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(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

[Correction] Transferred from the Grass section.

[Collected Explanations] Chen Zangqi said: Xianrenzhang (Immortal Cane) grows in the plains and marshes of Jiannan. The leaves resemble those of Sonchus oleraceus (bitter lettuce), growing in clumps. Chen Zi'ang wrote in the Preface to "Guan Yu Pian": "I accompanied Buque Qiao on a northern expedition. In the fourth month of summer, we stationed at Zhangye. Among the grasses and trees on the river islets, nothing else was remarkable except that Xianrenzhang grew frequently in clusters. My family has consumed it for generations; I used to take it often. Therefore, I told Duke Qiao about its efficacy, and my clansman Wang Zhonglie willingly ate it. Someone said to Duke Qiao: 'This is Baiji (White Thorn).' Duke Qiao then mocked me. Thus, I composed 'Guan Yu Pian'."

Su Song said: There are three different substances named Xianrenzhang: one is a vegetable type, one is the black-colored dead bamboo shoot, and Goji berry (Lycium chinense) is also called Xianrenzhang. This Xianrenzhang used as a vegetable belongs to the Baiji wood category; why is it similar? Some say: What Duke Qiao referred to as Baiji is actually Gouji, which is the thorny variety of Goji berry. *Shennong Bencao Jing* does not list Baiji under Gouji, and its taste is bitter, whereas this vegetable tastes sweet. From this, we know that the varieties of plants and trees are numerous and difficult to identify, leading people to be confused by ambiguous statements, mistaking the true for the false. It is no wonder that Chen Zi'ang discussed this in such detail.

Li Shizhen said: There is another plant called Xianrencao (Immortal Grass), growing between steps, two or three cun high. There is also Xianrenzhangcao (Immortal Hand Plant), growing on rock walls. All these share the same name but are different substances; they must not be confused. See the Stone Grass category.

[Taste and Properties] Sweet, slightly warm, non-toxic.

[Therapeutic Actions] Boiled as a vegetable, it removes phlegm accumulation and dispels wind-cold (from *Ri Hua Zi Bencao*). Long-term consumption promotes longevity, strengthens sinews and bones, and prevents aging (from Chen Zangqi).

(From *Tang Bencao*)

[Correction] Transferred from the Grass section.

[Names] Jiangnoucao (sound like gou-nuo), Jinzancao (Golden Hairpin Grass, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Huanghua Diding (Yellow Flower Ground Ding).

Li Shizhen said: The origin of the names is unclear. Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Fang* writes it as Fugongying. Su Song's *Tu Jing* writes it as Pugongying. *Gengxin Yuce* writes it as Boguying. Commonly called Pudongding, also Huanghua Diding. People in Huai call it Baiguding. People in Shu call it Erbancao. People in Guanzhong call it Goulao. According to *Tusu Bencao*: Jinzancao is also known as Diding. Its flower resembles the head of a golden hairpin, and its single stem resembles a nail, hence the name.

[Collected Explanations] Tao Baosheng said: Pugongying grows in plains, marshes, fields, and gardens. The stems and leaves resemble Sonchus oleraceus; when broken, they exude white juice. It can be eaten raw. The flowers resemble single-petaled chrysanthemums but are larger. Harvested in April and May.

Su Song said: It is found everywhere. In early spring, shoots emerge; the leaves resemble Sonchus oleraceus with fine spines. A single stem emerges from the center, bearing a flower at the tip, yellow like a gold coin. Colloquially mispronounced as Pugongying.

Zhao Zong said: It is the current Diding. It flowers year-round. After flowering, it produces fluff containing seeds, which sprout wherever they land. Hence, it is found in courtyards, dispersed by the wind.

Li Shizhen said: Diding is abundant north and south of the Yangtze River, present elsewhere, but absent in Lingnan. It grows low to the ground, spreading outwards. Stems, leaves, flowers, and fluff resemble Sonchus oleraceus but are smaller. Young shoots are edible. *Gengxin Yuce* states: Diding leaves resemble small lettuce, flowers resemble large Inula flowers. One stem stands erect 3-4 cun high, exuding white juice when broken. Flowers harvested in February, roots in March. It can refine mercury and restrain the "Three Yellows" (Sanhuang). Those with purple flowers are called Dadingcao, found in Taihang and Wangwu mountains. Also found in Chenzhou, called Shaojincao. It can refine cinnabar. A similar variety without flowers is called Dandangcao, which can also restrain Sanhuang and arsenic trioxide.

[Taste and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

[Therapeutic Actions] Treats breast abscesses (Ru Yong) with swelling and pain in women. Boil in water, drink the juice, and apply externally; it dissipates immediately (from Kou Zongsu).

Resolves food toxicity, disperses stagnant Qi, transforms heat toxicity, and eliminates malignant swellings, tubercles, and carbuncles (from Zhu Zhenheng). Applied to teeth, it darkens beard and hair, and strengthens sinews and bones (from Li Shizhen).

White juice: Applied to wounds caused by thorns or fox urine, it heals immediately (from Su Song).

[Elucidation] Zhang Gao said: Pugongying is bitter and cold. It is the sovereign herb for the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and is essential in the classic texts.

Zhu Zhenheng said: This herb belongs to Earth, opens yellow flowers, and tastes sweet. It resolves food toxicity and disperses stagnant Qi, entering the Yangming and Taiyin meridians. It transforms heat toxicity and reduces swelling nodules with miraculous efficacy. Decoct with Honeysuckle Vine (Jinyinteng). Take with a little wine. It treats breast abscesses. After ingestion, drowsiness occurs, indicating the herb's action. Upon waking, slight sweating ensues, and the illness resolves. Su Song said: The prescription for treating thorn wounds comes from Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Fang*. The preface states: In the night of July 15th in the fifth year of Zhenguan, Sun Simiao touched a courtyard tree with the back of his left middle finger. By dawn, he suffered unbearable pain. After ten days, the pain intensified, and the sore rose high, colored like a cooked mung bean. Having heard elders discuss this prescription, he used it. The pain ceased, the sore healed, and he recovered fully within ten days. Yang Yan's *Nanxing Fang* also records its efficacy.

Li Shizhen said: Sa Qianzhai's *Ruizhutang Fang* contains "Chaya Wushouhai Shao Dan" (Tooth-Rubbing Blackening Hair and Rejuvenating Pill), praising this herb's efficacy, likely due to its ability to unblock the Kidney. Therefore, Li Dongyuan stated it is an essential herb for the Shaoyin meridian, yet authors of materia medica ignored this meaning.

[Attached Prescriptions] Five new prescriptions.

Huishao Dan: Formerly, the King of Yue received this prescription from an extraordinary person. It strongly fortifies teeth, strengthens sinews and bones, and generates Kidney Water. For those under eighty years old, taking it restores black hair and regrows lost teeth. Young people who take it will not decline in old age. Those who obtain this have past-life immortal affinities; cherish it and do not leak it lightly: Use one jin of Pugongying (also called Jiangnouce or Pugongying, growing in marshes, abundant in March-April, flowering in autumn; harvest one jin including roots and leaves, wash clean, avoid sunlight), dry it, and place it in a dou. Mix one liang of salt and five qian of Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfuzi) into fine powder. Soak in the Pugongying grass overnight. Divide into twenty pills. Wrap tightly in three to four layers of hide paper. Seal with Liuyi Ni (earthworm feces). Bake in a kiln until red-hot using strong fire. Cool, remove mud, and grind to powder. Rub teeth morning and evening, spitting or swallowing as desired. Effect appears after long use. (*Ruizhutang Fang*).

Breast Abscess Redness and Swelling: One liang of Pugongying, two liang of Honeysuckle Vine (Jinyinteng). Pound into paste. Decoct with two zhong of water until one zhong remains. Take before meals. Illness resolves upon waking. (*Jidetang Fang*).

Infantile Malnutrition Sore and Carbuncle Poison: Pound Pugongying and apply to the site (this is Huanghua Diding). Separately, pound to extract juice, decoct with wine, and take to induce sweating. (*Tangshi Fang*).

Chronic Malignant Sore: Pound Pugongying and apply. (*Jiuji Fang*).

Snake Bite Swelling and Pain: Same prescription as above.