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(Recorded in the Lower Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Classic of Materia Medica])

**[Names]** Bai Tong (Bai Paulownia) (Tao Hongjing), Huang Tong (Yellow Paulownia) (*Xinxiu Bencao Tujing* [Illustrated New Materia Medica]).
Li Shizhen says: The "Tong Ye" (Paulownia Leaf) in *Shennong Bencao Jing* refers to Bai Tong (Bai Paulownia). The flowers of the Paulownia tree form a tube-like shape, hence it is called Tong. Its wood is light and porous, white in color with beautiful grain patterns, so it is commonly known as Bai Tong (White Paulownia) or Paotong (Bubblewood), and in ancient times it was called Yitong (Chair Paulownia). It blooms before leafing out, so *Erya* calls it Rongtong. Some say it flowers but does not bear fruit; this is due to a lack of careful observation. Lu Ji considered "Yi" to be Wutong (Firmiana simplex), while Guo Pu considered...

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Mingyi Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians] states: Tong Ye (Paulownia Leaf) grows in the valleys of Tongbai Mountain.
Tao Hongjing says: There are four types of Paulownia trees: Qingtong (Green Paulownia), with green leaves and bark, resembling Wutong but without seeds; Wutong (Chinese Parasol Tree), with white bark and leaves similar to Qingtong but bearing seeds, which are plump and edible; Baotong (White Paulownia), also named Yitong, often planted by households, indistinguishable from Gangtong except that it has flowers and seeds, blooming in the second lunar month with yellow-purple flowers. The *Book of Rites* records: "In the middle month of summer, the Paulownia blooms." Zheng Xuan noted: "Tong refers to Wutong." Su Song said: Paulownia trees grow everywhere. Lu Ji's *Caomu Shu* [Account of Grasses and Trees] states that Baotong is suitable for making qins and se (musical instruments). People in Yunnan collect the white fuzz from the flowers, soak it, spin it into cloth, which resembles woolen cloth and is called Huabu (Flower Cloth). Yi refers to Wutong. Currently, the species used for oil extraction in Jiangnan is Gangtong, whose seeds are larger than those of Wutong. There is a type of Paulownia in Jiangnan that blooms red flowers in autumn and bears no fruit. There is a Zitong (Purple Paulownia) with flowers like...
Su Song said: *Shennong Bencao Jing* does not specify which type of Paulownia leaf is meant, making precise application difficult. However, each of the four types has therapeutic effects. Baotong has trifid leaves, produces white flowers, and bears no fruit. Gangtong has no flowers, is too heavy for making musical instruments. Rentong (Oil Paulownia) seeds can be made into tung oil. Wutong bears edible seeds. Li Shizhen says: Tao Hongjing annotated four types of Paulownia, classifying seedless ones as Qingtong and Gangtong, and seeded ones as Wutong and Baotong. Kou Zongshi annotated that both Baotong and Gangtong are seedless. Su Song annotated Gangtong as Oil Paulownia. Jia Sixie's *Qimin Yaoshu* [Essential Techniques for the Welfare of the People] states: Those with plump fruits and green bark are Wutong; those flowering but not fruiting are Baotong. What Baotong bears in winter resembling seeds are actually next year's flower buds, not seeds. Gangtong is indeed Oil Paulownia, with large oily seeds. This view contradicts Tao's. Through modern inquiry, both have merits and flaws. Essentially, Baotong is Paotong. Its leaves are up to one chi in diameter and grow very easily. The bark is rough and white; the wood is light and porous, resistant to insect damage, and excellent for making utensils and roof pillars. It blooms in the second lunar month, looking like morning glory flowers but white. The fruit is as large as a giant date, over one cun long, containing seed plates inside the shell, light and airy like elm samaras or mallow seeds; when mature, the shell splits and scatters with the wind. The variety with purple flowers is called Gangtong. Rentong is Oil Paulownia. Qingtong is the seedless variant of Wutong. According to Chen Zhu's *Tongpu* [Monograph on Paulownia], the distinction between Baotong and Gangtong is clear. He states: White-flowered Paulownia has coarse texture and slow growth, preferring sunny locations. Seedlings grow three to four chi per year; root suckers grow five to seven chi. Its leaves are round, large, pointed, angular, smooth, and hairy. It flowers before leafing out. Flowers are white with slightly red centers. Fruits are two to three cun in size, divided into two chambers, containing fleshy tissue with thin plates on which the seeds lie. Purple-flowered Paulownia has fine texture and hard nature, also growing in sunny places but not as fast as Baotong. Its leaves are triangular-round, as large as Baotong, green, hairy, not smooth, hard, and slightly reddish. It also flowers before leafing out, with purple flowers. Fruits are similar to Baotong but slightly sharper, resembling Chezi (Chebula terminalia) and sticky, with yellow flesh in the chambers. The bark color of both is the same, differing only slightly in flowers and leaves, and in their hard or slow-growing natures. Some bloom again in winter.

**Tong Ye [Paulownia Leaf]**
**[Properties and Flavor]** Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic.
**[Indications]** Malignant erosive sores affecting the genitals (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Reduces swelling and detoxifies, promotes hair growth (Li Shizhen).
**[Attached Prescriptions]** Four new prescriptions.
Swelling and edema of hands and feet: Boil Tong Ye in water to make a decoction for soaking, and drink a small amount. Adding Adzuki beans is especially effective. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*)
Carbuncles and sores on the back as large as a plate, foul-smelling and putrid, unbearable to approach: Steam Tong Ye with vinegar and apply as a paste. Reduces heat and pain, gradually generates flesh and closes the wound; an extremely effective secret recipe. (*Yilin Zhengzong*)
Hair loss and failure to regrow: One handful of Tong Ye, three sheng of Sesame Semen (Hempseed), boiled in rice washing water for five to six boils. Remove dregs. Wash hair daily to promote growth. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)
Whitening of hair turned black: Collect abundant frost-exposed Tong Ye and its seeds, crush them, steam in a steamer, squeeze juice through raw linen cloth, and use to wash the head. (*Puji Fang*)

**Mu Pi [Cortex Paulowniae / Paulownia Bark]**
**[Indications]** Five types of hemorrhoids, kills three parasites (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats Ben Tun Qi disease (Rushing Pig Qi) (*Mingyi Bielu*). Five types of strangury. Washing hair, dispels Wind-Headache, promotes hair growth and moisturizes (Zhen Quan). Treats malignant sores and pediatric erysipelas; decoct and apply juice (Li Shizhen).
**[Attached Prescriptions]** Three new prescriptions.
Edema starting from the feet: Peel Paulownia wood, boil in water, soak the affected area, and drink a small amount. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)
Typhoid fever with mania: After six or seven days, extreme heat causes delirious speech, hallucinations of seeing ghosts, and restlessness. Take a bundle of Mu Pi (scrape off black outer bark, break into four-cun pieces), decoct with five he of wine and one sheng of water until half a sheng remains. Strain and take in one dose. The patient will vomit and pass several sheng of yellow-green fluid, and will recover. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)
Traumatic injuries from falls: Use bark of Water Paulownia, remove green outer layer keeping the white inner layer, stir-fry with vinegar, crush, and apply as a poultice. (*Jijian Fang*)

**Hua [Paulownia Flower]**
**[Indications]** Apply to treat swine sores. Feeding pigs with it makes them three times fatter (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
**[Attached Prescription]**
Visual Hallucinations (Seeing flying birds and insects): This indicates a disorder of the Liver and Gallbladder. Mix equal parts (one liang) of Qingtong Zi Hua (Flowers of Green Paulownia Fruit), Suanzaoren (Ziziphus Seed), Xuanming Fen (Mirabilite), and Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix). Powder them. Take two qian per dose, decoct in water, consume with the dregs, three times daily. (*Jingyan Liangfang*)