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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Bie Lu*)

[Names] Heichou (Black Ugly) (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Caojinling (Grass Golden Bell) (from *Paizhi Lun*).
Tao Hongjing said: This medicine originally came from people in the fields who led an ox to thank the person who gave them the medicine, hence the name.
Li Shizhen said: In recent times, people obscurely call it Heichou (Black Ugly), and the white variety is called Baichou (White Ugly), likely because "Chou" corresponds to the Ox in the Earthly Branches. Jinling describes the shape of the seed; Penzeng (Basin and Steamer) and Gouer (Dog Ear) describe the shape of the leaves. Duan Chengshi in *Youyang Zazu* said: The vines of Penzeng grass are like *Dioscorea opposita*, and after the fruit matures, when broken, its shape resembles a basin and steamer, which refers to this.

[Collection and Explanation] Tao Hongjing said: Qianniu is a vine that produces flowers resembling those of *Vigna unguiculata* (Cowpea), yellow in color. The seeds form in small chambers, are black, and resemble the nuts of *Cuscuta chinensis* (Dodder).
Su Gong said: These flowers resemble those of *Convolvulus* (Morning Glory), are greenish-blue, not yellow, and do not resemble cowpea flowers.
Su Song said: It grows everywhere. Seeds are sown in February, seedlings emerge in March, growing into vines that wind around fences and walls, reaching heights of two or three zhang. The leaves are green with three pointed angles. Flowers appear in July, slightly red with a greenish tint, larger than *Pharbitis nil* (Morning Glory) flowers. Fruits set in August, wrapped in white skin forming a ball. Each ball contains four or five seeds, the size of buckwheat, with three edges, available in black and white varieties, harvested after September.
Chen Cangqi said: The flowers resemble *Pharbitis nil* but are greenish-blue, opening at sunrise and wilting at sunset. Its nut is like that of *Pyrus betulifolia* but black; saying the seed resembles buckwheat is incorrect.
Li Shizhen said: There are two types of Qianniu: black and white. The black type grows wild everywhere, especially abundant. Its vines have white hairs, exuding white juice when broken. The leaves have three points, resembling maple leaves. The flowers do not have distinct petals, resembling *Convolvulus* but larger. The fruit is covered by a calyx, appearing greenish-white when fresh. Its nut is similar to that of *Malus asiatica* (Chinese Pear) but darker brown. The white type is mostly cultivated. Its vines are slightly red, hairless but with soft thorns, exuding thick juice when broken. The leaves are round with oblique points, and the stems and leaves resemble those of *Dioscorea opposita*. The flowers are smaller than black Qianniu, pale green with a reddish tint. The fruit calyx is about one cun long, appearing greenish-white when fresh. The nut is white and slightly rough. People also collect young fruits, preserve them in honey as a snack, calling them Tianqie (Heavenly Eggplant) because the calyx resembles an eggplant.

[Processing] Lei Xiao said: Upon harvesting the seeds, dry them, wash with water to remove floating ones, dry again, mix with wine, steam from Si hour to Wei hour, then dry and store. Before use, pound off the black skin.
Li Shizhen said: Nowadays, most only grind to obtain the finest powder, discarding the husk and bran. Some are used half-raw and half-cooked.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Bitter, Cold, Toxic.
Li Quan said: Sweet, slightly toxic.
Meng Shen said: Consuming too much makes one feel slightly cold.
Zhang Guo said: Pungent, hot, potent, depletes the body's Yuan Qi.
Ma Zhi said: Salty. Works well with Qingmuxiang (*Aucklandiae Radix*) and Ganjiang (*Zingiberis Rhizoma*).

[Indications] Descends Qi, treats fullness and edema of the legs, eliminates wind toxicity, promotes urination (*Bie Lu*). Treats accumulations and masses, promotes bowel movements, eliminates deficiency swelling, induces abortion (Zhen Quan). Treats lower back pain, expels cold pus, purges gu poison, and all qi stagnations (Ma Zhi). Taken with Cornus officinalis (*Shanzhuyu*) to eliminate fluid retention diseases (Meng Shen).

[Elucidation] Chen Cangqi said: Qianniu pills treat intestinal wind constipation and obstruction. It should not be taken for long periods as it also moves the Qi of the Spleen and Kidney.
Li Dongyuan said: When guided by Qi-moving herbs, Qianniu enters the Qi level; when guided by Dahuang (*Rhei Radix et Rhizoma*), it enters the Blood level. It benefits the large intestine and drains water accumulation. The white variety drains damp-heat attacking the Qi level causing wheezing and fullness, and breaks Qi stagnation within the Blood.
Zhu Zhenheng said: Qianniu belongs to Fire and moves vigorously; the black variety belongs to Water, and the white variety belongs to Metal. If the pathology and syndrome are both excess, without fullness or constipation, it should not be used lightly. Expelling pathogens can lead to deficiency; the ancients deeply warned against this.
Zhang Guo said: Qianniu is not a divine herb from Shennong. *Mingyi Zhuxu* states: Bitter and cold, it removes dampness, promotes urination, and treats downward-injecting Xiangjiao (Hong Kong Foot/tinea pedis). This statement regarding flavor and indications is erroneous. Qianniu is pungent and spicy; chewing it intensely reveals its potency, where is the bitterness and cold? Dampness is another name for water, having form. If the Lung first receives dampness, and the dampness cannot transform, leading to urinary and fecal obstruction, it is suitable for use. Qianniu is generated by the transformation of southern fire-heat; Fire balances Metal and drains the Lung; when dampness is removed, Qi flows freely. This is the mutual balancing of the Five Zang organs when pathogenic factors exist. Now, regardless of the presence of dampness, if there is food injury or heat syndrome, using Qianniu as a resolving drug is mistaken. Moreover, Qianniu only drains damp-heat in the Qi level, not in the Blood level. Dampness enters from below; the Lower Jiao governs Blood. For dampness in the Blood, bitter-cold flavors are appropriate. Using pungent drugs to drain it harms Yuan Qi. Qianniu is pungent and fierce; compared to other pungent drugs, it depletes Qi more severely, inevitably harming the body. The *Classic* says: Pungency drains Qi, pungency moves Qi, pungency drains the Lung; those with Qi disorders should not eat much pungent food. Furthermore, dietary irregularities and overwork damage Stomach Qi, allowing Heart Fire to invade. The intestines and stomach receive fire pathogens, named Rezhong (Heat Middle). The Spleen and Stomach govern Blood; fire should be drained from the Blood. Use Huangqin (*Scutellariae Radix*) bitter-cold to drain fire, Dangguishen (*Angelicae Sinensis Radix*) pungent-warm to harmonize blood, Shengdihuang (*Rehmanniae Radix*) bitter-cold to cool and nourish blood, add a little Honghua (*Carthami Flos*) pungent-warm to drain blood collaterals, and Taoren (*Persicae Semen*) pungent-warm to remove dryness and moisten the intestines. Do not use exclusively; add them to formulas that tonify the Middle, boost Qi, and drain Yin Fire. Why? The Upper Jiao Yuan Qi is already weak; using Qianniu, a great pungent-hot drug with Yang flavors, will harm people. Thus, Zhang Wenyi said: Qianniu provides momentary relief. After the drug passes, stagnation returns; it works immediately but relapse follows. Long-term use depletes Yuan Qi without regret. Zhang Zhongjing treated seven types of damp-heat with difficult urination without using any Qianniu. Did Zhongjing not know Qianniu drains dampness and promotes urination? Because the root of damp disease is in the Lower Jiao, it is a Qi disorder within the Blood level. Pungent-hot drugs should not be used to drain the Taiyin Qi of the Upper Jiao. Draining Qi for a Blood disorder damages both Qi and Blood. The *Classic* says: Do not reinforce excess, do not weaken deficiency, do not cut short life. This is what is meant. Users must beware. White Qianniu is the same.
Li Shizhen said: Since the Song Dynasty, northerners often used Qianniu for momentary relief. When Liu Shouzhen and Zhang Hezi appeared, they advocated it as a general purgative. Li Mingzhi witnessed this and wrote this text to refute it strongly. However, in the Eastern Han, this herb was not in the Materia Medica, so Zhongjing did not know it. If he had known, he would surely have had usage methods and would not have discarded it. Moreover, Zhongjing did not use many herbs. Arguing based on this is an overcorrection. Qianniu has outstanding effects in treating water qi in the Lung, wheezing and fullness, swelling, Lower Jiao oppression, lower back swelling, and intestinal wind constipation or Qi constipation. However, for diseases in the Blood level, or Spleen-Stomach deficiency with fullness, one should not seek momentary relief or take it regularly to avoid secretly damaging Yuan Qi. A noble lady, nearly sixty years old, suffered from intestinal constipation her whole life, defecating once every ten days, worse than childbirth. Taking blood-nourishing and moistening drugs caused chest discomfort; taking Xiaoshi (*Natrii Sulfas*) and Dahuang purgatives had no effect, lasting over thirty years. I diagnosed her as obese, consuming rich foods, prone to depression, vomiting about a bowl of sour phlegm daily before feeling relieved, and prone to fire diseases. This is stagnation of Qi in the Three Jiaos, rising only without descending, transforming fluids into phlegm-fluids that cannot moisten the intestines, unlike blood dryness. Moistening agents stagnate; Xiaoshi and Dahuang enter the Blood level vainly, unable to move Qi, blocked by phlegm, hence ineffective. I used Qianniu powder and Luffa cylindrica (*Saposhnikoviae Radix*) paste pills, and she immediately passed stool, ate well, and regained spirit. Qianniu moves the Qi level and unblocks the Three Jiaos. When Qi flows smoothly, phlegm and fluids dissipate, bringing relief above and below. My nephew Liu Qiao, accustomed to alcohol and sex, suffered severe lower abdominal distension and pain, inability to urinate or defecate, unable to sit or lie down, crying and groaning for seven days and nights. Doctors' purgatives failed. I sent someone to ask me. I thought this was damp-heat pathogen in the essence pathway, obstructing the tunnels, located between the two yins, thus blocking urine anteriorly and stool posteriorly, not in the Large Intestine or Bladder. I used Litseum (*Murrhoeae Fructus*), Foeniculum (*Foeniculi Fructus*), Pangolin scales (*Manis Squama*), etc., with doubled Qianniu, decocted in water. One dose reduced symptoms, three doses resolved them. Qianniu reaches the Right Kidney Mingmen and travels the essence tunnels. Unknown to others, only Li Dongyuan knew this. Thus, Mingzhi used Qianniu salt-fried black in Tianzhen Dan for Lower Jiao Yang deficiency, combined with Chenxiang (*Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum*), Dubzhong (*Eucommiae Cortex*), Gubuzhi (*Psoraleae Fructus*), Guanzi (*Cinnamomi Cortex*), achieving the subtlety of tonification and purgation together. See *Yixue Faxing*. Also, Dongyuan used Qianniu as the chief herb in Haijinsha San for excessive Spleen dampness causing generalized edema, wheezing unable to lie down, and drum-like abdomen. Thus, Dongyuan did not completely discard Qianniu, but valued proper application.

[Attached Formulas] Eight old, thirty-three new. Search wind and unblock stagnation, wind attacking, organ accumulations: Soak Qianniu seeds in child's urine overnight, wash in running water for half a day, place in raw silk bag, hang in wind to dry. Take 30 pills with salt water daily. Excellent for searching wind and reducing deficiency swelling. Long-term use makes the body thin and clear. (*Doumen Fang*)
Pills: Qianniu seeds 4 liang (half raw, half fried), non-boring Soap Fruit (*Gleditsiae Fructus*) 2 liang (fried in lard), grind to powder, boil paste with fresh ginger juice, pill size of wu zi. Take 20 pills with Jingjie (*Schizonepetae Herba*) decoction. (Wang Gun *Boji Fang*)
All accumulated Qi, undigested food: Black Qianniu (finest powder) 4 liang, hollow out a radish, fill with powder, cover, wrap in paper, bake熟. Add Bai Doukou (*Amomi Fructus Rotundus*) powder 1 qian, grind and pill size of wu zi. Take 10-20 pills with white water. Named Shunqi Wan. (*Puji Fang*)
Male and female Wu Ji (Five Accumulations), five types of accumulated Qi forming masses: Black Qianniu 1 jin, raw grind powder 8 liang, remaining dregs stir-fry on new tile until fragrant, grind again to get 4 liang, refine honey and pill size of wu zi. Severe cases take 30-50 pills, Chenpi (*Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium*) and Shengjiang (*Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens*) decoction, take at bedtime. If no movement by midnight, take another 30 pills, should pass accumulated matter. For routine Qi movement, 10 pills per dose is excellent. (*Jingyan Fang*)
Chest and diaphragm food accumulation: ... taken with Shangwu Tang. (*Rumen Shiqin*)
Qi rushing violently, unbearable: Niulang Wan: Black Qianniu 0.5 liang (fried), Binglang (*Arecae Semen*) 2.5 qian. Grind to powder. Take 1 qian with Zisu (*Perillae Folium*) decoction. (*Puji Fang*)
Expel parasites and remove accumulation: Same formula as above, taken with wine. Also reduces edema.
Kidney Qi pain: Black and White Qianniu equal parts, fried and powdered. Take 3 qian per dose. Cut pork kidney, sew in 100 Fennel seeds (*Foeniculi Fructus*) and 50 Sichuan pepper (*Zanthoxyli Pericarpium*), sprinkle Qianniu powder inside, tie tightly, wrap in paper, bake熟. Eat on empty stomach, take with wine. Effective when foul matter is expelled. (Yang Renzhai *Zhizhi Fang*)
Shanghan Jie Xiong (Chest Binding), hard and painful heart and abdomen: Qianniu finest powder 1 qian, dissolve white sugar in water, mix and take. (Zheng Shi *Jiachuan Fang*)
*Jianyao Jizhong Fang*: Qianniu seeds half raw half cooked, powdered. Take 2 qian with ginger water. If not open, take with tea. Formula 1: Equal parts Dahuang. Formula 2: Equal parts raw Binglang.
Large Intestine wind constipation: Qianniu seeds (lightly fried, finest powder) 1 liang, Taoren (*Persicae Semen*) (remove skin and tip, bran-fried) 0.5 liang. Powder, honey pill size of wu zi. Take 30 pills with water. (Kou Shi *Yanyi*)
Hydropsy edema: White Qianniu, Black Qianniu (each finest powder) 2 qian, barley flour 4 liang, mix and make baked cakes, eat warm at bedtime, follow with tea...
All fluid retention diseases, Zhang Hezi said: Patients with water disease are like overflowing rivers, cups and spoons cannot retrieve; must treat with Yu the Great's method of draining water, hence named Yugong San. Black Qianniu (finest powder) 4 liang, Fennel (*Foeniculi Fructus*) 1 liang (fried). Powder. Take 1-2 qian mixed with fresh ginger juice, should promote gas passage. (*Rumen Shiqin*)
Yin Water and Yang Water: Black Qianniu finest powder 3 liang, Dahuang powder 3 liang, aged rice cake 1 liang. Powder, paste pill size of wu zi. Take 50...
Edema with difficult urination: Qianniu powder, take one fang cun bi per dose, stop when urination becomes smooth. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Difficult urination, urgent cough: Black Qianniu powder 1 liang, Houpo (*Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex*) (processed) 0.5 liang. Powder. Take 2 qian with ginger water. Or make fresh water pills, take 30 pills with jujube water. (*Puji Fang*)
Soak in bull urine 1 sheng overnight, at dawn add one handful of scallion white, boil ten times. Divide into two doses on empty stomach, water exits via urine. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Spleen dampness swelling and fullness: See Haijinsha below. Wind toxicity Xiangjiao, pitting edema: Qianniu seeds pounded to powder, honey pill size of mung bean. Take 5 pills with ginger water, stop when urination is smooth. Can also be swallowed. The seeds are black, exactly like *Cuscuta* nuts. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Children's edema, difficult urination and defecation: Black Qianniu, White Qianniu each 2 liang, fried and finest powder, well water and pill size of mung bean. Take 20 pills with radish seed decoction. (*Shengji Zonglu*) Children's abdominal distension, water flow edema, Bladder excess heat, red and difficult urination: Qianniu (raw ground) 1 qian, Qingpi (*Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride*) decoction on empty stomach. Add Muxiang (*Aucklandiae Radix*) and halve dosage, pill form. (*Zheng Shi Xiao'er Fang*)
Infantile malnutrition edema, self-resolves with long-term use: Black Qianniu, White Qianniu (each half raw half fried, powder), Chenpi, Qingpi equal parts, powder, paste pill size of mung bean. Per dose, 3-year-old takes 20 pills with rice water. (*Zheng Shi Xiao'er Fang*)
Infantile malnutrition deafness, malnutrition attacking Kidney, deafness and yin swelling: Qianniu powder 1 qian, half pork kidney, remove membrane, slice thinly, sprinkle inside, add little salt, wrap in wet paper, bake. Eat on empty stomach. (*Zheng Shi Fang*)
Children's night blindness: Qianniu seed powder, 1 qian per dose with one slice of sheep liver, mix with flour to make two dumplings, roast and eat, take with rice drink. (*Puji Fang*)
Wind-heat red eyes: White Qianniu powder, boil and grind with scallion white, pill size of mung bean. Take 5 pills with scallion water. Sleep for half an hour after taking. (*Weisheng Jiabao Fang*)
Facial wind acne: Black Qianniu soaked in wine for three nights, powdered. First wipe face with ginger juice, then apply medicine. (*Zhaixuan Fang*)
Facial comedones: ... powder like rice flour. Mix Black Qianniu powder into facial grease medicine, wash daily. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Facial freckles: Black Qianniu powder, mix with egg white, apply at night, wash during day. (*Zhaixuan Fang*)
Ma Pi Feng disease, children's acute convulsion, lung distension wheezing, high chest and rapid breathing, retracted kidneys and flared nostrils, confused cough, irritability and thirst, tidal phlegm and hoarse voice, commonly known as Ma Pi Feng, if not treated urgently, death comes soon: White Qianniu (half raw half fried), Black Qianniu (half raw half fried), Dahuang (baked), Binglang, each take 1 qian powder. Use 0.5 fen per dose, mix with honey water. If phlegm is heavy, add Qingfen (*Calomelas*) one zi. Named Niuhuang Duoming San. (...)
Children's night crying: Black Qianniu powder 1 qian. Mix with water, apply on umbilicus, stops immediately. (*Shengsheng Bian*)
Term slipping fetus: Qianniu seeds 1 liang, red earth少许, grind to powder. When feeling fetal movement pain, take 1 qian with Ulmus davidiana bark (*Ulmus Davidiana Cortex*) decoction. (Wang Gun *Boji Fang*)
Hematuria strangury: Qianniu seeds 2 liang (half raw half fried). Powder. Take 2 qian with ginger water. Wait a while, then take with hot tea. (*Jingyan Liangfang*)
Intestinal wind bleeding: Qianniu 5 liang, Ya Zhao (*Gleditsiae Spina*) 3 liang, soak in water for three days, remove soap, boil dry in 1 sheng wine, bake and powder, honey pill size of wu zi. Take 7 pills on empty stomach with wine, three times daily. Passing yellow matter is fine. After symptom reduction, take 5 pills daily with rice drink. (*Benshi Fang*)
Hemorrhoids with worms: Black and White Qianniu each 1 liang. Fried and powdered, chop 4 liang pork, stir-fry熟, dip in powder and eat all, press with 3 spoons of white rice. Effective when white worms are passed. Another formula: White Qianniu (finest powder) 4 liang, Moyao (*Myrrha*) 1 qian, fine powder. On the day before taking medicine, skip dinner. Next morning on empty stomach, roast 4 liang pork, slice, dip in powder and chew slowly. Effective when pus and blood are passed. Adjust dosage according to person. Avoid alcohol, sex, and greasy food for three days. (*Rumen Shiqin*)
Fistula leaking water, due to Kidney deficiency: Qianniu powder 2.5 qian, put into cut pig kidney, wrap in bamboo leaf, bake熟. Eat on empty stomach, send down with warm wine. Borrowing Kidney to enter Kidney, vertical and horizontal, both convenient. Once foul water is drained, dripping stops. (*Zhizhi Fang*)
All carbuncles, back sores, unnamed swellings, in young and vigorous people: Black and White Qianniu each 1 he, wrap in cloth and crush, boil in 1 bowl good vinegar to 0.8 portion, expose overnight, warm drink next day at fifth watch. Passing pus and blood in stool is excellent. Named Jishi San. (*Zhang Sanfeng Xianfang*)
Damp-heat headache: 7 Black Qianniu seeds, 1 Amomum (*Amomi Fructus*), grind to powder, mix with well water juice, instill into nose仰灌, recover when saliva comes out. (*Shengji Lu*)
Qi stagnation lower back pain: Qianniu any amount, on new tile... 1 liang, add Sulfur (*Sulfur*) powder 2.5 qian, grind evenly, divide into three parts. Each part use 3 spoons white flour, mix with water, cut into chess pieces. Early fifth watch, cook in 1 cup water, take warm with soup, pain stops. If not stopped, repeat every other day. I often have this disease, one dose stops pain immediately. (Xu Xueshi *Benshi Fang*)