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[Song Dynasty "Kaibao Bencao"]
[Names] Citron Tree (Cìtóng).
Li Shizhen states: It grows in the valleys of the South Sea. The tree resembles the Paulownia but has yellowish-white bark and thorns, hence its name.
[Collection and Explanation] Su Song states: Haitongpi grows in the South Sea and Leizhou area, and is also found in coastal prefectures. The leaves are as large as a hand, with three flower tips. The bark resembles that of Catalpa alba, is tough enough to be made into ropes, and does not rot when submerged in water. It can be harvested at any time. It is also said that in Lingnan there is a Thorny Citron (Cìtóng) with leaves like the Wutong tree. Its flowers grow attached to the trunk, spreading sideways like a palm, shaped like a golden phoenix, with thorny branches and deep red flowers. In Jiangnan, sometimes...
Li Shizhen states: Haitongpi has large thorns, similar to those on a turtle shell; some say it is the bark of the Thorny Citron. According to Ji Han's "Southern Flora" (Nanfang Caomu Zhuang): There is a Thorny Citron in Jiuzhen with dense foliage. It blooms in March, shining red; after three or five clusters fade, another three or five will bloom again. Chen Zhu's "Paulownia Manual" (Tongpu) records: The Thorny Citron grows in valleys. Its texture is fine and tight, and it tends to split. It has large thorns, resembling... trees. Its leaves are like maple leaves. The trunk is green, with round, large, and long leaves. When it reaches three or four feet in height, flowers form... wood bark...
[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Tang Shenwei (Daming) states: Warm.
[Indications] Cholera with sudden evil invasion, chronic dysentery with blood and mucus, removal of malnutrition (Gan accumulation), scabies, and tinea; toothache caused by worms. All should be decocted for oral administration or used for mouth rinsing. Soaked in water and washed over the eyes to remove skin redness ("Kaibao Bencao"). Mainly treats inability to move waist and legs, stubborn obstruction of blood vessels, and pain in the legs and knees... washes red eyes (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Su Song states: Ancient formulas often use wine infusion to treat wind-induced collapse.
Wang Shaoyan, Prefect of Yinzhou during the Southern Tang dynasty, compiled "Continued Chuanxin Fang": In recent years, I was in Gushu and suffered from unbearable waist and knee pain. Physicians used various drugs for kidney wind-toxin attacks without success. Upon reviewing Liu Yuxi's "Chuanxin Fang", this case was fully recorded. After taking one dose, my condition improved by five parts. This formula uses two liang of Haitongpi, Ox... cleaned and dried. Taken once in the evening, keeping one slightly intoxicated. This formula must not be altered; strictly avoid toxic foods. Parts, and expel wind and kill parasites.
[Attached Formulas] Three new ones.
Wind tinea with parasites: Equal parts of Haitongpi and Cnidium fruit (Shechuangzi), ground into powder. Mixed with rendered lard from winter pigs, apply externally. (Ai Yuan Ying "Ruyi Fang")
Wind-worm toothache: Decoct Haitongpi in water and rinse. ("Shenghui Fang").
Sudden evil cholera: Decoct Haitongpi and take the juice. ("Shengji Zonglu")
Thorny Citron Flower
[Indications] Stops bleeding from metal wounds, with remarkable effect (Su Song).
[Appendix] Jitong Li Shizhen states: Grows in the mountains of Lingnan. Its leaves resemble those of the Chinaberry tree. Boil the leaves in water and wash the feet.