Library

(Sourced from the Song Dynasty "Jia You Ben Cao")

[Names] Li Shizhen stated: This herb has nodes and a rough, abrasive surface. It is used to polish wood and bone; rubbing it makes the surface smooth and clean, hence the name "Mu Zei" (Wood Thief), implying it acts as a thief against wood.

[Collection & Description] Su Yuxi stated: Mu Zei (Equiseti Herba) grows in areas near water in Qin, Long, Hua, and Cheng prefectures. The shoots are about one chi long and grow in clumps. Each stem has a single axis, without flowers or leaves, with nodes at every inch. The color is green, and it does not wither in winter. It is harvested in April.

Su Song stated: It grows near water in various places and can be harvested at any time; it is currently used extensively.

Li Shizhen stated: It grows upright in dense clusters, reaching two or three chi in height. Its shape resembles the shoots of Eleocharis tuberosa (Biqi) and the grass used for wrapping zongzi, but it is hollow inside with nodes. It also resembles the stems of Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) but is slightly thicker and lacks branches and leaves.

[Stem]

[Properties & Flavor] Sweet, slightly bitter, non-toxic. Li Shizhen stated: Warm in nature.

[Indications] Treats eye diseases, removes corneal opacities (Yi Yi Mo), dissipates accumulations, benefits the Liver and Gallbladder, treats intestinal wind (Chang Feng), stops dysentery, and addresses continuous menstruation in women and metrorrhagia with red and white discharge (Ben Zhong Chi Bai). It releases the muscle layer, stops tearing and bleeding, dispels wind-dampness, treats hernial pain, and corrects rectal prolapse.

[Elucidation] Su Yuxi stated: When combined with Ox Cornu (Niujiao) and Moschus (Shexiang), Mu Zei treats chronic intermittent dysentery. When combined with Yu Yuliang (Halloysitum Rubrum), Dang Gui, and Xiong Qiong, it treats metrorrhagia with red and white discharge. When combined with Huai E (Hua Er) and Sang Er, it treats blood in stool due to intestinal wind. When combined with Huai Zi and Zhi Shi, it treats hemorrhoidal bleeding.

Zhu Zhenheng stated: Mu Zei, when dried after removing the nodes, induces sweating very easily, a property not mentioned in earlier Materia Medica texts.

Li Shizhen stated: Mu Zei is warm in temperature and slightly sweet and bitter in flavor. It is hollow and light, belonging to Yin within Yang, with ascending and floating properties. It shares similar form and nature with Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang); therefore, it can also induce sweating and release the muscle layer, ascend and disperse fire stagnation and wind-dampness, and treat various blood disorders of the eyes.

[Attached Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, nine new ones.

Blurred vision with excessive tearing: Mu Zei (nodes removed) and Cyperi Rhizoma (Cangzhu, soaked in rice water) each 1 liang. Grind into powder. Take 2 qian each time, mixed with tea. Honey pills are also acceptable.

Acute throat obstruction: Burn Mu Zei with cow dung until carbonized (preserving efficacy). Take 1 qian with cold water; relief occurs upon slight bleeding. (From "Sheng Hui Fang")

Tongue stiffness with bleeding: Rinse mouth with decoction of Mu Zei; bleeding stops immediately. (From "Sheng Hui Fang")

Incessant bloody dysentery: Mu Zei 5 qian, decoct in water and take warm once daily. (From "Sheng Hui Fang")

Incessant hematochezia: Same prescription as above, taken twice daily. (From "Guang Li Fang")

Intestinal hemorrhoids with bleeding, persistent for years: Use Mu Zei and Aurantii Fructus Pericarpium (Zhike) each 2 liang, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Ganjiang) 1 liang, and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang) 2.5 qian. Stir-fry them together in a pot until blackened but preserving efficacy, then grind into powder. Take 2 qian each time with millet drink. Very effective. (From Su Song's "Tu Jing Ben Cao")

Rectal prolapse: Burn Mu Zei until carbonized, grind into powder, apply to the area, and push back manually to stop prolapse. Alternatively, add Longgu. (From "San Yin Fang")

For women with metrorrhagia, unbearable qi and blood pain, regardless of duration, Lei Shi Mu Zei San is indicated: Mu Zei 1 liang, Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) 1 liang, Natrii Sulfas (Puxiao) 0.5 liang. Grind into powder. Take 3 qian each time. If the blood is dark, decoct in one zhan of wine; if bright red, decoct in one zhan of water. Take with dregs twice daily. For pain below the navel, add Rushingxiang, Moyao, and Dang Gui each 1 qian, and decoct together. Avoid raw, cold, hard foods, pork, fish, greasy foods, alcohol, and wheat products. (From "Yi Lei Yuan Rong")

Continuous menstruation: Mu Zei (stir-fried) 3 qian, decoct in one zhan of water until reduced to 0.7 zhan. Take warm once daily. (From "Sheng Hui Fang")

Restless fetus: Mu Zei (nodes removed) and Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) in equal parts. Grind into powder. Take 3 qian each time, decoct with one zhan of water and adding 1 qian of Jin Yin (Silver/Gold flower or foil). (From "Sheng Ji Zong Lu")

Small intestine hernia: Finely chop Mu Zei, stir-fry lightly, grind into powder. Mix with boiling water and take 2 qian slowly for effect. Another method: take with hot wine. (From Kou Zongshi's "Ben Cao Yan Yi")

Accidental swallowing of copper coins: Grind Mu Zei into powder, mix with egg white, and take 1 qian. (From "Sheng Hui Fang")

[Appendix] Equiseti Arvensis Herba (Wen Jing) Chen Cangqi stated: Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Treats Qi stagnation and tumors. Grows on islets; shoots resemble Mu Zei with connected nodes. Also known as Jie Xu Cao.