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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** (Synonymous with Shizhi [Leech]. Written as "Ji" in *Erya*). Zhizhang (recorded in *Mingyi Bielu*); large ones are named Maqi (recorded in *Xinxiu Bencao*), Mazhi (recorded in *Xinxiu Bencao*), Mahuang (recorded in *Yanyi* of *Zhenglei Bencao*), and Mabie (recorded in *Yanyi* of *Zhenglei Bencao*).
Li Shizhen states: Due to dialectal pronunciation errors where "Zhi" is misread as "Chi", common names include Shuichi [Water Chi] and Caochi [Grass Chi].
Kou Zongshi states: People in Bianjing call large ones Mabie, and those with yellow abdomens Mahuang.

**[Collection and Description]** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Shizhi [Leech] grows in the ponds and marshes of Leize. Collected in May and June, then dried in the sun.
Tao Hongjing states: They are found in rivers and ponds everywhere, with several varieties; those in water, such as Mazhi and other small types, are primarily used.
Su Gong states: There are Shizhi [Water Leech] and Caozhi [Grass Leech]. Large ones are about one chi long and can suck blood from cattle, horses, and humans. Currently, people mostly use smaller ones from water, which are highly effective; it is not necessary to use those that have sucked human blood until their bellies are full. Caozhi [Grass Leech] lives on grass in deep mountains; when a person walks by, they attach to the calves and thighs, unknowingly burrowing into the flesh. Their reproduction causes harm, but mountain dwellers have their own treatments.
Zheng Baosheng states: Only smaller ones from water are collected for use. There are also Shizhi [Stone Leech] living on stones and Nizhi [Mud Leech] living in mud; these two types have pointed heads, thick waists, and red coloration.
Accidental ingestion causes a sensation of smoke in the eyes, gradually leading to vision loss.
Li Shizhen states: Li Shi records in *Xu Bowuzhi*: Southern Shuichi [Water Chi] resembles mucus; it moves upon smelling human breath and forms sores upon contact with the body. It heals only when applied with Mosiang [Musk] and Zhusha [Cinnabar]. This is Caozhi [Grass Leech].

**[Processing]** Zheng Baosheng states: After collection, store in a bamboo tube; once dry, soak in rice washing water overnight before use.
Chen Cangqi states: When storing dried leeches, stretch their bodies out. Remove those with eggs in the abdomen. Their nature is extremely difficult to kill; even if roasted by fire, like fish roe smoked for a year, they remain alive when exposed to water.
Sun Simiao states: This substance is very difficult to process. It must be finely chopped and stir-fried over low heat until yellow, indicating it is cooked. Otherwise, it may produce offspring in the abdomen causing harm.
Li Shizhen states: In the past, someone drinking water or eating aquatic vegetables accidentally swallowed a leech, which produced offspring and harmed them by sucking organ blood, causing intestinal pain, jaundice, and emaciation. Drinking several sheng of field mud water or ground yellow earth water would cause them to be completely expelled. This is likely because the leech in the abdomen descends upon encountering the qi of earth. Alternatively, drinking one or two sheng of warm ox or sheep blood mixed with pig lard can also expel them.

**[Flavor and Nature]** Salty, Bitter, Neutral, Toxic.
*Mingyi Bielu* states: Slightly Cold. Averse to Duanshi [Calamine/Smelted Iron Ore] and Shiyen [Salt].

**[Indications]** Expels evil blood, stasis blood, and amenorrhea; breaks up mass formations and accumulations; treats infertility; promotes urination (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Treats female amenorrhea, preventing progression to Xuelao [Blood Consumption Disease] (*Yaoxing Lun*, supplemented by Kou Zongshi).

**[Elucidation]** Cheng Wuji states: Salty flavors enter the blood level, and Bitter flavors overcome blood. The salty and bitter properties of Shizhi [Leech] eliminate accumulated blood; it is a medicine for the Liver Meridian blood level, thus capable of unblocking stagnant blood in the Liver Meridian.
Tao Hongjing states: King Chu ate pickled vegetables, saw a leech, and swallowed it, successfully removing internal stagnation. Although attributed to Yin virtue, it is also due to the nature of the substance.
Chen Cangqi states: Because this creature is hard to kill, it became the subject of King Chu's illness [treatment story].
Li Shizhen states: According to Jia Yi's *Xinshu*: King Hui of Chu found a leech in his pickled vegetables. Fearing the official in charge of food would be executed, he swallowed it. He had abdominal discomfort and could not eat. The Lingyin [Prime Minister] said: "The Way of Heaven has no favorites; it assists only the virtuous." The King had benevolent virtue, so the disease would not harm him. The King indeed recovered. This is the story of King Chu swallowing the leech. Wang Chong in *Lunheng*...

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Four old prescriptions, eight new prescriptions.
**Leaking Blood Unstoppable:** Shizhi [Leech], stir-fried and powdered. Take 1 qian with wine, twice daily. Stops when evil blood dissipates (*Qianjin Fang*).
**Postpartum Blood Dizziness:** Blood stagnates in the chest, or偏向 the lower abdomen, or extends to the hypochondrium. Use Shizhi [Leech] (stir-fried), Mengchong [Dragonfly Larva] (remove wings and feet, stir-fried), Moyao [Myrrh], and Mushixiang [Musk], each 1 qian. Powder them and take with Siwu Tang [Four Substances Decoction].
**Fracture and Injury Pain:** Shizhi [Leech], baked on a new tile and powdered finely. Take 1 qian with wine. If pain occurs after a meal, take another dose. Once pain stops, apply bone-setting medicine immediately, fix with splints, and regulate (*Jingyan Fang*).
**Falls and Trauma, Stagnant Blood Accumulation, Abdominal Distension and Pain, Constipation and Urinary Retention, Critical Condition:** Use Hongzhi [Red Leech] (stir-fried with Duanshi until yellow) 0.5 liang, Dahuang [Rhubarb Root], and Qiuniu Toumo [First-run Pulverized Pharbitis Seed] each 2 liang. Powder them. Take 2 qian per dose, mixed with hot wine. Evacuate evil blood until complete. Named Duoming San [Life-Grabbing Powder] (*Jisheng Fang*).
**Falls and Blows:** Internal Injury Divine Efficacy Prescription: Shizhi [Leech] and Mushixiang [Musk] each 1 liang. Chop and burn until smoke appears, then powder. Take 1 qian with wine to evacuate stagnant blood. Repeat if necessary; efficacy is divine (*Gujin Luyuan Fang*).
**Stick Wound Swelling and Pain:** Shizhi [Leech], stir-fried and ground, equal parts Puxiao [Mirabilite]. Powder and mix with water for external application (*Zhiyatang Zacahao* by Zhou Mi).
**Red and White Dan Swelling:** Chen Cangqi says: Use over ten Shizhi [Leeches] to bite the affected area until the skin wrinkles and flesh turns white. In winter, dig them up, keep in warm water to activate. Clean the skin, cover with a bamboo tube to attach the leech. After biting and filling with blood, it detaches naturally. Use hungry leeches subsequently.
**Early Stage Carbuncle and Swelling:** Same method as above.
**Dyeing White Beard:** Tan Yeweng's Prescription: Use extremely fine Shizhi [Leech] powder, mix with Guiyu [Turtle Urine], rub onto beard tips to naturally darken roots. Another method: Use one white black-bone chicken, slaughter and collect blood in a bottle. Add dozens of live Shizhi [Leeches]. Wait until dissolved into water. Wrap finger in pig bladder skin, dip and rub beard tips to naturally darken roots. *Puji Fang*: Use seven large Shizhi [Leeches]...
Bury deeply in horse manure. After 49 days, remove and transform into black oil. Wrap finger in fish swim bladder, dip sparingly and rub on beard; the oil naturally travels to the root, turning black. Another Black Beard Rolling Upward Prescription: Use...
Grind Jingmo [Beijing Inkstick] with Chicken Comb Blood and consume; after four or five times...
Coat with salt mud. When dry, place on ground, distance from fire 5 cun incense length; second time, retreat fire 3 cun, another 5 cun incense length; third time, retreat further, another 5 cun incense length. Remove and powder. Wrap finger in pig bladder skin, hold powder and rub on beard tips to reverse direction.