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(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Correction] Merged with "Suanzhe" (Astringent Ochre), which was listed as "known name but unused" in *Mingyi Bielu*.
[Names] Yuchi (Jade Bean), Suanzhe (Astringent Ochre).
Tao Hongjing stated: Its leaves resemble those of the elm but are longer; when first sprouting, they spread along the ground, hence the name Diyu (Earth Yew/Comfrey). Its flowers and seeds are purple-black like fermented soybeans (douchi), hence also named Yuchi. Li Shizhen stated:
According to dialects used in external alchemy: Diyu is also called Suanzhe because its taste is sour and its color is ochre-red. Currently, people in Qizhou call Diyu "Suanzhe," and further mispronounce "Zhe" as "Zao" (date). Thus, it is clear that Diyu and Suanzhe are the same substance, with identical therapeutic effects. Therefore, I have merged the "Suanzhe" from *Mingyi Bielu* into this entry.
[Collection of Explanations] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Diyu grows in the valleys of Tongbai Mountain and Yuanju County. The roots should be harvested in February and August and dried in the sun. It also states: Suanzhe grows in Changyang Mountain. There is no fixed time for harvesting. Su Song stated: It is now found everywhere in plains and wetlands. The perennial root sprouts in March; initially spreading on the ground, a single stem rises straight up, reaching three or four chi in height, with opposite leaves. The leaves resemble elm leaves but are slightly narrower, long and slender with serrated edges, and green in color. Flowers appear in July, resembling mulberries, and are purple-black.
Root: When mountain dwellers lack tea, harvesting Diyu roots to make a drink is good; it can also be fried and eaten.
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Sweet, sour. Li Dang said: Bitter, neutral. Zhang Yuansu said: Qi is slightly cold, flavor is slightly bitter; both qi and flavor are thin/light. Its nature is heavy and descending, belonging to yin containing yang, specifically governing blood disorders of the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner). Wang Haogu said: Flavor bitter, sour; nature slightly cold, sinking, yin. Xu Zhicai said: Works well with human hair; adverse reaction with Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong); suppresses Cinnabaris (Dansha), Realgar (Xionghuang), and Sulfur (Liuhuang).
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats postpartum mastitis, various injuries and trauma, leukorrhea, and five types of leakage syndromes; stops pain and sweating; removes necrotic tissue; treats metal wounds (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Stops pus and blood; treats various malignant sores and hot sores; repairs severe injuries; treats postpartum internal stagnation/blockage; can be made into ointment for metal wounds; resolves alcohol toxicity, relieves thirst, and brightens the eyes (from *Mingyi Bielu*). Extremely effective for treating cold-heat dysentery and childhood malnutrition dysentery (from *Kaibao Bencao*). Stops hematemesis, epistaxis, intestinal wind, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, various blood disorders before and after childbirth, and watery diarrhea (from *Rihua Zi Bencao*). Treats insufficiency of Gallbladder Qi (from Li Gao). Juice brewed into wine treats wind-bi syndrome and nourishes the brain. Crushed juice applied topically treats bites from tigers, dogs, snakes, and insects (from Li Shizhen). Suanzhe: Sour flavor. Mainly treats internal leakage and insufficient hemostasis (from *Mingyi Bielu*).
[Innovation and Explanation] Su Song stated: In ancient times, this herb was frequently used to stop downward discharge. Wang Zhi stated: Used together with Periplocae Cortex (Chupi) to treat red-and-white dysentery.
Chen Cheng stated: Its nature is heavy and cold, entering the Lower Jiao. It can be used for heat-blood dysentery. However, for patients with deficiency-cold constitution, watery diarrhea, or white dysentery, it should not be used lightly.
Li Shizhen stated: Diyu clears heat from the Lower Jiao and treats blood disorders in urination and defecation. For hemostasis, take the upper part of the root, slice it, and stir-fry it. The tips can promote blood circulation, a fact one must know. Yang Shiying said: For treating various sores, add Diyu if painful; add Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) if itchy.
[Attached Prescriptions] Eight old prescriptions, seven new prescriptions.
Hematemesis in men and women: 3 liang of Diyu. 1 sheng of rice vinegar. Boil until bubbling more than ten times, remove dregs, and drink 1 ge while slightly warm before meals (*Shenghui Fang*). Leukorrhea in women, continuous red and white discharge causing sallow complexion and emaciation. Same prescription as above.
Unstopping bloody dysentery: Sun-dry and powder Diyu. Take 2 qian per dose, sprinkle on sheep blood, grill until cooked, and swallow with decoction of Niantou (*Shengji Zonglu*). Another method: Decoct Diyu to make a drink, take 3 ge per dose. Red-and-white dysentery with extreme emaciation: 1 jin of Diyu. 3 sheng of water, boil down to 1.5 sheng, remove dregs, re-boil until thick like syrup, filter, and take 3 ge on an empty stomach, twice daily (*Haishang Fang* by Cui Yuanliang). Chronic intestinal wind: Unstopping anal pain and itching. 5 qian of Diyu, 1 liang of Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu). 2 zhong of water, decoct to 1 zhong, take on an empty stomach, once daily (*Huofa Jiyao*). Hematochezia unstopping for twenty years: 2 liang each of Diyu and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (Shuweicao). 2 sheng of water, boil down to 1 sheng, take all at once. If it does not stop, soak house dust in water and drink a small cup (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*). Yin-binding hematochezia: Unstopping abdominal pain. 4 liang of Diyu, 3 liang of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparata (Zhigancao). Take 5 qian per dose, 3 zhan of water, add 7 grains of Amomi Fructus (Suasharen), decoct to 1.5 zhan, divide into two doses (*Xuanming Lunfang*). Childhood malnutrition dysentery: Decoct Diyu, boil down to maltose consistency, administer to child (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*). Poisonous snake bite: Fresh Diyu root crushed for juice, drink internally, and apply externally to wound (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Tiger or dog bite: Decoct Diyu to drink, and also powder it for topical application. Alternatively, powder it, take with plain boiled water, three times daily. Avoid alcohol (*Meishi Fang*).
Onychia (swelling/pain of fingernails): Soak affected area in Diyu decoction, heals in half a day (*Qianjin Yifang*).
Childhood eczema: Wash twice daily with concentrated Diyu decoction (*Qianjin Fang*).
Childhood facial sores, red and swollen with pain. 8 liang of Diyu. 1 dou of water, decoct to 5 sheng, wash with warm liquid (*Weisheng Zongwei Lunfang*).
Method for boiling white stones: On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, harvest Diyu roots, dry them in shade without limit, and burn them to ash over a hundred days. Then take fresh Diyu, mix with ash, and pound ten thousand times. Ratio: three parts ash to one part fresh powder. For two or three dou of stone, submerge in water exceeding three cun deep, add medicine to water, stir, and boil until the stone rots enough to be edible (*Shenyin Shu*).
Leaves
[Therapeutic Actions] Make into a drink to replace tea, very effective in clearing heat (Su Gong).