Library

(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Ye Zhangren (Wild Old Man, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Huwang Shizhe (Hu King's Envoy, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Naihe Cao (Naihe Grass, from *Mingyi Bielu*).
Tao Hongjing stated: It grows everywhere. Near the root, there is white down, resembling a white-haired old man, hence the name.
Li Shizhen stated: Zhangren, Hushi, and Naihe all refer to the appearance of an old man.

[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Baitouweng (*Pulsatilla chinensis*) grows in high mountains, valleys, and fields. Harvested in April.
Su Gong stated: Its leaves resemble those of Paeonia lactiflora but are larger, with a single stem emerging. At the tip of the stem is one flower, purple in color, resembling Hibiscus mutabilis. The fruit, if large, is like a chicken egg, covered with over an inch of white hair hanging downwards, resembling the tassel on a banner, exactly like a white-haired old man, thus named. Tao Hongjing’s mention of white down near the root suggests he was unfamiliar with it. The vine-like plant stored by the Taichang Temple is actually Nüwei (*Polygonatum odoratum*). The root of Baitouweng is flat, resembling Achyranthes bidentata.
Kou Zongshi stated: It is found everywhere. It has fine hairs and is not smooth or glossy; the stamens are yellow. Flowers are harvested in February, fruits in April, and roots in August, all dried in the sun.
Su Song stated: It grows everywhere. Seedlings emerge in January, growing in clumps, resembling Cimicifuga foetida but softer, finer, and slightly longer. Leaves grow at the stem tip, resembling apricot leaves, with fine white hairs that are not smooth or glossy. There is white down near the root. The root is purple and deep, similar in depth to Brassica rapa var. rapa. Its seedlings remain still when windy but sway when windless, similar to Atractylodes lancea and Angelica pubescens. Tao Hongjing’s commentary omitted stems and leaves; Su Gong’s description of leaves resembling Paeonia and fruits like eggs with an inch of white hair is erroneous.
Kou Zongshi stated: Baitouweng grows in the Luoyang area of Henan. I have frequently seen it in the wilds of Xin'an, just as Su Gong described. To this day, people in these mountainous areas sell Baitouweng Wan, claiming it prolongs life, which deviates from the original intent of the ancient naming. Tao’s account was imprudent and rightly criticized.
Kou Zongshi stated: Kou Zongshi agreed with Su Gong, while Su Song agreed with Tao. Generally, since the root is used and the name is derived from its shape, one should follow Su Song’s *Tujing*. Su Gong’s description likely refers to a different species.

Root
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, warm, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Toxic. Wu Shou stated: Bitter, acrid, cold. Quan stated: Sweet, bitter, slightly toxic. Tunshi serves as its guiding herb. Meng Shen stated: Best taken with wine. This applies to flowers, seeds, stems, and leaves.
[Indications] Warm malaria with manic behavior, alternating chills and fever, masses and accumulations, goiter, expelling blood, relieving pain, treating metal wounds (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Epistaxis (from *Mingyi Bielu*). Stopping dysentery caused by toxins (Tao Hongjing). Bloody dysentery with abdominal pain, toothache, pain in all joints, neck tumors (Zhen Quan). All wind-pathogens, warming waist and knees, brightening eyes, reducing warts (Meng Shen).

[Elucidation] Su Song stated: Common physicians combine it with tonifying and purgative herbs; it is very effective but also depletes healthy Qi.
Zhang Gao stated: Its Qi is strong while its Flavor is light; it can ascend and descend, belonging to Yang within Yin. Zhang Zhongjing treated heat-dysentery with tenesmus using Baitouweng Tang as the main formula. The Kidney desires firmness; urgently consuming bitter substances firms it. Dysentery implies deficiency in the Lower Jiao, so pure bitter agents are used to firm it. For men with yin hernia and scrotal swelling, for children with bald scalp and fetid odor, for epistaxis where this herb is ineffective otherwise, and for toxic dysentery where this herb achieves success.
Wu Shou stated: Suitable for heat-toxin dysentery discharging purple or fresh blood.

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old prescriptions, three new ones. Baitouweng Tang: Treats heat-dysentery with tenesmus. Use 2 liang of Baitouweng (*Pulsatilla chinensis*), 3 liang each of Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), and Bark of Privet Tree (Qinpi). Add 7 sheng of water, boil down to 2 sheng. Take 1 sheng per dose; if not cured, take another. For women with postpartum dysentery and extreme deficiency, add 2 liang each of Licorice Root (Gancao) and Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao). (Zhang Zhongjing, *Jingui Yufang Fang*) Dysentery with sore throat: In spring and summer, use 1 liang each of Baitouweng (*Pulsatilla chinensis*) and Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), 2 liang of Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang). Add 5 sheng of water, decoct to 1.5 sheng. Divide into three doses. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*) Scrotal swelling on one side: Fresh root of Baitouweng (*Pulsatilla chinensis*), amount unlimited, pounded and applied to the swollen area. It will form a sore overnight and heal in twenty days. (*Waitai Miyao*) External hemorrhoids with swelling and pain: Baitouweng grass, also known as Ye Zhangren. Pound the root and apply externally to expel blood and relieve pain. (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*) Pediatric alopecia barbae/crusts: Pound the root of Baitouweng (*Pulsatilla chinensis*) and apply. It forms a sore overnight and heals in half a month. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)

Flower
[Indications] Malaria with chills and fever, white tinea capitis (Li Shizhen).