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[Name] (Pronounced Mao).
Li Shizhen states: According to *Erya*, it is recorded as "Mu Gua". Guo Pu's annotation says: "The fruit resembles a small melon, sour and vinegar-like, and edible." Thus, the name "Mu Gua" derives from this meaning. Some say: Mu Gua tastes sour, obtaining the upright Qi of Wood, hence the name. This explanation is also valid. The character consists of 'Wood' and 'Mao', forming a phonetic compound.

[Collection and Explanation] Tao Hongjing states: Mu Gua is particularly abundant in Lanting, Shanyin, where locals consider it an excellent fruit. There is also *Mu Tao* (Chaenomeles speciosa), which has large yellow fruits. There is *Mu Li* (Prunus mume var. alba), which has small, astringent fruits. *Book of Rites* mentions: "Drill Cha and Li." In ancient times, Cha was considered a fruit, but not nowadays.
Su Baosheng states: Its branches resemble those of Nai (Malus asiatica), flowers form clusters bearing fruit, resembling Trichosanthes fruit. When dried by fire, it is very fragrant. Mu Li resembles pear but is sour; outside the river regions, it is often eaten as a fruit.
Su Song states: Mu Gua grows everywhere, but those from Xuancheng are the best. The tree resembles Nai, blooms late spring with deep red flowers. The fruits are large like melons or small like fists, yellowish on top as if dusted with powder. People in Xuancheng cultivate them carefully, filling the valleys. When fruits first form, paper flowers are pasted on them; night dew and day sun gradually turn them red, with patterns like living flowers. The prefecture offers them as local tribute, hence the name "Xuancheng Flower Mu Gua". *Mu Tao* closely resembles Mu Gua; one can distinguish them by the calyx: if there is an additional double calyx like a nipple at the stem, it is Mu Gua; otherwise, it is *Mu Tao*.
Kou Zongshi states: True Mu Gua has thin skin, reddish-yellow color, fragrant, sweet and sour without astringency. The inner side facing the core is pointed, while one side is flat; eating it benefits people. There is a variety called Heyuanzi, slightly yellow, thick stem, small round fruit, astringent and slightly salty, which can damage human Qi. There is Manzhi, small grains, extremely astringent taste, unusable. There is Tufuzi, extremely bitter and astringent, seeds like large sesame; consuming it causes dry eyes, redness, and tendon pain.
Chen Cheng states: Large Mu Gua from Xiluo has a sweet and pleasant taste, remaining greenish-white even when ripe; it is extremely effective for medicinal use, surpassing Xuancheng varieties which have a bland taste.
Li Shizhen states: Mu Gua can be planted, grafted, or propagated by layering. Its leaves are glossy and dense; its fruit resembles a small melon with a "nose" (remnant of the flower base). Those with juicy moisture and non-woody taste are Mu Gua; those rounder and smaller than Mu Gua, with woody, sour, and astringent taste, are *Mu Tao*; those resembling Mu Gua but without a nose, larger than Mu Tao, and astringent, are *Mu Li*, also called *Mu Li* (Pear), which refers to *Mu Tao* and Heyuanzi. The "nose" is where the flower detached, not the navel or stem. Mu Gua is brittle and can be preserved in honey as a fruit. Removing seeds, steaming until soft, pounding into paste, adding honey and ginger to make a syrup, is especially good for winter drinking. *Mu Tao* and *Mu Li* are hard and can be candied or made into cakes. Burning Mu Gua to ash and scattering it in ponds can poison fish, as stated in *Huainan Wabi Shu*. Also, *Guangzhi* states: Mu Gua branches have 120 nodes per foot, suitable for making walking sticks.

[Processing] Lei Xiao states: When using Mu Gua, avoid iron vessels. Use a copper knife to peel off the hard skin and remove seeds, slice, and dry in the sun. Soak in cow's milk.
Li Shizhen states: Nowadays, people simply slice and dry it for medicine. According to *Da Ming Hui Dian*: Xuancheng annually tributes dark, rotten, worm-eaten Mu Gua to the Imperial Pharmacy. This is to utilize its aged nature lacking fresh woodiness, similar to removing the woodiness of chestnuts.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Sour, warm, non-toxic.
Sun Simiao states: Sour, salty, warm, astringent. Meng Shen states: Do not eat too much; it damages teeth and bones.

[Indications] Damp-bi syndrome and pathogenic factors, cholera with severe vomiting and diarrhea, continuous muscle cramps (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats "Hong Kong Foot" (Gouty Arthritis/Foot Rot) rushing to the heart; take one tender fruit, remove seeds, decoct and drink; effective. Strengthens sinews and bones, descends cold Qi, stops nausea and regurgitation, resolves phlegm-saliva in the chest and diaphragm, aids digestion, stops diarrhea and subsequent thirst, taken as a beverage (*Zangqi*). Stops vomiting, diarrhea, Ben Tun (running piglet), edema, cold-heat dysentery, abdominal pain (*Ri Hua Zi*). Harmonizes Ying and Wei, assists Grain Qi (Lei Xiao). Disperses dampness, harmonizes Stomach, nourishes Spleen and Lung, treats abdominal distension with frequent belching, vexation and fullness below the heart (Li Gao).

[Elucidation] Zhang Yuansu states: Mu Gua enters the Blood aspect of Hand-Taiyin (Lung) and Foot-Taiyin (Spleen meridians); it can consolidate when Qi escapes and harmonize when Qi stagnates.
Tao Hongjing states: Mu Gua is most effective for treating muscle cramps. When cramps occur, merely calling its name or writing the characters "Mu Gua" can cure it. The reason for this is inexplicable. Laypeople use Mu Gua walking sticks, claiming they benefit tendons and calves.
Chen Cheng states: Mu Gua obtains the upright Qi of Wood; sour flavor enters Liver, thus benefiting sinews and blood. It is indispensable for weakness in waist, kidneys, feet, and knees. Applying lead frost or white lead powder to it removes the sour taste and residue, likely due to restriction by Metal.
Li Shizhen states: The conditions treated by Mu Gua—cholera, vomiting/diarrhea, cramps, and foot rot—are all Spleen and Stomach diseases, not Liver diseases. Although Liver governs sinews, cramps are caused by damp-heat or cold-damp pathogens invading and damaging the Spleen and Stomach; thus, cramps originate in the calf. The calf and Zong Jin (major sinews) belong to Yangming. Mu Gua treats cramps not by tonifying sinews, but by regulating Spleen and subduing Liver. When Earth disease occurs, Metal declines and Wood flourishes. Therefore, sour-warm flavors are used to consolidate Spleen-Lung depletion, utilizing its action on sinews to calm Liver pathogenic factors. This is draining Wood within Earth to assist Metal. When Wood is balanced, Earth functions properly and Metal receives protection. *Suwen* states: Sour travels to sinews. In sinus diseases, do not eat much sour. Meng Shen says: Eating too much Mu Gua damages teeth and bones. These are clear proofs of Liver-subduing effects. Mu Gua enters Hand and Foot Taiyin meridians, acting on Spleen and Lung, not Liver, further confirming this. Also, *Zhenjing* states: Excessive sour intake causes strangury. Sour enters the Stomach, its Qi is astringent and consolidating, moving up through the Upper and Middle Jiao, entering the Stomach, then down to the Bladder. The bladder wall is thin and soft; encountering sour causes contraction and curling, leading to obstruction, resulting in difficult urination and strangury. Luo Tianyi's *Baojian* records: Grand Tutor Liu Zhonghai ate three to five pieces of candied Mu Gua daily; his companions developed strangury. He asked Luo Tianyi, who replied: This is caused by excessive sour intake; stopping consumption will resolve it. Yin generation depends on the Five Flavors; Yin injury also stems from the Five Flavors. Excess of any flavor harms humans, not just sour. Lu Tuan's *Piya* states: Folk saying says pears are hundred-fold harmful with one beneficial, while Mu Gua is hundred-fold beneficial with one harmful. Hence, *Shijing* says: "You threw me a Mu Gua." Taking advantage of its benefits.

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old, ten new.
Neck stiffness and tendon urgency preventing turning: Caused by Wind affecting Liver and Kidney. Use two Xuancheng Mu Gua (remove lid and pulp), 2 liang Myrrh, 2 qian half Frankincense. Place herbs inside Mu Gua, tie securely, steam over rice 3-4 times until soft, pound into paste. Take 3 qian each time, mix with half cup raw Rehmannia juice and 2 cups unadulterated wine, warm and drink. Xu Shimicro said: Someone suffered this, starting afternoon, resolving at dusk. I believe it starts from the feet. Foot-Shaoyin tendon runs from foot to neck. Tendons are the union of Liver. From noon to dusk is Yin within Yang, corresponding to Lung. From Li trigram to Dui trigram is Yin flourishing, Yang weak. Thus *Lingbao Bifa* states: From Li to Qian, Kidney Qi ends and Liver Qi weakens. Liver and Kidney affected by pathogens, hence onset at this time. I prescribed this formula and Duliang Pill; cured after taking. (*Baoshi Fang*)
Foot Rot with swelling and urgency: Slice Mu Gua, put in bag, step on it. Gu Anzhong from Guangde suffered Foot Rot with tendon urgency and leg swelling. While boarding a boat, he rested his feet on a bag... (*Yi Lu*)
Calf tendon spasm and pain: Use several Mu Gua, boil with half wine and half water until soft, pound into paste. Apply hot to painful area, wrap with cloth. Change when cold, 3-5 times daily. (*Shiliao Bencao*)
Colic below umbilicus: 3 slices Mu Gua, 7 mulberry leaves, 3 jujubes. Decoct 3 sheng water to 0.5 sheng, take once. Cured immediately. (*Shiliao*)
Infant profuse dysentery: Juice of pounded Mu Gua, administer. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Cholera with cramps: 1 liang Mu Gua, 1 sheng wine, decoct and drink. Non-drinkers decoct in water. Remaining decoction soak blue cloth to wrap feet. (*Shenghui*)
Cholera with abdominal pain: 5 qian Mu Gua, 3 mulberry leaves, 1 piece jujube flesh. Decoct in water and drink. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Si Zheng Mu Gua Wan treats Qi deficiency in Liver, Kidney, and Spleen meridians, caused by conflict of Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness flowing into collaterals. Upon changes of Six Qi or disharmony of Seven Emotions, symptoms may flare: distension, stubborn bi, aversion to cold with high fever, vomiting, spontaneous sweating, cholera vomiting/diarrhea. Use four large Xuancheng Mu Gua, cut lids, hollow out: One contains Astragalus and Drynaria powder, 0.5 liang each; One contains Atractylodes and Tangerine Peel powder, 0.5 liang each; One contains Lindera and Huangsongjie (heartwood of Poria) powder, 0.5 liang each; One contains Clematis and Semen Lepidii powder, 0.5 liang each. Secure with original lid, soak in wine, steam in steamer until cooked, sun-dry. Repeat soaking, steaming, drying three times. Pound to powder, mix with Ulmus bark powder and water, make pills like wutong seeds. Take 50 pills each time with warm wine or salt water. (*Yuyao Yuan Fang*)
Kidney deficiency cold, Qi attacking abdomen/flanks, distension and pain. Use 30 large Mu Gua, peel, remove seeds, hollow out. Fill with 1 jin Chrysanthemum powder and 1 jin Green Salt. Steam in basket until cooked, pound into paste. Mix with 2 jin fresh Mugwort fluff. Make pills like wutong seeds. Take 30 pills with rice water, twice daily. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Dry, lusterless hair: Infuse Mu Gua in oil, comb hair. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Reversing-flow hemorrhoids: Mu Gua powder, mix with loach slime, apply, cover with paper. (*Yilin Jiyao*)
Repel ticks: Slice Mu Gua, lay under mat. (*Shenyin*)

Mu Gua Seeds
[Indications] Cholera with irritability and rapid breathing: Chew 7 seeds each time, swallow with warm water (Li Shizhen. From *Shenghui Fang*).

Branches, Leaves, Bark, Roots
[Flavor and Toxicity] All sour, astringent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Decoct and drink to stop cholera, vomiting/diarrhea, cramps, treat foot rot (*Mingyi Bielu*). Branches made into walking sticks benefit sinews and vessels. Roots and leaves decocted to wash feet/shins can cure厥 (Jue syndrome). Wood made into buckets for washing feet is very beneficial (Su Song). Branches and leaves decocted and drunk treat heat dysentery (Li Shizhen. From *Qianjin Fang*).

Flowers
[Indications] Dark facial complexion with dross (Formula see Plum Blossom).