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(From *Bencao Gangmu* / Compendium of Materia Medica)

**Names**: Jixingzi (Acute Seed, from *Jiuhuang Bencao*), Hanzhenzhu (Dry Pearl, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Jiataotao (Oleander, from *Jiuhuang Bencao*), Hai [missing character] (from *Yinna*).
Li Shizhen said: The head, wings, tail, and feet of its flower all stand erect like a phoenix, hence the name. Women collect its flowers and leaves to wrap and dye their fingernails. Its fruit resembles a small peach; when mature, it bursts open, hence the names Zhijia (Fingernail Flower), Jixingzi (Acute Seed), and Xiaotao (Small Peach). During the reign of Emperor Guangzong of Song, Empress Li avoided the character "Feng" (Phoenix), so the palace called it Haonv'er Hua (Good Daughter Flower). Zhang Wanqiu called it Juban (Chrysanthemum Maid). Wei Jun called it Yuke (Feathered Guest).

**Collection and Explanation**: Li Shizhen said: Phoenix flower is widely cultivated in households and grows very easily. Seeds are sown in February, and replanting can be done in May. The seedlings grow two or three chi high. The stem has red or white colors, as thick as a finger, hollow and brittle inside. The leaves are long and pointed, resembling peach or willow leaves but with serrated edges. Flowers bloom among the branches, varying in yellow, white, red, purple, green, or mixed colors, changing naturally, resembling flying birds. From early summer to late autumn, blooming and fading continue sequentially. The fruits hang in clusters, cherry-sized, slightly elongated, colored like fuzzy peaches, green when raw and yellow when ripe. Upon contact, they burst spontaneously; the skin curls like a fist, containing seeds similar to radish seeds but smaller, brown in color. People harvest its fleshy stems to substitute for lettuce. Young flowers soaked in wine overnight are also edible. However, this plant does not harbor insects or pests, and bees and butterflies do not approach it, suggesting it may possess some toxicity.

**Flavor and Properties**: Slightly bitter, warm, slightly toxic.

**Indications**: Dystocia (difficult labor), accumulations and masses, dysphagia (globus hystericus/obstruction), bone splinters stuck in the throat, penetrating bones and opening orifices (Li Shizhen).

**Elucidation**: Li Shizhen said: The nature of Fengxianzi (Phlox drummondii seed) is rapid and urgent, thus it can penetrate bones and soften hardness. When cooks boil tough fish or meat, adding a few seeds makes them soft and tender easily, demonstrating this effect.

**Attached Prescriptions**: Five new prescriptions.
*Dystocia promoting delivery*: 2 qian of Fengxianzi, ground into powder. Take with water, avoiding contact with teeth. Externally, apply crushed Ricinus communis seeds (Bimazi) to the sole of the foot according to the patient's age in years. (*Jijian Fang*)
*Food obstruction unable to swallow*: Soak Fengxian flower seeds (i.e., Jixingzi) in wine for three nights, dry and grind into powder. Make pills the size of mung beans. Take 8 pills each time with warm wine. Do not use excessively. (*Zhaixuan Fang*)
*Bone splinter in throat, near death*: Grind white Fengxianzi with water to make a large mouthful. Pour into the throat using a bamboo tube; the object will soften. Avoid contact with teeth. Alternatively, grind into powder and insufflate. (*Puji Fang*)
*Tooth extraction*: Grind Jinfeng flower seeds into powder, add a small amount of arsenic trioxide (Pi), and apply to the root of the painful tooth to extract it. (*Zhaixuan Fang*)
*Pediatric abdominal mass*: Jixingzi, Honghuaizi (Sida rhombifolia seed), and Dahuang (Rhubarb) each 1 liang, all raw-ground into powder. Take 5 qian of each ingredient, mix evenly with 1 liang of Mirabilite (Piaoxiao). Take one white pigeon, or a white duck, remove feathers and feces, eviscerate without water contact, wipe clean with cloth. Stuff the powder inside, tie tightly with cotton thread. Place in a clay pot with three bowls of water, seal layers with paper, simmer on low heat until dry. Turn the bird over and bake until yellow. Cool down. Eat in the morning; by evening the pathology softens, and after three days blood passes in stool, curing the disease. Avoid cold foods for 100 days. (Sun Tianren, *Jixiao Fang*)

**Flower**
**Flavor and Properties**: Sweet, slippery, warm, non-toxic.

**Indications**: Snake bites; grinding and taking with wine resolves toxicity. Also treats unbearable pain radiating from the waist and hypochondrium; grind into cakes, dry, and powder. Take 3 qian with wine on an empty stomach to invigorate blood and resolve accumulations (Li Shizhen).

**Attached Prescriptions**: One new prescription.
*Rheumatism bedridden*: Decoct Jinfeng flower, Baiziren (Biota seed), Puxiao (Mirabilite), and Mugua (Chaenomeles fruit) for bathing, twice or thrice daily. Internally take Duhuo Jisheng Tang. (Wu Kun, *Fushou Jingfang*)

**Root and Leaves**
**Flavor and Properties**: Bitter, sweet, acrid, slightly toxic.

**Indications**: Chicken or fish bone splinters, accidental swallowing of copper or iron, swelling and pain from beating, dispersing blood and unblocking meridians, softening hardness and penetrating bones (Li Shizhen).

**Attached Prescriptions**: Three new prescriptions.
*Foreign body stuck in throat*: Chew Jinfeng flower root thoroughly and swallow; the bone will descend naturally, especially effective for chicken bones. Rinse mouth with warm water immediately to avoid damaging teeth. Also treats accidental swallowing of copper or iron. (Wei Yilin, *Defang*)
*Swelling and pain from beating*: Crush Fengxian flower leaves into mud, apply to swollen or broken areas. Reapply when dry. Blood disperses overnight, leading to recovery. In winter, collect dried leaves, grind into powder, mix with water, and apply. (Ye Tingqi, *Tongbian Yaofa*)
*Equine diseases*: Boil white Fengxian flower with roots and leaves into an ointment. When a horse is ill, apply to the four corners of its eyes; sweating occurs and the horse recovers. (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*)