Library

[Background Information]
Book: Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)
Author: Li Shizhen
Dynasty: Ming Dynasty, 6th Year of Wanli
Chapter: Rabbit (Tu)
Category: Materia Medica

(Recorded in Zhongpin of *Bie Lu*)
[Names] Mingshi.
Li Shizhen states: According to Wei Zicai's *Liushu Jingyun*, the seal script character for rabbit is pictographic. Another theory says: rabbits give birth by vomiting, hence the name "Tu". The *Book of Rites* calls it Mingshi, meaning its eyes do not blink and appear bright. The *Shuowen Jiezi* refers to a young rabbit as "Tu" (pronounced 'wan'). A cunning rabbit is called "Shen" (pronounced 'jun'), also referred to as "Shen" (pronounced 'chan'). The *Fan Shu* calls the rabbit "She She Jia".
[Collection and Explanation] Song states: Rabbits are found everywhere and are considered a delicacy among foods.
Li Shizhen states: According to the *Shilei Hebi*: Rabbits are as large as martens with brownish-black fur; their shape resembles mice but with short tails, and they have large, sharp ears. They have an upper lip cleft and no spleen, long whiskers, and short forefeet. There are nine orifices on the rump. They squat when resting, are agile, and good at running. They become pregnant by licking the male's mane, and give birth after five months. The larger ones are called KT (pronounced 'chuo'), resembling rabbits but larger, greenish-blue in color, with heads similar to rabbits and feet similar to deer, hence the pictographic nature of the character. Some claim rabbits have no males and become pregnant by gazing at the moon rabbit during the Mid-Autumn Festival; this is an unverified theory. It is now known that male rabbits have two testes. The ancient folk song says, "The male rabbit's feet flutter, the female rabbit's eyes blur," which dispels this doubt. The *Zhuwu Bo* records: Pregnant ring-shaped rabbits carry the embryo in the left armpit, with patterned fur. After 150 years, the ring rotates in the brain, granting invisibility. Wang Tingxiang's *Yashu* records: Rabbits transform into turtles due to floods, and turtles transform into rabbits due to drought.
Meat
[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, neutral, non-toxic. Chen states: Sour, cold.
Li Shizhen states: Sweet, cold. According to the *Neize*: One should remove the rabbit's rump before eating, as it is detrimental to human health. The *Fengsu Tong* states: Eating too many rabbit patellae causes them to grow on the face.
Tao Hongjing states: Rabbit meat soup is beneficial. Pregnant women should not eat it, as it may cause cleft lips in the child. It should not be eaten with white chicken meat, liver, or heart, as it causes yellowing of the face. Eating it with otter meat causes Dunshi disease (a type of lingering corpse qi disease). Eating it with ginger and tangerine peel causes heart pain and cholera-like symptoms. It should not be eaten with mustard greens.
Chen Cangqi states: The rabbit's rump has holes, and offspring emerge from the mouth; thus, pregnant women avoid it, not just to prevent cleft lips. Generally, long-term consumption cuts off blood vessels, damages Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and sexual function, causing sallow complexion. It can be eaten from August to October; other months harm the spirit and qi. Rabbits that die with closed eyes are poisonous and can kill.
[Therapeutic Actions] Tonifies the middle and benefits Qi (*Bie Lu*). Clears heat and dampness, stops thirst, strengthens the spleen. Eaten raw, it suppresses Dan Shi toxicity (*Rihua*). Made into paste in the twelfth lunar month and eaten, it removes pea sores in children (*Yaoxing*). Cools blood, resolves heat toxins, promotes bowel movement (*Li Shizhen*).
[Elucidation] Zong states: Rabbits are the essence of the bright moon. Those with white fur obtain the energy of Metal, making them particularly effective in medicine. Rabbits can be eaten in late autumn when Metal energy is complete; in spring and summer, the flavor changes. However, when making paste, five flavors must be used. If one suffers from pea sores and eats this, the toxin may flare up severely, potentially causing disfigurement.
Li Shizhen states: In winter, rabbits gnaw tree bark, absorbing Metal energy and becoming solid inside, hence the delicious taste; in spring, they eat grass and wheat, losing Metal energy, hence the inferior taste. Now, people feed it to children, claiming it reduces smallpox severity, likely due to its cold nature resolving heat. Thus, it can treat Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) and suppress Dan Shi toxicity. If smallpox has erupted, or if the patient has deficiency-cold, it should be avoided. Liu Chun's *Zhili* states: For regurgitation and severe colon obstruction, regular consumption of rabbit meat facilitates bowel movements, proving its cold and purgative nature.
[Attached Prescriptions] Old: One.
Xiao Ke and Emaciation: Use one rabbit, skin, claws, and viscera removed. Decoct in 1.5 dou of water until thick. Strain, clarify, and cool. Drink when thirsty. For severe cases, no more than two rabbits are needed. (Cui Yuanliang, *Haishang Fang*)
Blood
[Properties and Flavor] Salty, cold, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Cools blood and invigorates blood, resolves fetal heat toxins, induces labor and facilitates delivery (*Li Shizhen*).
[Attached Prescriptions] New: Six.
Chan Gong Wan: *Qiankun Mi Yun*: Treats infant fetal toxin, which erupts as rash upon exposure to wind-cold. Taking this prevents eruption or makes it sparse. Take blood from two rabbits on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month into a lacquer dish. Mix with finely roasted flour, form pills the size of mung beans. Take 30 pills with mung bean soup. One dose per infant is very effective. *Yang Shi Jingyan Fang*: Add 3 qian of Cinnabar, take with wine. Named Tu Sha Wan.
Tu Xue Wan: Infants taking this will never develop smallpox, or it will be very sparse. On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, take blood from a live rabbit, mix with buckwheat flour, add 4-5 fen of Realgar, dry, and form pills the size of mung beans. Give 2-3 pills to newborns with breast milk. Red spots appearing all over the body indicate efficacy. But as the child grows...
Cu Sheng Dan: Treats difficult labor: Use rabbit blood from the 12th lunar month, soak steamed buns, wrap in paper, dry in shade, and powder. Take 2 qian each time, with Frankincense decoction. (*Zhi Mi Fang*)
Heart Qi Pain: *Ruizhutang Fang*: Mix 4 liang of aged rabbit blood with tea powder and 2 liang of powdered Frankincense. Form pills the size of Chinese bayberry seeds. Dissolve one pill in warm vinegar and take. Tan Yeweng's formula: On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, take blood from a live rabbit, mix with flour, form pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 21 pills with plain boiled water.
Brain
[Therapeutic Actions] Apply to frostbite (*Bie Lu*). Induces labor and lubricates the fetus (*Li Shizhen*). Combined with ointment, treats deafness (Su Gong).
[Attached Prescriptions] Old: Four.
Cu Sheng San: Use one portion of rabbit brain marrow from the 12th lunar month. Spread evenly on paper, dry in shade, cut into talisman shapes. Write the character "Sheng" (Birth) on the surface. When the mother is in extreme pain, hold with a hairpin, burn to ash over a lamp, and administer mixed with Clove wine. (*Boji Fang*)
Cu Sheng Dan: Take two portions of rabbit brain marrow from the 12th lunar month, spread on paper, blow dry. Add 2 liang of transparent Frankincense powder, grind together evenly. On the eve before the 12th lunar month, place on a table under the stars and moon. Set out tea and fruits, fast, burn incense, bow north and pray: "Disciple [Name], preparing medicine to save women suffering from difficult childbirth, I pray for spiritual power to assist this medicine to hasten delivery." After prayer, wrap medicine in paper, expose overnight. Before dawn, mix with pork, form pills the size of Chinese bayberry seeds, store in paper bags, hang in a ventilated place. Take one pill with warm vinegar water. If not delivered after a while, take another pill with cold wine, then delivery occurs. This is a divine prescription. (*Jingyan Fang*)
Cracked Hands and Feet: Apply raw rabbit brain marrow. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Hair abscess, back carbuncle, and malignant ulcers/boils: Pound rabbit heads from the 12th lunar month, seal in a jar. The longer, the better. Apply thickly on cloth. Heat and pain will feel like ice. Change frequently until healed. (*Shengjin Fang*)
Bone
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats internal heat and Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst); decoct and drink (*Bie Lu*.
Song states: Cui Yuanliang's *Haishang Fang*: Treats Xiao Ke and emaciation, involuntary urination. Decoct rabbit bones with barley seedlings and drink; highly effective). Decoct and drink to stop cholera vomiting and diarrhea (*Li Shizhen*. Used in *Waitai*). Treats Gui Zhu (lingering pestilence), sores, scabies, and wind itching (*Rihua*. Chen Cangqi states: Grind with vinegar and apply to chronic scabies; excellent).
Skull Bone (Collected in 12th lunar month)
[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, sour, neutral, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats dizziness and headache, epilepsy (*Bie Lu*). Burn with skin and hair until charred but retaining properties. Take one cubic inch spoonful with rice water to treat persistent vomiting due to epidemic pathogens, until cured (Su Song. From *Bixiao Fang*). Burn hair and marrow to ash, take with wine to treat difficult labor, retained placenta, and postpartum lochia retention (*Rihua*. Lu uses green onion decoction). Powdered and applied externally for prolapsed uterus postpartum, malignant ulcers. Taken with water to treat infant malnutrition dysentery. Decocted and drunk to treat persistent Xiao Ke (*Li Shizhen*).
[Attached Prescriptions] New: Two.
Prevent Smallpox Toxin: Decoct rabbit heads in December, bathe infants in the soup to clear heat and toxin, reducing smallpox severity. (*Yinshan Zhengyao*)
Postpartum Abdominal Pain: Roast rabbit head until hot, rub on abdomen to relieve pain. (*Bixiao*)
Liver
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats dim vision (*Bie Lu*). Brightens eyes, tonifies fatigue, treats vertigo and dizziness (*Rihua*. Form pills with Cassia Seed for excellent eye-brightening effect). Slice, wash, eat raw like sheep liver to treat upward rushing of Dan Shi toxicity causing blindness (Meng Shen).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen states: According to Liu Shouzhen: Rabbit liver brightens eyes because its Qi is abundant, supplementing deficiency. Ophthalmic texts state: Rabbit liver clears Liver heat. Probably because rabbit eyes protrude and its nature is cold.
[Attached Prescriptions] New: One.
Wind-Heat Dim Vision: Due to Liver-Kidney Qi deficiency, wind-heat attacks upward, causing swollen and dim eyes. Use one rabbit liver, 3 he of rice, and fermented soybean juice. Cook as porridge and eat. (*Puji Fang*)
Skin and Hair (Collected in 12th lunar month)
[Therapeutic Actions] Burn to ash, take one cubic inch spoonful with wine to treat retained placenta after difficult labor, and lochia rushing to the heart causing distension and stabbing pain threatening life; highly effective (Su Gong). Decoct to wash pea sores (*Yaoxing*). Scalp ash: Treats scrofula and Gui Zhu toxic vapors feeling like needle pricks in the skin. Hair ash: Treats non-healing moxibustion sores (Chen Cangqi). Skin ash: Treats leukorrhea in women. Hair ash: Treats difficult urination. See Bai Xia for others (*Li Shizhen*).
[Attached Prescriptions] Old: Two
Female Leukorrhea: Burn rabbit skin until smoke disappears, powder. Take one cubic inch spoonful with wine, until cured. (*Waitai*)
Burn Wounds: Apply white hair from rabbit belly. Heal when hair falls off. (*Baiyi Fang*)
Feces (Collected in 12th lunar month)
[Names] Mingyue Sha (*Shenghui*), Wanyue Sha (*Jiyuan*), Tuxun (*Paozhi Lun*).
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats floating nebula in eyes, consumptive tuberculosis, five types of infant malnutrition, malnutrition sores, hemorrhoids, kills parasites, detoxifies (*Li Shizhen*).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen states: Rabbit feces can detoxify and kill parasites, hence often used in formulas for eye diseases, malnutrition, sores, and hemorrhoids. Previous materia medica texts omit this, which is an omission. According to Shen Kuo's *Liangfang*: Wan Rong of Jiangyin suffered from consumption, limbs burning, alternating chills and fever, irritability. He dreamed of a person holding a bright moon, making his heart and bones cold. Upon waking, Sun Yuangu sent medicine, which cured him. He realized the dream referred to Mingyue Dan.
[Attached Prescriptions] Old: Two, New: Five.
Mingyue Dan: Treats consumption, expels worms. Use 49 grains of rabbit feces and 49 grains of Nao Sha (rock salt, size of rabbit feces). Powder them. Form pills the size of wutong seeds with raw honey. Before the full moon, soak licorice root in water overnight. At dawn, take seven pills with the juice. If worms pass, immediately fry them in oil. If not passed in three days, take again. (*Su Shen Liangfang*)
Five Malnutrition Diarrhea: Half liang of stir-fried rabbit feces, one dried toad, burned to ash. Wrap in silk like a lotus seed, insert into anus, change three times daily. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Constipation: Place one spoonful of Mingyue Sha in the navel, drip cold water through to induce passage. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Hemorrhoids with Bleeding and Unceasing Pain: Use Wanyue Sha, stir-fry slowly until yellow, powder. Take 2 qian each time with 5 fen of Frankincense, on an empty stomach with warm wine, three times daily. This is rabbit feces. (*Jiyuan Fang*)
Eclipse Ear Sore: On the night of the full moon, put rabbit feces into a toad's belly, burn together to powder, and apply. (*Zhouhou*)
Smallpox Entering Eyes Causing Nebula: Dry rabbit feces in sun, powder. Take 1 qian with tea for relief. (*Puji Fang*)
Post-Smallpox Eye Nebula: Go straight to the east-west ground in the mountains, do not look back. Find 14 grains of rabbit feces. Grind with one male and one female Areca Nut without dropping on the ground. Mix well with well water and take. Failure rate is less than one percent; efficacy is miraculous. (*Lin Shi Jingyan Fang*)