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

**[Names]** Heishen (Black Ginseng) (*Bencao Gangmu*), Xuantai (*Wu Pu Bencao*), Chongtai (*Shennong Bencao Jing*), Luchang (*Wu Pu Bencao*), Zhengma (*Mingyi Bielu*), Zhuma (*Yaoxing Lun*), Fucang (Fragrant Grass) (*Kaibao Bencao*), Yezhima (Wild Sesame) (*Bencao Gangmu*), Guicang (*Wu Pu Bencao*). Li Shizhen said: "Xuan" means black. *Mingyi Bielu* also lists names as Duan and Xian, but details are largely unknown.
Tao Hongjing said: Its stem is slightly similar to *Renshen* (Ginseng), hence the name "Shen" (Ginseng). Su Gong said: Perfumers use it, hence the common name Fucang.

**[Collection and Description]** *Mingyi Bielu* states: *Xuanshen* (Scrophulariae Radix) grows in the river valleys of Hejian and Yuanju. The roots are harvested in March and April and dried in the sun.
Wu Pu said: It grows on the south side of Mount Yuanju. Seedlings emerge in March. The leaves are hairy, arranged in whorls of four, resembling *Shaoyao* (Peony Root). The stems are black, square-shaped, and 4-5 chi high. Leaves also grow among branches. Black fruits appear in April.
Tao Hongjing said: It is now found everywhere along nearby roads. The stem resembles *Renshen* but is larger. The root is very black and slightly fragrant; Daoists use it, and it is also used for blending incense.
Su Gong said: Both the root and shoot of *Xuanshen* have an offensive odor, and the stem does not resemble *Renshen*; I have never seen it used for blending incense.
Su Song said: Its stem is square and large, 4-5 chi high, purple-red with fine hairs. Leaves are palm-sized, pointed, and long. The fresh root is greenish-white, turning purple-black when dried; new roots are moist and smooth. Tao Hongjing claimed the stem resembles *Renshen*, while Su Gong stated both root and shoot smell bad; neither seems to have deeply understood the plant.
Su Song said: Seedlings emerge in February. Leaves are opposite like sesame, or like *Huai* (Locust) and *Liu* (Willow), pointed, long, and serrated. Stems are thin, green-purple. Flowers are blue-green in July. Black seeds form in August. There is also a white-flowered variety with square, large, purple-red stems with fine hairs; some have nodes like bamboo, reaching 5-6 chi high, with 5-7 roots per stalk. Harvested in March and August, dried in the sun. Some say it is steamed before drying.
Li Shizhen said: The *Xuanshen* currently in use matches Su Song's description. Its root has a fishy odor, which led Su Gong to consider it smelly. Old roots are often hollow because they are eaten by earthworms (Di Can). Flowers come in purple and white varieties.

**Root**

**[Processing]** Lei Xiao said: After harvesting, the roots must be layered with cattail grass, steamed in a steamer for two "Fu" periods (approx. 48 hours), and then dried. Do not contact copper vessels, as ingestion may cause choking and loss of vision.

**[Flavor and Properties]** Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* adds: Salty. Wu Pu recorded: Shennong, Tongjun, Huangdi, and Leigong considered it bitter and non-toxic; Qibo considered it cold.
Zhang Yuansu said: It is the sovereign herb for the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and is essential for treating diseases of this meridian.
Xu Zhicai said: It is incompatible with *Huangqin* (Scutellariae Radix), *Ganjiang* (Zingiberis Rhizoma), *Dazao* (Jujubae Fructus), and *Shanzhuyu* (Corni Fructus); it is contrary to *Lilu* (Veratri Radix).

**[Indications]** Accumulation of cold and heat in the abdomen, residual ailments after childbirth in women, tonifying Kidney Qi, improving vision (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treating sudden wind-stroke and cold damage, fever with distension and fullness, mania with confusion and unawareness, shivering in warm malaria, blood masses (Xuejia), expelling cold blood from below, removing chest qi stagnation, promoting urination to stop thirst and irritability, dissipating neck nodules, carbuncles, heart and abdominal pain, hard accumulations, and stabilizing the Five Viscera. Long-term use tonifies deficiency, brightens eyes, strengthens Yin, and benefits essence (*Mingyi Bielu*). Wind-heat headache, relapse of cold damage due to overexertion, treating acute heat accumulation, dissipating scrofula (*Luoli*) (Zhen Quan). Treating wandering wind, supplementing labor damage, palpitations and irritability, bone-stealing consumption and evil qi, stopping forgetfulness.

**[Elucidation]** Zhang Yuansu said: *Xuanshen* is a pivot agent, managing qi moving up and down, clearing and purifying without turbidity; it is frequently used in wind-dispelling formulas. Thus, *Huo Ren Shu* uses *Xuanshen* for Yang toxicity in cold damage, where toxins remain unresolved after sweating or purging, and for cases of mental restlessness, insomnia, and extreme mental disturbance. From this, we see that for misty qi in the chest and rootless fire, *Xuanshen* is the supreme remedy. Li Shizhen said: When Kidney Water is injured and True Yin is lost, solitary Yang becomes rootless, leading to Fire diseases. The method should be to strengthen Water to control Fire; thus, *Xuanshen* shares the same function as *Dihuang* (Rehmanniae Radix). Its ability to dissipate scrofula is also due to dispersing fire. Liu Wansu said: Tubercles are Fire diseases.

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Two old prescriptions, seven new ones.
Various toxic rat bites: Soak *Xuanshen* in wine and drink daily (*Kaibao Bencao*).
Chronic scrofula: Apply raw, crushed *Xuanshen* to the affected area, changing twice daily (*Guangli Fang*).
Red veins crossing the pupil: Powder *Xuanshen*, boil pork liver in rice wash water, and dip/eat daily (*Jiji Xianfang*).
Erythema and sore throat: *Xuanshen Shengma Tang* (Scrophularia and Corydalis Decoction): Use *Xuanshen*, *Shengma* (Corydalidis Rhizoma), and *Gancao* (Licorice Root) each 0.5 liang. Add three cups of water, decoct to one and a half cups, and take warm (*Nanyang Huoren Shu*).
Acute pharyngitis due to wind: For adults and children alike. *Xuanshen* and *Niubangzi* (Arctii Fructus, half raw, half stir-fried) each 1 liang, powdered. Take one cup with fresh water for immediate cure (*Shenghui Fang*).
Sores in the nose: Apply *Xuanshen* powder, or soak it soft and insert into the nostril (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*).
Heat accumulation in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner): *Xuanshen*, *Huanglian* (Coptidis Rhizome), and *Dahuang* (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) each 1 liang. Powdered, mixed with refined honey to make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 30-40 pills with hot water. For children, make pills the size of millet seeds (Danxi Formula).
Small intestine hernia: Cut *Heishen* (another name for *Xuanshen*), stir-fry, and make into pills. Take 1.5 qian with wine on an empty stomach; sweating indicates efficacy (Sun Tianren *Jixiao Fang*).
Burning incense to treat consumption
*Jingyan Fang*: Use 1 jin of *Xuanshen* and 6 liang of *Gansong* (Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma). Powder them, mix with 1 jin of refined honey, seal in a bottle, and bury in the ground for 10 days. Then add 6 liang of charcoal powder and 6 liang of refined honey, mix, put back in the bottle, and bury for another 5 days. Burn it and inhale the smoke regularly; the disease will heal spontaneously.
Su Song said: Initially seal the bottle tightly, boil for one Fu period, break the bottle, crush the contents, mix with honey, store in another bottle, and bury overnight before use. It can also be used to fumigate clothes.