Library

(From *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] Duma (from *Kaibao Bencao*), Maozhuazi (from *Kaibao Bencao*), Boluomen Shen (Brahman Ginseng).
Li Shizhen stated: Its leaves resemble those of cogon grass (*Imperata cylindrica*). Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life, hence the name Xianmao (Immortal Mound Herb). It is called Ashuganda in Sanskrit.
Su Song stated: Its root grows singly. Initially, because Brahman monks from the Western Regions presented this prescription to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, it is now called Boluomen Shen in the Jiangnan region, implying its tonic efficacy is comparable to that of Renshen (Ginseng).

[Collection and Description]
Li Shizhen stated: Xianmao originates from the Western Regions. The leaves resemble cogon grass. The roots vary in thickness, possess fibrous strands, and some resemble pen tubes with nodes and textures. The flowers are yellow and produce abundant nectar. It was introduced from Wucheng, and is also found in various prefectures of Shu.
Su Song stated: It is now found in Dayu Ridge, Shu River regions, Jianghu, and Liangzhe prefectures. The leaves are green like cogon grass but softer and slightly broader, with longitudinal veins on the surface. They also resemble young palm seedlings, growing about one chi tall. They wither completely by winter and sprout again in early spring. Flowers appear in March, resembling Gardenia flowers, yellow in color, and do not bear fruit. The root stem is solitary and erect, as thick as a little finger, with short, fine fleshy roots attached below. The outer skin is slightly rough and brownish, while the inner flesh is yellowish-white. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun for use. Those from Hengshan have greenish-blue flowers and bear black seeds in May.
Li Shizhen stated: Su Song’s description is detailed and accurate. However, in April and May, stems four to five cun long emerge, bearing small, deep-yellow, six-petaled flowers. They do not resemble Gardenia flowers and are found in mountains everywhere. People only use those from Meiling, yet the *Huidian* records that Chengdu annually tributes twenty-one jin of Xianmao.

[Processing]
Lei Xiao stated: After harvesting, wash with clear water, scrape off the skin, and cut into bean-sized pieces using a copper knife on a locust wood cutting board. Place in a raw linen bag and soak overnight in black soybean water. Remove, mix with wine until moist, and steam from Si hour to Hai hour (twelve hours). Remove and dry in the sun. Do not contact iron vessels or cow's milk, as this will cause hair loss in the eyebrows and beard.
Chen Zangqi stated: Peng Zu’s single-herb method: Scrape and cut with a bamboo knife, soak in rice washing water to remove red juice and detoxify, after which there will be no harm.

[Flavor and Toxicity]
Pungent, warm, toxic.
Lei Xiao stated: Sweet, slightly warm, slightly toxic. Also stated: Pungent, neutral, first dispersing then tonifying, not highly toxic, possessing slight heat and slight toxicity.

[Indications]
Cold qi in the heart and abdomen causing inability to eat; wind-cold in the waist and legs causing spasms and bi-syndrome leading to inability to walk; deficiency exhaustion in men; urinary incontinence and infertility in the elderly; tonifies the Yang pathway. Long-term consumption enhances spiritual clarity and memory, supports sinews and bones, nourishes skin and flesh, increases vitality, and brightens the eyes (*Kaibao Bencao*). Treats all types of wind-pathogens, warms and tonifies the waist and legs, clears and calms the Five Viscera. Long-term consumption lightens the body and improves complexion. Treats the five labors and seven injuries in men, brightens ears and eyes, fills the marrow (*Li*). Opens the stomach, aids digestion, directs Qi downward, and benefits sexual function.

[Elucidation]
Su Song stated: Wang Yan, Prefect of Yunzhou during the Later Tang regime of the Five Dynasties, wrote *Xu Chuanxin Fang*. Because state documents recorded the prescription of Brahman monks from the Western Regions consuming Xianmao, it became prevalent at the time. It states that it treats the five labors and seven injuries, brightens the eyes, strengthens sinews and muscles, and is first dispersing then tonifying. It claims that ten jin of Rushi (Milk Stone) cannot compare to one jin of Xianmao, highlighting its efficacy. This was originally transmitted by Daoist practitioners from the Western Regions. In the first year of Kaiyuan, a Brahman monk presented this medicine, and Emperor Minghuang found it effective. It was then kept as a secret prescription. During the An Lushan Rebellion, medical texts scattered, and the monk Bukong in the capital eventually obtained this prescription, transmitting it to Situ Li Mian, Shangshu Lu Sigong, Jishi Qi Hang, and Puye Zhang Jianfeng, who all benefited. Lord Lu had taken mineral drugs for years without effect, but upon taking this herb, his benefits increased a hundredfold. When Jishi Qi governed Jinyun, he lacked energy and suffered recurrent wind-rashes; taking this herb cured him. Harvested in August and September, scrape off the black skin with a bamboo knife, cut into bean-sized pieces, soak in rice washing water for two nights, dry in the shade, grind, and sieve. Make pills the size of wutong seeds with cooked honey. Take twenty pills each morning on an empty stomach with wine as desired. Avoid iron vessels, and forbid consumption of cow's milk and black beef, as these greatly reduce the drug's power.
Ji stated: There is Xianmao on Mount Wutai; patients suffering from severe wind disease often recover after taking it.
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Xu Zhunjun Shu*: Long-term consumption of Xianmao leads to longevity. Its sweet flavor nourishes flesh, pungent flavor nourishes the Lung, bitter flavor nourishes Qi, salty flavor nourishes bone, slippery texture nourishes skin, and sour flavor nourishes sinews. It is suitable to take mixed with vinegar for maximum effect. Fan Chengda’s *Dayuheng Zhi* states: Yinzhou in Guangxi produces much Xianmao. Sheep that eat it transform their entire bodies into sinews, losing flesh and blood. Humans eating them gain benefit, hence the name "Ru Yang" (Milk Sheep). Shen Kuo’s *Bitan* states: Xia Wenzhuang Gong had a constitution different from others; when sleeping, his body became cold as a corpse, and upon waking, required warming by others before he could move for a long time. He frequently consumed Xianmao, Zhongru (Stalactite), and Liuhuang (Sulfur) without limit. Observing this, Xianmao appears to be hot-natured, a medicine tonifying the Sanjiao and Mingmen. It is suitable only for those with weak Yang, cold essence, and naturally timid constitutions. If taken by those with robust bodies and flourishing Ministerial Fire, it will instead stir up fire. According to Zhang Gao’s *Yi Shuo*: One person poisoned by Xianmao had a tongue swollen out of the mouth, gradually enlarging to shoulder width. A small knife was used to lacerate it; it healed instantly after each cut. After over a hundred cuts, a drop of blood appeared, and the doctor said it could be saved. Boiled Dahuang (Rhubarb) and Pumiao (Mirabilite) were given orally, and herbs applied topically, resulting in immediate reduction. These are harms caused by individuals with excessive fire and unrestrained libido taking it excessively. During the Hongzhi era, Zhang Bi of Donghai wrote a poem about Meiling Xianmao: "Yesterday the Prefect just took it away, today people come begging for tomb inscriptions." These individuals did not understand the principles of ingestion, relying on drugs to indulge desires and hasten death. What fault can be attributed to Xianmao?

[Attached Prescriptions] Two new prescriptions.
Xianmao Wan: Strengthens sinews and bones, benefits spirit, brightens eyes, darkens beard and mustache. Xianmao two jin (soaked in rice washing water for five days, discard red water), Cheqianzi (Plantago Seed) twelve liang, Baifuling (Poria with Hostwood removed), Huixiang (Fennel, stir-fried), Baiziren (Biota Seed, shell removed) each eight liang, Sheng Dihuang (Rehmannia Root, fresh), Shu Dihuang (Rehmannia Root, prepared) each four liang. Grind into powder, make pills with wine paste the size of wutong seeds. Take fifty pills each time before meals with warm wine, twice daily. (*Shengji Zonglu*) Calms asthma, directs Qi downward, tonifies Heart and Kidney.
Shenmi San: Use Baixianmao (White Xianmao) half liang (soaked in rice washing water for three nights, sun-dried and stir-fried), Tuanshen (Codonopsis) two qian half, Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin, stir-fried) one liang half, Jinijia (Chicken Gizzard Membrane, burnt) one liang. Grind into powder. Take two qian each time on an empty stomach with rice gruel, twice daily. (*Sanyin Fang*)