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(From the Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] Xuanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizome). Li Haogu stated: Originally named Xuanhusuo, to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, "Xuan" was changed to "Yan".

[Collection and Explanation] Chen Cangqi stated: Yanhusuo grows in Xi, introduced via Andong Road. The root resembles Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia), with a yellow color. Li Shizhen stated: Xi refers to the ethnic minorities in the northeast. Currently, it is cultivated in Mao Mountain and Shanglong Cave. It is planted after the Cold Dew solar term, sprouts after the Beginning of Spring, leaves resemble bamboo leaves, reaches three cun in height by the third lunar month, roots grow in clusters resembling taro tubers, and are dug up at the Beginning of Summer.

[Flavor and Properties] Acrid, warm, non-toxic. Some physicians stated: Bitter, sweet. Wang Gao stated: Sweet, acrid, warm; properties can ascend or descend, belonging to yang within yin. Li Haogu stated: Bitter, acrid, warm; purely yang, floating, entering the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian.

[Indications] Breaks blood stasis; treats irregular menstruation in women, abdominal masses, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (bleeding and spotting), various postpartum blood disorders, blood syncope, sudden massive hemorrhage rushing upward, and lower body bleeding due to trauma. Decocted in wine or ground in wine for administration (*Kaibao Bencao*). Dispels wind and regulates qi, warms the waist and knees, stops acute lumbar pain, breaks zhang and ji accumulations, treats traumatic blood stasis, and induces abortion (Zhen Quan). Treats heart-qi related lower abdominal pain with divine efficacy (Li Haogu). Scatters qi stagnation, regulates kidney qi, and unblocks meridians (Li Dongyuan). Invigorates blood and promotes qi movement, relieves pain, and promotes urination (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Some physicians stated: It primarily treats kidney qi disorders, as well as postpartum lochia retention or "child pillow" pain. Combined with Sanleng (Sparganii Rhizoma), Biejia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) into a powder, it is very effective; powder made from worm-eaten herbs is even better.

Li Shizhen stated: Xuanhusuo has a bitter and slightly acrid flavor and warm temperature. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung, Foot-Taiyin Spleen, Hand-Jueyin Pericardium, and Foot-Jueyin Liver meridians. It can move qi stagnation in blood and blood stagnation in qi. Therefore, it specifically treats all kinds of pain throughout the upper and lower body. When used appropriately, its efficacy is indescribable. Princess Hu of Jingmu fell ill with severe epigastric pain after eating buckwheat noodles while angry. Physicians used emetics, purgatives, and qi-regulating agents, but she vomited immediately upon ingestion, rendering them ineffective. Her bowels had not moved for three days. Recalling the *Leigong Paozhi Lun* stating, "When heart pain is unbearable, quickly seek Yanhu," he administered three qian of Xuanhusuo powder mixed with warm wine. The medicine was retained, and shortly thereafter, bowel movements resumed and pain ceased. Another case involved an elderly Mr. Hua, aged over fifty, suffering from dysentery with abdominal pain near death, with coffins already prepared. I administered three qian of this herb with rice water; pain decreased by 50%, and he recovered after conditioning. Note: *Fang Shuo Bo Zhai Bian* records a case of a person suffering from unbearable generalized pain. Doctors in the capital attributed it to wind-stroke, dampness, or gout, with no effect. Zhou Liheng diagnosed it as qi and blood stagnation. He prescribed equal parts of Yanhusuo, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus) powdered and taken with warm wine (3-4 qian per dose, frequently until pain stopped). Pain ceased. This demonstrates that Yanhusuo is a premier herb for invigorating blood and transforming qi. Later, Zhao Daizhi Ting suffered limb spasms due to improper Qigong practice and was cured after several doses of this herb.

[Attached Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, twelve new prescriptions.

Old and young coughing: Yanhusuo 1 liang, Kufan (Alumen) 2.5 qian. Powdered. Take 2 qian per dose, mixed with soft malt sugar, and hold in mouth (*Renrentang Fang*). Epistaxis: Xuanhusuo powder wrapped in cotton, inserted into the ear. For left-sided epistaxis, insert into right ear; for right-sided, insert into left (*Puji Fang*). Hematuria: Yanhusuo 1 liang, Xiaoyan (Natrii Sulfas) 7.5 qian. Powdered. Take 4 qian per dose, decocted in water (*Huoren Shu*). Urinary retention: Niantou San: Treats pediatric urinary retention. Yanhusuo and Chuan Kulianzi (Meliae Toosendan Fructus) in equal parts, powdered. Take 0.5 or 1 qian per dose, mixed with hot water and a few drops of oil (*Xiao'er Zhijue*). External qi pain and qi masses: Yanhusuo, quantity unspecified. Powdered. One pig pancreas, cut into pieces, roasted, and dipped in powder; eat frequently (*Shengjin Fang*). Heat-jue heart pain, intermittent, chronic, with body heat and cold feet: Yanhusuo (peeled) and Jinlingzi Rou (Meliosmae Fructus) in equal parts, powdered. Take 2 qian per dose with warm wine or hot water (*Shenghui Fang*).

Dysentery with abdominal pain: See prescription under [Elucidation]. Women's blood and qi disorders, stabbing abdominal pain, irregular menstruation: Yanhusuo (peeled, stir-fried with vinegar) and Danggui (soaked in wine, stir-fried) each 1 liang, Juhong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum) 2 liang. Powdered, mixed with wine-boiled rice paste into pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 100 pills per dose on an empty stomach with mugwort vinegar soup (*Jisheng Fang*). Postpartum disorders: For any postpartum condition where foul discharge remains incomplete, abdominal fullness, postpartum blood syncope, hardness at the heart region, uncontrollable chills and fever, chest oppression, irritability of hands and feet, or exhaustion of strength: Use Yanhusuo, stir-fried and powdered, taken with wine (1 qian per dose); highly effective (*Shenghui Fang*). Pediatric pan-chang qi pain: Yanhusuo and Huixiang (Foeniculi Fructus) in equal parts, stir-fried and powdered. Take appropriate amount based on child's age with rice water on an empty stomach (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*). Critical hernia: Yanhusuo (salt-stir-fried) and Quanxie (Scorpio) in equal parts. Powdered. Take 0.5 qian per dose on an empty stomach with salt wine (*Zhizhi Fang*). Cold qi lumbar pain: Yanhusuo, Danggui, and Guixin; see prescription under [Elucidation]. Limb stiffness and pain: Same prescription as above. Migraine or frontal headache, unbearable: Seven pieces of Yanhusuo, Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) 2 qian, Yazao (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina) two pieces (peeled and seeded). Powdered, mixed with water into pills the size of apricot kernels. Dissolve one pill in water and instill into the patient's nostril (left or right depending on pain side), while having the patient bite a copper coin; profuse salivation will occur, leading to cure (*Yonglei Fang*). Trauma from falling from horses or carriages, persistent bone and tendon pain: Yanhusuo powder. Take 2 qian with Doulin Jiu (Soybean-leavened wine), twice daily (*Shenghui Fang*).