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(Sourced from the Song Dynasty *Jia You Ben Cao*)

[Correction] "Di Zhen" is merged into the "Named but Unused" category of *Ming Yi Bie Lu* (Famous Physicians' Additional Records) under Di Jin.

[Names] Di Zhen (from *Wu Pu Ben Cao*), Di Jin (from *Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun: Shi Yi*), Ye Guang, Cheng Ye (both from *Wu Pu Ben Cao*), Cao Xue Jie, Xue Jian Chou, Xue Feng Cao, Ma Yi Cao, Que Er Wo Dan (all from *Ben Cao Gang Mu*), Jiang Ban Cao (from *Yu Ce*), Hu Sun Tou Cao.

*Ming Yi Bie Lu* states: Di Zhen is harvested in the third lunar month.

Chen Cangqi said: Di Zhen, also known as Di Jin or Di Jin, spreads along the ground. Its leaves are smooth and clean, shining with light when covered by dew.

Li Shizhen said: Because its stems are red and spread across the ground, it is called Di Jin (Ground Brocade). It specifically treats blood diseases, hence the common names Xue Jie (Blood Extinct) and Xue Jian Chou (Blood Sees Sorrow). Ants and sparrows like to gather on it, hence the names Ma Yi Cao (Ant Grass) and Que Er Wo Dan (Sparrow's Bed Sheet). Jiang Ban Cao and Hu Sun Tou Cao refer to the shape of its flowers and leaves resembling sauce beans or a monkey's head.

[Collection and Explanation] Su Song (courtesy name Yu Xi) said: Di Jin Cao grows near roads and in fields; the variety from Chuzhou is particularly good. The stems and leaves are slender and weak, spreading on the ground. The stems are red, the leaves are greenish-purple, and it thrives in mid-summer. It blooms with red flowers in June and bears small seeds. The seedlings and seeds are used medicinally. The Di Jin mentioned in the commentary on *Luoshi* (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a vine-like plant, sharing the same name but being a different species.

Li Shizhen said: This small herb is found in fields, temples, and between paving stones. It grows close to the ground, with red stems, yellow flowers, and black seeds. Its appearance resembles the flower heads of Tribulus terrestris. Broken stems exude juice. Daoist alchemists harvest it in autumn and winter months to boil with Yin-Yang Huang Dan (a type of cinnabar/lead compound), Zhu Sha (Cinnabar), and Liu Huang (Sulfur).

[Flavor and Properties] Acrid, neutral, non-toxic. *Ming Yi Bie Lu* states: Di Zhen is bitter, neutral, and non-toxic.

[Indications] Di Zhen: Primarily treats Heart Qi disorders and female Yin hernia with blood stagnation (*Ming Yi Bie Lu*). Di Jin: Promotes blood circulation and can also treat Qi disorders (*Jia You Ben Cao*). Primarily treats carbuncles, malignant sores, bleeding from knife wounds or trauma, bloody dysentery, hematochezia, and metrorrhagia. It disperses blood, stops bleeding, and promotes urination (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, eleven new prescriptions.

Zang Du (Visceral Toxin) with Red and White Dysentery: Wash Di Jin Cao, dry it in the sun, and grind into powder. Take one qian with rice water to stop immediately (*Jing Yan Fang*).

Unstopping Bloody Dysentery: Dry Di Jin Cao and grind. Take two qian each time with rice water on an empty stomach (*Qian Kun Sheng Yi*).

Large Intestine Bleeding: Take a small amount of Xue Jian Chou, mix with ginger juice and pound into a paste. Take with rice water (Dai Yuanli, *Zheng Zhi Yao Jue*).

Female Metrorrhagia: Steam tender Cao Xue Jie, pickle with oil, salt, and ginger, and eat. Follow with one or two cups of wine. Alternatively, dry it in the shade, grind into powder, and take one or two qian mixed with ginger wine. One dose stops the bleeding. This herb grows in brick cracks and well edges, rarely on open ground (Wei Yilin, *De Xiao Fang*).

Hematuria due to Strangury: Pound Xue Feng Cao with well water and ingest. Cured after three doses (Liu Changchun, *Jing Yan Fang*).

Unstopping Bleeding from Knife Wounds: Grind Xue Jian Chou grass into a pulp and apply topically (Wei Shi, *De Xiao Fang*).

Malignant Sores with Bleeding: Same method as above.

Ulcers Penetrating Bone: Pound Cao Xue Jie and apply as a poultice; the foreign object will emerge naturally (*Ben Cao Quan Du*).

Carbuncles and Back Ulcers: Xue Jian Chou 1 liang, Suan Jiang Cao (Half Liang, roasted), Dang Gui 2.5 qian (roasted), Ru Xiang and Mo Yao 1.25 qian each. Grind into powder. Take 7 qian each time, mixed with hot wine. If fresh herbs are available, pound them and take with hot wine; applying the dregs topically is also effective. Xue Jian Chou is used only for "male" ulcers (hard, raised), not "female" ulcers (flat, spreading) (Yang Qingsou, *Wai Ke Fang*).

Wind Sores, Scabies, and Tinea: Pound Xue Jian Chou grass together with Man Jiang Hong grass into powder and apply topically (*Qian Kun Mi Yun*).

Corn between Toes, Cut and Bleeding: Apply pounded Xue Jian Chou grass for excellent results (*Qian Kun Mi Yun*).

Spleen Labor and Jaundice: Ru Sheng Wan: Use Cao Xue Jie, Yang Shan Cao, Jie Geng, and Cang Zhu each 1 liang, Gan Cao 5 qian. Grind into powder. First, put two bowls of aged vinegar in a pot, add 4 liang of Zao Fan (Alum), and boil for a long time. Then add the herbal powder, followed by an appropriate amount of white flour. Mix into a solid mass and form pills the size of small beans. Take 30-50 pills each time with vinegar water on an empty stomach, twice a day. Complexion returns to normal after several days (*Qian Kun Mi Yun*).

[Appendix] Jin Chu Xiao Cao (from *Hai Yao Ben Cao: Shi Yi*)

Chen Cangqi said: Sweet flavor, neutral nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats knife wounds, stops bleeding, promotes tissue regeneration, and stops epistaxis. Apply leaves topically. Can also be boiled and taken orally to stop blood stasis and sudden lower body bleeding. Also, pre-mix with Duan Shi (Iron Oxide/Slag) and pound into pills. Dry in the sun, and scrape powder for topical application when needed. Grows in low-lying wet areas in villages and fields of Jiangnan. Height is about one or two cun, resembling Shepherd's Purse but with shorter leaves. Pale purple flowers appear in spring and summer, about the length of a grain of japonica rice.