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(From *Shiliao Bencao*)

[Correction] Originally attached under the entry for "Jiang" (fermented paste), now separated.

[Collected Explanations]
Li Shizhen says: Preparation method: Take elm seeds, soak in water for one *fu* period (approximately 12 hours), place in a bag, rub and wash to remove mucus, mix with *Liao* (Polygonum) juice and sun-dry. Repeat this seven times. Then mix with fermented dough starter (*qu*), add salt and sun-dry according to the method for making Jiang. The ratio is: for every *sheng* of elm seeds, use four *jin* of starter, one *jin* of salt, and five *jin* of water. Cui Shi's *Simin Yueling* calls it "Moutou". This is it. Pronounced *móu tōu*.

[Aroma and Flavor] Pungent and delicious, warm nature, non-toxic.

[Indications] Promotes urination and defecation, eliminates malignant qi in the heart and abdomen, kills various parasites. Should not be eaten in excess (Meng Shen).

(From *Shiliao Bencao*)

[Correction] Originally attached under the entry for "Jiang", now separated.

[Collected Explanations]
Li Shizhen says: The preparation method is the same as that for Elm Seed Paste.

[Aroma and Flavor] Pungent, delicious, with a slight odor, warm nature, non-toxic. Eating too much causes hair loss.

[Indications] Kills three types of parasites; its efficacy is stronger than that of Elm Seed Paste (Meng Shen).

[Enlightenment] Zhang Congzheng said: Northerners often consume dairy products, butter, and dried meats, which are the germs of parasite generation. Those who do not get parasites likely consume more *Husui* (Coriander), *Wuyi* (Chrysanthemum indicum fruit), and brine, which are substances that kill nine types of parasites.

(From *Mingyi Bielu*, Lower Grade)

[Names] *Cu* (pronounced like vinegar), *Xi* (pronounced like xi).

Tao Hongjing said: Vinegar and wine are used universally, penetrating everything; the longer they age, the better. They are also called *Xi*. Because of their bitter taste, they are commonly called "Bitter Wine". Alchemists add other substances and call it "Huachi Zuowei".

Li Shizhen said: Liu Xi in *Shiming* stated: "Cu" means "Cuo" (to arrange/place). It can manage food toxins. Ancient prescriptions mostly used the character "Zuo".

[Collected Explanations]
Su Gong said: There are several types of vinegar: rice vinegar, wheat vinegar, qu vinegar, bran vinegar, lees vinegar, maltose vinegar, peach vinegar, grape vinegar, jujube vinegar, and various other fruit vinegars. Those who understand the essence consider them extremely sour and sharp. Only two- to three-year-old rice vinegar is suitable for medicinal use. The rest...

Meng Shen said: Northerners mostly use lees vinegar, while people outside the rivers mostly use rice vinegar; wheat vinegar is inferior. Lees vinegar has many contraindications. Barley vinegar is good.

Zangqi said: Su Jing mentioned that grapes and jujubes can make vinegar because he was from Jingchu, where land is poor, so spoiled fruits were used to brew wine. Lees vinegar is not even used medicinally, let alone fruit vinegar?

Li Shizhen said: Rice Vinegar: During the Sanfu days, take one *dou* of warehouse rice, wash clean, steam into rice, spread out to cool, sun-dry and winnow, then wash clean with water. Separately steam two *dou* of warehouse rice, mix evenly into a jar, cover with water, seal tightly, and keep in a warm place for twenty-one days. Glutinous Rice Vinegar: On the Autumn She day, take one *dou* of glutinous rice, wash and steam, mix evenly with small qu made from wheat on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, add two *dou* of water, put in a jar, seal and ferment for twenty-one days. Millet Vinegar: Take one *dou* of aged millet, wash and soak for seven days, steam until cooked, wash again, put in a jar, seal tightly, stir morning and evening, ready in seven days. Wheat Vinegar: Soak wheat in water for three days, steam until cooked, cool, put in a jar, cover with water, ready in forty-nine days. Barley Vinegar: Take one *dou* of barley grains, soak in water, steam into rice, cool and dry, wash with water, then mix with two *dou* of barley rice, add water, seal, and ferment for twenty-one days. Maltose Vinegar: Dissolve one *jin* of maltose in three *sheng* of water by boiling, add two *liang* of white qu powder, seal in a bottle and sun-dry. Other lees and bran vinegars are not used medicinally and cannot be fully recorded.

Rice Vinegar

[Aroma and Flavor] Sour, bitter, warm nature, non-toxic.

Meng Shen said: Barley Vinegar: Slightly cold. Other vinegars are the same.

Tao Hongjing said: Eating too much damages muscles and organs.

Zangqi said: Eating too much damages sinews and bones, and also harms the stomach. It does not benefit men and damages complexion. Vinegar activates the properties of various herbs and should not be taken together with medicines.

Li Shizhen said: Sour belongs to Wood. Patients with Spleen disease should not eat sour foods excessively. Sour injures the Spleen and flesh... Those taking *Fuling* (Poria) and *Danshen* (Salvia miltiorrhiza) should not eat vinegar. *Jingyuan* states: Rice vinegar is used to decoct *Xionghuang* (Realgar), *Dansha* (Cinnabar), *Danfan* (Blue Vitriol), *Changshan* ( Dichroa febrifuga), etc.

[Indications] Disperses carbuncles and swelling, dissipates fluid retention, kills evil toxins (*Mingyi Bielu*). Regulates various herbs, detoxifies (Bian Que). Treats postpartum blood syncope, removes hard masses... and postpartum or traumatic bleeding with syncope, kills all fish, meat, and vegetable toxins (*Rihua Bencao*). Vinegar-ground *Qingmuxiang* (Aucklandia) stops sudden heart pain and blood qi pain. Soaked *Huangbai* (Phellodendron) held in the mouth treats mouth ulcers. Mixed with *Dahuang* (Rhubarb) powder and applied treats swelling and toxicity. Decocted raw *Dahuang* treats *Pi* accumulation very well (Meng Shen). Disperses blood stasis, treats jaundice and yellow sweat (Haogou said: Zhang Zhongjing treated yellow sweat with Huangqi Shaoyao Guizhi Kujiu Tang; treated jaundice with Mahuang Chunjiu Tang, using Kujiu and Qingjiu. Formulas see *Jingui Yaolue*).

[Enlightenment]
Zangshi said: Rice vinegar is the strongest among all vinegars and is mostly used in medicine because it retains the full grain qi, thus surpassing lees vinegar. In the delivery room, it is beneficial to drip vinegar onto hot charcoal to create vapor, as sourness benefits blood. Grinding *Xionghuang* (Realgar) with vinegar and applying it to bee/wasp stings utilizes its property of astringency without dispersion. Nowadays, eating sour food softens teeth, attributed to Water generating Wood; when Water qi is weak, Wood qi is strong, hence this effect. In boot leather making, vinegar is required to cause wrinkling, proving its astringent nature, fulfilling the meaning of "Sour Astringency".

Li Shizhen said: According to Sun Guangxian's *Beimeng Suoyan*: A maid holding a child fell onto charcoal fire and was burned. Applying vinegar mud healed it quickly without scars. Another person... severely affected, saw a bowl of mustard vinegar on the table, drank it slowly, and felt his chest open up, with vision clearing. Qingyun said: You ate too much fish; fish fears mustard vinegar, so I tricked you into healing. These two cases prove the efficacy of *Mingyi Bielu* in treating carbuncles and killing evil toxins. Generally, vinegar treats various sores, swellings, accumulations, heart/abdominal pain, phlegm/fluid/blood diseases, and kills fish/meat/vegetable and insect poison vapors. This is primarily due to its sour astringency, but it also has the function of dispersing blood stasis and resolving toxicity. Li Pengfei said: Vinegar can be drunk in small amounts to ward off cold and is superior to wine. Wang Jian did not eat vinegar since childhood; over eighty years old, he still retained his spirit.

[Attached Prescriptions] Twenty-one old, twelve new.

Body sudden edema: Apply vinegar mixed with earthworm feces (*Qiantan*). (*Qianjin Fang*).

White Tiger Wind Toxin: Decoct five *sheng* of three-year-old strong vinegar for five boils, add three *sheng* of sliced green onion whites, boil once, strain. Soak cloth in it and wrap while hot. Stop when pain ceases. (*Waitai Miyao*).

Huo Luan vomiting and diarrhea: Decoct salt and vinegar, drink. Very effective. (*Ruyi Fang*).

Huo Luan irritability and distension, unable to vomit or purge: Drink three *sheng* of good Kujiu (bitter vinegar/vinegar). (*Qianjin Fang*).

Foot muscle cramp: Soak old cotton in vinegar, steam hot in a steamer, wrap around foot. Change when cold, do not stop until cured.

Sweating not dripping, emaciated waist and legs, and deafness: Soak *Jingsanleng* (Curcuma zedoaria) in rice vinegar for four days in summer, six days in winter. Grind to powder. Take two *qian* mixed with vinegar water. Cured immediately. (*Jingyan Houfang*).

Axillary狐臭 (Fox Odor): Apply three-year-old strong vinegar mixed with *Duanshi* (Calamine/Litharge). (*Waitai*).

Yang Feng disease: Apply vinegar mixed with sulfur powder. (*Waitai Miyao*).

Carbuncle/Furuncle not ulcerated: Mix Kujiu with sparrow feces (size of small bean), apply to the head of the sore. It will penetrate immediately. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).

Tongue swelling not subsiding: Mix vinegar with soot from the bottom of the pot (*Fudi Mo*), apply thickly to upper and lower tongue. Reapply if it falls off. Subsides in moments. (*Qianjin Fang*).

Wood Tongue swelling and stiffness: Contain and rinse with sugar vinegar frequently. (*Puji Fang*).

Toothache: Boil one *sheng* of rice vinegar with one *sheng* of Goji bark (*Gouqi Baipi*). Take half *sheng*, contain and rinse. Cured immediately. (*Zhouhou Fang*).

Nosebleed: Take half date-sized amount of vinegar mixed with *Hufen* (Lead White). Another method: Apply vinegar mixed with soil to the scrotum. Change when dry.

Block ear to treat deafness: Roast *Fuzi* (Aconite) slightly with pure vinegar, sharpen tip, insert into ear. (*Qianjin Fang*).

Facial freckles: Soak *Baizhu* (Atractylodes macrocephala) in Kujiu, frequently...

Arsenic poisoning: Drink strong vinegar. Vomiting leads to cure. Do not drink water. (*Guangji*).

Sulfur-induced carbuncle: Mix vinegar with fermented soybeans (*Chi*), grind to paste, apply. Change when dry. (*Qianjin Fang*).

Egg toxicity: Drink a little vinegar. Dissolves immediately. (*Guangji*).

Whole body lice emergence: See Salt entry in Stone section.

Poisonous bee sting: Quickly drink one or two bowls of clear vinegar to prevent toxin dispersion, then apply medicine. (*Jiji Fang*).

Scorpion sting: Grind *Fuzi* (Aconite) with vinegar, apply juice. (*Shiyi Xinjing*).

Centipede bite: Grind pig iron with vinegar, apply. (*Qie Zhong Fang*).

Spider bite: Same as above.

Qu Niao Chuang (Ureteral ulcer?): Apply vinegar mixed with *Hufen* (Lead White). (*Qianjin Fang*).

Insects entering ear: For any insects, centipedes, ants entering the ear, inject Kujiu (vinegar), stand up and walk, they will come out. (Qian Yi).

Scalds and burns: Immediately wash with sour vinegar, and apply vinegar mud. Very excellent, leaves no scars.

Wild wolf smoke entering mouth: Drink a little vinegar. (*Mifang*).

Frostbite on feet: Wash feet with vinegar, apply crushed lotus root.

Dead fetus not expelled, months not full: Boil soybeans in vinegar, drink three *sheng*. Immediately decomposes. If not expelled, drink again. (...).

Placenta not expelled, abdominal fullness kills: Add a little vinegar to water... face.

Ghost strike sudden death: Blow a little vinegar into the nose. (*Qianjin Fang*).

Breast abscess hardness: Place vinegar in a jar, throw in heated stones twice, soak warmly. When cold, heat stones again and throw in. Not more than three times, then cured. (*Qianjin Fang*).

Early Ding (hard boil) swelling: Surround with flour paste, prick sore randomly with needle. Boil vinegar in copper vessel, pour into the ring, hold one *zhan*. Change when cold, three times. Root comes out.