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("Gen" is pronounced as Gen, cited in *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

[Correction] Merged into the entry for Maojian Cao (Maojian Grass).

[Names] Maojian Cao (cited in *Bencao Shiyi*), Shui Gen (Water Gen), Zi Jiu (Self-moxibustion) (cited in *Bencao Gangmu*), Hou Suan (Monkey Garlic).

Li Shizhen stated: "Gen" refers to the sprout of Caowutou (Rhizoma Aconiti Kusnezoffii); this herb resembles it in shape and toxicity, hence the name. *Zhouhou Beifang* [Emergency Prescriptions Kept Up One's Sleeve] calls it Shui Gen. It is also named Maojian, which is likely a phonetic error of the character "Gen". The common name is Maojin, resembling Shuijin [Water Geranium] but with hairs. Mountain people use it to arrest malaria by picking the leaves and applying them to the Cun Kou [Cunkou pulse point]; within one night, blisters form feeling like a burn, thus it is called Tian Jiu [Heavenly Moxibustion] or Zi Jiu [Self-moxibustion].

[Collected Explanations] Zang Qi said: Tao Hongjing, in his commentary on Gouwen (Radix Gelsemii), mentioned: perhaps it is Maojie. Su Gong said: Maojie is the hairy Shilongrui [Japanese Buttercup]. It is toxic and has no relation to Gouwen. Ge Hong in *Baiyi Fang* [Hundred-One Formulas] stated: Among vegetables, there is Shui Gen; its leaves are round and shiny, growing by the water, and it is toxic. Crabs often eat it. If humans accidentally ingest it, they become delirious as if suffering from Zhong Feng [Stroke], or vomit blood; Gancao juice [Licorice Decoction] can detoxify it. He further stated: Maojian Cao grows in the Jiangdong region, in fields and by marshes. Its leaves are larger than those of Jie [Mustard greens] and have hairs on top. The flowers are yellow. The seeds resemble Jili [Tribulus terrestris].

Li Shizhen said: Maojian and Maojie are the same as the current Maojin, which grows abundantly in damp, low-lying areas. Sprouts emerge in spring, reaching over a chi [approx. 33 cm] in height. Each stem bears three leaves, each leaf having three tips and fine serrations. It resembles Shilongrui in stem and leaf structure, distinguished only by fine hairs. In the fourth and fifth months, it opens small yellow flowers with five petals, very bright and glossy. The fruit resembles a green mulberry about to burst open, with sharp edges, differing from the fruit of Shilongrui. Some mistake it for Bu Shi Cao [Centipeda minima], which is a major error. Alchemists extract its juice to smelt cinnabar and stabilize sulfur. Shen Kuo in *Bitan* [Brush Talks] noted that Shilongrui has two types: the aquatic type has smooth leaves with rounded tips; the terrestrial type has hairy leaves with acute tips. This is the hairy-leaved variety, which should be clearly distinguished.

Leaves and Seeds

[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, Warm, Toxic.

[Indications] For malignant sores and carbuncles where pain persists without ulceration, crush the leaves and apply externally. Do not allow the juice to enter the wound to prevent tissue necrosis. For patients with Nue [Malaria], take a handful of leaves, slightly crush them, and bind them to the arm—left arm for males, right arm for females. Do not let them touch the skin directly; blisters will form quickly. Crushed with fresh ginger and applied to the abdomen, it dispels Cold Qi [Cold Pathogenic Factor] (from Zang Qi).

[Appendix] Hai Jiang, Yin Ming

Zang Qi said: Tao Hongjing, in his commentary on Gouwen, mentioned: Hai Jiang grows in the sea, is reddish in color, and resembles Shilongrui; it is highly toxic. He also stated: Yin Ming grows in the sea, is reddish, hangs from trees bearing its fruit, and is highly toxic. Currently, there are no experts who can accurately identify these.