Library

(Supplementary from Song Dynasty's *Kaibao Bencao*)
[Names] Hu Jie (from *Shu Bencao*), Shu Jie.
Li Shizhen stated: Its seeds originated from the Hu regions and flourished in Shu, hence the name.
[Collection of Explanations] Su Gong said: Baijiezi (White Mustard Seed) is coarse and white, resembling white broomcorn millet rice, very pungent and fragrant, coming from the Rong regions.
Chen Cangqi said: Baijie grows in Taiyuan and Hedong. The leaves resemble those of mustard but are white; when cooked as a vegetable, it is extremely delicious.
Zheng Baosheng said: Hu Jie is also found in nearby areas. It has large leaves and coarse, white seeds. It is best for medicinal use and consumption, yet rarely used by the general public.
Li Shizhen said: Baijie can be planted everywhere, but few people know how to cultivate it. Sowing should be done in August or September; it grows in winter and is edible. By late spring, the stems reach two to three chi in height. The leaves branch out like flowers, resembling the leaves of flowering mustard, with a bluish-white color. The stems stand erect, are hollow inside, brittle in texture, and are most vulnerable to fierce winds and heavy snow; they must be carefully protected to avoid breakage. In March, yellow flowers bloom with a rich fragrance. The seed pods resemble those of mustard, containing seeds as large as broomcorn millet rice, yellowish-white in color. There is another variety with thick, solid stems that grow even taller, producing larger seeds. Although this vegetable belongs to the mustard family, it is distinctly a different species, yet its medicinal efficacy surpasses that of ordinary mustard seeds.
Stems and Leaves
[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
Li Shizhen said: *Zhouhou Fang* states that patients with fever should not consume Hu Jie because of its warm nature.
[Therapeutic Actions] Dispels cold qi (Chen Cangqi). Calms the five zang organs, with effects similar to mustard seeds (*Ri Hua Bencao*).
Seeds
[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Induces sweating. Treats cold phlegm in the chest and diaphragm, upward rushing of qi, and yellow-red complexion. Additionally, ground with vinegar and applied externally to treat Shegong toxin (*Mingyi Bielu*). Resists evil qi, Dunshi (ghost possession), Feishi (flying corpse), and toxic swelling caused by sudden winds, along with pain flowing into the four limbs (Tao Hongjing). Burning to produce smoke and internal administration can ward off evil spirits (*Ri Hua Bencao*). Chen Cangqi noted: Used in methods for stabilizing the residence. For cough, fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, upward rushing of qi, and excessive salivation, swallow seven grains with warm wine each time (Sun Simiao). Promotes qi circulation, resolves phlegm, dispels cold, warms the middle jiao, reduces swelling, relieves pain, treats asthma, cough, regurgitation, bi-syndrome numbness, gout, and pains in bones, tendons, waist, and joints (Li Shizhen).
[Innovation] Zhu Zhenheng said: When phlegm resides in the hypochondrium or within the fascia beneath the skin, only Baijiezi can reach it. The ancient formula Kongxian Dan uses Baijiezi, precisely for this purpose.
Li Shizhen said: Baijiezi’s pungency enters the lung, and its warmth promotes dispersion. Thus, it has the functions of promoting qi circulation, resolving phlegm, warming the middle and stimulating appetite, reducing swelling, relieving pain, and warding off evil qi.
Note: Han Zhihe’s *Yitong* states: For elderly people suffering from phlegm-induced asthma and cough, chest fullness, and poor appetite, one must not recklessly administer drying and draining drugs, as this will consume true qi. When treating relatives who sought my help, I used Sanzi Yangqin Tang in quiet settings, achieving immediate results. Generally, Baijiezi (white) targets phlegm, descending qi and widening the middle; Zisuzi (purple) targets qi, calming asthma and stopping cough; Luobozhong (white-seeded radish) targets food stagnation, opening obstruction and descending qi. Each is lightly stir-fried and crushed. The herb addressing the primary symptom serves as the sovereign drug. Each dose should not exceed 3-4 qian. Place in a raw silk bag, decoct in water, and drink. Do not over-decoct, or the flavor will become bitter and spicy. If constipation is habitual, add one spoonful of honey. Adding a slice of ginger in winter is particularly beneficial. Mozhai Zi from Nanling composed an ode praising it.
[Attached Prescriptions] Eight new prescriptions.
Regurgitation and upward rushing of qi: Baijiezi powder, taken with wine, 1-2 qian per dose (*Puji Fang*).
Heat-phlegm with irritability and dizziness: Equal parts of Baijiezi, Heijiezi, Daji, Gansui, Mangxiao, and Zhusha, ground into powder, made into pills the size of wutong seeds with paste. Take 20 pills per dose with ginger decoction. Named Baijie Wan (*Puji Fang*).
Cold-phlegm with epigastric fullness: Equal parts of Heijiezi, Baijiezi, Daji, Gansui, Hujiao, and Guixin, ground into powder, made into pills the size of wutong seeds with paste. Take 10 pills per dose with ginger decoction. Named Heijie Wan (*Puji Fang*).
Abdominal cold qi rising: One sheng of Baijiezi. Lightly stir-fried and ground into powder, mixed with steamed dough soaked in water to make pills the size of soybeans. Swallow 10 pills with ginger decoction each time; highly effective (*Xu Chuanxin Fang*).
Gout causing pain: See prescription under Baizhi.
Pediatric lactation lump: Baijiezi ground into powder, mixed with water to form a paste for external application, continue until resolved (*Bencao Quandu*).
Preventing smallpox toxins from entering the eyes: Baijiezi powder mixed with water, applied to the soles of the feet to draw toxins downward, preventing rash from entering the eyes (*Quanyou Xinjian*).
Initial stage of swollen toxicity: Baijiezi powder mixed with vinegar, applied topically (*Binhu Jijian Fang*).
Phlegm-fluid retention in chest and hypochondrium: 5 qian of Baijiezi, 1 liang of Baizhu. Ground into powder, mixed with jujube flesh and pounded into pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 50 pills per dose with plain boiled water (*Zhai Xuan Fang*).