Library

(From *Bencao Shiyi* / Supplement to Materia Medica)

[Names] Li Shizhen states: Zhu Xi said that "Tan" (Sandalwood-like tree) is a superior wood. The character derives from "Dan" (亶). "Dan" means good or excellent.

[Collection and Explanation] Chen Cangqi states: According to Su Gong, the Tan tree resembles Qinpi (Fraxinus bark). Its leaves can be used for making tea. The trunk is slender and suitable for making axe handles. In summer, some trees suddenly sprout leaves, which predicts heavy rain. Farmers observe this phenomenon to forecast floods or droughts, calling it "Water Tan". There is another variety with leaves resembling Tan, growing five or six chi high in valleys, but without fragrance. The pods of Ulmus (Elm) resemble those of Tan. Hence, the folk saying goes: "It is better to obtain Jialei (Viburnum/Amur Cork Tree related species) than to chop Tan; Jialei can still be used to dye dappled horse hides." The wood of Tan is suitable for making mortars, pestles, and hammers. The bark and root bark...

[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, neutral, slightly toxic.

[Indications] Mixed with Elm bark and ground into powder for consumption, it can serve as a famine relief food by replacing grains. Root bark: Applied topically to treat sores and scabies, kills parasites (Chen Cangqi).

(From *Tang Bencao* / Tang Materia Medica)

[Names] Ximi (from *Mao Shi Shu*), Yixian (same as Jialei)

[Collection and Explanation] Su Gong states: The leaves of Jialei resemble Hibiscus mutabilis and Ulmus, growing as small trees. Its fruits resemble Deutzia crenata, growing in pairs, arranged in fours opposite each other, red in color and sweet in taste. Lu Ji in *Mao Shi Shu* states: Jialei belongs to the Tan and Ulmus categories. It grows in valleys everywhere. Chen Cangqi states: It grows in the mountainous forests of the northern regions. The bark can be made into ropes. Branches and leaves...

[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Expels three types of intestinal parasites, directs Qi downward, and aids digestion. Boiled with rice to make porridge, it is very beneficial when fed to children (*Tang Bencao*). When made into porridge and poured into wounds of livestock infested with maggots, the maggots will immediately exit (Chen Cangqi).

(From *Shennong Bencao Jing* / Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, Middle Grade)

[Correction] Merged into *Bencao Shiyi*

[Names] Chenpi (pronounced Cen), Chenmu (pronounced Xun), Shitan (Stone Sandalwood, from *Bielu*), Fanchen (Tao Hongjing), Pengui (from *Rihua*), Kushu (Su Gong), Kuli. Li Shizhen states: Qinpi was originally written as "Chenpi". This tree is small but tall and steep, hence the name. People mistakenly wrote it as "Chenmu", and later corrupted it to "Qin". Some say it originated from the Qin region, thus the name Qinpi. Gao You annotated *Huainanzi* stating: "Chen is Kuli wood." Su Gong states: The leaves resemble Tan wood, hence called Shitan. Common people call it Kushu due to its bitter taste.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Qinpi grows in the streams and valleys of Lujiang and near the waters of Yuanju. Harvested in the second and eighth lunar months.
Tao Hongjing states: Folklore claims it is Fanchen bark. When soaked in water and mixed with ink for writing, the color...
Su Gong states: This tree resembles Tan, with fine leaves. The bark has white spots but is not rough or cracked. When soaked in water, it turns jade green; written on paper, it appears cyan. This is the authentic product.
Su Song states: It is now found in various prefectures of Shaanxi and Heyang. The tree generally resembles Tan, with branches and trunks being blue-green. Leaves are about the size of a spoon head and not glossy. It produces no flowers or fruits. Roots resemble those of Sophora japonica. Commonly called Baichenmu. Bark...

[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic. *Bielu* states: Very cold.
Lei Xiao states: Shennong, Lei Gong, Huangdi, and Qibo considered it: Sour, non-toxic; Li Dangzhi considered it: Slightly cold.
Li Quan states: Neutral. Adversely affected by Momordica charantia var. angustifolia (Kuhu) and Angelica dahurica (Fang Kui).
Meng Shen states: Adversely affected by Evodia rutaecarpa (Wuzhuyu). Radix Euphorbiae (Daji) is its guiding herb.

[Indications] Treats Bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness, characterized by chilling sensations; clears heat; removes corneal opacities (green and white membranes) from eyes. Long-term use prevents graying of hair and keeps the body light and agile (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats oligospermia in men, leukorrhea in women, epilepsy in infants, and fever. Can be prepared as an eye-wash decoction. Long-term use results in lustrous skin, robust physique, and fertility (*Bielu*). Brightens vision, clears long-standing heat in the eyes, treats redness, swelling, pain, and uncontrollable tearing due to wind. Decoction can be used for bathing infants with fever. Clarified decoction is extremely effective for washing red eyes.

[Elucidation] Tao Hongjing states: In folk prescriptions, Qinpi is primarily used for eye diseases, though Daoists also utilize it.
Sun Simiao states: The efficacy of Qinpi lies in cleansing the Liver, benefiting essence, brightening vision, and reducing fever.
Zhang Yuansu states: Qinpi is sinking and Yin in nature. It has four uses: treating Bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness, clearing corneal opacities obscuring vision, treating metrorrhagia and leukorrhea in women, and treating pediatric wind-heat convulsions and epilepsy.
Kou Zongshi states: Dysentery indicates deficiency in the Lower Jiao. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing's *Baitouweng Tang* combines Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), and Fraxini Cortex (Qinpi), all using their bitterness to firm and dry dampness. Qinpi turns blue-green when soaked in water. Used together with Lithospermi Radix (Zicao) to treat eye diseases and enhance visual clarity, it is particularly excellent.
Li Shizhen states: Qinpi is blue-green in color, cold in qi, bitter in flavor, and astringent in nature. It enters the Jueyin Liver and Shaoyang Gallbladder meridians. Thus, it treats eye diseases and convulsions by pacifying Wood (Liver). It treats dysentery and metrorrhagia/leukorrhea by its astringent properties. It also treats male oligospermia and benefits conception, utilizing its astringent and tonifying effects. As stated in *Laozi*: "The Way of Heaven values astringency." This herb is used for longevity practices and treating convulsions, bleeding, and dysentery.
The claim that Qinpi soaking causes water to boil is erroneous.

[Attached Prescriptions] Three old, three new.
Red eyes with opacity: Qinpi 1 liang, water 1.5 sheng, boiled down to 0.7 sheng, clarified. Warm wash daily. Another formula adds Talcum (Huashi) and Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) in equal parts (*Waitai Miyao*).
Sudden eye swelling and pain: Qinpi and Huanglian 1 liang each, Ku Zhuye (Bitter Bamboo Leaf) 0.5 sheng, water 2.5 sheng, boiled down to 0.8 sheng. Take warm after meals. This is Master Xie Daoist's prescription (*Waitai Miyao*).
Red eye sores: Qinpi 1 liang. Soak in 1 sheng clear water in a white bowl for over one meal time in spring/summer until blue color emerges. Wrap cotton around a chopstick tip, lie supine, and drip into eyes to fill them. Mild pain is acceptable; do not fear. Drain hot juice after a while. Apply more than ten times daily; heals within two days (*Waitai Miyao*).
Hordeolum (Stye) on eyelid margin: Caused by accumulated heat in Liver and Spleen. Cut Qinpi, mix with rock sugar, decoct in water, and mix with 1 qian of Rhizoma Rhei (Dahuang) powder. Mild purgation is desirable (*Renzhai Zhizhi Fang*).
Chronic bloody dysentery: Qinpi, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Shuweicao), and Rosa multiflora root (Qiangweigen) in equal parts. Decoct in water, reduce in a double-boiler copper vessel, and form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 5-6 pills twice daily. Increase dosage slightly until effect is achieved. Can also be taken as a decoction.
"Tianshe" venomous sore, resembling leprosy but not: "Tianshe" refers to a yellow spider found in grass. If bitten and exposed to dew, this disease occurs. Decoct 1 dou of Qinpi in water and drink; it cures immediately (Shen Kuo).