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(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** Qianglü (Strong Loins, from *Mingyi Bielu*), Fujin (Supporting Sinews, from *Mingyi Bielu*), Baizhi (Hundred Branches, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Gouqing (Dog Cyan, from Wu Pu).

Su Gong stated: The sprouts of this herb resemble *Cyrtomium fortunei* (Guanzhong), while the root is long and highly branched, resembling a dog's spinal column. Its flesh is greenish-blue, hence its name.

Li Shizhen stated: "Qianglü" and "Fujin" are named after their efficacy. *Mingyi Bielu* also lists it as "Fucai," which is likely a transcription error for "Fujin." In *Shennong Bencao Jing*, Gouji is also called "Baizhi." In *Mingyi Bielu*, *Bixie* is also called "Chijie." However, *Wu Pu Bencao* states that "Baizhi" refers to *Bixie* and "Chijie" refers to Gouji; these appear to be errors.

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Gouji grows in valleys of Changshan mountains. The roots should be harvested in the second and eighth lunar months and dried in the sun. Wu Pu stated: Gouji resembles *Bixie*; its stem has nodes like bamboo with thorns, leaves are round and reddish, roots are yellowish-white and resemble bamboo roots, and the hairs have thorns. *Qibo Jing* states: The stem has no nodes, leaf tips are round and greenish-red, skin is white with red veins. Tao Hongjing stated: It is found everywhere in mountains and wilds today, similar to *Smilax glabra* (Baqia) but slightly different. Its stems and leaves are small and fleshy, nodes are sparse, stems are large and straight with thorns, leaves are round with red veins, and the convex-concave roots, thin like sheep horns, are the authentic variety. Su Song stated: It is also found in Taihang Mountain, Zizhou, Wenzhou, and Meizhou. The tip of the sprout is fine and fragmented, greenish, about one chi high, without flowers. Its stems and leaves resemble *Cyrtomium fortunei* but are finer. The root is black, three to four cun long, highly branched, resembling a dog's spine, about two fingers wide. The flesh is greenish-blue. Roots are harvested in spring and autumn and dried in the sun. Current prescriptions also use Jinmao Gouji (Golden-haired Gouji). What Tao Hongjing described was the thorny *Bixie*, not Gouji, though it is still used by common people in Jiangdong. Kou Zongshi stated: When using Gouji, do not use the root of *Passiflora foetida* (Toushanteng); although the shapes are similar, it tastes bitter at the top and should not be ingested.

Li Shizhen stated: There are two types of Gouji: one has a black root resembling a dog's spine; the other has golden-yellow hairs resembling a dog. Both can be used medicinally. Its stems are slender, with leaves and flowers growing oppositely, resembling *Pteris cretica* (Daye Jue) more than *Cyrtomium fortunei*. Unlike the serrated leaves of Guanzhong, both surfaces of Gouji leaves are smooth. The root is as thick as a thumb, surrounded by clusters of hard black rhizomes. The descriptions of roots and sprouts by Wu Pu and Tao Hongjing refer to *Smilax glabra*; those by Su Gong and Su Song refer to true Gouji. According to Zhang Yi's *Guangya*: *Smilax glabra* is Gouji. Zhang Hua's *Bowuzhi* states: *Smilax glabra* is confused with *Bixie* and is also named Gouji. From this, we see that ancient people mistook *Smilax glabra* for Gouji, an error that has been passed down for a long time. However, although *Smilax glacia*, *Bixie*, and Gouji differ in shape, their medicinal functions are not significantly different.

**[Processing]** Kou Zongshi stated: For processing, burn off the hairs with fire, finely chop, soak in wine overnight, steam from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Shen hour (3-5 PM), then take out and dry in the sun for use.

Li Shizhen stated: People nowadays only chop and stir-fry it, removing the hairs and rhizomes before use.

**[Flavor and Properties]** Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Sweet, slightly warm. Wu Pu stated: Shennong considered it bitter; Tongjun, Huangdi, Qibo, Leigong, and Bianque considered it sweet and non-toxic; Li Dangzhi considered it slightly warm. Xu Zhicai stated: Bitter, acrid, slightly hot. Xu Zhicai stated: *Bixie* acts as its guiding herb; it is incompatible with *Patrinia scabiosifolia* (Baijiangcao) and *Carex diandra* (Shacao).

**[Indications]** Stiffness of the waist and back, laxity or spasticity of joints, generalized bi-syndrome with cold-damp knee pain, particularly beneficial for the elderly (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats urinary incontinence and lack of control, weakness of legs and lower back pain in men, exposure to wind pathogens causing dripping discharge, shortness of breath, dim vision, strengthens the spine facilitating flexion and extension, internal injury in women with heavy joints (*Mingyi Bielu*). Toxic wind causing soft legs in men and women, kidney qi deficiency, reconnects sinews and bones, tonifies men (Zhen Quan). Strengthens liver and kidneys, promotes bone health, treats wind-deficiency syndromes (Li Shizhen).

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Four new prescriptions.

Various wind syndromes in men: Sibao Dan (Four Treasures Pill): Use Jinmao Gouji (sealed with salt mud, calcined until red to remove hairs), *Sappan Wood* (Lignum Sappan), *Bixie*, and *Aconitum carmichaelii* raw root (Chuan Wutou) in equal parts. Grind into powder, mix with rice vinegar to make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 20 pills per dose, washed down with warm wine or salt water (*Puji Fang*). Leukorrhea in unmarried women due to deficiency-cold of Chong and Ren meridians: Lurong Wan (Deer Antler Pill): Use Jinmao Gouji (burned to remove hairs) and *Belamcanda chinensis* root (Bailian) each 1 liang, Deer Antler (Lu Rong) steamed in wine and dried 2 liang. Grind into powder, use mugwort decoction with vinegar juice to make glutinous rice paste pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 50 pills per dose, washed down with warm wine on an empty stomach (*Jisheng Fang*).

Consolidate essence and strengthen bones: Jinmao Gouji, *Polygala tenuifolia* heartwood (Yuanzhi Rou), *Poria cocos* (Baifushen), and *Angelica sinensis* root body (Danggui Shen) in equal parts. Grind into powder, refine honey to make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 50 pills per dose with wine (*Jijian Fang*). Post-illness foot swelling: Regulate diet to nourish stomach qi. Externally, use Gouji, decoct in water for soaking and washing (Wu Shou, *Yinya*)