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Phlegm-fluids and retained water: Peach Flower Powder — Collect peach flowers, dry them in the shade, and grind into powder. Take one *ge* (approx. 20ml) with warm wine to induce bowel movement. If feeling weak after taking it, consume a small amount of thin porridge for nourishment. This method is different from harsh purgatives. (From Cui Xinggong's *Zuanyao Fang*).

Hong Kong foot (podagra) swelling and pain: Take one *sheng* (approx. 1 liter) of peach flowers, dry them in the shade, and grind into powder. Sip slowly with warm wine each time; the swelling will subside overnight. (From *Waitai Miyao*).

Lower back and spine pain: On the third day of the third lunar month, collect one *dou* and one *sheng* (approx. 11 liters) of peach flowers, three *dou* (approx. 30 liters) of well-water drawn at dawn (Jinghua Shui), six *sheng* of yeast, and six *dou* of rice. Steam the rice until cooked, and brew according to standard winemaking methods. Take one *sheng* per dose, three times daily. The effect is miraculous. (From *Qianjin Fang*).

Suppurating sores that do not heal: Grind peach flowers into powder, mix with lard, and apply to the affected area twice daily. (From *Qianjin Fang*).

Scalp tinea capitis (bald ringworm): On the third day of the third lunar month, collect unopened peach flowers, dry them in the shade, and mix with an equal amount of red mulberries (*Morus alba* fruit). Grind into powder and mix with lard. First wash the scabs off with ash lye, then apply the mixture. (From *Shiliao*).

Puffy sores on the scalp: On the 105th day after Cold Food Festival, collect peach flowers and grind into powder. After meals, take one *cunfang bi* (approx. 5g) mixed with half a cup of water, three times daily. Very effective. (From Cui Yuanliang's *Haishang Fang*).

Yellow facial acne: Same method as above.

Sores on the feet: Mix equal parts of peach flowers and salt, pound evenly, and apply mixed with vinegar. (From *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).

Freckles like sparrow eggs (facial pigmentation): Grind peach flowers and winter melon seeds into powder in equal proportions. Mix with honey and apply to the face. (From *Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Dry feces blocking the intestines, causing abdominal distension and pain without passage: Use one *liang* (approx. 37g) of moist peach blossoms, mix with three *liang* of flour, make into wontons, boil until cooked, and eat on an empty stomach. By noon, the abdomen will rumble like thunder, indicating the expulsion of foul matter. (From *Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Facial acne and pimples resembling rice grains: Use three *liang* each of peach flowers and cinnabar (*Zhusha*), grind into powder. Take one *qian* (approx. 3.7g) each time, washed down with well-water on an empty stomach, three times daily. Improvement seen in ten days; within twenty days, black fluid will be expelled from pores the size of a small box, and the complexion will become bright and white. (From *Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

To make the face radiant: Collect peach flowers on the third day of the third lunar month, and chicken blood on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Mix and apply to the face. After two or three days, when it peels off, the complexion will be radiant. (From *Shengji Zonglu*).

Leaves
Song said: Pick the tender leaves, called "Peach Heart," which are superior for medicinal use.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Expels corpse worms and insects from sores (*Bencao Jing Jiuzhu*). Treats evil qi, pediatric cold-heat and sudden fright (*Meng Shen*). Treats Shanghan (cold damage), seasonal epidemics, wind-bi with no sweat, head wind, unblocks large and small intestines, stops Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome) abdominal pain (Li Shizhen).

[Innovation] Song said: Peach Leaf Sweating Method — Zhang Wenzhong's *Beiji Fang* treats epidemic diseases. A Grand Imperial Physician used a peach leaf decoction fumigation method: Boil one *shi* (approx. 60 liters) of water with peach leaves, extract seven *dou*. Place under the bed mat, cover with thick quilts, lie on the bed, and fumigate with the heat. Soon, profuse sweating should occur like rain. Once sweat covers the body, remove the liquid, quickly dust with powder, and moxa the Dazhui (GV14) acupoint; the disease will be cured. Additionally, Chen Linqiu's *Duanju Fang* mentions Ruan Henan's peach leaf steaming method: For those who have sweated repeatedly but cannot produce sweat, death ensues; this steaming method can be used, similar to treating wind-stroke. Heat the ground, remove fire, sprinkle a little water, lay dry peach leaves two to three inches thick, lie on a mat over the leaves, cover warmly to induce heavy sweating, keep the bedding dry with powder, and the illness will resolve. Cypress leaves, wheat bran, and silkworm excrement can all be used this way. Zhang Miao said: There was once a person extremely fatigued and sweating, who lay on a bamboo mat and caught cold, suffering only from cold and fatigue. He had eight episodes of attempted sweating over four days with no success. Using this method, he recovered.

Li Shizhen said: According to Xu Shumi's *Benshi Fang*: When treating Shanghan, physicians must consider both exterior and interior, following the proper sequence. Formerly, Fan Yun, an official under Emperor Wu of Liang, contracted a seasonal epidemic fever and summoned Xu Wenbo for diagnosis. At that time, Emperor Wu was about to receive the Nine Bestowals, and the deadline was imminent. Fan Yun feared he would not survive in time and requested a rapid cure. Wenbo said: "This is easy, but I fear you will not rise again in two years." Yun said: "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening," let alone two years. Wenbo then heated the ground, spread peach and cypress leaves on it, and let Yun lie on it. Soon, sweat appeared, powder was applied, and he recovered the next day. Two years later, Yun indeed passed away. Taking sweat prematurely can still shorten life; how much more so for those who ignore the exterior-interior balance and timing just to seek a quick cure? Peach leaf sweating is a wonderful method, yet even it has such warnings; how can one not be cautious?

[Attached Prescriptions] Nine old, two new.

Wind attacking the neck causing stiffness and inability to look back: Dig a pit, heat it red, sprinkle water to cool it, and铺 fresh peach leaves inside. Lie on a mat, place the neck over the pit, steam until sweating occurs, and recover after a long time. (From *Qianjin Fang*).

Pediatric Shanghan and seasonal qi: Use three *liang* of peach leaves, five *sheng* of water, boil ten times to extract juice. Wash/apply five or six times daily. Afterwards, burn two male rat droppings and ingest them. Excellent. (From *Shanghan Leiyao*).

Unblocking of both urine and stool: Take half a *sheng* of peach leaf juice. In winter, use peach bark. (Sun Simiao's Formula).

Huoluan with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea: Cut three *sheng* of peach leaves, add five *sheng* of water, boil to obtain one *sheng* and three *he*, divide into two doses. (From *Waitai*).

Expelling the Three Corpses Worms: Pound peach leaves to extract juice, take one *sheng*. (From *Waitai Miyao*).

Intestinal hemorrhoids with bleeding: Pound one *hu* (approx. 100 liters) of peach leaves, steam them, and sit in a small-mouthed vessel containing the steam; worms will exit naturally. (From *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).

Women's yin sores, itching and painful like insect bites: Freshly pound peach leaves, wrap in cotton, and insert into the vagina, changing three or four times daily. (From *Shiliao Bencao*).

Sores on the feet: Pound peach leaves, mix with vinegar, and apply. (From *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).

Sores inside the nose: Pound tender peach leaf hearts and stuff into the nostrils. If no leaves are available, use branches. (From *Jianbian Fang*).

Tinea corporis and faciei: Pound peach leaves at noon, extract juice, and apply. (From *Qianjin Fang*).

Various insects entering the ear: Stuff cooked peach leaves into the ear. Or pound to extract juice and drip. Or make a pillow; sleep on it for one night, and the insects will exit naturally. (From *Meishi Fang*).

Stems and White Bark
[Processing] Li Shizhen said: Both tree bark and root bark can be used, with root bark being superior. Select branches growing eastward, scrape off the rough outer bark, and use the white inner bark.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Expels evil ghosts and mid-e (sudden evil attack) abdominal pain, removes heat from the stomach (*Bencao Jing Jiuzhu*). Treats Zhu-wu (chronic infectious disease) heart and abdominal pain, resolves Gu poison (parasitic poisoning), wards off epidemics, treats jaundice where the body and eyes are yellow like gold, kills various sores and worms (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] Fifteen old, five new.

Epidemic diseases: Frequently bathe in decoction made from east-growing peach branches. Good. (From *Leiyao*).

Jaundice yellow like gold: On a clear morning, before chickens, dogs, or women see it, take a handful of east-growing peach roots as thin as chopsticks or hairpins. Cut finely, add one *sheng* of water, boil to one *sheng*, and take on an empty stomach in one dose. After three to five days, the yellow color will dissipate like thin clouds, fully recovering in one hundred days. After the yellow subsides, drink a cup of clear wine occasionally to help disperse the yellow in the eyes; otherwise, dispersion is slow. Avoid hot noodles, pork, fish, etc. This is a secret formula from Xu Zhicai's family. (From *Leiyao*).

Lung heat with panting and urgency (*Jiyan*): Treats lung heat oppression, panting, alternating external heat, near-death sensation, and intolerance to oral medication. Use one *sheng* each of peach bark and Genkwa Flos (*Yuanhua*), four *sheng* of water, boil to obtain one *sheng* and five *he*. Soak an old cloth in the juice, apply thinly to the chest, warm the limbs, and stop within moments. (From *Tujing Bencao*).

Throat obstruction with pain: Drink three *sheng* of peach bark decoction. (From *Qianjin Fang*).

Heart deficiency with forgetfulness (*Shenghui*), to sharpen ears and eyes: On a Wuzi day, take fourteen *cun* (approx. 46cm) of east-growing peach branch as a pillow. Another prescription: Before sunrise on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, carve a three-*cun* wooden figure from an east-growing peach branch, tie it to the belt, and wear it. (From *Qianjin Fang*).

Sudden heart pain: Cut one handful of east-growing peach branch, boil in one *sheng* of wine to half a *sheng*, take in one dose. Highly effective. (From *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).

Ghost-related heart pain: Take one handful of east-growing peach branch, remove rough bark, cut, add two *sheng* of water, boil to half a *sheng*, take frequently. (Cui's Formula).

Resolving Gu Poison: Use east-growing peach white bark (dried), Euphorbiae Humifusae Radix (*Daji*), and Mylabris (*Banmao* - remove feet and wings, stir-fry). Equal parts, grind into powder. Take half a *cunfang bi* with cold water; the poison will exit. If not, take again. If poisoned by alcohol, take with wine; if by food, take with food. *Bixiao Fang* says: This is the method of Li Raozhou. It can also be made into pills with rice wash water. (From Su Song's *Tujing Bencao*).

Sudden malignant sores, unrecognized by people: Take peach bark, make into shavings, and insert into the sore. (Sun Simiao's Formula).

Sudden pharyngoliths (scrofula), non-painful: Apply peach tree white bark to the sore, moxa 14 moxibustions. Good. (Sun Simiao's Formula).

Heat disease mouth ulcers: Contain strong decoction of peach branches. For sores in the lower body, insert it. (From *Leiyao*).

Lower body sores: Boil peach white bark to obtain a thick liquid like thin syrup, add a little bear bile, dip cotton in the medicine, and insert into the lower body sores. (From *Meishi*).

Five types of hemorrhoids with pain: Decoct peach roots, soak and wash with the juice; worms will likely emerge.

Pediatric damp tinea: Grind peach tree green bark into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply frequently. (From *Zimu Milu*).

Mad dog bite: Take one handful of peach white bark, three *sheng* of water, boil to one *sheng*, and take. (From *Meishi Fang*).

Edema with short urination: Three *jin* (approx. 1.8kg) of peach bark (remove outer and inner bark), one *dou* of broomcorn millet, one *sheng* of female yeast. Boil peach bark in two *dou* of water, extract one *dou* of juice. Use half to soak the yeast, half to soak the millet rice. Brew normally as wine. Take one *ge* per dose, three times daily. Stop when heat is felt in the body. Increased urination indicates disease removal. Avoid raw/cold foods and all toxic substances. (From *Shengji Zonglu*).

Women's amenorrhea, not menstruating for years, sallow complexion, blue-white lips and mouth, abdominal masses, prominent veins on the abdomen, swollen calves: Decoct peach roots. Use one *jin* each of peach tree root, Arctii Fructus (*Niubangzi*) root, Verbena officinalis Radix (*Mabiancao*), Achyranthes bidentata Radix (*Niuxi*), and Curcuma phaeocaulis Rhizoma (*Pengru*). Chop, add three *dou* of water, boil to one *dou*, strain. Further boil slowly until like syrup. Take one spoonful mixed with hot wine each time. (From *Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Toothache and cheek swelling: Equal parts of peach white bark, willow white bark, and locust white bark. Decoct in wine, rinse with hot liquid, spit out when cool. (From *Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Pediatric white alopecia: Decoct five *liang* of peach bark, add white flour, wash hair, and also ingest. (Same as above).

Peach Gum
[Processing] Li Shizhen said: When peach trees are lush, score the bark with a knife; gum will ooze out over time. Collect, soak in ash lye from mulberry branches, sun-dry, and use. If ingested, follow the specific refining method.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Refined and taken, preserves the middle jiao, prevents hunger, withstands wind and cold (*Bencao Jing Jiuzhu*). Treats kidney stones (Shilin), invigorates blood, treats mid-e and chronic infections (*Su Gong*). Resists evil ghost qi (*Meng Shen*). Harmonizes blood, tonifies qi, treats dysentery, relieves pain (Li Shizhen).

[Innovation] Song said: *Bencao* states refined peach gum taken prevents hunger. According to immortal methods for taking gum: Take twenty *jin* of gum, put in silk bag, boil in one *shi* of oak ash lye for three to five boils. Hang in a high place to dry, then boil again. Repeat three times. Sun-dry, grind, sieve, mix with honey, make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take twenty pills with wine on an empty stomach. Long-term use makes the body light and prevents aging.

Li Shizhen said: According to *Baopuzi*: Peach gum soaked in mulberry ash lye and taken eliminates hundred diseases, allows grain fasting for months, and eventually causes the night to shine like the moon. Also, *Lie Xian Zhuan* states Gao Qiu Gong became an immortal by eating peach gum. Ancient formulas regarded peach gum as an immortal medicine, but later generations rarely use it. Could its efficacy not be as extraordinary as claimed?

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old, three new.

Deficient heat with thirst: Hold a pill-sized piece of peach gum in the mouth. Good. (From *Waitai*).

Kidney stone pain: Take peach gum the size of a jujube. In summer, mix with three *ge* of cold water; in winter, with three *ge* of hot water. Take three times daily. Stones will pass; stop when stones are exhausted. (From *Gujin Luyan*).

Blood strangury with pain: Stir-fried peach gum, Akebia Caulis (*Mutong*), and Gypsum Fibrosum (*Shigao*), one *qian* each. One cup of water, boil to 70%, take after meals. (From *Yang Shi Jiacang Fang*).

Postpartum dysentery with red and white discharge, tenesmus, and abdominal pain: Dry-roasted peach gum, Agarwood (*Chenxiang*), and Pollen Typhae (*Puhuang* - stir-fried), equal parts. Grind into powder. Take two *qian* before meals with rice water. (From *Furen Liangfang*).

Smallpox with convulsions and black sinking: Decoct peach gum and drink. Or boil into paste, dissolve in wine, and take. Highly effective. (From *Zongwei Lun*).

Peach Talisman
[Indications] Mid-e, spirit possession, and evil qi. Decoct in water and drink. (From Meng Shen).

[Innovation] Li Shizhen said: *Dianshu* states: Peach is the wood of the West, the essence of the five woods, and an immortal wood.
Its flavor is pungent and odor repulsive, thus it can suppress evil qi and control hundred ghosts. This is why people use peach talismans on doors today. *Yuzhuo Baodian* states: Placing peach boards on doors wards off evil, based on the *Shanhaijing* story of Shenshu and Yulei dwelling under the peach tree in the East Sea, commanding all ghosts.
Xu Shen said: Yi died by a peach club (*Bang*). *Bang* means staff. Thus ghosts fear peach, and now people use peach stems carved into pegs (*Jue*) to ward off ghosts. *Liji* states: When the king mourns, shamans lead with a peach twig broom (*Li*) to ward off misfortune. *Li* refers to a broom made of peach twigs. *Bowuzhi* states: Peach root seal can summon ghosts. *Zhenyi Zhuan* states: Ghosts only fear southeast branches. Based on these accounts, the branches, leaves, roots, kernels, peach owl, and peach pegs mentioned in *Bencao* all ward off evil spirits and strange occurrences, having historical origins. Qian Yi's pediatric formula: To drain accumulated heat and solve chest binding, using Croton Seed (*Badou*), Realgar (*Pi*), and Mercury drugs, administered with peach talisman decoction, also follows the principle of suppression.

Peach Peg (From *Shiyi*)
Li Shizhen said: *Jue* is pronounced "jue," meaning peach stem. People often nail them into the ground to stabilize the house; those three years old are best.

[Indications] Sudden heart and abdominal pain, ghost-related diseases, invigorates blood, dispels evil qi and distension. Decoct and drink; same function as peach talisman. (From Zang Qi).

[Attached Prescriptions] One new.

Wind-worm toothache: Burn the peach peg under the door, collect the juice, drop a little into the cavity, and seal with wax. (From *Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Peach Mistletoe See Wood Section.
Peach Borer Moved to Insect Section.