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(From "Bencao Tujing")
[Ji Jie (Collected Explanations)] Song said: It grows in the suburbs of Yizhou. The stems and leaves resemble those of Mentha haplocalyx (Bohe, 薄荷). Also known as Ban Zhang (斑杖), and also known as Jie Gu (接骨).
Shizhen said: Ban Zhang has the same name as Polygonum cuspidatum (Huzhang, 虎杖); Jie Gu has the same name as Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Shuodiao, 蒴藋). I do not know if they are of the same category?
[Qi Wei (Flavor and Nature)] Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
[ Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Resolves wind-heat pathogenic factors, treats restlessness, thirst, mania, and agitation. Crushed to extract juice and taken orally, it is very effective (Su Song).

(From "Bencao Tujing")
[Ji Jie (Collected Explanations)] Song said: It grows in Yunzhou, mostly near water. Sprouts emerge in spring, stems are green, leaves resemble Salix babylonica (Liuye, 柳叶), and there are no flowers. Local people harvest it in July and August.
Used alone, not combined with other herbs in compound prescriptions.
[Qi Wei (Flavor and Nature)] Sweet, cold, non-toxic.
[Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Pediatric wind-heat causing erysipelas (Dan Du, 丹毒). Decocted together with Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gancao, 甘草) for drinking (Su Song).

Category 47 of Poisonous Herbs

(From "Shennong Bencao Jing", Lower Grade)
[Shi Ming (Explanation of Names)] Huang Liang (from "Bencao Jing"), Jiang Jun (Li Dangzhi), Huo Shen (Wu Pu), Fu Ru (Wu Pu).
Hongjing said: Da Huang (Rhubarb Radix et Rhizoma) is named after its color. The title "General" should be taken to mean swift and rapid action.
Gao said: Pushing out the old and bringing forth the new is like quelling chaos to achieve peace; hence the title "General".
[Ji Jie (Collected Explanations)] "Bielu" says: Da Huang grows in the valleys of Hexi and Longxi. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried over fire.
Pu said: It grows in northern Shu Commandery or Longxi. In February, it emerges curled yellow-red; leaves are opposite in fours; stems are about three chi high. Flowers are yellow in March, fruits are black in May, and roots are harvested in August. The root contains yellow juice; sliced and dried in the shade.
Hongjing said: Currently, Da Huang from Wenshan and western mountains in northern Yizhou is collected. Although not from Hexi or Longxi, the best quality still shows a purple ground with brocade patterns, tastes very bitter and astringent, and appears dark black. Shade-dried Da Huang from Western Sichuan is superior. Sun-dried Da Huang from the north, or fire-dried ones, have slightly scorched skins and are inferior, though they resist insect damage and can be stored for a long time. This medicine is extremely potent and sharp; coarse pieces are unsuitable for use.
Gong said: Leaves, fruits, and stems resemble Rumex japonicus (Yangti, 羊蹄), but stems are six or seven chi high and brittle, taste sour and can be eaten raw, and leaves are rough, long, and dense. Fine roots also resemble old Rumex japonicus; large ones are bowl-sized, two chi long. Its nature is moist and prone to insect damage; fire-drying is best. When processing, heat stones until hot, place cross-cut inch-long pieces on them to roast, dry slightly for one day, then string and air-dry. Da Huang from Dangzhou, Liangzhou, Western Qiang, and Shu areas is excellent. Those from Youzhou and Bingzhou are gradually finer and less potent than those from Shu. Hongjing's statement that Shu is inferior to Longxi is erroneous.
Cangqi said: One must distinguish when using Da Huang. If seeking a mild, deep-acting herb to attack disease, use the tight, hard, tongue-shaped slices from Shu; if seeking rapid purgation to push out the old and clear heat, use the brocade-patterned Da Huang from Hexi.
Song said: It is now found in Sichuan, Hedong, and various prefectures in Shaanxi, with the brocade-patterned variety from Sichuan being the best. Next best are those from Qin and Longxi, called Tu Fan Da Huang.
Green leaves emerge in January, resembling Ricinus communis (Bima, 蓖麻), large ones fan-shaped. Roots resemble Colocasia esculenta (Yutou, 芋头), large ones bowl-sized, one to two chi long. Fine roots resemble Arctium lappa (Niubang, 牛蒡), small ones also like taro. Yellow flowers bloom in April, some greenish-red resembling Fagopyrum esculentum (Qiaomai, 荞麦). Stems are green-purple, bamboo-like. Roots are harvested in February and August, black skin removed, cut into cross-sections, and fire-dried. Sichuan Da Huang is cut vertically into tongue shapes, called Niusheda Huang. Both have equal efficacy. Da Huang from Jianghuai is called Tu Da Huang, blooms in February, bears small seeds.
Shizhen said: Song Qi's "Yizhou Fangwu Tu" states that it grows abundantly in the great mountains of Shu, with red stems and large leaves, roots as large as bowls, used as pillows in medicine markets, showing purple ground with brocade patterns. Nowadays, the variety from Zhuanglang is considered the best. Zhuanglang is the ancient Jingyuan Longxi area, consistent with "Bielu".
[Zheng Wu (Correction of Errors)] Song said: Dingzhou produces a type of Yangti Da Huang, very effective for treating scabies and itching. Initially, sprouts and leaves resemble Rumex japonicus; after years of growth, leaves become narrow and pointed like Phytolacca acinosa (Shanglu, 商陆). In April, spikes emerge; five to seven stalks combine, flowers and leaves are the same color. Fruits resemble Fagopyrum esculentum but are lighter and smaller, turning yellow in May, called Jin Qiaomai (Golden Buckwheat). Sprouts harvested in March, fruits in May, shade-dried. Roots harvested in September, broken open also show brocade patterns. Also called Tu Da Huang.
Shizhen said: Song's description refers to old Rumex japonicus roots. Because it resembles Da Huang, it is called Yangti Da Huang, but it is actually not of the same category. Another type, Acetosa, is the wild Da Huang. It resembles Rumex japonicus but grows on mountains; the so-called Tu Da Huang likely refers to this, not Rumex japonicus. Both are discussed in their respective entries.
Root
[Xiu Zhi (Processing)] Lei said: When using, slice finely. Select pieces with tight, heavy textures resembling water swirl patterns, cut into slices, steam from Si hour to Wei hour, sun-dry, sprinkle with wax water, steam again from Wei hour to Hai hour. Repeat this seven times. Sun-dry, then sprinkle with light honey water and steam for one fu period. The resulting Da Huang will resemble black paste, then sun-dry for use.
Cangqi said: Da Huang can be steamed, used raw, or cooked; they must not be used indiscriminately.
Cheng said: Da Huang is harvested and sold fire-dried using hot stones; there are no raw ones. Processing such as steaming and boiling is unnecessary.
[Qi Wei (Flavor and Nature)] Bitter, cold, non-toxic. "Bielu" says: Greatly cold. Pu said: Shennong and Leigong considered it bitter and toxic; Bianque considered it bitter and non-toxic; Li Dangzhi considered it slightly cold.
Yuansu said: Flavor bitter, qi cold, both flavor and qi are concentrated, sinking and descending, belonging to Yin. When used, it must be soaked in wine and roasted熟 (cooked). Cold is used with heat. Wine soaking enters the Taiyang channel; wine washing enters the Yangming channel; other channels do not use wine.
Guo said: Da Huang is bitter and harshly purges downward; when used for lower body conditions, it must be used raw. If pathogens are in the upper body, without wine they cannot reach; thus, wine soaking is necessary to guide it to the highest parts, driving heat downward. Like shooting an object at a high peak. If used raw, it will miss the heat pathogens at the highest levels, leading to post-recovery symptoms such as red eyes, throat obstruction, head swelling, or upper diaphragm heat diseases.
Shizhen said: For diseases in the Qi level, stomach cold, blood deficiency, pregnancy, and postpartum periods, do not use lightly. Its bitter-cold nature damages Yuan Qi and consumes Yin blood.
Zhicai said: Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin, 黄芩) acts as its assistant; there are no taboos.
Quan said: Avoid cold water; detests Dried Lacquer (Ganqi, 干漆).
[Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Purges blood stasis and blood closure, treats chills and fever, breaks masses and accumulations, removes retained fluids and old food, cleanses the intestines and stomach, pushes out the old and brings forth the new, promotes the passage of water and grain, regulates the middle, transforms food, and harmonizes the five zang organs ("Bencao Jing"). Calms the stomach, directs qi downward, eliminates phlegm-solidity, clears inter-intestinal heat, relieves heart and abdominal fullness, treats female cold-blood closure and distension, lower abdominal pain, and various old blood stagnations ("Bielu"). Regulates menstruation in women, promotes urination for edema, benefits large and small intestines. Applied externally for hot swellings and toxins, treats pediatric chills/fever and epidemic diseases, restlessness, heat, and pus erosion (Zhen Quan). Unblocks all qi, regulates blood vessels, benefits joints, drains stagnant water and qi, treats warm miasma and hot malaria (Daming). Purges excess heat and blockages, clears damp-heat in the lower jiao, eliminates old food, drains epigastric fullness (Yuansu). Treats dysentery with red and white discharge, tenesmus and abdominal pain, dribbling urination, excess heat and dry constipation, tidal fever and delirium, jaundice, and various fire sores (Shizhen).
[Fa Ming (Elucidation of Meaning)] Zhicai said: Combined with Paeonia lactiflora (Shaoyao, 芍药), Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin, 黄芩), Oyster Shell (Muli, 牡蛎), Asarum (Xixin, 细辛), and Poria (Fuling, 茯苓), it treats fright, anger, and palpitations in the heart region. Combined with Niter (Xiaoshi, 硝石), Purple Quartz (Zhi Shiy ing, 紫石英), and Peach Kernel (Taoren, 桃仁), it treats female blood closure.
Zong said: Zhang Zhongjing treated insufficient Heart Qi causing hematemesis and epistaxis using Xiexin Tang (Drain the Heart Decoction), comprising Da Huang, Huangqin, and Huanglian. Some ask: If Heart Qi is insufficient, why not use a Heart-tonifying decoction, but instead use Xiexin Tang? The answer is: If only Heart Qi were insufficient, there would be no bleeding. This is due to pathogenic heat lodging because of insufficiency, causing bleeding. Bitter flavors drain the heat and tonify the Heart; this achieves two goals with one move. For those with this syndrome, it is invariably effective, provided one assesses deficiency and excess.
Zhenheng said: Da Huang is bitter, cold, and good at draining. Zhang Zhongjing used it in Xiexin Tang precisely because the Shaoyin channel was insufficient, allowing excessive Yang without support, leading to reckless movement of Yin blood. Thus, Da Huang drains the excessive fire, restoring balance, so blood returns to its vessels and calms down. The insufficiency of Heart Yin has existed for days; the Lung and Liver are affected by fire, causing disease. Thus, Huangqin saves the Lung, and Huanglian saves the Liver. The Lung is the master of Yin; the Liver is the mother of the Heart and associated with Blood. Once Liver and Lung fires recede, Yin blood returns to normal. Kou Shi did not explain clearly but spoke of lodged pathogenic heat; how does this clarify Zhang Zhongjing's intent and enlighten future generations?
Shizhen said: Da Huang is a herb for the Blood level of the Foot-Taiyin, Hand-Yangming, Foot-Yangming, Hand-Jueyin, and Foot-Jueyin channels. It is suitable for diseases in the Blood level of these five channels. Using it in the Qi level is punishing the innocent. Xiexin Tang treats hematemesis and epistaxis due to insufficient Heart Qi; this is true insufficiency of Heart Qi, while there is excess evil fire in the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium, Foot-Jueyin Liver, Foot-Taiyin Spleen, and Foot-Yangming Stomach. Although called "Draining the Heart," it actually drains latent fire in the blood of these four channels. Furthermore, Zhang Zhongjing treated epigastric fullness that is soft upon pressure with Da Huang and Huanglian Xiexin Tang. This also drains damp-heat from the Spleen and Stomach, not the Heart. If a disease originates in Yin and is wrongly purged, it becomes fullness (Pi Man), caused by cold damaging Ying-Blood, with pathogens lodging in the Upper Jiao due to deficiency. The upper part of the Stomach corresponds to the Heart, hence "Draining the Heart," but it actually drains the Spleen. "Suwen" states: "What arrives at Taiyin is fullness." And: "Turbid qi in the upper generates distension." This is correct. If a disease originates in Yang and is wrongly purged, it becomes chest binding (Jie Xiong), where heat pathogens sink into the Blood level, also in the Upper Epigastrium region. Zhang Zhongjing's Da Xianxiong Tang and Wan both use Da Huang to drain pathogens in the Spleen-Stomach Blood level and descend turbid qi. If chest binding is in the Qi level, only Xiao Xianxiong Tang is used; if fullness is in the Qi level, Banxia Xiexin Tang is used. Cheng Wuji, in annotating "Shanghan Lun," failed to distinguish this meaning.
Wuji said: When heat dominates excessively, use bitter flavors to drain it. Da Huang's bitterness drains stasis-heat, descends dryness accumulation, and drains strong Stomach heat.
Song said: Materia Medica states Da Huang pushes out the old and brings forth the new, with miraculous efficacy; thus, ancient formulas often used it for accumulating stagnation, and Zhang Zhongjing used it especially frequently for Shanghan (Cold Damage). Ancients used toxic medicines to attack disease according to individual deficiency/excess and cold/heat, never using them lightly. Emperor Wu of Liang wanted to take Da Huang for fever. Yaoengt Tan said: Da Huang is a drastic medicine; Your Majesty is advanced in age and should not use it lightly. The Emperor did not listen and nearly became prostrate. Emperor Yuan of Liang often had heart-abdominal ailments. Physicians all suggested mild medicines for gradual unblocking. Tan said: The pulse is surging and solid; this indicates old obstruction; only Da Huang can cure it. The Emperor agreed and recovered. Thus, modern physicians use one toxic medicine for many diseases; if it accidentally works, they call the formula magical; if it fails, they do not admit error. Can we not be cautious?
[Fu Fang (Attached Prescriptions)] Thirteen old, forty-two new.
Hematemesis and epistaxis, treating insufficient Heart Qi causing hematemesis and epistaxis, Xiexin Tang is primary: Da Huang 2 liang, Huanglian and Huangqin each 1 liang. Water 3 sheng, boil to 1 sheng, take hot to induce bowel movement. (Zhang Zhongjing "Jingui Yufang")
Hematemesis with stabbing pain: Chuan Da Huang 1 liang, powdered. Take 1 qian per dose, with 1 he of fresh Rehmannia glutinosa (Sheng Dihuang, 生地黄) juice and half zan of water, boil 3-5 times, take anytime.
Shanghan fullness, disease originating in Yin, wrongly purged, epigastric fullness without pain, soft upon pressure, this is Pi (fullness), Da Huang Huanglian Xiexin Tang is primary: Da Huang 2 liang, Huanglian 1 liang. Soak in 2 sheng of boiling hemp tea water, squeeze juice shortly, divide into two doses, take warm. (Zhongjing "Shanghan Lun")
Heat disease delirium and mania: Chuan Da Huang 5 liang, chopped, stir-fried slightly red, powdered. Use 5 sheng of beeswax snow water, boil to paste. Take half spoonful, wash down with cold water. ("Shenghui Fang")
Shanghan jaundice: Same formula as above. For robust constitution, Da Huang 1 liang. Water 2 sheng, soak overnight, boil at dawn to 1 sheng, add Mangxiao 1 liang, take slowly, expect bowel movement shortly. ("Shanghan Leyao")
Wind-Qi pain in waist and feet: Da Huang 2 liang, cut like chess pieces, stir-fry dry with little su (butter/ghee), do not burn, powder. Take 2 qian, empty stomach, with 3 he of water, 3 slices of ginger, boil 10+ times, take soup. Expect expulsion of cold pus and foul matter, pain stops. (Cui Yuanliang "Haishang Fang")
All types of stagnation: "Jingyan Houfang": Treats wind-heat accumulation, transforms phlegm-saliva, treats fullness, aids digestion, moves qi and guides blood: Da Huang 4 liang, Qian Niu Zi (half stir-fried, half raw) 4 liang, powdered, refined honey pills like wu zi size. Take 10 pills, wash down with white soup, does not harm people. For slight purgation, add 10-20 pills. "Weisheng Baojian": Use Gleditsia sinensis (Zaojiao, 皂荚) paste mixed into pills, named Zhuidan Wan (Fall Phlegm Pill), also Quanzhen Wan. Emperor Xuanzong of Jin took it with effect, bestowed name Bao'an Wan.
Phlegm causes hundred diseases: Gun Tan Wan: Treats phlegm causing hundred diseases; contraindicated in watery diarrhea, pregnancy, and postpartum: Da Huang (wine-soaked, steamed, cut, dried) 8 liang, Raw Huangqin 8 liang, Chenxiang 0.5 liang, Qing Mengshi 2 liang.
With Yanxiao 2 liang, put in clay pot, seal well, calcine red, powder 2 liang. Take powders of each, mix with water, pill like wu zi size. Regular dose 10-20 pills, minor illness 50-60 pills, chronic illness 70-80 pills, acute illness 120 pills, swallow with warm water, lie down still, wait for medicine to drive upper jiao phlegm stagnation. Next day, first expel feces, then phlegm-saliva; if not expelled, take again. Wang Yinjun compounded over 40 jin yearly, cured tens of thousands. ("Yangsheng Zhu Lun")
Men and women various diseases: Wuji Wan: Treats female menstrual obstruction, red/white leukorrhea, metrorrhagia, intestinal wind bleeding, five stranguries, postpartum blood stasis, mass abdominal pain, male five labors and seven injuries, pediatric bone-steaming tidal fever, etc., very fast effect.
Divide into four parts: One part soak in one bowl of virgin urine, 2 qian salt, one day, cut and dry; one part soak in one bowl of pure wine, one day, cut and dry, then stir-fry with 35 Ba Dou Ren (Castor Seed Kernels), when beans turn yellow, remove beans; one part soak 4 liang Honghua (Carthamus tinctorius) in one bowl water, one day, cut and dry; one part soak 4 liang Danggui (Angelica sinensis) in one bowl light vinegar, one day, remove Danggui, cut and dry. Powder, refined honey pills like wu zi size. Take 50 pills, empty stomach, wash down with warm wine. Expulsion of foul matter is sign of efficacy; if not, take again. This is the formula of Sun Biyun, high scholar of Wudang. ("Yilin Ji Yao")
Heart and abdomen various diseases: Sanwu Beiji Wan: Treats heart/abdomen diseases, sudden acute illnesses: Da Huang, Ba Dou, Ganjiang each 1 liang. Powder, mix with honey, pound 1000 times, pill like adzuki bean size, take 3 pills. For evil invasion, heart/abdomen fullness, pain like knife thrust, take with warm water or wine, or enema. If unsure, take 3 more pills, bowel sounds turn, expect vomiting/diarrhea and recovery. If mouth locked, break teeth and pour in, enters throat and heals. This is Zhongjing's formula; Sikong Pei Xiu changed to powder, inferior to pills. ("Tujing Bencao")
Abdominal masses: Da Huang 10 liang powder, 3 sheng vinegar, 2 spoons honey, boil together, pill like wu zi size. Take 30 pills, wash down with ginger soup, stop when vomiting/diarrhea occurs. ("Waitai Miyao")
Abdominal/flank masses: Feng Hua Shi (ash powder) 0.5 jin, stir-fry in pottery vessel until very hot, cool slightly, add Da Huang powder 1 liang, stir-fry hot, add Guixin powder 0.5 liang, stir-fry slightly, add rice vinegar, stir to paste, spread on cloth and apply. Another formula: Da Huang 2 liang, Puxiao 1 liang, powder, crush with garlic to paste and apply. Or add Awei 1 liang, especially good. ("Danxi Xinfa")
Long-standing accumulations, difficulty in urination/defecation, qi rushing to heart, abdominal fullness, impaired digestion: Da Huang, Baishao each 2 liang. Powder, water pills like wu zi size. Take 40 pills with soup, 3 times daily, stop when effective. ("Qianjin Fang")
Splee pib pi and infantile malnutrition, adults or children: Jinwen Da Huang 3 liang powder, 1 zan vinegar, simmer in clay pot over strong fire to paste, pour on tile, sun-day dew-night for 3 days, re-powder. Use Boshang Liuhuang (shipborne sulfur, amber-like) 1 liang, Guanfen 1 liang, grind together. Children under 10: half qian; adults: 1.5 qian, wash down with rice drink. Avoid all cold/raw, fish/meat; eat only white porridge for half month. If one dose ineffective, repeat after half month. If not avoiding diet, better not take. ("Shengji Zonglu")
Pediatric innocent flash mass/scrofula, or dry yellow hair standing up, or intermittent dysentery/recovery, many symptoms: Da Huang Jian is primary: Da Huang 9 liang (fresh solid Jinwen, if slightly rotten unsuitable), peel, powder. Mix with 3 sheng good rice vinegar, place in clay bowl, float in large pot of boiling water, slow charcoal fire boil until paste, pillable, store in vessel. 3-year-old child: 7 pills, wu zi size, twice daily, stop when green/red pus expelled. If not expelled or little, increase slightly. If too much, reduce. Severe cases need 7-8 doses to root out. Adults can also use. This medicine only expels old pus, does not cause diarrhea. Must avoid toxic foods, nursing mothers also avoid. Add Muxiang 1.5 liang. (Cui Zhiti Formula)
Pediatric various heats: Da Huang (roasted), Huangqin each 1 liang, powder, refined honey pills like sesame size. Take 5-10 pills, wash down with honey water. Add Huanglian, name Sanhuang Wan. ("Qianshi Xiaofang")
Bone-steaming accumulated heat, gradually yellow/thin: Da Huang 4 fen, with 5-6 he of virgin boy's urine, boil to 4 he, strain. Empty stomach, divide into 2 doses, take again after walking 5 li. ("Guangli Fang")
Red/white turbid strangury: Good Da Huang powder. Take 6 fen per dose, with one egg, break top, insert medicine, mix, steam熟, eat empty stomach. Not more than 3 doses to cure. ("Jianbian Fang")
Ministerial fire constipation: Da Huang powder 1 liang, Qian Niu Tou powder 0.5 liang, take 3 qian per dose.
For those with cold limbs, wash down with wine; for those without cold limbs but five-center heat, wash down with honey water. (Liu Hejian "Baoming Ji")
Initial onset of all dysenteries: Da Huang (roasted), Danggui each 2-3 qian (robust persons 1 liang each). Decoct in water, take to induce bowel movement. Or add Binglang. ("Jijian Fang")
Hot dysentery with tenesmus: Da Huang 1 liang. Soak in wine half day, decoct, take to induce bowel movement. ("Jijian Fang")
Sudden asthma/choking, unable to speak, saliva flow/vomiting, loose teeth, breath turns large, faints and revives, named Shanghan combined with Hot Huoluan: Da Huang...
Vomiting immediately after eating, fire in chest: Da Huang 1 liang, Gancao 2.5 qian, water 1 sheng, boil to half sheng, take warm. (Zhongjing "Jingui Yufang Fang")