Library

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

[Names] Dukui (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Matixiang (Horse-hoof Fragrance) (from *Tang Ben*), Tulü (from *Erya*), Tuxixin (Earth Asarum) (from *Bencao Gangmu*).

Su Gong stated: Dukheng, its leaves resemble those of Brassica campestris (Kui), and its shape resembles a horse's hoof, hence the common name Matixiang. Su Song stated: In *Erya*, Dukheng is also called Tulü; however, Duruo is also named Dukheng, leading some to suspect they are the same plant. Guo Pu's annotation states: resembling Kui, it should be Dukheng.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bie Lu* states: Dukheng grows in mountain valleys. The roots are harvested on the third day of the third lunar month, thoroughly washed, and dried in the sun. Tao Hongjing stated: Both the roots and leaves resemble Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), differing only slightly in odor. It grows everywhere. It is rarely used in prescriptions, but Daoists consume it, causing one's clothing to become fragrant. Su Gong stated: It grows on the shady side of mountains and in low, damp areas near water. Its leaves resemble Kui, and its shape is like a horse's hoof. Its root resembles Xixin and Baiqian. Currently, people mistakenly substitute it with Ji Ji (Glechoma longituba). Ji Ji has a single stem with four leaves at the tip, white flowers between the leaves, and lacks any fragrance. It is toxic and induces vomiting when ingested; it can only treat sores and scabies, and must not be confused with Dukheng. Su Song stated: It is now found throughout the Jianghuai region. In early spring, shoots emerge from old roots. The leaves resemble the underside of a horse's hoof, growing two or three cun high. The stems are as thick as wheat straw. Each clump has five to seven, or eight to nine leaves, without other branches. Purple flowers grow贴地 (close to the ground) on the reed-heads within the gaps of the stems and leaves. These flowers are faintly visible. Dark fruits develop, bean-sized, containing small seeds resembling Hyoscyamus niger (Tianxianzi) within the clump. The shoots and leaves are green and wither after frost. The roots become hollow, dense and fine like a rice brush, four to five cun long, thicker than Xixin, pale yellowish-white, with a pungent taste. In the Jianghuai region, it is commonly called Matixiang. According to *Shan Hai Jing*: On Mount Tiandi, there is a grass that looks like Kui and smells like Miwu, named Dukheng. One can ride a horse while carrying it, and eating it cures goiter. Guo Pu annotated: Carrying it allows for swift horse riding. Some say horses become vigorous runners upon consuming it. Chen Cheng stated: The root of Dukheng used resembles Xixin, but the root is white, and the leaves resemble the underside of a horse's hoof. Market vendors often confuse it with Xixin; placing the two together reveals their authenticity. Moreover, only Xixin from Huazhou is of good quality. Dukheng is yellow, curled, brittle, and forms a ball when dry. See details under Xixin. Li Shizhen stated: According to *Tusuxingbencao*: Duxixin has round leaves like a horse's hoof; those with purple undersides are superior. They grow in Jiangnan, Jinghu, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Fujian, and Guangdong. Their natural juice can fix sulfur and arsenic, and control mercury.

Root

[Flavor and Toxicity] Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.

[Indications] Cough and rebellious qi due to Wind-Cold. Used as a bath decoction to make the body and clothes fragrant (*Bie Lu*). Stops rushing qi and panting, resolves phlegm-fluid retention, breaks blood stasis, and treats goiters on the neck (Zhen Quan). Directs qi downward and kills parasites (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: Ancient emetic formulas often used Dukheng, but it was actually Ji Ji. Ji Ji resembles Xixin but is toxic and induces vomiting. Historically, many mistook Ji Ji for Dukheng and Dukheng for Xixin, causing errors. Dukheng is non-toxic and does not induce vomiting. Although its efficacy is inferior to Xixin, it can still disperse Wind-Cold, direct qi downward, resolve phlegm, move fluids, and break blood stasis.

[Attached Prescriptions] Six new prescriptions.
Wind-Cold Headache: For wind-strike or cold-strike presenting with headache and fever, at the initial stage. Powder Matixiang, take 1 qian, mixed with hot wine. Drink a bowl of hot tea shortly after to induce sweating, which leads to recovery. Named Xianghan San (Fragrant Sweat Powder) (Wang Ying, *Xinglin Zhaiyao*).
Water Retention: After strenuous exercise and extreme thirst, or after eating hot flatbread and drinking excessive cold water that fails to digest, causing stagnation in the chest, discomfort, and panting. Dukheng 3 fen, Gou Di (Melon Seed) 2 fen, Renshen (Ginseng Root) 1 fen. Grind into powder. Take 1 qian with decoction, twice daily, until vomiting occurs as the limit (*Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang*).
Phlegm-Qi Asthma: Roast and grind Matixiang, take 2-3 qian, mixed with light vinegar during an attack. Vomiting up phlegm and saliva indicates efficacy (*Puji Fang*).
Dysphagia and Chest Obstruction: Matixiang 4 liang. Grind into powder, simmer with 3 sheng of good wine to make a paste. Take 2 spoons, mixed with good wine, three times daily (Sun Shi, *Jixiao Fang*).
Hematemesis with Blood Stasis: After hematemesis, if the heart feels free of oppression, bleeding will stop; if there is irritability, oppression, stabbing pain, and distension, blood stasis remains in the stomach, requiring emesis. Use the same formula as Water Retention.
Throat Closure with Swelling and Pain: Herbal medicine Jin Suoshi (Golden Lock Key), which is Maticao (Horse-hoof Grass). Crush the root, mix with well water (Jinghua Shui), and ingest for immediate effect (*Jiuji Fang*).

[Appendix] Muxixin. Chen Cangqi stated: Bitter, Warm, Toxic. Treats abdominal masses and tumors, constipation, expels stale pathogens, and disperses cold qi. Do not take lightly, as it causes diarrhea leading to exhaustion. Grows in Zhongnan Mountain, does not wither in winter. Shoots resemble Euphorbia lathyris (Daji), roots resemble Xixin.