Library

(Shangpin / Upper Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Jinguanghua (Forbidden Palace Flower, from *Rihua Bencao*), Jianjinhua (Scissor Gold Flower, from *Rihua Bencao*), Jinzhen Yintai.
Li Shizhen stated: This substance has a moving nature and does not stay put; even the king's decree cannot retain its movement, hence the name. *Wu Pu Bencao* writes it as "Wangbuliuxing" (King Cannot Make It Flow), which is likely an error.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: *Wangbuliuxing* grows in the valleys of Mount Tai. It is harvested in February and August.
Tao Hongjing stated: It is now found everywhere. The leaves resemble those of *Physalis alkekengi* (Chinese Lantern), and the seeds resemble those of *Brassica rapa* (turnip/white cabbage). People say it is Polygonum seeds, but this is incorrect. It is often used in formulas for treating carbuncles.
Su Baosheng stated: It is available in various places. The leaves resemble those of *Isatis tinctoria* (Indigo). Its flowers are red and white. The seed pod resembles that of *Physalis alkekengi*, while the inner seed is round, black, and resembles turnip seeds, about the size of millet. The seedlings are harvested in March, and the seeds in May. The roots, seedlings, flowers, and seeds are all used interchangeably.
Su Song stated: It is now present in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and areas near the Yellow River. Both the seedlings and stems are green, growing seven to eight cun high. The roots are yellow, resembling shepherd's purse roots. The leaves are pointed like small spoons, and some resemble locust tree leaves. Flowers bloom in April, yellowish-purple. They are dried with the stems for use. Commonly known as Jianjincao. Those grown in Hebei have rounder leaves and red flowers, differing slightly from this description.
Li Shizhen stated: It mostly grows in wheat fields. Seedlings can reach one or two chi in height. Small flowers bloom in March and April, bell-shaped, red and white. The fruit resembles the seeds of *Physalis alkekengi* (Lantern Grass); the shell has five ridges, enclosing one fruit the size of a bean. Inside the fruit are fine seeds, the size of turnip seeds, white when raw and black when ripe, perfectly round and lovely like fine beads. Tao Hongjing’s statement that the leaves resemble *Physalis alkekengi*, and Su Song’s statement that the flowers resemble turnip seeds, are both insufficiently detailed and inaccurate, confusing the shape of the seeds with that of the flowers and leaves. Lantern Grass is indeed *Physalis alkekengi*. Both the seedlings and seeds are used medicinally.

Seedlings, Seeds

[Processing] Lei Xiao stated: Upon harvesting, mix with moisture and steam from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Wei hour (1-3 PM). Soak in sour water overnight, then dry by baking for use.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Wu Pu stated: Shennong considered it bitter and neutral; Qibo and Leigong considered it sweet. Li Gao (Ziyuan) stated: Sweet and bitter, neutral. It belongs to Yin within Yang.

[Indications] Stops bleeding from metal wounds, expels pain and removes embedded splinters, dispels wind-bi and internal cold. Long-term consumption lightens the body, delays aging, and increases longevity (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Stops mental restlessness and epistaxis, treats carbuncles, malignant sores, and difficult labor in women (*Bielu*).
Treats wind-toxicity, unblocks blood vessels (Zhen Quan). Treats wandering wind and urticaria, irregular menstrual blood flow in women, and back carbuncles (*Rihua Bencao*). Promotes lactation (Li Gao). Promotes urination, expels bamboo or wood splinters (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Li Gao (Ziyuan) stated: *Wangbuliuxing* is used as a guiding agent to promote lactation, taking advantage of its ability to benefit the blood vessels.
Li Shizhen stated: *Wangbuliuxing* enters the blood level and acts on the Yangming, Chong, and Ren meridians. There is a common saying: "Pangolin scales and *Wangbuliuxing*; once taken by women, milk flows long." This illustrates its nature of moving without staying. According to Wang Zhizhong's *Zisheng Jing*: A woman suffered from strangury and lay bedridden for a long time, with no effect from various medicines. Her husband informed me at night. I treated her for various types of strangury according to the *Jixiao Fang*, using more than ten leaves of Jianjinhua decocted in water, and instructed her to take it. She came the next morning and reported that her illness had decreased by eighty percent. After another dose, she was cured. Jianjinhua is also known as Jinguanghua, Jinzhen Yintai, and *Wangbuliuxing*.
Su Song stated: Zhang Zhongjing used *Wangbuliuxing San* to treat metal wounds; *Zhenyuan Guangli Fang* used *Wangbuliuxing Tang* to treat various wind spasms; both are most... [text incomplete in source].

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, eight new prescriptions.
Epistaxis unceasing: Dry Jianjinhua with stems and leaves in the shade, decoct strongly, and take warm. Immediate effect. (*Zhinan Fang*)
Hematochezia after defecation: Powder of *Wangbuliuxing*, taken with water, one qian. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Metal wound with blood loss: *Wangbuliuxing San*: Treats injuries from knives and axes with blood loss. Use 10 parts *Wangbuliuxing* (harvested on the 8th day of the 8th month), 3 parts *Suo Luo Xi Ye Chuan Jiao* (Akebia stem pepper?), 10 parts Gancao, and 2 parts each of Huangqin, Ganjiang, Shaoyao, and Houpo. Calcine the first three ingredients until they retain their character, powder the latter six, and mix. For large wounds, drink one fangcun bi; for small wounds, apply powder directly. Can also be taken postpartum. (Zhang Zhongjing, *Jingui Yaolue*)
Insufficient lactation in women due to Qi stagnation: Yongquan San: Equal parts *Wangbuliuxing*, Pangolin scales (processed), Longgu, Qumai sui, and Maidong. Powder them. Take one qian per dose, mixed with hot wine, followed by eating pig trotter soup, and combing the breasts with a wooden comb three times a day. (*Weisheng Baojian* formula)
Head wind with white dandruff: Equal parts *Wangbuliuxing* and Xiangbaizhi. Powder them. Apply dry powder, remove with a comb after one night. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Carbuncles and various sores: *Wangbuliuxing Tang*: Treats carbuncles, mastitis, tinea capitis (moon erosion white baldness), and chronic facial sores; expels parasites and relieves pain. Use 5 liang each of *Wangbuliuxing*, Southeast Peach branches, East-growing Cornus root bark; 3 sheng each of Shechuangzi, Mujingzi, Ku Zhuye, and Ji Ji Zi; 1 sheng of Damaizi. Decoct in 2.5 dou of water until 1 dou remains. Wash frequently. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Accidental swallowing of iron/stone, impacted bone splinter, critical condition: Equal parts *Wangbuliuxing* and Huangbai. Powder them, moisten with decoction, make steamed dough pills the size of quail eggs, coat with Qingdai, hang in the wind threaded with string. Take one pill, dissolve in cold water, and administer. (*Baiyi Xuanfang*)
Bamboo or wood splinter embedded in flesh, not exiting, painful: Powder *Wangbuliuxing*, mix with warm water, take one fangcun bi. Simultaneously apply crushed roots externally; the splinter will exit. (*Meishi Fang*)
Early stage of Ding swelling (hard boil): Powder *Wangbuliuxing* seeds, mix with Chan Su (Toad venom) to make pills the size of millet grains. Take one pill per dose with wine; recovery occurs upon sweating. (*Jijian Fang*)