Library

(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Correction] Separated from the entry "Cortex Morus Albae Radicis" (Morus Root Bark).
[Names] Mu Xun (pronounced like 'er', 'ruan'). Mu Jun (pronounced like 'jiong', 'juan'). Mu Zong (sound like 'zong'). Shu Ji (Korean term), Mu E.
Li Shizhen stated: Wood ear mushrooms grow on rotting wood, without branches or leaves, generated by residual damp-heat qi. They are called "ear" or "moth" due to their shape. They are called "xun" because those with a soft and moist texture are considered superior. They are called "chicken" or "cong" because their taste is similar. People in Southern Chu refer to chickens as "cong". The term "jun" is synonymous with "cong", also describing the shape. "Cong" is the name for cowrie shells.
Some say: Those growing on the ground are called jun, while those growing on wood are called e. Northerners call them e, Southerners call them xun.
[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Five types of wood ears grow in the valleys of Jianwei Commandery. They are harvested during the rainy season in June and then sun-dried.
Tao Hongjing stated: Here, "five types of wood ears" does not explicitly specify which trees they grow on. Only Sang Er (Mulberry Ear) grows on old mulberry trees, coming in green, yellow, red, and white varieties. Those with a soft and moist texture are collected by people to make pickles and are no longer used medicinally.
Su Gong stated: Sang Er (Mulberry Ear), Huai Er (Locust Ear), Chu Er (Paper Mulberry Ear), Yu Er (Elm Ear), and Liu Er (Willow Ear) are referred to as the five types of wood ears. Those with a soft texture are all edible. Chu Er is commonly eaten by people, and Huai Er treats hemorrhoids. If porridge is placed on various woods and covered with grass, mushrooms will sprout.
Li Shizhen stated: Wood ears can grow on various trees; their quality and toxicity must necessarily follow the nature of the host tree, so careful examination is essential. However, those currently sold in markets are often mixed with other species, with only those from mulberry, willow, paper mulberry, and elm trees being common.
[Taste and Properties] Sweet, neutral, slightly toxic.
Zhen Quan stated: For xun er, those from ancient locust and mulberry trees are superior, while those from zhe trees are secondary. Those from other trees easily stir up wind qi, trigger chronic diseases, cause tightness in the hypochondrium, damage meridians in the back and arms, and cause chest oppression.
Chen Zangqi stated: Wood ears are adverse to snakes and insects passing underneath; if this occurs, they become toxic. Those growing on maple trees cause uncontrollable laughter. Those that change color after harvesting, glow at night, or are about to rot but do not breed worms are all toxic. These can be detoxified by crushing fresh winter melon vines and extracting their juice.
Li Shizhen stated: According to Zhang Zhongjing: Red wood ears and those growing upwards should not be eaten.
[Indications] Tonifies qi and relieves hunger, lightens the body and strengthens the will (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Stops grain consumption and treats hemorrhoids (Li Shizhen).
[Analysis and Elucidation] Zhao Ying stated: A person suffered from hemorrhoids unresponsive to various medicines. He was cured by eating soup made from wood ears, proving highly effective.
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Shengsheng Bian*: "Liu E tonifies the stomach, Mu Xun diminishes essence." This means the moth from old willow trees can tonify the stomach and regulate qi. Wood ear mushrooms grow on rotten wood, absorbing yin qi, thus posing the risk of diminishing essence and chilling the kidneys.
[Attached Prescriptions] Six new prescriptions.
Cold tears flowing from eyes: Mu Xun 1 liang (calcined to retain charred nature), Mu Zei 1 liang, powdered. Take 2 qian per dose, decocted in clear rice wash water (*Huiji Fang*).
Blood-injected foot ulcers: Sang Er, Chu Er, Niu Shi Gu each 5 qian, fetal hair ash (male fetus hair for women, female fetus hair for men) 3 qian, powdered. Apply mixed with oil, or apply dry (*Qixiao Liangfang*).
Metrorrhagia and metrorrhaxis: Mu Xun 0.5 jin, stir-fried until smoking, powdered. Take 2.1 qian per dose, plus hair ash 3 fen, totaling 2.4 qian, corresponding to the 24 solar terms. Mix with good wine and take to induce sweating (Sun's *Jixiao Fang*).
New and chronic diarrhea/dysentery: Dried Mu Xun 1 liang (stir-fried), Lujiao Jiao (Deer Antler Glue) 2.5 qian (stir-fried), powdered. Take 3 qian per dose, taken down with warm wine, twice daily (*Yuyao Yuan Fang*).
Dysentery with bloody stool: Mu Xun (stir-fried and powdered) 5 qian, taken with wine. Can also be taken well water. Alternatively, boil salt and vinegar in water and eat, swallowing with the juice (*Puji Fang*).
All types of toothache: Mu Xun and Jingjie in equal parts, decocted for frequent gargling (*Puji Fang*).

Sang Er (Mulberry Ear)
[Names] Sang Er (*Tangben*), Sang E (*Songben*), Sang Ji (*Gangmu*), Sang Huang (*Yaoxing*), Sang Chen (*Yaoxing*), Sang Shang Jisheng.
Tao Hongjing stated: In grain-stopping formulas: Sang Er is also called Sang Shang Jisheng. Same name, different substance.
Li Shizhen stated: Below "Sang Er" are names for soft ears; below "Sang Huang" are names for hard fungi. Their efficacy and properties are identical.
[Taste and Properties] Sweet, neutral, toxic.
Meng Shen stated: Cold, non-toxic.
Daming stated: Warm, slightly toxic.
Zhen Quan stated: Sang Er, Huai Er: Sweet, acrid, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Black ones: Treat leukorrhea (red and white discharge) in women, blood masses and accumulations, genital pain, alternating cold and heat, and infertility (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Regulate menstruation. Yellow, ripe, and aged white ones: Stop chronic diarrhea, tonify qi, and relieve hunger. Golden ones: Treat phlegm-fluid retention and accumulations, abdominal pain, and traumatic injuries (*Bielu*). Treat metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, amenorrhea with blood stasis, postpartum blood stasis, and hernia masses in men (Zhen Quan). Stop epistaxis, intestinal wind bleeding, and heart/abdominal pain in women (Daming). Benefit the five zang organs, circulate qi in the intestines and stomach, and expel toxic gases. Suppress fever in those taking mineral pills; make into soup with scallions and fermented soybeans (Meng Shen).
[Attached Prescriptions] Three old, eleven new.
Pediatric epistaxis, bleeding upon slight exertion: Sang Er roasted until scorched and powdered. At onset, insert an amount the size of an almond into the nostril. Repeated applications stop bleeding (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Five types of hemorrhoids with bleeding: Make Sang Er into soup, eat full on an empty stomach, once every three days. When anal pain suddenly feels like bird pecking, take one sheng each of large and small beans, pound together, make two bags, steam hot, and sit alternately on them for cure (*Waitai*).
Prolapsed rectum with continuous bleeding: Sang Huang 1 liang, Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite) 1 liang, powdered. Honey-pilled to size of wutong seeds. Take 20 pills with rice drink (*Shenghui*).
Hematuria with pain: Sang Huang, Hu Baidoupi (Oak White Bark) each 2 qian, decoct in water, take once daily (*Shenghui Fang*).
Continuous menstruation, sallow emaciation, temporary cessation followed by recurrence, worsening with slight exertion, neglected long-term illness: Sang Huang baked and powdered. Take 2 qian before meals with hot wine, twice daily (*Puji Fang*).
Metrorrhagia and metrorrhaxis: Sang Er stir-fried black, powdered. Take one fangcun bi with wine, three times daily for effect (*Qianjin Fang*).
Red and white leukorrhea: Cut Sang Er finely, decoct in wine (Su Song *Tujing*).
Enuresis with dysuria: Sang Er powdered. Take one fangcun bi with wine, three times daily (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Retained fluid and undigested food: Sang Er 2 liang, Badou (Croton Seed) 1 liang (skin removed), steamed over five sheng of rice water. Mix with jujube paste and pill to size of hemp seeds. Take 1-2 pills, stop when bowel movement occurs (*Fanwang Fang*).
Urgent pain in the epigastrium: Sang Er calcined to retain charred nature. Take 2 qian with hot wine (*Jijian Fang*).
Scrofula with ulceration: Sang Huang fungus 5 qian, Hongdou (Adzuki Bean) 1 liang, Baicaoshuang (Soot) 3 qian, Qingtai (Green Moss) 2 qian, Pian Nao (Borneol) 1 fen. Powdered, mixed with egg white for application. Wash with decoction of Cheqian Cao (Plantain), Aiye (Mugwort Leaf), and Sangpi (Mulberry Bark) (*Zuoya Qifang*).
Pharyngeal obstruction and pain: On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, collect Sang Shang Mu'er that are white like fish scales. Crush temporarily, wrap in cotton to size of a bullet, soak in honey water, and hold in mouth for immediate effect (*Bianmin Fang*).
Facial dark spots: Sang Er baked and powdered. Take 1 qian with hot water after meals. Cure in one month (*Zhaxuan Fang*).
Corn on toes: Soak in water first, scrape off a layer, apply black Mu Xun. It will naturally soften and heal without pain (*Jinxiao Fang*).

Huai Er (Locust Ear)
[Names] Huai Er (*Tangben*), Huai Jun (*Tangben*), Huai Ji (*Shuben*), Chi Ji (*Gangmu*), Huai E.
Su Gong stated: This is the fungus growing on locust trees. Select those firm like Sang Er.
Zhen Quan stated: Porridge placed on locust wood and covered with grass produces mushrooms.
[Taste and Properties] Bitter, acrid, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Five types of hemorrhoids with prolapse, bleeding, heart pain, and genital sores/pain in women (Su Gong). Expel wind and break blood stasis, increase strength (Zhen Quan).
[Attached Prescriptions] Three old, three new.
Intestinal hemorrhoids with bleeding: Huai Er mushroom from locust tree, powdered. Take one fangcun bi with water, three times daily (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Metrorrhagia with bleeding, regardless of duration: Huai Er calcined to retain charred nature, powdered. Take one fangcun bi with warm wine (*Chanbao* formula).
Postpartum blood pain, agony: Huai Ji 0.5 liang, powdered. Decoct strongly in wine and drink for immediate cure (*Furen Liangfang*).
Heart pain due to roundworms: Huai Mu'er calcined to retain charred nature, powdered. Take date-sized amount with water. If ineffective, drink one sheng of hot water to expel worms immediately (Zhang Wenzhong *Beiji Fang*).
Continuous menstruation, consumptive sallow emaciation, temporary cessation with recurrence, worsening with slight exertion: Chao Huang Huai E (Stir-fried yellow Locust Moth), Chishizhi (Red Halloysite) each 1 liang, powdered. Take 2 qian before meals with hot wine. Sang Huang is also acceptable (*Shenghui Fang*).
Visceral toxin with bleeding: Huai Er (burned) 2 liang, Ganqi (Dry Resin) (burned) 1 liang, powdered. Take 1 qian with warm wine (*Shengji Zonglu*).

Yu Er (Elm Ear)
Harvested in August.
[Indications] Relieves hunger (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] One new.
Dietary prescription from *Huainan Wanbi Shu*: August Yu Er, soaked in fine wine and sun-dried, steamed with Qingliangmi (Green Millet) and Zi Xianshi (Purple Amaranth Seeds), then powdered. Take three finger-pinches per dose with wine, enabling grain avoidance and relief from hunger.

Liu Er (Willow Ear)
[Indications] Tonifies stomach and regulates qi (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] One new.
Regurgitation with vomiting of phlegm: 5-7 Willow Xun, decocted in water for cure (*Huoren Xintong*).

Zhe Er (Zhe Tree Ear)
[Names] Zhe Huang.
[Indications] Lung abscess with coughing up of purulent, bloody, and foul-smelling sputum, whether pus is formed or not. Use 1 liang powdered, mixed with Baichi Shuang (Tooth Powder) 2 qian, pasted and pilled to size of wutong seeds. Take 30 pills with rice drink, very effective (Li Shizhen).

Yanglu Er
Chen Zangqi stated: Produced in South Mountain.
[Taste and Properties] Neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Old blood stasis and masses, breaks blood and stops bleeding, decocted and taken (Chen Zangqi).