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(Yu, You two pronunciations. Listed in the Superior Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*.)

[Names] Lingyu (*Benjing*), those that are white are called Baiyu (White Elm).
Li Shizhen says: According to Wang Anshi's *Zishuo*: "Elm wood is heavy and flexible, hence it is called Yu." Its pods drift and scatter, hence it is called Lingyu.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Elm bark grows in the valleys of Yingchuan. The bark is harvested in the second lunar month, scraped clean, and dried in the sun. The fruit is harvested in the eighth lunar month. Care must be taken not to let them get damp, as dampness harms the human body. Tao Hongjing says: This is the elm tree known today. When taking the bark, scrape off the outer reddish layer; it can also be used on the spot. Its nature is extremely slippery and lubricating. The newly formed pod kernels, when made into porridge or soup, cause excessive drowsiness, which is what Ji Kang referred to as "Elm induces sleepiness." Su Gong says: Elm fruits ripen in the third lunar month and fall shortly after. To say they are harvested in the eighth lunar month is likely an error. Chen Cangqi says: There are no large elms in the Jiangdong region. There is a Thorny Elm (*Ci Yu*) that bears fruit in autumn. Therefore, the statement in the *Jing* about harvesting in the eighth month is incorrect. The bark of the Thorny Elm is not slippery.
Su Song says: Elms are found everywhere. Pods appear in the third lunar month. In ancient times, people harvested the kernels to make porridge, but this is no longer done today; only aged kernels are used to make sauce. Note: *Erya Shu* states: There are dozens of elm varieties, all with similar leaves, differing only in bark and wood grain. The Thorny Elm has thorns like those of the Torreya tree, its leaves resemble elm leaves, and when boiled into vegetable soup, it is slipperier than White Elm. This is what *Erya* calls "Shu, Yu," and what the *Book of Songs* refers to as "The mountain has Shu." White Elm produces leaves first, then pods. Its bark is white. Bark is peeled in the second lunar month; after scraping off the rough outer layer, the inner part is extremely smooth and white. This corresponds to what *Erya* calls "Yu, Bai Fen." During famine years, farmers harvest the bark, grind it into powder, and eat it as grain without harming the body. Fruits are harvested in the fourth lunar month. Zong Ying says: For elm bark, the variety that produces pods before leaves in early spring is the one. It is stored when tender for use in soups and vegetables. During the Jiayou era, people in Fengpei used it extensively due to food shortages. Li Shizhen says: Xing Bing's *Erya Shu* notes: There are dozens of elm species, which modern people cannot fully distinguish; they only know Pod Elm, White Elm, Thorny Elm, and Lang Elm. Pod Elm and White Elm are both large elms. There are red and white varieties. The white variety is called Baiyu, and the trees are very tall and robust. Before leaves emerge, elm pods grow between branches; they are small, coin-shaped, white, and hang in strings, commonly known as "Elm Coins" (Yu Qian). Leaves appear later, resembling Cornus officinalis leaves but longer, with moist tips. Tender leaves are blanched, soaked, and washed before eating. Thus, *Neize* states: "Jin, Huan, Fen, Yu, Mian, Gao are used to lubricate." In the third lunar month, elm coins can be made into soup or stored until winter for brewing wine. After blanching and drying, they can be made into sauce, i.e., Elm Kernel Sauce. Cui Shi's description is similar, though slightly more bitter. All elms have a property that suppresses ground vegetation, so grains do not grow beneath them. In ancient times, firewood was taken from elms in spring. Today, people harvest the white bark to make Elm Flour, which, when mixed with water and fragrant agents, is stickier and smoother than glue or lacquer.
Cheng Cheng says: Wet elm bark pounded into a paste is extremely effective for adhering tiles and stones. People in Bian and Luo use stone pestle heads, bonding them with this adhesive.

[Bark]
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, neutral, slippery and lubricating, non-toxic.

[Indications] Obstruction of urination and defecation, promoting urinary flow, dispelling pathogenic factors.
Long-term consumption stops hunger, lightens the body, and prevents starvation. The fruit is particularly effective (*Benjing*). Treats heat and toxic qi in the stomach and intestines, reduces swelling, and treats scabs on infants' heads (*Bielu*). Unblocks meridians.
Pounded juice applied externally treats tinea corporis (*Daming*). Promotes childbirth, benefits five types of strangury, treats asthma/cough, and cures insomnia (*Zhen Quan*).
Fresh bark pounded and mixed with three-year-old vinegar residue applied topically treats sudden red swelling, including breast engorgement in nursing women; change dressing six to seven times daily for efficacy (*Meng Shen*). Opens orifices, leaches out damp-heat, and promotes fluid circulation.

[Analysis] Meng Shen says: People in Gaochang often pound white elm bark into powder and mix it with pickled vegetables; it is delicious and promotes appetite. Immortals consume it long-term, and those taking mineral pills also consume it to benefit joint mobility.
Li Shizhen says: Elm bark and leaves have a slippery, descending nature, acting on the Hand-Taiyang, Foot-Taiyang, and Hand-Yangming meridians. Therefore, they are suitable for conditions such as urinary obstruction, five types of strangury with swelling, cough/asthma, insomnia, and various meridian, pregnancy, and postpartum disorders. The *Ten Categories of Materia Medica* states: "Slippery substances remove adherence," citing Dongkuizi and Bai Yupi. This is because they open orifices, leach damp-heat, and eliminate tangible stagnations. They are suitable for excess qi with congestion. However, for those with cold deficiency in the stomach, long-term use of draining substances may leak true qi.

[Attached Prescriptions] Nine old prescriptions, nine new prescriptions.
Stop fasting without hunger: Powdered elm bark and tan bark, taken several he per day (*Jiu Huang Ben Cao*).
Unrelenting asthma: Dried white elm bark, roasted and powdered. Take 2 qian with 5 he of water morning and night, decocted until gelatinous (*Yao Xing Lun*).
Severe chronic cough threatening life: Effective prescription by Xu Ming: Cut thick elm bark finger-thick, remove black parts, carve into saw-like segments over a chi long, insert into throat and move frequently, expectorating pus and blood to cure (*Gujin Luyan*).
Deficiency consumptive turbid urine: Two sheng of white elm bark, two dou of water, decocted to five sheng, divided into five doses (*Qianjin Fang*).
Qi strangury: Decoction of elm branches and Stone Swallow (*Shi Yanzi*) taken daily (*Puji Fang*).
Five stranguries with painful urination: Dried white elm bark, roasted and powdered. Take 2 qian with 5 he of water, decocted until gelatinous, twice daily (*Puji Fang*).
Thirst with polyuria, not strangury: Two jin of elm bark, remove black skin, decoct one dou of water to five sheng. Take 3 he per dose, three times daily (*Waitai Miyao*).
Sudden body swelling: Elm bark powder cooked with rice as porridge; urination becomes clear.
Easy delivery at term: Roasted white elm bark powder. Take one cun bi three times daily during the final month to facilitate easy delivery (Cheng Cheng *Bencao Bieshuo*).
Abortion with continuous bleeding: Half liang each of white elm bark and Dang Gui (roasted), with fresh ginger, decocted in water and taken (*Puji Fang*).
Dead fetus in uterus or mother ill needing expulsion: Decoction of white elm bark, take two sheng (*Zimu Milu*).
Sores on body and head: Powdered white elm bark mixed with oil applied topically; worms will emerge (Yang Shi *Chanru*).
Burns and ulcerated sores: Chewed white elm bark applied topically (*Qianjin Sui*).
Five-colored erysipelas: Commonly called wandering swelling; victims often die,
Infestinal parasites in children: Elm bark powder mixed with lard applied on cotton gauze; worms emerge and heal immediately (*Qianjin Fang*).
Carbuncles on back: Sliced white elm root bark, washed clean, pounded thoroughly, mixed with sesame oil applied, leaving the head open for air. Moisten frequently with bitter tea if dry,
Scrofula in children: Freshly pounded white elm bark into mud, applied topically. Change frequently (*Bixiao Fang*).
Tinea capitis in children: Vinegar mixed with white elm bark powder applied; worms will emerge (*Zimu Milu*).

[Leaves]
[Flavor and Nature] Same as above.
[Indications] Tender leaves made into soup or blanched; reduces edema, promotes urination, expels kidney stones, counteracts mineral pill toxicity (Cangqi. Li Shizhen adds: Dried and powdered, mixed with light salt water, roasted or sun-dried, eaten with vegetables; also acrid, slippery, and drains water qi). Decoction washes rhinophyma. Honey pills with equal parts Suanzaoren taken daily treat gallbladder heat and deficiency consumptive disorders.

[Flowers]
[Indications] Infantile epilepsy, difficult urination, heat injury (*Bielu*).

[Pod Kernels]
[Flavor and Nature] Slightly acrid, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Eaten as porridge/soup, causes drowsiness (Hongjing). Treats leukorrhea in women; made into soup with beef (Cangqi). Kernel sauce resembles Coriander seed; aids lungs, kills parasites, directs qi downward, promotes appetite, resolves malignant qi in heart/abdomen, treats sudden chest pain, applies to sores/tinea; aged material is best (Meng Shen).

[Elm Ear]
See Black Fungus entry.