Library

(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** (Pronounced "Zhu Tang"), Danglu (*Kaibao Bencao*), Zhangliu (*Tujing Bencao*), Baichang (*Kaibao Bencao*), Mawei (*Guangya*), Yehu (*Benjing*).

Li Shizhen states: This substance can purge and wash away water qi, hence it is called [Zhu]. It was mispronounced as Shanglu, then further as Danglu, and in northern dialects mispronounced as Zhangliu. Some say its branches intersect and leaves correspond to each other, thus named Danglu. Others say it grows abundantly along roads.

**[Collection & Description]** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Shanglu grows in the valleys of Xianyang. Those resembling human form possess spiritual efficacy.

Su Gong states: There are two varieties: red and white; the white variety is used medicinally; the red variety causes hallucinations of ghosts and spirits and is highly toxic.

Zheng Baosheng states: It is found everywhere. The leaves are large like ox tongues and thick yet brittle; those with red flowers have red roots; those with white flowers have white roots. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun.

Su Song states: Commonly known as Zhangliu root, it often grows in household gardens. Sprouts emerge in spring, reaching three or four chi high, with long green leaves resembling ox tongues. The stems are greenish-red and very soft and brittle. Red-purple flowers bloom in clusters during summer and autumn. The root resembles a radish but is longer, harvested in August and September. *Erya* calls it [Name], while *Guangya* mentions a type called Chichang, whose seedlings and leaves are extremely similar but cannot be consumed due to toxicity that damages sinews and bones and dissipates kidney essence. Only the white-flowered Zhanglu of many years' age, gathered by immortals and made into jerky, is suitable for accompanying wine.

Li Shizhen states: In ancient times, people also cultivated Shanglu as a vegetable. They selected white or purple roots, broke them apart, planted them in beds, or could sow seeds. The roots, seedlings, and stems can all be washed, steamed, and eaten, or boiled with ash lye, which is also good. It is particularly beneficial for those who consume cinnabar and mineral stones. The red and yellow varieties are toxic and inedible. According to Zhou Dingwang's *Jiuhuang Bencao*: Zhangliu stems are thick, resembling those of celosia, with slight ridges, slightly purple-red, and easy to propagate from roots.

**[Preparation]** [Author missing] states: Take the root of the white-flowered variety, scrape off the skin with a copper knife, slice thinly, and soak in running water from the east for two nights. Drain, place in a steamer, layer with black bean leaves and Shanglu alternately, steam from Wu hour to Hai hour, remove bean leaves, dry in the sun, and chop for use. If bean leaves are unavailable, beans may substitute.

**[Flavor & Toxicity]** Pungent, neutral, toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* adds: Sour.

Zhen Quan states: Sweet, highly toxic. Avoid dog meat.

Meng Shen states: The white variety is bitter and cold; pairing with garlic is beneficial. The red variety is toxic, capable of subduing cinnabar, arsenic, and realgar, and extracting tin.

Su Gong states: The red variety can only be applied externally to reduce swelling; internal consumption harms humans, causing persistent bloody dysentery leading to death, and inducing visions of ghosts.

Zhang Zhongjing states: Taking Shanglu with water is fatal.

Zhang Gao states: Shanglu is toxic, belonging to Yin within Yang. Its flavor is sour and pungent, its shape resembles a human. Its use treats water disorders, with effects as if divine.

**[Indications]** Edema, hernia masses, bi-syndrome; external application removes carbuncles and swellings; kills ghostly essences (*Benjing*). Treats evil qi in the chest, edema, flaccidity-bi, abdominal fullness with stiffness, unblocks the five zang organs, disperses water qi (*Mingyi Bielu*). Drains ten types of water diseases. For obstructed throat bi, slice thin, stir-fry with vinegar, and apply externally to the throat; effective (Zhen Quan). Unblocks large and small intestines, drains gu-toxin, induces abortion, reduces swelling-toxins, applies to malignant sores (Meng Shen).

**[Elucidation]** Tao Hongjing states: Physicians rarely use it dried; it is primarily used for edema by slicing fresh root and boiling with raw carp to make a decoction. Daoists use it powdered or prepared in pastes, both capable of expelling corpse-worms and revealing ghosts. Its seeds also enter spirit medicines. The flower is called [Name] flower, which is especially potent.

Su Song states: Ancient alchemists frequently used it, even singly. Harvest roots on the fifth day of the fifth month, store in bamboo tubes, hang in the northeast corner of the house to dry in shade for one hundred days, grind and sieve, mix with well-water drawn at dawn, and take; this is said to be a secret method of immortals.

Li Shizhen states: Shanglu is bitter and cold, sinking and descending, belonging to Yin. Its nature moves downward, specifically acting to move water. It shares the same efficacy but different nature with Daji and Gansui; it should not be used by those with weak stomach qi. For physicians treating distension and difficult urination, they mash red roots, add three fen of musk, apply to the umbilicus, bind tightly, and once urination becomes smooth, the swelling subsides. To treat damp-water accumulation, trace lines on the flesh; where the powder scatters without forming lines indicates the area. Use white Shanglu and Xiangfuzi stir-fried until dry, removed from fire toxicity, soaked in wine overnight, dried, and powdered. Take two qian per dose with rice drink. Alternatively, boil juice with garlic and Shanglu and take orally. The stems and leaves eaten as vegetables also treat swelling diseases.

Jiamo states: An ancient eulogy says: Its flavor is sour and pungent, its shape resembles a human. Applying to swellings to treat water disorders, its effect is miraculous. These words summarize it perfectly.

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Nine old prescriptions, six new ones.

Dampness causing soft legs: Cut Zhangliu root into sizes of adzuki beans, cook thoroughly, then cook again with mung beans to make rice. Eat daily until cured; most effective. (*Doumen Fang*) Water-qi edema and fullness: *Waitai Miyao*: Take peeled white Shanglu root, cut into bean-sized pieces, one large cup, add three sheng of water, boil down to one sheng, add one large cup of millet, cook into porridge. Take on an empty stomach daily, aiming for mild purgation; avoid mixed foods. Qianjin Sui: Take six liang of white Shanglu, extract half he of juice, mix with half sheng of wine, administer according to the patient's condition. It should induce passage of water; effective. *Meishi Fang*: Take one sheng of white Shanglu and six liang of mutton. Add one dou of water, boil down to six sheng, strain, mix with scallions and fermented soybeans to make food.

Sudden abdominal mass, stone-like object, piercing pain with crying and calling, untreated leads to death in one hundred days: Take abundant Shanglu root, crush for juice or steam, place cloth on abdomen, apply medicine, cover with clothing, change when cold, do not cease day or night. (Sun Simiao, *Qianjin Fang*) Hard mass like stone under the hypochondrium: One sheng of fresh Shanglu root juice, one liang of apricot kernels (soaked, peeled, de-seeded, pounded into paste). Squeeze apricot paste with Shanglu juice, heat until syrupy. Take date-sized amount, warm wine on empty stomach, stop when foul matter is passed. (*Shenghui Fang*)

Postpartum abdominal distension and hardness, wheezing unable to lie down: Baisheng San: Three liang of Zhangliu root, one and a half liang of Daji, one liang of Gansui (stir-fried), powdered. Take two or three qian, mixed with hot water, until bowel movement is smooth. This is a holy medicine for water retention. (Jiegu, *Baoming Ji*)

Wushi Zhitong: Abdominal pain and urgency, inability to breathe, attacking heart and chest, spreading to both hypochondria, painful lumps surging up: Boil Shanglu root, place in a bag, alternate applying heat compresses until effective. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*) Pediatric pox toxin: When children have fever before pox eruption, failing to release exterior, suddenly developing abdominal pain, distension, tension, and dry huoluan, caused by toxic qi fighting with stomach qi, wanting to exit but unable: Mash Shanglu root with scallion whites, apply to umbilicus; when spots stop and pox erupts, safety is ensured. (*ZhaiXuan Fang*)

Sudden throat attack pain: Slice Shanglu root, heat by roasting, apply through cloth for compression, change when cold, immediate cure. (*Tujing Bencao*)

Scrofula and throat bi attack pain: Pound fresh Shanglu root into cakes, place on [Acupoint/Location], moxa three or four cones above it; good. (*Waitai Miyao*)

All toxic swellings: Mash Shanglu root with a little salt, apply externally, change twice daily. (Sun Simiao, *Shi Ji*)

Stone abscess like stone, hard without suppuration: Pound fresh Shanglu root and rub on area, change when dry, continue until soft. Also treats wet leaks and various boils. (Zhang Wenzhong)