors mistaking the tip for the upper part. Only Zhu Zhenheng's view of it being an assistant for the lower body is correct, though he did not elaborate on this principle. Lei Xiao's *Paozhi Lun* preface mentions: for frequent hiccups, take cooked Tianxiong with wine, meaning one qian of processed Tianxiong powder taken with wine.

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Three new prescriptions.

Sanjian Tang (Three Jian Decoction), treats constitutional Yuan Yang deficiency with external attacking cold pathogens, cold limbs, frequent loose stools and urination, cloudy white urine, deep and faint six pulses, removes chronic cold, supports Yuan Qi, and treats Cold Yin toxicity in Shanghan. Use Wutou, Fuzi... two zhan of water, fifteen slices of ginger, decoct to eight fen, take warm. (*Zhouhou Fang*)

Male seminal emission: Three liang of Tianxiong (processed), eight liang of *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术), six liang of *Cinnamomi Ramulus* (Guizhi, 桂枝), three liang of *Draconis Os* (Longgu, 龙骨), ground into powder. Take half a qian with wine. (Zhang Zhongjing, *Jingui Yaolue*)

Severe wind and leprosy: In March and April, harvest Tianxiong, Wutou sprouts and roots, remove soil without washing, crush to extract juice, soak fine black beans, rub on areas where skin peels but does not fall off. Remove after one night, sun-dry and soak again, repeat seven times. Initially swallow three beans, gradually increase to six or seven. Abstain from sexual intercourse, pork, fish, chicken, garlic; violation leads to death.