Library

(Shangpin, High Grade, in *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Xuanhua (Su Gong calls it "Xuan"; *Shennong Bencao Jing* calls it "Jingen"; *Bencao Tujing* calls it "Xu Jin Gen", "Guzi Hua", "Tunchang Cao").
Su Gong said: Xuanhua is Pingze Xuanhua. Its root resembles sinews, hence the name Jingen.
Bing said: Xuanhua should be written as "Xuan" (pronounced *fuxuan*), using the root for medicine. There is also Xuanfu flower (pronounced *xuanfu*), using the flower for medicine. Writing it as "Xuan" now is incorrect.
Song said: *Bielu* states its root treats the continuation of broken sinews, so southerners call it Xu Jin Gen. Another name is Tunchang Cao, named after its shape.
Zong said: The common people call it Guzihua, referring to its flower shape resembling a drum.
Shizhen said: Its flowers do not form petal shapes, but resemble the drums blown by the military, hence the names Xuanhua and Guzihua. A variety with double petals has a color similar to pink peonies, commonly called Chanzhi Mudan.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* says: Xuanhua grows in the plains and marshes of Yuzhou. Collected in May, dried in the shade.
Baosheng said: This is Xuanhua. It grows in rivers and marshes everywhere. It is creeping, leaves resemble Dioscorea but are narrower and longer, flowers are red and white. The root has no hairs or nodes, can be steamed or boiled for eating, tastes sweet and delicious, named Jingen. Roots collected in February and August, sun-dried.
Zong said: Now it is very abundant in fields in Hebei, west of Bian, and Guan-Shaanxi. It is hardest to weed, and regenerates after treatment. Flowers bloom in April and May. Cut roots into inch-long segments, place in soil and irrigate; seedlings emerge after ten days. Baosheng's description refers to this.
Shizhen said: Xuanhua grows in fields, ridges, and ditches, creeping along the nodes. Leaves are like spinach leaves but smaller. Blooms in autumn, like white Ipomoea nil, pinkish-red, some with double petals. Roots are white, thick like sinews. Does not produce seeds.
Song said: In Shizhou, southern Guizhou, there grows a type of Xuanhua with thick stems, large leaves, no flowers, and non-creeping habit; it is likely a different species.

[Correction of Errors] *Shennong Bencao Jing* says: The flower, another name is Jinfei.
Hongjing said: Easterners call Xuanhua Shanjiang, southerners call it Meicao. The root resembles Radix Zingiberis Officinalis Preparata (Du Ruo) and also resembles Radix Alpiniae Officinarum (Gaoliangjiang). For cold pain in the abdomen, boiling and taking it is very effective. Made into pills and powders, it prevents grain consumption and stops hunger. Recently, someone returned from Jiangnan and used this herb for others to stop eating grain; all achieved half a year to one hundred days without hunger or emaciation. However, people have shallow aspirations and deep desires, unable to take it for long. Its leaves resemble ginger, flowers are crimson, taste pungent and delicious, fruits resemble cardamom. This Xuanhua is indeed its flower. It is now very common in Shandong. Also, in the note on Xuanfu flower: There is another Xuan root, produced in Henan, also found in northern countries, resembling Ligusticum chuanxiong (Xiongnu), only used in making Xuan paste, not entering other formulas.
Gong said: Xuanhua is Xuanhua; Tao Hongjing's description is actually Shanjiang. Shanjiang tastes pungent, completely unlike this category. Furthermore, because Xuanfu flower is named Jinfei, they made this an alias for this flower, which is all wrong. Also saying that those coming from northern countries have roots resembling Xiongnu; Xiongnu and Gaoliangjiang have no resemblance at all, which is also wrong.

[Flavor and Properties] Flower: Sweet. Root: Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.
Shizhen said: Flowers, roots, stems, and leaves are all sweet, slippery, slightly bitter, and can neutralize Realgar.

[Indications] Removes black spots on the face, beautifies complexion, benefits Qi. Roots continue sinews and bones, heal metallic wounds. Crushed juice taken internally treats Erysipelas and pediatric toxic heat (Cangqi said). Tonifies fatigue and damage, benefits essence and Qi (Shizhen said).

[Elucidation] Shizhen said: Among vines, those resembling human sinews often treat sinus diseases. Xuanhua roots are thin like sinews and edible, hence *Shennong Bencao Jing* states long-term use prevents hunger. When Shizhen returned from the capital, he saw northern carters carrying it, saying brewing it into soup for evening drinking can tonify injuries. Thus, the theory of benefiting Qi and continuing sinews is further verified.

[Attached Formulas] One old formula, one new formula.
Severed Sinew due to Chop: Crush Xuan root, drip juice into the wound, still apply the dregs externally, change three times daily. Severed sinews will reconnect within half a month. This formula comes from Su Jingzhong's household slave Liao Nao, used effectively. (*Waitai Miyao* by Wang Tao)
Secret Essence and Marrow: Taiyi Jinluo Dan: Use five liang of Five-Color Longgu (Fossilized Bones), five liang of Fupenzi (Rubus Chingii Fruit), four liang of Lianhuarui (Lotus Plumule, unopened, shade-dried), three liang of Guzihua (Collected on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month), one hundred Jihtouzi Ren (Euryale Seed Kernels). Grind into powder. Take two hundred Jinyingzi (Rosa Laevigata Fruit), remove hairs, boil in seven sheng of water to reduce to one sheng of concentrated decoction, strain. Mix with herbs, pound two thousand times, make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take thirty pills warm with salt wine on an empty stomach. After taking for one hundred days, emission will never occur. If emission is desired, take half he of Cheqian powder mixed with cold water. Avoid eating Malva verticillata. (*Ruizhutang Fang* by Sa Qianzhai)