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(Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)
[Correction] Merged into *Shiliao Bencao* (Dietary Therapy Materia Medica) and *Shiyi Bencao* (Supplementary Materia Medica).
[Names] (Also known as "Hetun", "Qigu Yu" [Qi-bloating Fish], etc.; common names include "Chuidu" [Blowing Belly] and "Qibao" [Qi Bag].)
Li Shizhen stated: "Tun" refers to its delicious taste. "Houyi" describes its ugly appearance. "Yuanruqiu" indicates its round body shape. "Chuidu" and "Qibao" mimic the distension of its belly when angered. The *Beishan Jing* calls it "Pei fish" (pronounced "Pei").
[Collection and Explanation] Su Song said: River pufferfish are found in the Yangtze, Huaihe, and Yellow Rivers.
Chen Cangqi said: It has a white belly and a red horizontal stripe on its back like a seal; its eyes can open and close. When it touches an object, it becomes angry, its abdomen swells like a balloon floating up, at which point it can be caught.
Li Shizhen said: They are most abundant in the Wu and Yue regions now. Their shape resembles tadpoles; the large ones exceed one chi in length. The back is dark green-black with yellow thread-like patterns. They lack scales, gills, and gallbladders, and their lower abdomen is white but not shiny. They usually travel in groups of three. Locals highly value them in spring, especially their fat bellies, calling them "Xishi's Breast." Yan Youyi, in *Yiyuan Cihuang*, said: River pufferfish are a rare delicacy among aquatic creatures; it is widely rumored that they kill people. When I served as the prefect of Danyang and Xuancheng, I saw locals eating them household by household. However, when boiled with only Chinese cabbage, wormwood shoots, and reed shoots, no deaths were observed. Southerners say that fish without scales, gills, or gallbladders, which make sounds and have eyes that can open, are all poisonous. River pufferfish possess these characteristics, hence people fear them. Yet there are two types; those with dark black coloration and spots are named "Ban Yu" [Spotted Fish], which are the most toxic. Some say that after March, they become Spotted Fish and are inedible. Furthermore, according to *Leigong Paozhi Lun*: River pufferfish reproduce vigorously in late spring and early summer. *Taiping Yulan* states: Although small, river pufferfish are not eaten by otters or large fish. Wang Chong’s *Lunheng* states: All things born containing the fire energy of the sun are poisonous. Among fish, the river puffer and...
[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
(However,) improper consumption can be fatal; concentrated raw forms should be avoided.
Chen Cangqi said: Those from the sea are highly toxic; those from rivers are moderately toxic. When boiling, do not let them touch the iron pot directly; suspend them instead.
Li Shizhen said: Boiling must avoid coal dust falling into the pot. It is incompatible with Schizonepeta (*Jingjie*), Chrysanthemum (*Juhua*), Platycodon (*Jiegeng*), Licorice (*Gancao*), Aconite (*Fuzi*), and Monkshood (*Wutou*). It pairs well with Reed shoots (*Disun*), Wormwood shoots (*Louhao*), and Tucai. It is adverse to Olive (*Ganlan*), Sugarcane (*Ganzhe*), Reed rhizome (*Lugen*), and fecal juice. Reference: Tao Zongyi’s *Chuo Geng Lu* warns against conflict with Schizonepeta, as they are diametrically opposed. It also dislikes Aconite and Fuzi. In Jiangyin, I personally witnessed a scholar die because of this. The roe of the river puffer must absolutely not be eaten; I once soaked it in water, and overnight it swelled to the size of a Chinese chestnut (*Qianshi*). It is rumored that poisoning can be antidoted with Zhibao Dan, olive, or Longnao-infused water. I obtained another prescription: lightly stir-fry Sophora flower (*Huaihua*), mix equally with dried Carmine (*Ganyan*), grind into powder, and administer with water. This is highly effective. Additionally, *Wulei Xianggan Zhi* states: When boiling river pufferfish, use Schizonepeta... Is it Schizonepeta? Better to follow Tao Zongyi’s advice to avoid regret.
[Indications] Tonifies deficiency, dispels dampness, regulates the waist and legs, treats hemorrhoids, and kills parasites (*Kaibao Bencao*).
Liver and Roe
[Properties and Flavor] Highly toxic.
*Cangqi Bencao* states: Upon entering the mouth, it causes tongue ulceration; upon entering the abdomen, it causes intestinal rotting, with no known antidote. Only decoctions of Olive wood, Yuming wood, Reed rhizome, and Weyu root can detoxify it.
Li Shizhen said: People in Wu state say its blood is toxic, its oil causes tongue numbness, its roe causes abdominal distension, and its eye/oil causes blurred vision, leading to the saying "Oil, numbness, distension, blurred vision." However, people in Jiangyin salt its roe and pickle its white meat, burying and treating it before consumption. Is this what the colloquialism "risking one's life to eat river puffer" refers to?
[Indications] Scabies, tinea, insect sores. Grind the roe together with Centipede (*Wugong*) until charred and powdered, mix with sesame oil, and apply topically (Li Shizhen).