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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Bie Lu*)

[Names] Shangchi Water (Upper Pool Water). Hongjing stated: This is water from the top of bamboo fences and water from hollow tree cavities. Shizhen stated: According to *Zhan Guo Ce* (*Strategies of the Warring States*), Changsang Jun gave Bian Que Shangchi Water, which enabled him to see through the Zang-Fu organs (internal organs). The annotation states: Shangchi Water is Ban Tian He (Half-Day River) Water. However, there is a specific method for obtaining it.

[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic.

[Indications] Gui Zhu (Ghost Consumption, a chronic wasting disease often attributed to spiritual or infectious causes), Kuang (Mania), Xie Qi (Evil Qi). E Du (Malignant toxins) (*Bie Lu*). Wash various sores (Hongjing). Treat Gu Du (Gu Poison) (*Ri Hua*). Kill ghost essences, treat恍惚 (trance-like state) and delirious speech; administer orally without letting the patient know (Zhen Quan). Water found under locust trees treats various wind diseases and malignant sores, wind-induced itching, and scabies (Cangqi).

[Elucidation] Zong stated: Ban Tian He Water is rainwater from heaven; therefore, it treats Heart diseases, Ghost Consumption, Mania, and evil toxic qi.

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, one new prescription. Ward off seasonal epidemics: Drink Ban Tian He Water (*Yi Lin Ji Yao*). Body white patches (Vitiligo): Take water from tree holes to wash the affected area, crush Cinnamon Twig powder, mix with saliva, and apply externally, twice daily (Zhang Wenzhong *Bei Ji Fang*).

(*Shi Yi* / *Newly Added Materia Medica*)

[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, bitter, toxic. Litingfei stated: If water drips on dried meat and is consumed, it forms Zheng Jia (abdominal masses) and generates malignant sores. Rainwater dripping from eaves onto vegetables is also toxic and should not be eaten.

[Indications] Wash dog bite wounds; additionally, pour water down the eaves, collect the soil washed by the dripping water, and apply it externally; this is effective (Cangqi). Apply to verrucae (warts); apply to erysipelas (Shizhen).

Category 30: Earth Waters

(*Shi Yi* / *Newly Added Materia Medica*)

[Collected Explanations] Shizhen stated: Running water includes large rivers and streams, and small creeks; all are running waters. Their external nature is moving while their intrinsic nature is still; their texture is soft but their Qi is firm, differing from the stagnant water of lakes, marshes, and ponds. However, river water is turbid while creek water is clear, presenting further differences. Observing fish in turbid running water versus fish in clear stagnant water reveals distinct differences in temperament and color; quenching swords and dyeing silk yield different colors; cooking porridge and brewing tea result in different tastes. Thus, when used in medicine, how can distinctions not be made?

Qian Li Shui (Thousand-Li Water), Dong Liu Shui (East-Flowing Water), Gan Lan Shui (Sweet Ripple Water, also known as Lao Shui) [Properties and Flavor] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. [Indications] Weakness after illness; stirring the water ten thousand times before decocting herbs for exorcism is most effective (Cangqi). Treat Wu Lao Qi Shang (Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries), Kidney deficiency and Spleen weakness, Yang excess and Yin deficiency, inability to close eyes for sleep, as well as Huoluan (cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea), and Ben Tun (Running Piglet syndrome) following Shang Han (Cold Damage) (Shizhen).

Ni Liu Shui (Counter-Current/Upstream Flowing Water) [Indications] Feng Zhong (Wind Stroke), Cu Jue (Sudden Syncope), Tou Feng (Head Wind/Migraine), Nue Ji (Malaria), various throat diseases; promotes expectoration of phlegm-fluids (Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Cangqi stated: Qian Li Shui and Dong Liu Shui can both cleanse evil filth, decoct herbal soups, and are used in incantations against spirits. Stagnant puddles and runoff rainwater can even be offered to nobles, let alone those with enduring spiritual potency. *Ben Jing* states that Dong Liu Shui is feared by Yun Mu Shi (Cloud Mother Stone). It is used in refining Cloud Mother, differing from other waters, demonstrating its efficacy.

Simiao stated: River water flows far and wide, follows the trend to the sea, and does not flow upstream. Used to treat head conditions, it necessarily directs Qi downward. Therefore, for treating weakness due to Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries, decocting herbs with Chen Lu (aged reeds) and Lao Shui is preferred, taking advantage of the water's mild nature and weak fire. If river water is unavailable, use Qian Li Dong Liu Shui instead, such as Jing Shui or Wei Shui.

Shizhen stated: Lao Shui is Yang Fan Shui; Zhang Zhongjing called it Gan Lan Shui. Take two dou of running water, place it in a large basin, and stir vigorously with a ladle a thousand times until bubbling pearls chase each other, then take it for decoction. Generally, water nature is salty and heavy; after labor/stirring, it becomes sweet and light, taken to avoid aiding Kidney Qi and instead benefit the Spleen and Stomach. Yu Tuan's *Yi Xue Zheng Chuan* states: Gan Lan Shui is sweet, warm, and soft in nature, thus used in decocting herbs for Shang Han Yin Zheng (Cold Syndrome). Shun Liu Shui (Smooth-flowing Water) flows smoothly downward, thus used for lower Jiao waist and knee conditions, and herbs promoting urination and defecation. Ji Liu Shui (Rapid-flowing Water) is turbulent and swift; its nature is rapid and descending, thus used for herbs promoting urination/defecation and treating wind-bi (painful obstruction). Ni Liu Shui (Counter-flowing Water) is swirling and eddying; its nature is counter-current and ascending, thus used for herbs inducing vomiting of phlegm-fluids.

Zong stated: Dong Liu Shui is chosen for its smooth, fast nature to unblock the diaphragm and pass through gates. Dao Liu Shui (Reverse-flowing Water) is chosen for its swirling, stopping nature, moving upward rather than downward.

Zhang Congzheng stated: Once, a patient suffered from urinary retention that many physicians could not cure. I instructed them to take rapid flowing water from a long river to decoct the previous prescription. After one drink, urination occurred immediately. Thus, must water be selectively chosen?

[Attached Prescriptions] Three new prescriptions. Mu Bu De Ming (Insomnia/Eyes unable to close): Caused by excessive Yang Qi unable to enter Yin, and deficient Yin Qi, leading to insomnia. Treatment: Drink Ban Xia Tang (Pinellia Decoction). Use eight sheng of running water from a thousand li away, stir ten thousand times, take five sheng of the clear liquid to boil. Use reed fire, add one sheng of Shu Mi (Millet) and five he of Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber). Slowly boil until reduced to one and a half sheng, strain, and drink a small cup of the juice, three times daily, until effective. See details under Ban Xia entry (*Ling Shu Jing*). Ben Tun after Sweating: Fu Ling Gui Zhi Gan Cao Da Zao Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Licorice, and Jujube Decoction) treats palpitations below the umbilicus after sweating, indicating impending Ben Tun. Fu Ling (Poria) 1 liang, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) 2 qian 5 fen, Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) 3 qian, Da Zao (Jujube) 2 pieces. Use two sheng of Gan Lan Shui, first decoct Fu Ling, then add other herbs and decoct; take orally, three times daily (Zhang Zhongjing *Jin Gui Yao Lue*). Restlessness and stuffiness from overdose of medication: Drink one or two sheng of Dong Liu Shui (*Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang*).