Library

(Shangpin, High Grade) from *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica)

[Names] Gou (from *Erya*, pronounced "ji". Written as "Gouji" in *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Gouji (from *Yanyi*), Kuqi (from *Mao Shi Shu*), Hongcaitou (from *Tujing*), Tianjing (from *Baopuzi*), Digux (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Difux (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Dixian (from *Rihua Bencao*), Queshu (from *Bielu*).

Li Shizhen said: Gou and Qi are names of two trees. This plant has thorns like the Gou tree and stems like the Qi tree, hence the combined name. Daoist texts state: A thousand-year-old Lycium chinense may take the shape of a dog, thus deriving the name "Gou"; whether this is true remains uncertain. Su Song said: There are three types of Xianrenzhang (Immortal Staff): one is Lycium chinense; one is a vegetable with leaves resembling Sonchus oleraceus; the third is black dead bamboo stalks.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Lycium chinense grows in the plains and marshes of Changshan, as well as hills, slopes, and riverbanks everywhere.

Su Song said: It is now found everywhere. Sprouts emerge in spring; the leaves resemble those of Punica granatum but are soft and thin, edible, and commonly called Hongcaitou. The stems grow 3-5 chi high, forming clumps. Small red-purple flowers appear in June and July. Red fruits form at any time, slightly elongated like jujube pits. The root is named Digupi (Cortex Lycii). The *Classic of Poetry · Xiao Ya* says: "Gathering on lush Lycium." Lu Ji's commentary on the *Classic of Poetry* says: Also known as Kuqi. Grows in spring, tastes slightly bitter when made into soup. Its stems resemble Rubus species. Fruits ripen in autumn, bright red. Consuming stems, leaves, and fruits lightens the body and benefits qi. People currently believe Lycium chinense and Gouji are similar. The true Lycium chinense has elongated fruits and thornless branches. The round, thorny variety is Gouji, unsuitable for medicine. Ma Zhi, commenting on the entry for Deutzia scandens, notes: Deutzia scandens has thorns, Lycium chinense does not, distinguishing them. Deutzia scandens also has the name Jugux, similar to Lycium chinense's name Digux; they should be distinguished. Some say Deutzia scandens is distinguished by being tall and robust, which is incorrect. Current Lycium chinense can be very tall and robust, especially effective in medicine. Kou Zongshi said: Distinguishing between Lycium chinense and Gouji is futile. All Qi plants have thorns. Even when large enough to form a trellis, thorns remain. Smaller plants have more thorns; larger ones have fewer. Just as Sour Jujube and Ji are essentially the same thing.
Moreover, those from Ganzhou are considered supreme. Currently, Lycium chinense in Lanzhou, Lingzhou, and west of Jiuyuan in Shaanxi are large trees with dense leaves and thick roots. Those from Hexi and Ganzhou have fruits round as cherries, dried tightly small with few seeds, skin red and lustrous, sweet and beautiful, tasting like grapes, suitable as fruit, differing from other regions. Shen Kuo's *Brush Talks* also states: Those growing at the extreme border of Shaanxi are over one zhang high, thick enough for pillars. Leaves several cun long, thornless. Root bark resembles Magnolia officinalis. Thus, for medicinal use, those from Hexi are generally superior. *Book of Tree Planting* states: Collect seeds and dig roots, plant in fertile soil. When sprouts emerge, cut as vegetables, very good.

[Flavor and Nature] Lycium chinense (Stem/Leaf): Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic.
*Bielu* states: Root: Greatly Cold. Fruit: Slightly Cold, Non-toxic. Harvest roots in winter, leaves in spring and summer, stems and fruits in autumn.
Zhen Quan said: Lycium chinense: Sweet, Neutral. Fruit and leaves are the same.
Kou Zongshi said: For Lycium chinense, use stem bark; for Digupi, use root bark; for Guqizi, use red fruits. The bark is cold, root greatly cold, fruit slightly cold. People nowadays mostly use the fruit for tonifying the Kidney, failing to thoroughly examine the classic intent; it should be used according to deficiency/excess and cold/heat.
Li Shizhen said: Examining *Shennong Bencao Jing*, it only mentions Lycium chinense without specifying root, stem, leaf, or fruit. *Bielu* adds "root greatly cold, fruit slightly cold," implying Lycium refers to the herbaceous part. Zhen's *Yaoxing Lun* says Lycium is Sweet, Neutral, fruit and leaves same, implying Lycium refers to the root; Kou's *Yanyi* treats Lycium as stem bark; all are conjectures. According to Tao Hongjing, Lycium root and fruit were used for longevity practices. The method of the Woman of Xihe for consuming Lycium uses root, stem, leaf, flower, and fruit. Thus, the flavors and indications in *Shennong Bencao Jing* likely refer collectively to root, herb, flower, and fruit, originally without distinction. Later generations separated Guqizi (fruit) as a tonic and Digupi (root bark) as an antipyretic, causing divergence. I propose Lycium herb/leaves are Bitter-Sweet and Cool; root is Sweet-Bland and Cold; fruit is Sweet and Neutral. Since flavors differ, functions must differ. This is where later scholars surpassed earlier ones.

[Indications] Lycium chinense: Treats evil qi in the five viscera, heat accumulation with thirst, generalized bi syndrome with wind-dampness. Long-term use strengthens sinews and bones, lightens the body, prevents aging, and tolerates cold and heat (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Directs downward qi in chest and hypochondrium, treats external heat headache, supplements internal injury from severe fatigue and panting, strengthens Yin, promotes urination (*Bielu*). Supplements essence and qi deficiencies, improves complexion, whitens skin, brightens eyes, calms the spirit.

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: This generally refers to the combined efficacy of root, herb, flower, and fruit. Regarding the single use of the herb...

[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, Cold. Zhen Quan said: Sweet, Neutral.
Li Shizhen said: Sweet, Cool. Incompatible with Arsenic and Cinnabar.

[Indications] Relieves irritability, enhances willpower, supplements Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries, strengthens heart qi, expels wind from skin and joints, clears heat toxins, disperses sores (Meng Shen).
Made into soup with mutton, beneficial to humans, expels wind and brightens eyes.
Drunk as tea, stops thirst, clears heat and irritability, benefits Yang function, resolves facial toxins, incompatible with milk and cheese. Juice instilled into eyes removes wind-induced membranes and blurred vision (Zhen Quan).
Clears external heat in Upper Jiao Heart and Lung (Li Shizhen).

Digupi (Root Bark)

[Preparation] Lei Xiao said: When using roots, dig them up, soak in flowing eastward water, brush off dirt, beat out the core, soak in cooked Licorice decoction overnight, then dry by baking.

[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, Cold. *Bielu* states: Greatly Cold. Zhen Quan said: Sweet, Neutral.
Li Shizhen said: Sweet, Bland, Cold.
Zhang Yuansu said: Bitter, Neutral/Cold. Ascending, Yin.
Li Haogu said: Enters Foot Shaoyin and Hand Shaoyang meridians. Modulates Realgar and Orpiment.

[Indications] Finely chopped, mixed with flour, boiled, and swallowed, expels Kidney wind, benefits essence and qi (Zhen Quan).
Expels bone heat and thirst (Meng Shen).
Resolves bone-steaming muscle heat and thirst, wind-damp bi, strengthens sinews and bones, cools blood (Zhang Yuansu).
Treats不定 wind pathogens on the exterior, bone-steaming with sweating in consumption diseases (Li Gao). Purges Kidney fire, descends latent fire in Lungs, clears fire in the bladder, reduces fever, supplements healthy qi.
Decoction for gargling stops tooth bleeding, treats osteomyelitis of the jaw (Wu Rui). Miraculous for traumatic injuries (Chen Cangqi).

Guqizi (Fruit)

[Preparation] Li Shizhen said: When using, pick clean of branches, select bright ones, wash, moisten with wine for one night...

[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, Cold. Zhen Quan said: Sweet, Neutral.

[Indications] Strengthens sinews and bones, promotes longevity, expels wind, removes deficiency-fatigue, supplements essence and qi (Meng Shen). Treats Heart disease with dry throat and chest pain, thirst with excessive drinking; Kidney disease with middle-jiao diabetes...

[Elucidation] Tao Hongjing said: Lycium leaf soup is slightly bitter. Folk proverb: Travel a thousand miles from home, do not eat Metaplexis japonica or Lycium. These two supplement essence and qi, strengthen sexual function. Lycium root and fruit are used for longevity practices; the description is excellent, named Immortal Staff, carrying deep meaning?
Su Song said: Stems, leaves, and fruits, when consumed, lighten the body and benefit qi. *Huainanzi: Zhenzhong Ji* records the method of the Woman of Xihe for consuming Lycium: First month, Yin day harvest root, Second month, Mao day prepare and consume; Third month, Chen day harvest stem, Fourth month, Si day prepare and consume; Fifth month, Wu day harvest leaves, Sixth month, Wei day prepare and consume; Seventh month, Shen day harvest flowers, Eighth month, You day prepare and consume; Ninth month, Xu day harvest fruit, Tenth month, Hai day prepare and consume; Eleventh month, Zi day harvest root, Twelfth month, Chou day prepare and consume. There are also preparations making extracts from flowers, fruits, roots, stems, and leaves, or extracting juice from fruits alone; their effects are identical. Legend has it that Nanqiu Village in Penglai County has much Lycium, some one or two zhang high, roots firmly intertwined. Locals live long lives, attributed to the qi of their food and water. Also, near the Great Well of Kaiyuan Temple in Runzhou, old Lycium grows. Locals call it Lycium Well, saying drinking its water is very beneficial.
Lei Xiao said: Roots resembling animal shapes are superior.
Li Shizhen said: According to Liu Yuxi's *Poem on Lycium Well*: "Medicine tree in monk's quarters leans against the cold well, / Well has clear spring, medicine has spirit. / Emerald leaves cover stone jar, / Bright red ripe fruits shine on copper vase. / Branches lush, originally Immortal Staff; / Roots old, able to form auspicious dogs. / Top-grade function like nectar taste, / Know that one spoon can prolong life." Also *Continued Biographies of Immortals* states: Zhu Ruzi saw two spotted dogs by the stream, chased them under a Lycium bush. Dug up roots shaped like two dogs. Cooked and ate them, suddenly felt body lightness. Zhou Mi's *Haoran Zhai Daily Notes* states: During Emperor Huizong of Song, building walls in Shenzhou, Lycium was found in soil, shaped like a dog, sent rapidly to court, namely the thousand-year Lycium mentioned by immortals, shaped like a dog. Based on these accounts, the nourishing power of Lycium is not limited to the fruit, nor is the root limited to reducing fever. However, the flavors of root, herb, and fruit differ slightly, and indications may also differ. Generally, the herb is Tianjing, Bitter-Sweet and Cool, suitable for external heat in Upper Jiao Heart and Lung; the root is Digux, Sweet-Bland and Cold, suitable for deficiency-heat in Lower Jiao Liver and Kidney. These are medicines for the Qi aspect of the Three Jiao, as stated: "When heat dominates internally, purge with Sweet-Cold." As for the fruit, it is Sweet-Neutral and Moist, nature nourishing and tonifying, cannot reduce fever, only tonifies Kidney and moistens Lung, generates essence and benefits qi. This is a neutral tonic, as stated: "When essence is insufficient, tonify with flavor." Used separately, each has specific indications; used together, both goals are achieved. People only know using Scutellaria baicalensis and Phellodendron amurense, Bitter-Cold to treat Upper Jiao fire; Phellodendron amurense and Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Bitter-Cold to treat Lower Jiao Yin fire. Called tonifying Yin and descending fire, long-term use damages healthy qi. They do not know the wonder of Lycium and Digupi, Sweet-Cold and neutral tonification, making essence and qi full so evil fire retreats naturally. Alas! I once used Artemisia annua to assist Digupi in reducing fever, achieving remarkable results, which people did not understand. Liu Songshi, Minister of War, courtesy name Tianhe, from Macheng. His collected *Baoshou Tang Formulas* records Dixian Dan: Once an extraordinary person, Barefoot Zhang, passed this formula to an old man in Yishi County. After taking it, he lived over a hundred years, walked swiftly, white hair turned black, fallen teeth regrew, sexual function strong. This medicine is neutral in nature, regular use expels evil heat, brightens eyes, lightens body. Spring harvest Lycium leaves, named Tianjing Cao; Summer harvest flowers, named Changsheng Cao; Autumn harvest fruit, named Guqizi; Winter harvest root, named Digupi. Shade dry, soak in non-ash wine for one night, expose to sun and dew for forty-nine days, absorb qi of sun and moon, dry and powder, refine honey into pills size of bullet. Chew one pill finely morning and evening, swallow with overnight boiling water. Select thornless, sweet-tasting parts; thorny ones are useless.

[Attached Formulas] Ten old, twenty-three new.
Lycium Decoction: Treats deficiency-fatigue, reduces deficiency-heat, lightens body, benefits qi, prevents all carbuncles and ulcers. Use thirty jin of Lycium (stems/leaves in spring/summer, roots/fruits in autumn/winter), boil in one shi of water to obtain five dou, boil dregs again to obtain five dou, clarify and strain, boil down to two dou, cook until like syrup. Take one ge with wine every morning. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Golden Marrow Decoction: Pick ripe red Lycium fruits daily, any amount, soak in non-ash wine, seal with wax paper to prevent leakage. After two months, pound in mortar, filter juice, mix with soaking wine in silver pot, simmer slowly stirring constantly to avoid sticking. When thick like syrup, store in clean bottle. Take two large spoons with warm wine every morning, twice at night. After one hundred days, body light and qi strong; if continued for years, one may achieve transcendence. (*Jingyan Fang*)
Lycium Wine: *Waitai Miyao* states: Tonifies deficiency, removes labor-heat, grows flesh, improves complexion, fattens and strengthens, treats liver deficiency with tearing. Use five sheng raw Lycium fruits, crush, put in silk bag, soak in two dou good wine, seal tight, twenty-seven days. Drink as desired, do not get drunk.
*Jingyan Houfang*: Lycium Wine: Turns hair white back to black, promotes longevity and lightness. Use two sheng Lycium fruits (harvest facing east on Ren/Gui days in October), soak in two dou good wine in porcelain bottle for twenty-one days. Add three sheng fresh Rehmannia juice, mix well, seal. Open thirty days before Start of Spring. Drink one cup warm on empty stomach; after Start of Spring, beard and hair turn black. Do not eat Elsholtzia, scallion, garlic.
Four Spirits Pill: Treats Kidney meridian deficiency, blurry vision, or nebula covering pupil. One jin Ganzhou Lycium fruits (moisten with good wine, divide into four parts: one liang Sichuan pepper stir-fried with one quarter, one liang fennel stir-fried with one quarter, one liang sesame stir-fried with one quarter, one liang Toosendan fruit stir-fried with one quarter, remove Lycium), add one liang each prepared Rehmannia, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, powder, refine honey into pills, take daily. (*Ruizhutang Fang*)
Liver Deficiency with Tearing: Two sheng Lycium fruits, silk bag, soak in one dou wine (sealed) for twenty-one days, drink. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Red Eyes with Nebula: Pound Lycium fruits into juice, instill three to five times daily, miraculous. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Facial Freckles/Darkening: Ten jin Lycium fruits, three jin fresh Rehmannia. Powder. Take one cun bi dose with warm wine, three times daily. Long term yields youthful face. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Summer Weakness Disease: Lycium fruits, Schisandra chinensis, grind fine, steep in boiling water, seal three days, drink as tea effective. (*Shesheng Fang*)
Digupi Wine: Strengthens sinews and bones, supplements essence and marrow, prolongs life and promotes longevity. One jin each Lycium root, fresh Rehmannia, Chrysanthemum morifolium, crush, boil in one shi water to obtain five dou juice, cook five dou glutinous rice, mix with fine yeast, ferment in urn as usual. When ready, clarify, drink three cups daily. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Deficiency-Fatigue with External Heat: Lycium root, powder. Mix with plain water. Contraindicated for chronic disease patients. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Bone-Steaming Irritable Heat and All Deficiency-Fatigue Irritable Heat, Post-Illness Irritable Heat: All use Dixian San: Two liang Digupi, one liang Saposhnikovia divaricata, half liang roasted Licorice. Use five qian, five slices ginger, decoct in water and take. (*Jisheng Fang*)
Heat-Labor Like Burning: Two liang Digupi, one liang Bupleurum chinense, powder. Take two qian with Ophiopogon japonicus decoction. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Deficiency-Fatigue with Bitter Thirst, Bone Joint Irritable Heat or Chills: Five sheng white bark of Lycium root (cut), three sheng Ophiopogon japonicus, two sheng wheat, two dou water, boil until wheat is cooked, strain. Take one sheng, drink when thirsty. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Kidney Deficiency Low Back Pain: One jin each Lycium root, Eucommia ulmoides, Dioscorea hypoglauca, soak in three dou good wine, seal in jar, boil in pot for one day. Drink as desired. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Unceasing Hemoptysis: Lycium root, fruit, bark make powder, decoct in water. Drink daily. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Hematuria: Wash fresh Digupi, crush to extract natural juice (if no juice, decoct in water). Take one cup, add little wine, warm take before meals. (*Jianbian Fang*)
Leukorrhea with Rapid Pulse: One jin Lycium root, five jin fresh Rehmannia, one dou wine, boil to five sheng. Drink daily. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Epidemic Red Eye Sudden Swelling: Three jin Digupi, three dou water, boil to three sheng, strain, add one liang salt, obtain two sheng. Frequently wash and instill. (Xiaodaoren of Longshang, *Tianzhu Jing*)
Wind-Insect Toothache: Decoct white bark of Lycium root in vinegar, rinse, insects come out. Can also decoct in water and drink. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Mouth and Tongue Ulceration: Digupi Decoction: Treats bladder transferring heat to Small Intestine, ascending to cause mouth ulcers, sores and rotting, Heart/Stomach congestion heat, inability to eat/drink. Use three qian each Bupleurum chinense and Digupi, decoct in water and take. (Dongyuan, *Lanshi Micang*)
Pediatric Ear Carbuncle: Occurs behind ear, Kidney carbuncle. Single ingredient Digupi, decoct in water to wash. Also mix powder with sesame oil and apply. (Gao Wenhu, *Liaohuazhou Xianlu*)
Qi Carbuncle Sores Unhealed for Years: Yingxiao San (also Tuoli San): Make powder of Digupi (winter harvested). Dip paper twist into sore frequently, naturally generates flesh. Also take two qian with rice drink, three times daily. (*Waike Jingyi*)
Male Chancre: First wash with grain water, then apply Digupi powder. Generates flesh, stops pain. (*Weisheng Baojian*)
Female Vulvar Swelling or Sores: Decoct Lycium root in water, frequently wash. (*Yonglei Fang*)
Thirteen Types of Ding Sores: Harvest leaves on Shangjian days in first lunar month (name Tianjing), branches on Shangjian days in fourth month (name Gou), fruits on Shangjian days in seventh month (namequelao), roots on Shangjian days in tenth month (name Digux), sun dry and powder (if cannot follow method, one type is sufficient). Wrap medicine in crimson silk. One tungtongzi-sized Bull Calculus, thirty-seven reverse-hook thorns, seven adzuki beans, powder. First spread chicken-egg-sized loose hair on silk, then spread Bull Calculus powder, roll into ball, tie with hair, roast in iron until boiling, cool, scrape and powder. Take one fangcun bi, mix with two bi of previous Lycium powder, take with wine on empty stomach, twice daily. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Carbuncles and Malignant Sores, Unceasing Pus and Blood: Digupi any amount, wash, scrape coarse bark, take fine white pith. Boil coarse bark with bone in water to wash, let pus and blood drain completely. Apply fine pith, immediate effect. A court official had carbuncle on abdomen/flank for a year. Someone washed with Digupi decoction, discharged one or two sheng of blood. Family feared, wanted to stop. Patient said: Carbuncle feels slightly relieved. Wash again, use about five sheng, blood gradually lightened then stopped. Apply fine pith, next day scabbed and healed. (Tang Shenwei, *Bencao*)
Phrenic Abscess Discharging Fluid, spreading to hands, feet, shoulders, back, clustered like red beans: Decoct juice of Lycium root and Abelmoschus manihot root/leaves, boil until like maltose, take as desired. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Corn on Toe, Painful and Ulcerated: Grind Digupi and Carthamus tinctorius fine, apply, healed next day. (*Guige Shiyi*)
Fire-Toxin Carbuncle: Urgent to prevent poison gas entering heart/abdomen. Crush Lycium leaves into juice, take, immediately heals. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Dry Eyes with Nebula: Two liang Lycium leaves, one liang Purslane,乳汁 (milk - *Note: Text implies mixing with milk or similar fluid, literal translation 'juice' often used for plant exudates but here context suggests vehicle*), wrap in Mulberry leaf, hang in shade overnight. Take juice to instill, not exceeding three to five times. (*Shibian Liangfang*)
Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries, General Weakness: Half jin Lycium leaves (cut), two he glutinous rice, mix with Fermented Soybean Juice, cook into porridge, eat daily is good. (*Jingyan Houfang*)