（《药性》）
【集解】时珍曰∶《汉旧仪》云∶东海度朔山有大桃，蟠屈千里。其北有鬼门，二神守
之，曰神荼、郁垒，主领众鬼。黄帝因立桃板于门，画二神以御凶鬼。《典术》云∶桃乃西
方之木，五木之精，仙木也。味辛气恶，故能厌伏邪气，制百鬼。今人门上用桃符辟邪，以
此也。
【主治】中恶，精魅邪气，煮汁服（甄权）。
【发明】时珍曰∶钱乙《小儿方》有桃符丸，疏取积热及结胸。用巴豆霜、黄柏、大黄
各一钱一字，轻粉、 砂各半钱，为末，面糊丸粟米大。量大小，用桃符汤下。无则以桃枝
代之。盖桃性快利大肠，兼取厌伏邪恶之义耳。
（《拾遗》）
【释名】桃 。
时珍曰∶橛音厥，即 也。人多削桃木钉于地上，以镇家宅。三载者尤良。许慎云∶
羿死于桃 。 ，杖也。故鬼畏桃，而今人以桃梗作 橛，以辟鬼也。《礼记》云∶王吊则
巫祝以桃 前引，以辟不祥。 者，桃枝作帚也。《博物志》云∶桃根为印，可以召鬼。《
甄异传》云∶鬼但畏东南桃枝尔。观诸说，则桃之辟鬼祟疰忤，其来有由矣。
【主治】卒心腹痛，鬼疰，破血，辟邪恶气，腹满，煮汁服之，与桃符同功（藏器）。
风
（《拾遗》）
【集解】藏器曰∶即月食时，救月，击物木也。
【主治】月蚀疮及月割耳，烧为灰，油和敷之（藏器）。乃治 之神药（思邈）。
(From *Yaoxing Lun* [Compendium of Drug Properties])
[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: According to the *Han Jiuyi* [Old Rites of Han], on Mount Duoshuo in the East Sea, there is a giant peach tree whose branches and trunk twist and extend for a thousand li. To its north lies the Gate of Ghosts, guarded by two deities named Shenshu and Yulei, who command all ghosts. The Yellow Emperor therefore established peach boards at the gates, painting images of these two deities to ward off malevolent spirits. The *Dianshu* [Book of Canons] states that the peach tree is a tree of the West, the essence of the Five Woods, and a celestial wood. Its taste is pungent and its odor is foul; thus, it can suppress evil qi and subdue hundred ghosts. Nowadays, people hang peach charms (Taofu) on their doors to repel evil, based on this principle.
[Indications] Sudden onset of Evil Qi invasion (Zhong'e), spirit possession and evil qi, decocted juice taken orally (Zhen Quan).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Qian Yi's *Xiao'er Fang* [Formulas for Children] contains Taofu Wan (Peach Charm Pill), used to drain accumulated heat and treat Jie Xiong (Chest Binding syndrome). It uses Ba Dou Shuang (Croton Seed Frost), Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark), and Da Huang (Rhubarb Root) each one qian and one zi, Qing Fen (Calomel), and Zhu Sha (Cinnabar) half a qian each. These are ground into powder, mixed with wheat paste, and formed into pills the size of millet grains. Dosage is determined by age, administered with Taofu Tang (Peach Charm Decoction). If unavailable, peach branch decoction may be substituted. This is likely because the nature of peach promotes rapid purgation of the Large Intestine, combined with the symbolic meaning of suppressing evil.
(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])
[Names] Tao Jue (Peach Stump).
Li Shizhen said: "Jue" sounds like "Jue", referring to the peach stump. Many people drive peach wood stakes into the ground to stabilize the household residence. Wood from three-year-old trees is especially effective. Xu Shen stated: Yi died under a peach staff; "Jue" means staff. Therefore, ghosts fear peach wood, and nowadays people make peach stumps from peach handles to repel ghosts. The *Liji* [Book of Rites] records: When the King mourns, shamans and diviners lead the way holding peach brooms to avert misfortune. "Jue" refers to a broom made of peach branches. The *Bowuzhi* [Treatise on Diverse Matters] states: Peach roots can serve as seals to summon ghosts. The *Zhenyi Zhuan* [Biographies of Miracles] states: Ghosts only fear peach branches from the southeast. Observing these accounts, the ability of peach wood to repel ghostly influences, Zhu Wu (infectious or pestilential diseases), and adverse qi has historical basis.
[Indications] Sudden cardiac and abdominal pain, Gui Zhu (Ghost Transmission disease), breaking blood stasis, repelling evil qi, abdominal fullness, decocted juice taken orally; efficacy is the same as Taofu (Chen Cangqi).
(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])
[Collected Explanations] Chen Cangqi said: This refers to the wooden object used during a lunar eclipse to "save the moon" by striking objects.
[Indications] Yue Shi Chu (Moon Eclipse Sores) and Yue Ge Er (Ear lesions associated with lunar eclipses), burned to ash, mixed with oil and applied externally (Chen Cangqi). This is a divine medicine for treating ear disorders (Sun Simiao).