【主治】剥人面皮，去 （《开宝》）。敷白癜 疡（大明）。捣叶，敷蝎螫，立止（时
珍）。
（音浪荡。《本经》下品）
【释名】天仙子（《图经》）、横唐（《本经》）
时珍曰∶莨菪，一作KT KT 。其子服之，令人狂野狼放宕，故
【集解】《别录》曰∶莨菪子生海滨川谷及雍州。五月采子。
弘景曰∶今处处有之。子形颇似五味核而极小。
保升曰∶所在皆有之。叶似菘蓝，茎叶皆有细毛。花白色。子壳作罂状，结实扁细，若
粟米
大，青黄色。六月、七月采子，日干。
颂曰∶处处有之。苗茎高二、三尺。叶似地黄、王不留行、红蓝等，而阔如三指。四月
开花，紫色。茎荚有白毛。五月结实，有壳作罂子状，如小石榴。房中子至细，青白色，如
粟米粒。
曰∶凡使勿用苍 子，其形相似，只是微赤，服之无效，时人多以杂之。
时珍曰∶张仲景《金匮要略》，言菜中有水莨菪，叶圆而光，有毒，误食令人狂乱，状
如中风或吐血，以甘草汁解之。
子
【修治】 曰∶修事，莨菪子十两，以头醋一镒，煮干为度。却用黄牛乳汁浸一宿，至
明日乳汁黑，即是真者。晒干捣筛用。
【气味】苦，寒，有毒。《别录》曰∶甘。权曰∶苦、辛，微热，有大毒。
藏器曰∶性温不寒。
大明曰∶温，有毒。服之热发，以绿豆汁、甘草、升麻、犀角并解之。
曰∶有大毒。误服之，冲人心，大烦闷，眼生暹火。
颂曰∶《本经》言性寒，后人多云大热。而《史记·淳于意传》云∶淄川王美人怀子不
乳，
饮以浪荡药一撮，以酒饮，旋乳。且不乳岂热药所治？又古方主卒颠狂亦多单用莨菪，岂果
性寒耶？
【主治】齿痛出虫，肉痹拘急。久服轻身，使人健行，走及奔马，强志益力，通神见鬼。
多食令人狂走（《本经》）。
疗癫狂风痫，颠倒拘挛（《别录》）。安心定志，聪明耳目，除邪逐风，变白，主 癖。
取子
洗晒，隔日空腹，水下一指捻。亦可小便浸令泣尽，曝干，如上服。勿令子破，破则令人发
狂（藏器）。炒焦研末，治下部脱肛，止冷痢。主蛀牙痛，咬之虫出（甄权）。烧熏虫牙，及
洗阴汗（大明）。
【发明】
弘景曰∶入疗癫狂方用，然不可过剂。久服自无嫌，通神健行，足为大益，而仙经不见
用。
权曰∶以锻石清煮一伏时，掬出，去芽曝干，以附子、干姜、陈橘皮、桂心、浓朴为丸
服。去一切冷气，积年气痢，甚温暖也。不可生服，伤人见鬼，拾针狂乱。
时珍曰∶莨菪之功，未见如所说，而其毒有甚焉。煮一、二日而芽方生，其为物可知矣。
莨菪、云实、防葵、赤商陆皆能令人狂惑见鬼，昔人未有发其义者。盖此类皆有毒，能使痰
迷心窍，蔽其神明，以乱其视听故耳。唐安禄山诱奚契丹，饮以莨菪酒，醉而坑之。又嘉靖
四十三年二月，陕西游僧武如香，挟妖术至昌黎县民张柱家，见其妻美。设饭间，呼其全家
同坐，将红散入饭内食之。少顷举家昏迷，任其奸污。复将魇法吹入柱耳中。柱发狂惑，见
举家皆是妖鬼，尽行杀死，凡一十六人，并无血迹。官司执柱囚之。十余日柱吐痰二碗许，
闻其故，乃知所杀者皆其父母兄嫂妻子姊侄也。柱与如香皆论死。世宗肃皇帝命榜示天下。
观此妖药，亦是莨菪之流尔。方其痰迷之时，视人皆鬼矣。解之之法，可不知乎？
【附方】旧二，新二十一。
卒发颠狂∶莨菪三升为末，以酒一升渍数日，绞去滓，煎令可丸，如小豆三丸，日三服。
当
觉口面急，头中如有虫行，额及手足有赤色处，如此，并是瘥候也。未知再服，取尽神良。
（陈延之《短剧方》）
风痹厥痛∶天仙子三钱（炒），大草乌头、甘草半两，五灵脂一两。为末，糊丸梧子大，
以螺
青为衣。每服十丸，男子菖蒲酒下，女子芫花汤下。（《圣济录》）
久嗽不止有脓血∶莨菪子五钱（淘去浮者，煮令芽出，炒研），真酥一鸡子大，大枣七
枚，同
煎令酥尽，取枣日食三枚。又方∶莨菪子三撮，吞之，日五六度。光禄李丞服之，神验。（孟
诜《必效方》）年久呷嗽，至三十年者∶莨菪子、木香、熏黄等分，为末。以羊脂涂青纸上，
撒末于上，卷作筒，烧烟熏吸之。（《崔行功纂要方》）
水肿蛊胀∶方见兽部羚羊下。
积冷 癖，不思饮食，羸困者∶莨菪子三分（水淘去浮者），大枣四十九个。水三升，
煮干，只取枣去皮核。每空心食一
个，米饮下，觉热即止。（《圣济录》）水泻日久∶青州干枣十个（去核），入莨菪子填满扎定，
烧存性。每粟
（《圣惠方》）
冷疳痢下∶莨菪子为末，腊猪脂和丸，绵裹枣许，导下部。因痢出，更纳新者。不过三
度瘥。
（孟诜《必效方》）
末。每服一钱，米饮下。（《普济方》）久痢不止，变种种痢，兼脱肛∶莨菪丸∶用莨菪子一
升（淘
去浮者，煮令芽出，晒干，炒黄黑色），青州枣一升（去皮核），酽醋二升，同煮，捣膏丸梧
子大。每服二十丸，食前米饮下。（《圣惠方》）
肠风下血∶莨菪煎∶用莨菪实一升（曝干捣筛），生姜半斤（取汁）。银锅中更以无灰酒
二升投
之，上火煎如稠饧，即旋投酒，度用酒可及五升即止。慢火煎令可丸，大如梧子。每旦酒饮
通下三丸，增至五、七丸止。若丸时粘手，则以菟丝粉衬隔之。火候忌紧，药焦则失力也。
初服微热，勿怪。疾甚者，服过三日，当下利。疾去，利亦止。绝有效。（《箧中方》）
脱肛不收∶莨菪子炒研敷之。（《圣惠方》）
风牙虫牙∶《瑞竹堂方》∶用天仙子一撮，入小口瓶内烧烟，竹筒引烟，入虫孔内，熏之
即死，
永不发。《普济方》∶用莨菪子入瓶内，以热汤淋下，口含瓶口，令气熏之。冷更作，尽三合
乃止。有涎津可去，甚效。《备急方》∶用莨菪子数粒纳孔中，以蜡封之，亦效。
牙齿宣落风痛∶莨菪子末，绵裹咬之，有汁勿咽。（《必效方》）
风毒咽肿，咽水不下，及瘰 咽肿∶水服莨菪子末两钱匕，神良。（《外台秘要》）
乳痈坚硬∶新莨菪子半匙。清水一盏，服之。不得嚼破。（《外台秘要》）
石痈坚硬不作脓者。莨菪子为末，醋和，敷疮头，根即拔出。（《千金方》）
恶疮似癞，十年不愈者∶莨菪子烧研敷之。（《千金方》）
打扑折伤∶羊脂调莨菪子末，敷之。（《千金方》）
恶犬咬伤∶莨菪子七枚，吞之，日三服。（《千金方》）
根
【气味】苦，辛，有毒。
【主治】邪疟，疥癣，杀虫（时珍）。
【附方】新六。
疟疾不止∶莨菪根烧炭，水服一合。量人强弱用。（《千金方》）
恶癣有虫∶莨菪根捣烂，蜜和敷之。（《千金翼》）
趾间肉刺∶莨菪根捣汁涂之。《雷公炮炙论》序云∶脚生肉刺， 系菪根。谓系于 带
上也
狂犬咬人∶莨菪根和盐捣敷，日三上。（《外台秘要》）
恶刺伤人∶莨菪根，水煮汁浸之，冷即易。神方也。（《千金方》）
箭头不出∶万圣神应丹∶端午前一日，不语，寻见莨菪科，根本枝叶花实全好者。道云∶
先
生！你却在这里。道罢，用柴灰自东南起围了，以木 子掘取根下周回土。次日日未出时，
依前不语，用 头取出，洗净。勿令鸡犬妇人见，于净室中，以石臼捣如泥，丸弹子大，黄
丹为衣，以纸袋封，悬高处阴干。遇有箭头不出者，先以象牙末贴疮口，后用绯帛袋盛此药，
放脐中，绵兜肚系了，当便出也。（张子和《儒门事亲》方）
[Indications] Peel human facial skin to remove scars (from *Kaibao Bencao*). Apply externally to treat vitiligo and ulcers (from *Ri Hua Zi Bencao*). Crush leaves and apply externally; it immediately relieves scorpion stings (Note by Li Shizhen).
(Pronounced "lang dang". Listed as Lower Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*.)
[Names] Also known as Tian Xian Zi (Heavenly Immortal Bean) (from *Bencao Tujing*), Heng Tang (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Li Shizhen states: Lang Dang is also written as [variant characters]. Its seeds, when ingested, cause people to behave wildly and recklessly, hence the name.
[Collected Explanations] *Mingyi Bielu* records: Lang Dang Zi grows in river valleys by the sea and in Yongzhou. Seeds are harvested in May.
Tao Hongjing states: It is now found everywhere. The seed shape resembles that of Schisandra chinensis fruit but is extremely small.
Su Baosheng states: It is present in all places. Leaves resemble Isatis tinctoria; stems and leaves have fine hairs. Flowers are white. The fruit shell resembles a poppy capsule; the formed fruit is flat and slender, about the size of millet grain, greenish-yellow. Seeds are harvested in June and July and dried in the sun.
Su Song states: It is found everywhere. Stems and leaves grow two or three chi high. Leaves resemble Rehmannia glutinosa, Galege fructus, and Carthamus tinctorius, but are as wide as three fingers. Flowers bloom in April, purple. Stem pods have white hairs. Fruits form in May, with shells resembling small pomegranates. Seeds inside are very fine, greenish-white, like millet grains.
Kou Zongshi states: When using Lang Dang Zi, do not use Xanthii Fructus (Cang Er Zi); their shapes are similar, but Cang Er Zi is slightly reddish and ineffective when taken. Modern people often mix them.
Li Shizhen states: Zhang Zhongjing, in *Jingui Yaolue*, mentions water Lang Dang among vegetables; its leaves are round and smooth, toxic. Accidental ingestion causes madness, symptoms resembling stroke or hematemesis, which can be detoxified with Licorice juice.
[Processing] Kou Zongshi states: For processing, take ten liang of Lang Dang Zi, boil with one yi of first-run vinegar until dry. Then soak in yellow ox milk overnight. If the milk turns black the next day, it is genuine. Dry and grind through a sieve for use.
[Flavor and Property] Bitter, cold, toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Sweet. Li Quan states: Bitter, acrid, slightly hot, highly toxic.
Chen Canger states: Warm, not cold.
Ri Hua Zi states: Warm, toxic. If heat develops after ingestion, detoxify with Mung bean juice, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Platycodon grandiflorus, and Rhinoceros horn (substituted with Buffalo horn in modern practice).
Kou Zongshi states: Highly toxic. Ingestion causes toxicity to rush to the heart, causing severe restlessness and visual hallucinations of fire.
Su Song states: *Shennong Bencao Jing* says it is cold, but later authors often claim it is highly hot. However, *Records of the Grand Historian · Biography of Chunyu Yi* records: The concubine of the King of Zichuan could not lactate after pregnancy. She drank a pinch of Lang Dang medicine with wine and lactated immediately. If inability to lactate were treated with hot herbs, this would make sense. Furthermore, ancient formulas for sudden mania often use single-ingredient Lang Dang; is it truly cold?
[Indications] Treats toothache with worms, muscle paralysis and spasms. Long-term use makes the body light, enhances walking ability, allows running as fast as a galloping horse, strengthens will and power, connects with spirits, and enables seeing ghosts. Overconsumption causes people to run wildly (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Treats epilepsy and wind-phlegm convulsions, limb inversion and spasms (from *Mingyi Bielu*). Calms the mind and stabilizes spirit, brightens eyes and ears, expels evil and wind, turns white hair black, and treats abdominal masses.
Take seeds, wash and dry. On alternate days, take on an empty stomach with water, amount equivalent to one finger-width pinch. Alternatively, soak in urine until moisture is absorbed, dry, and administer as above. Do not break the seeds; broken seeds cause madness (Note by Chen Canger). Charred and ground into powder, it treats rectal prolapse and stops cold-type dysentery. Treats dental caries pain; biting on it causes worms to emerge (Note by Zhen Quan). Burn and smoke to treat dental caries caused by worms, and wash for genital sweating (Note by Ri Hua Zi).
[Invention (Theoretical Discussion)]
Tao Hongjing states: Used in formulas for treating mania, but dosage must not exceed limits. Long-term use is harmless; connecting with spirits and enhancing mobility are significant benefits, yet it is not used in immortal classics.
Zhen Quan states: Boil in clear liquid from calcined iron oxide for one shichen, remove, remove sprouts, dry. Form pills with Aconitum carmichaelii, Zingiber officinale, Citrus reticulata, Cinnamomum cassia, and Magnolia officinalis. Removes all cold qi and chronic qi-dysentery; very warming. Do not take raw; it harms people, causes hallucinations of ghosts, and leads to madness where one picks up needles.
Li Shizhen states: The efficacy of Lang Dang is not as miraculous as described, but its toxicity is more severe. Sprouts only appear after boiling for one or two days, indicating its nature. Lang Dang, Caesalpinia sepiaria, Petasites japonicus, and Phytolacca acintha can all cause madness and hallucinations of ghosts; predecessors did not explain the principle. Generally, these substances are toxic and cause phlegm to confuse the heart orifices, obscuring the spirit and disturbing vision and hearing. In the Tang Dynasty, An Lushan tricked the Xi and Khitan tribes by giving them Lang Dang wine, then buried them while they were drunk. In the 43rd year of Jiajing (1564), a wandering monk Wu Ruxiang from Shaanxi brought demonic arts to the home of Zhang Zhu in Changli County. Seeing Zhang's wife was beautiful, he invited the whole family to eat, adding red powder to the food. Soon the family fell into a coma, allowing him to assault them. He then blew a curse into Zhang Zhu's ear. Zhang Zhu became mad, seeing his family as demons, and killed all sixteen of them without leaving blood traces. The authorities imprisoned Zhang Zhu. After ten days, Zhang Zhu vomited about two bowls of phlegm. Upon learning the cause, it was known that those killed were his parents, siblings, wife, and nephews. Both Zhang Zhu and Wu Ruxiang were sentenced to death. Emperor Shizong ordered notices posted throughout the empire. This demonic drug is indeed of the Lang Dang variety. When phlegm confuses the heart orifices, everyone appears as a ghost. How can one not know the method of rescue?
[Attached Prescriptions] Two old prescriptions, twenty-one new prescriptions.
Sudden onset of mania: Three sheng of Lang Dang Zi ground to powder, soaked in one sheng of wine for several days, strained, and boiled until pillable. Form pills the size of adzuki beans, three pills per dose, three times daily. One should feel tightness in the mouth and face, sensation of insects crawling in the head, and red spots on the forehead and limbs; these indicate recovery. If not recovered, administer again; effect is divine and excellent. (Chen Yanzhi, *Duanju Fang*)
Wind-bi and jue pain: Three qian of Tian Xian Zi (stir-fried), half liang of Da Cao Wu Tou, half liang of Gan Cao, one liang of Wu Ling Zhi. Grind to powder, bind with paste into pills the size of wu-tze seeds, coat with Lu Qing. Take ten pills per dose; men with Schisandra chinensis wine, women with Genkwa flower decoction. (*Shengji Lu*)
Chronic cough with pus and blood: Five qian of Lang Dang Zi (rinse to remove floating ones, boil until sprouting, stir-fry and grind), one chicken egg size of true butter, seven large dates. Decoct together until butter is fully melted. Eat three dates daily. Another formula: Swallow three tuos of Lang Dang Zi, five or six times daily. Li Cheng, Guanglu Temple official, took it with divine effect. (Meng Shen, *Bixiao Fang*) Chronic cough lasting thirty years: Equal parts Lang Dang Zi, Costus root, and Xun Huang. Grind to powder. Spread sheep fat on blue paper, sprinkle powder, roll into a tube, burn and inhale the smoke. (*Cui Xinggong Zuanyao Fang*)
Edema and gu distension: See Antelope entry in Beast Section.
Accumulated cold and masses, loss of appetite, emaciation and weakness: Three fen of Lang Dang Zi (rinse to remove floating ones), forty-nine large dates. Decoct three sheng of water until dry. Take only the dates, peel and remove pits. Eat one date on an empty stomach, washed down with rice drink. Stop if feeling hot. (*Shengji Lu*) Chronic watery diarrhea: Ten dried dates from Qingzhou (pitted), filled tightly with Lang Dang Zi, tied securely, charred to retain nature. Take... (*Shenghui Fang*)
Cold gan dysentery: Lang Dang Zi powder mixed with pig lard from winter, formed into pills wrapped in silk the size of a date, inserted into the anus. Expelled with dysentery, replace with new one. Cure within three applications. (Meng Shen, *Bixiao Fang*)
Powder. Take one qian per dose, washed down with rice drink. (*Pujifang*) Chronic dysentery not stopping, changing into various types, accompanied by rectal prolapse: Lang Dang Wan: Use one sheng of Lang Dang Zi (rinse to remove floating ones, boil until sprouting, dry, stir-fry until yellow-black), one sheng of Qingzhou dates (peeled and pitted), two sheng of strong vinegar. Decoct together, pound into paste, form pills the size of wu-tze seeds. Take twenty pills before meals, washed down with rice drink. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Intestinal wind with bloody stool: Lang Dang Decoction: Use one sheng of Lang Dang fruits (dried and ground), half jin of ginger (juice extracted). Add two sheng of unadulterated wine to the silver pot, boil over fire until thick syrup, then add wine gradually until total wine used reaches five sheng. Boil slowly until pillable, size of wu-tze seeds. Take three pills with wine every morning, increase to five or seven pills and stop. If pills stick to hands, use Dodder seed powder as a barrier. Avoid high heat; burnt medicine loses efficacy. Initial slight heat is normal. For severe cases, diarrhea occurs after three days of administration. When disease leaves, diarrhea stops. Extremely effective. (*Qiezhong Fang*)
Rectal prolapse not retracting: Stir-fry and grind Lang Dang Zi, apply externally. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Wind teeth and dental caries: *Ruizhutang Fang*: Put one tuo of Tian Xian Zi in a narrow-necked bottle, burn to produce smoke, guide smoke into the cavity with a bamboo tube. Burns the worm dead, never recurs. *Pujifang*: Put Lang Dang Zi in a bottle, pour hot water over it, hold bottle mouth in mouth to inhale vapor. Repeat when cool, total three he. Spit out saliva; very effective. *Beiji Fang*: Put several Lang Dang Zi grains in the cavity, seal with wax; also effective.
Loose teeth and wind pain: Lang Dang Zi powder wrapped in silk, bite on it. Do not swallow juice. (*Bixiao Fang*)
Wind-toxic throat swelling, inability to swallow water, and scrofula throat swelling: Take two qian-bi of Lang Dang Zi powder with water; divine effect. (*Waitai Miyao*)
Breast abscess hardening: Half spoon of fresh Lang Dang Zi. One zhan of clear water, drink. Do not chew. (*Waitai Miyao*)
Stone abscess hardening without suppuration: Lang Dang Zi powder mixed with vinegar, applied to sore head; root is pulled out. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Malignant sores resembling leprosy, non-healing for ten years: Char and grind Lang Dang Zi, apply externally. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Blunt trauma and fractures: Mix Lang Dang Zi powder with sheep fat, apply externally. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Malignant dog bite: Swallow seven Lang Dang Zi seeds, three times daily. (*Qianjin Fang*)
[Root]
[Flavor and Property] Bitter, acrid, toxic.
[Indications] Treats malaria, tinea, kills parasites (Li Shizhen note).
[Attached Prescriptions] Six new prescriptions.
Persistent malaria: Char Lang Dang root, take one he with water. Adjust dosage according to patient's strength. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Malignant tinea with worms: Pound Lang Dang root, mix with honey, apply externally. (*Qianjin Yifang*)
Interdigital corns: Pound Lang Dang root, extract juice, apply. Preface of *Leigong Paozhi Lun* states: Corns growing on feet are related to Lang Dang root, referring to attachment to belt.
Rabies from dog bite: Pound Lang Dang root with salt, apply externally, three times daily. (*Waitai Miyao*)
Malignant thorn injury: Decoct Lang Dang root in water, soak wound, change when cool. Divine prescription. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Arrowhead extraction: Wansheng Shenyang Dan: On the day before Dragon Boat Festival, remain silent. Find Lang Dang plant with perfect roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Daoist says: Master! You are here. After speaking, surround with wood ash starting from southeast, dig around root with wooden tool. Next day before sunrise, remain silent, retrieve with cloth head covering, wash clean. Do not let chickens, dogs, or women see. In clean room, pound in stone mortar to mud, form pills the size of bullets, coat with lead tetroxide, seal in paper bag, hang in high place to dry in shade. When arrowhead cannot be extracted, first apply ivory powder to wound, then place this medicine in crimson silk bag into navel, tie with cotton belly band. Arrowhead will emerge. (Zhang Zihe, *Rumen Shiqin* prescription)