Library

(Recorded as a Superior Grade herb in *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**Names:** Guading (from *Qianjin Fang*), Kudingxiang (named for its shape resembling Dingxiang/Clove).

**Preparation:** Lei Xiao stated: When using Gudi, do not use the pedicel of white melons. Select green sweet melons; when they are fully mature, their pedicels will naturally detach and remain on the vine. After harvesting, hang them in a windy place on the east side of the house to dry by air.
Chen Cangqi stated: This refers to the pedicel of the sweet melon (*Cucumis melo*). Remove the rind and keep only the pedicel, about half cun long. Dry it thoroughly and grind into powder just before use.
Li Shizhen stated: According to Tang Yao: The pedicels of round and short sweet melons or round melons are superior. Pedicels from fragrant sweet melons or those elongated like bottle gourds belong to vegetables used for food and should not be used medicinally.

**Flavor and Properties:** Bitter, Cold, Toxic. Ma Zhi stated: Non-toxic.

**Indications:** Treats severe edema, swelling of the body, face, and limbs; promotes urination and kills gu poison (parasitic disease); treats cough with rebellious qi, and conditions where pathogenic factors remain in the chest and abdomen after consuming various fruits, treating them by inducing vomiting or purging (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Removes nasal polyps and treats jaundice (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats cerebral congestion and heat, blurred vision, and vomiting of phlegm (Ma Zhi). Expels wind-heat phlegm-saliva, treats wind-dizziness headache, epilepsy, throat obstruction, and dampness in the head and eyes (Li Shizhen). Combined with Moschus (Shexiang) and Asarum (Xixin), treats anosmia and inability to smell odors (Kou Zongshi).

**Elucidation:** Zhang Ji (Zhang Zhongjing) stated: When symptoms resemble Guizhi Tang syndrome but without headache or neck stiffness, with a slightly floating pulse at the Cun position, stuffiness and hardness in the chest, qi rushing up to the throat causing dyspnea, this indicates cold pathogen in the chest and should be treated by inducing vomiting. For summerheat stroke with fever, heavy pain, and weak pulse, caused by cold water injury in summer with water circulating in the skin, induction of vomiting is appropriate. In Shaoyang disease with headache, chills, and fever, and a tight, not-large pulse, indicating phlegm-fluid above the diaphragm, induction of vomiting is appropriate. For various excess patterns in the upper chest characterized by depression and pain, inability to eat, desire for pressure on the chest, yet producing turbid saliva, accompanied by diarrhea more than ten times a day and a slightly wiry pulse at the Cun position, induction of vomiting is indicated. For restlessness, oppression, irritability, and insomnia without prior sweating or purging, termed "excess irritability," induction of vomiting is indicated. For retained food in the upper jiao, induction of vomiting is indicated. All these conditions are primarily treated with Gudi San (Melon Pedicel Powder). However, patients with blood loss or deficiency constitution must not take Gudi San.
Cheng Wuji stated: "For high positions, use ascending methods; for upper positions, use surging/vomiting methods." Thus, the bitterness of Gudi and Fermented Soybean (Chidou) induces vomiting, assisted by the sourness of Adzuki Bean (Chixiaodou). Sour and bitter combined induce drainage, belonging to Yin methods.
Wang Hao stated: *Nan Jing* says: If there is a pulse at the upper position but none at the lower position, the patient should vomit; if they do not, death ensues. This is due to dietary injury blocking the chest, damaging Taiyin Spleen Qi, causing Wood Wind-Shengfa Qi to stagnate below. Gudi San should be used to induce vomiting, as described in *Su Wen*: "When Wood is depressed, it should be dispersed." Removing有形 (有形 - tangible/form) pathogens from the Upper Jiao allows Wood Qi to flow freely, enabling Heaven and Earth Qi to interact and all things to proceed smoothly. If the Chi pulse is absent, this method is contraindicated as it may damage True Yuan (True Origin) and prevent Stomach Qi from recovering.
Chen Cangqi stated: This substance induces salivation/vomiting but does not significantly harm the person, far surpassing minerals like Realgar (Shilv) and Cinnabar (Zhusha).
Zhu Zhenheng stated: Gudi has an urgent nature and can damage Stomach Qi; those with weak stomachs should substitute it with other herbs. It is especially contraindicated post-illness and postpartum.
Li Shizhen stated: Gudi is a herb for dispelling damp-heat in the Yangming Meridian, thus capable of drawing out phlegm-saliva from the chest and epigastrium, dampness from the head and eyes, water-dampness from the skin, and various damp-heat patterns like jaundice. Caution is required for anyone with weak stomachs, or post-illness/postpartum patients using emetics, not just for Gudi specifically.

**Attached Prescriptions:** Seven old prescriptions, fifteen new ones.

**Gudi San (Melon Pedicel Powder):** Indications see above. Formula: Gudi 2.5 qian (stir-fried until yellow), Chixiaodou 2.5 qian, ground into powder. Take 1 qian per dose. Mix with Xiangchi (Stir-fried Soybean) 1 he and hot water 7 he, boil into a porridge consistency, strain, and mix with the powder. Increase dosage gradually until vigorous vomiting occurs, then stop. (Zhang Zhongjing, *Shanghan Lun*)

**Summerheat Stroke:** Fever, headache, weak pulse, caused by cold water injury in summer with water circulating in the skin. Gudi 27 pedicels, Water 1 sheng, boil to obtain 5 he, take once to induce vomiting. (*Jingui Yaolue*)

**Sudden Onset of Wind-Phlegm, Qi Blockage and Collapse:** Use Gudi powder. Take 1-2 qian, mixed with Qingfen (Calomel) 1 qian bi, diluted with half he of water, and灌 (administer). Saliva will flow out after a while. If it does not flow, hold a piece of rock sugar in the mouth and swallow; saliva will then flow. (Kou Zongshi, *Yanyi*)

**Various Wind Patterns and Epilepsy:** Phlegm in the diaphragm due to various winds, overflowing saliva in epilepsy. Stir-fry Gudi until yellow, grind to powder. Based on the patient's condition, administer with one cup of sour pickle juice to induce vomiting. For wind-epilepsy, add Quanjie (Whole Scorpion Tail) 0.5 qian. For dampness causing swelling and fullness, add Chixiaodou powder 1 qian; if parasites are present, add Dog Gallbladder Oil 5-7 drops, Xionghuang (Realgar) 1 qian; if severe, add Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos) 0.5 qian to immediately expel worms. (Li Dongyuan, *Huofa Jiyao*)

**Wind-Epilepsy and Throat Wind:** Cough, generalized wind-rashes, acute phlegm-tide, applicable to adults and children. This medicine does not cause violent vomiting but only expels saliva. Grind Gudi to powder. Adults take 1 zi dose, elderly and children take 0.5 zi dose, with morning well water. After one meal duration, hold a piece of rock sugar. Soon, saliva will flow like water; in chronic cases, black ink-like saliva with block-like substances floating on water may appear. After saliva is exhausted, consume congee for 1-2 days. If vomiting is excessive and the patient is very weak, drink a cup of Moschus-infused water to stop it. (*Jingyan Houfang*)

**Acute Jaundice with Dyspnea, Hardness in Heart Region, Thirst:** Gudi 2 small he, Chixiaodou 1 he, grind to powder. Warm Jiangshui (fermented grain water) 5 he, take 1 fangcun bi dose. Vomiting should occur within the time it takes to cook a meal; if not, repeat. Blowing into the nose to induce tearing/vomiting is also effective. (*Shanghan Lun* commentary/related text)

**Generalized Golden Color (Severe Acute Jaundice):** Gudi 49 pieces, Dingxiang (Clove) 49 pieces, roasted in a sweet pot until carbonized but retaining nature, grind to powder. Blow 1 zi dose into the nose to extract yellow fluid. Can also be rubbed on teeth to chase saliva. (*Jingyan Fang*)

**Heat Disease with Yellowing:** Grind Gudi to powder. Blow a soy-bean-sized amount into the nose. Mild cases resolve in half a day, severe in one day, upon discharge of yellow fluid. (*Qianjin Yifang*)

**Jaundice:** Take Gudi, Dingxiang, and Chixiaodou, 7 pieces each, grind to powder. Blow a bean-sized amount into the nose; yellow fluid will flow out after a short time. Use every other day until cured. (Meng Shen, *Shiliao*)

**Body and Facial Edema:** Same formula as above. **Ten Types of Gu Qi:** Grind Kudingxiang to powder, mix with jujube paste, make pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 30 pills per dose with jujube decoction. Highly effective. (*Ruizhutang Fang*)

**Headache in Damp-Patients:** Blow 1 zi dose of Gudi powder into the nose, hold cold water in the mouth, extract yellow fluid to cure. (*Huren Shu*)

**Malaria with Chills and Fever:** Soak 2 Gudi pedicels in half a zhan of water overnight, take once to induce vomiting and cure. (*Qianjin Fang*)

**Mania with Desire to Run:** Take 1 qian of Gudi powder with well water to induce vomiting and cure. (*Shenghui Fang*)

**Constipation:** Grind 7 Gudi pedicels to powder, wrap in cotton, insert into the anus to relieve obstruction. (*Bixiao Fang*)

**Nasal Polyps:** *Shenghui Fang*: Blow aged Gudi powder into the nose three times daily until cured. Another method: Mix Gudi powder and Baijian (Alum) powder, 0.5 qian each, wrap in cotton and insert, or mix with pig fat into a suppository and insert. Change once daily. Another method: Use 2 fresh sweet melon pedicels, Fen Xionghuang (Realgar), and Shexiang (Moschus) 0.5 fen, grind to powder. First scratch the polyp, then apply the powder three times daily. *Tangye*: Use 14 Gudi pedicels, 1 Dingxiang, and 49 Semen Setariae (Shumi), grind to powder. [Text incomplete/corrupted here regarding administration].

**Wind-Heat Toothache:** Stir-fry and grind 7 Gudi pedicels, mix with a little Moschus, wrap in cotton, bite down to induce salivation. (*Shengji Zonglu*)

**Chicken-Dung White Baldness (Scalp Tinea):** Sweet melon vines with pedicels, any amount. Soak in water overnight, boil in a clay pot to extract bitter juice, strain, and reduce to a syrup consistency for storage. Shave off scabs, clean the area, apply one zhan of this ointment mixed with Banxia powder 2 qian, Ginger Juice 1 spoon, and one Dog Gallbladder. Apply evenly. Do not exceed three applications. Avoid wind-aggravating foods. (*Rumen Shiqin*)

**Asthma and Phlegm-Qi:** Take 3 Kudingxiang, grind to powder. Mix with water and take; vomiting of phlegm will stop. (*Zhu Shi Jiyan Fang*)

**Vine (Dried in shade)**
**Indications:** Amenorrhea in women, combined with Qianli Zi (Quisqualis Fructus), half liang each.

**Flower**
**Indications:** Heart pain and rebellious cough (*Mingyi Bielu*).

**Leaf**
**Indications:** For alopecia, crush leaves for juice and apply to promote hair growth (* Jiayou Bencao*). Tonifies the Middle Jiao, treats pediatric gan accumulation (malnutrition), and traumatic injuries; grind to powder and take with wine to remove blood stasis (Meng Shen).

**Attached Prescription:** One new prescription.

**Facial Freckles/Moles:** At noon on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, take seven fresh melon leaves, walk directly into the north-facing room, stand facing south, and wipe the spots with each leaf sequentially until they disappear. ([Source Missing])