Library

(Song Dynasty *Jiayu Bencao*)
[Names] Ciya (from *Jiayu Bencao*), Xiaowu (from *Shuowen Jiezi*), Hanya.
Li Shizhen stated: The seal script character for "Wu" (Crow) is pictographic. "Ya" is also written as "Ya". The *Qin Jing* (Classic of Birds) records its cry as "yaya", hence it is called "Ya". When this bird is first born, the mother feeds it for sixty days; when grown, it feeds its mother for sixty days in return, which can be described as extremely filial and kind. People in the north call it Hanya, especially noticeable in winter.
[Collected Explanations] Yuxi said: Ciya is very common in the northern regions, resembling a crow but smaller. It often flies in flocks making "yaya" sounds. It has no gamey odor and is edible.
Li Shizhen said: There are four types of crows: small, pure black, with a small beak that practices reverse feeding, is the Ciya; resembling Ciya but with a large beak, white belly, and does not practice reverse feeding, is the Yawu; resembling Yawu but larger, with a white neck, is the Yanwu; resembling Yawu but smaller, with a red beak and lives in burrows, is the Shanwu. Shanwu is also named "Ou", produced in the west. Yanwu is also named Bai Ou, Guique, or "Xiazha" (pronounced xia zha). The *Qin Jing* states: Ciya practices reverse feeding; Bai Ou is inauspicious; large-beaked crows are good at vigilance; Xuanwu (black crow) chants at night. It also says: Crows fly with their backs to the wind and cry towards the wind direction. Additionally, there is a Huoya (Fire Crow) on the borders of Shu that can carry fire.
Meat
[Properties and Flavor] Sour, salty, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Tonifies deficiency and treats emaciation, assists Qi, and stops coughing. For those with bone-steaming fever and emaciation, it is excellent to eat after marinating with five flavors and roasting (*Jiayu Bencao*. Su Song noted: *Beidi Shegui Lu* also uses Ciya eggs).

(Song Dynasty *Jiayu Bencao*)
[Names] Yawu (from *Xiao Erya*), Laoya ("Ya" is synonymous with "Ya"), "Ou" (pronounced yu), Beiju (pronounced pi ju), Chuwu (from *Shi Yiwen*), Dazi Wu (from *Qin Jing*).
[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: Crows have large beaks, greedy and fierce natures, love to cry, and are adept at avoiding nets and arrows. In ancient times, there was a "Crow Scripture" used to divine good and bad luck. However, northerners like crows and dislike magpies, while southerners like magpies and dislike crows. Only Shi Kuang considered the white-necked crow inauspicious, which is quite accurate.
Meat
[Properties and Flavor] Sour, astringent, neutral, non-toxic.
Su Song said: The meat is astringent and smelly, inedible, and only suitable for treating diseases.
Chen Zangqi said: Eating its meat and eggs causes dizziness and forgetfulness; holding its feathers has the same effect. This is likely not true dizziness but due to its gamey smell.
[Indications] Treats cough associated with emaciation and bone-steaming consumptive disease. In the twelfth lunar month, bake in a clay bottle sealed with mud until carbonized, grind into powder, and take one qian with wine. Also treats pediatric epilepsy and demonic possession (*Jiayu Bencao*).
Treats An Feng epilepsy (dark wind epilepsy), as well as Five Labors and Seven Injuries, hemoptysis, coughing, and parasitic worms (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Su Song said: Nowadays, many people use crows to treat acute wind disorders, though this is not recorded in the *Shennong Benjing*. It is advisable to catch complete crows (wings, feathers, beak, feet intact) in the twelfth lunar month, seal with mud, calcine, and use for treating various wind disorders. It is used in Wuxi Wan (see *Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang*).
Li Shizhen said: The *Shengji Zonglu* contains Jinwu San for treating traumatic wind stroke with locked jaw and rigid limbs, which is also calcined before use. Due to the variety of preparations, they are not listed here.
[Attached Prescriptions] Six new prescriptions.
Five Labors and Seven Injuries, Hemoptysis and Cough: Take one crow, one gourd pulp, and a little alum. Place inside the crow's belly, sew tight, boil until cooked, and divide into four doses.
An Feng Epilepsy: Use one crow from the twelfth lunar month, seal with salt mud, calcine in a bottle, cool, and grind to powder. Add half liang of cinnabar powder. Take one qian per dose with wine, three times a day. Recovery within ten days. Another prescription: Use one whole crow (calcined in a bottle and ground), seven walnuts, and seven centers of Cang'er (Xanthium fruit). Grind to powder. Take one qian per dose with hot wine on an empty stomach. (Both from *Baoyou Daquan*)
Hernia with unilateral descent: Use the previous walnut and Cang'er prescription, adding one placenta of a newborn, calcined and ground. (Same source)
Meridian obstruction and stagnant blood: Use Crow Powder. Crow (skin and feathers removed, roasted) 3 fen, Danggui (roasted), and high-quality ink each 3 fen. Grind to powder. Take one qian per dose.
Deficiency Consumption Disease: One crow, eviscerated and feathered, stuffed with 5 qian of Ginseng slices and 5 qian of Sichuan pepper. Sew shut. Boil in water until cooked and eat, taking with the decoction. Roast and grind Crow bones, Ginseng, and Pepper, form pills with jujube paste. (Wu Qiu, *Bianmin Shiliao*)
Crow Eyes
[Properties and Flavor] Non-toxic.
[Indications] Swallowing it allows one to see various spirits. Or grind juice and instill into eyes to see ghosts at night (Chen Zangqi).
Head
[Indications] Apply ash from burning to treat stings from earth bees (*Shenghui Fang*).
Heart
[Indications] For sudden onset of cough, roast and eat (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Gallbladder
[Indications] Apply to treat wind-eye redness and ulceration (Li Shizhen).
Wings and Feathers
[Indications] For falls from height causing blood stasis attacking the heart, cyanosis, and shortness of breath, take seven right wings, calcine, grind, and take with wine. Vomiting blood should follow, leading to recovery (Su Song, from *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*). To treat needles embedded in flesh, take three to five pieces, roast until charred, grind, mix with vinegar, and apply. The needle will come out after several applications, very effective. Also treats pediatric variola (smallpox) that fails to erupt or retracts (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] One new prescription.
Smallpox Retraction: In the twelfth lunar month, take the left wing of an old crow, calcine on Chen day, mix with pig blood, and form pills the size of a Chinese chestnut. Take one pill dissolved in warm water mixed with pig tail blood, which will cause eruption. (Wenren Gui, *Douzhen Lun*)