Library

(Sourced from the Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] Huan (from *Haiyao Bencao Shiyi*), MuHuanzi (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Zhuizi.

Li Canger stated: The characters "Huan" and "Huan" are phonetic errors. Cui Bao in *Gujin Zhu* said: In ancient times, there was a divine shaman named Yaokun who could use talismans to subdue a hundred ghosts; upon capturing a ghost, he would strike it with this fruit. This tree shares the same name as Coix seed (*Yiyi*). *Zuanwen* states its tree name is Lugui Mu. Mountain dwellers call it Feizhuzi or Youzhuzi, because its fruit appears plump and oily, while its seeds are round like pearls.

[Collection and Explanation] Li Canger said: Wuhuanzi is a tall tree growing on high mountains. Its fruits are black like lacquered pearls. *Bowuzhi* states: The leaves of the Huan tree resemble those of Zelkova willow. The stone is hard, straight, and pitch-black; it can be used to make incense tassels and for washing away dirt.

Su Song said: Nowadays, people extract the seeds to make prayer beads; those that are purple-red and small are considered superior. It is rarely used in medicinal preparations. It is also produced in Xiluo.

Li Shizhen said: It grows in high mountains. The trees are very tall and robust; the branches and leaves resemble those of the Toona sinensis (*Chun*), except that its leaves are opposite. In May and June, it bears white flowers. The fruits are as large as pellets, resembling Ginkgo nuts and Chinaberry (*Kulianzi*), green when raw and yellow when ripe, becoming wrinkled when old. When yellow, they appear plump as if fried in oil, with a pungent taste and fragrant aroma. There are two small seeds beneath the fruit, adhering to and supporting each other. Inside the fruit is one stone, hard and black like the stone of Soap Pod (*Sapindus mukorossi*), but perfectly round like a pearl. Inside the shell is the kernel, similar to Hazelnut kernel, also pungent and fragrant, with excellent efficacy. *Shanhaijing* states: Drinking from the Zhi forest [referring to the tree], it repels evil qi, washes clothes to remove dirt, and the stone is hard, straight, and pitch-black. This refers to this tree. The "Guijianchou" found in Mount Wudang nowadays is also the seed of a tree pod; its shape is exactly like a Knife Bean but brown in color, and locals there also use them to string prayer beads. This is another distinct item, not Wuhuanzi.

Pericarp of the Fruit (i.e., the fleshy part outside the stone)

[Properties and Flavor] Slightly bitter, neutral in nature, slightly toxic.

[Indications] Washing away dirt, removing facial melasma. Hou Bi (sore throat with obstruction), grind into powder and insert into the throat, providing immediate relief. Also treats Feishi (a traditional disease concept, according to Canger).

[Attached Prescriptions] Two new prescriptions.

Washing hair to dispel wind and brighten eyes: Use Wuhuanzi pericarp, Gleditsia sinensis fruit (*Zaojiao*), Hu Bing (pancake), and Acorus tatarinowii root (*Changpu*), pound them together into a paste, mix with fermented grain water to form pills the size of a quail egg. For each use, soak in hot water to wash the head. Effective. (From *Duoneng Bishi*)

Washing face to remove melasma: Take the fleshy pericarp of Wuhuanzi, pound until soft, mix with white flour, and roll into pills the size of phoenix seeds. Use daily to wash the face; effectively removes dirt and melasma. (From *Jijian Fang*)

Kernel inside the Stone

[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, neutral in nature, non-toxic.

[Indications] Burning it repels evil and malignant qi (according to Canger).

Roasting and eating it repels evil qi and removes bad breath (according to Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] One new prescription.

Toothache and swelling: Feizhuzi 1 liang, Rhubarb (*Dahuang*), Cyperus rotundus (*Xiangfu*) each 1 liang, Green Salt (*Qingyan*) 0.5 liang. Seal with mud and grind finely. Use daily to brush teeth. (From *Puji Fang*)