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

**Names**: Red Shrimp (Chen Zangqi called it "Red Shrimp"), Sea Shrimp.

**Collected Explanations**: Chen Zangqi stated: The red shrimp in the sea is one chi long, and its whiskers can be made into hairpins. Cui Bao in *Gujin Zhu* said: There is an insect called Ling, also known as Gan Ling. In the seventh month, they fly in swarms obscuring the sky. Ethnic minorities eat them, claiming they are transformed from shrimp.

Li Shizhen stated: According to Duan Gonglu's *Buhu Lu*: Giant red shrimp in the sea are over two chi long; their heads can serve as cups, and their whiskers can be made into hairpins or walking sticks. Their meat can be used for food and is very delicious. Additionally, Liu Xun's *Lingbiao Luyi* records: Sea shrimp have tender red shells; among them, those with pincers on the head and front pair of feet are colored like cinnabar, with the largest reaching seven or eight chi up to one zhang. In Fujian, there are five-colored shrimp, also over one chi long. Locals dry them in pairs, calling them "Pair Shrimp," to be served as premium dishes.

**Flavor and Properties**: Sweet, neutral, slightly toxic.

Li Shizhen stated: Consumed with pork, it causes excessive salivation.

**Therapeutic Actions**: Treats Feishi (flying corpse) and roundworm conditions, oral gan accumulation (nutritional deficiency ulcers), head sores caused by dental caries, removes scabies, tinea, and wind-rash causing body itching, and cures episodic diseases (from Chen Zangqi).

(From *Bencao Shiyi*)

**Name**: Water Horse.

Tao Hongjing stated: It belongs to the fish and shrimp category. Its shape resembles a horse, hence the name.

**Collected Explanations**: Chen Zangqi stated: Sea horses originate from the South Sea. They resemble horses, are five or six cun long, and belong to the shrimp family. Records such as *Nanfang Yiwu Zhi* describe them as resembling geckos (Shougong), with yellowish-brown coloration. In cases of difficult childbirth where the fetus is torn upon exit, holding this creature makes delivery as easy as that of a sheep.

Su Song stated: Its head resembles a horse, its body resembles a shrimp, its back is arched with bamboo-joint-like patterns, and it is two or three cun long.

Su Song further stated: *Yiyu Tu* records: When fishermen set nets, these fish often get caught. They are collected and sun-dried, paired by male and female.

Li Shizhen stated: According to *Shengji Zonglu*: Sea horses, females are yellow, males are cyan. Xu Biao's *Nanfang Yiwu Zhi* says: There are fish in the sea shaped like horse heads with drooping snouts, varying in color from yellow to black. Coastal people catch them but do not eat them; they are sun-dried for medicinal use. Additionally, *Baopuzi* mentions water horses combined with red-spotted spiders... (text fragmentary).

**Flavor and Properties**: Sweet, warm/neutral, non-toxic.

**Therapeutic Actions**: Treats difficult childbirth in women; carrying it on the person is highly effective. When labor begins, burn it to powder and take with water, while holding it in hand, to facilitate delivery. Treats difficult childbirth and blood-qi pain (from Su Song). Warms the Water Organ (Kidney), strengthens Yang... (text fragmentary).

**Elucidation**: Li Shizhen stated: Male and female sea horses form pairs; their nature is warm, embodying the principle of sexual union. Thus, they treat difficult childbirth and... (text fragmentary, implying impotence), functioning similarly to Gecko (Gejie) and Leizuizi (Leek seeds). Shrimp also strengthens Yang, and its nature should be similar.

**Attached Prescriptions**: Two new prescriptions.

**Haima Tang (Sea Horse Decoction)**: Treats long-standing excess or deficiency accumulations and masses. Use one male and one female Sea Horse (*Hippocampus*), one liang of Costus Root (*Muxiang*), two liang each of Rhubarb (*Dahuang*, stir-fried) and White Morning Glory Seed (*Bai Qianniu*, stir-fried), forty-nine Croton Seeds (*Badou*), and two liang of Green Tangerine Peel (*Qingpi*). Soak the peel in urine from a prepubescent boy until soft, wrap the Croton seeds inside, tie securely, and soak again in the urine for seven days. Remove, stir-fry with bran until yellow, discard the Croton seeds, and grind the peel with other herbs into powder. Take two qian per dose, decoct in one cup of water for three to five boils, and take warm before sleep. (From *Shengji Zonglu*)

**Haima Badu San (Sea Horse Detoxifying Powder)**: Has miraculous effects for treating Ding sores, carbuncles on the back, and malignant ulcers. Use one pair of Sea Horse (*Haima*, roasted until yellow), one qian each of Pangolin Scales (*Chuanshanjia*, stir-fried with yellow earth), Cinnabar (*Zhusha*), and Mercury (*Shuiyin*), three qian of Realgar (*Xionghuang*), and a small amount of Borneol (*Longnao*) and Musk (*Shexiang*). Grind into powder, incorporating mercury until no shiny particles remain. Apply a small amount to the lesion once daily; the toxin will naturally discharge. (From *Mi...*)