Library

(Recorded in the Lower Category of *Bie Lu*)

**Names:** (Pronounced Shan), Sha Mu

**Collection and Explanation:** Su Song stated: The origin of Shan wood was not previously recorded in standard texts. Currently, it grows abundantly in the deep mountains of the South. Its wood is similar to pine but stiffer and straighter; its leaves grow attached to the branches, resembling needles. Guo Pu, in his commentary on *Erya*, noted: "It resembles pine and grows in Jiangnan. It can be used for boats and coffins; pillars buried in the ground do not rot." Furthermore, people commonly use it for bucket boards, as it is very water-resistant.

Kou Zongshi stated: The trunk of Shan is upright and straight, generally resembling pine. It does not shed leaves in winter, though its leaves are broader and form distinct branches. It is now found everywhere. For medicinal use, you must use You Shan (Oily Shan) and those with a strong odor, which are superior.

Li Shizhen stated: The leaves of Shan wood are hard, slightly flat like thorns, and the fruit resembles that of the maple tree. People in Jiangnan take branches around the Awakening of Insects (Jingzhe) solar term for cutting and planting. Wood imported from Japan is called "Gan Zao" (Dry). Those with patterns resembling pheasant feathers are called "Ye Ji Ban" (Wild Pheasant Pattern); they are especially prized for making coffins. This wood does not harbor white ants, and its ash ignites gunpowder most easily.

**Shan Material**

**Odor and Taste:** Acrid, slightly warm, non-toxic.

**Indications:** For lacquer dermatitis (Qi Chuang), wash with a decoction boiled from Shan wood; there is no case that cannot be cured (*Bie Lu*). Boil water to soak and massage Hong Kong Foot (Zu Zhuang / Podagra swelling). Ingestion treats heart and abdominal distension and pain, and expels evil qi (Su Gong). Treats Feng Du Ben Tun (Wind-toxin Ben Tun [a condition where Qi rushes upward from the lower abdomen]).

**Elucidation:** Zhu Zhenheng stated: Shan屑 (wood chips) belong to Metal and possess Fire properties. A decoction of its nodes soaked and massaged on Hong Kong Foot swelling is particularly effective.

Su Song stated: In Tang Dynasty, Liu Zongyuan compiled *Jiu San Si Fang* (Prescriptions to Save Three Deaths): "In the second month of the 12th year of Yuanhe, I suffered from Hong Kong Foot. At midnight, my Qi became obstructed and cut off. There was a lump under my ribs, large as a stone. I was near death, unconscious, convulsing with eyes rolling back, for three days. My family wailed. Zheng Xunmei from Yingyang transmitted the Shan Mu Tang. After taking half a meal's time, I had a massive bowel movement. After three passages, Qi flowed freely and the lump dissipated. The prescription uses one large sheng of Shan wood nodes, one large sheng of Citrus reticulata leaf (cut; if no leaves, use peel instead), seven Areca catechu seeds (crushed with shells), and three large shengs of urine from an uncircumcised boy. Boil together to obtain one and a half large shengs. Divide into two doses. If the first dose brings relief, stop the second. This is a fatal disease; because someone taught it, I did not die. Fearing others might unfortunately suffer this, I transmit it."

**Attached Prescriptions:** Four new prescriptions.

For Lung obstruction with phlegm stagnation, upper Jiao dysfunction, and sudden cough: Take 1 liang of Shan wood chips and 3 liang of Gleditsia sinensis (processed with酥 roast after removing skin). Grind into powder and make pills the size of Chinese quince seeds. Take 10 pills with rice water each time, four times a day. (*Sheng Hui Fang*)

For infantile scrotal swelling, redness, and pain, crying day and night, peeling after several days, recurring after healing: Burn old Shan wood to ash, add Calomel (Ni Fen), mix with clear sesame oil, and apply externally. Effective. (Wei Shi's *De Xiao Fang*)

For lung obstruction causing loss of voice: Burn Shan wood to charcoal and place in a bowl. Cover with a smaller bowl. Pour hot water over the outer bowl to condense steam/drip into the inner bowl. Drink the collected water. Repeat if not cured until voice returns. (*Ji Jian Fang*)

For black and rotting sores: Use old Shan wood nodes from many years ago, burn to ash, mix with sesame oil, apply through a rattan leaf patch, and wrap securely with silk cloth. Heals after several applications. (*Jiu Ji Fang*)

**Bark**

**Indications:** For traumatic bleeding and scalds/burns, take old bark, burn until the nature is preserved (charred but retaining efficacy), grind, and apply. Alternatively, mix with egg white and apply. Heals in one or two days (Li Shizhen).

**Leaves**

**Indications:** For wind and insect toothache, decoct with Chuanxiong rhizome and Asarum root in wine and gargle (Li Shizhen).

**Seeds**

**Indications:** For hernia pain, take one pill per year of age, burn to ash, grind, and take with wine (Li Shizhen).

**Shan Jun** See Vegetable Section.

**Appendix:** Dan Zhi Mu Bark (Zhi, pronounced Zhi) Chen Cangqi stated: Grows in deep mountains of Jiangnan. Resembles Shan wood, reddish bark. Indicated for Lai Feng (Leprosy-like skin diseases). Take a handful, remove the black upper part, crush, decoct until syrupy, and apply daily.