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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Correction] Merged with "Baiji" from *Mingyi Bielu*.
[Names] Lianji Cao (from *Benjing*), Gan Gen (from *Benjing*), Baiji.
Li Shizhen said: Its root is white and grows connectedly, hence the name Baiji. Its taste is bitter, yet it is called Gan Gen (Sweet Root), which is a contrary statement. *Wu Pu's Materia Medica* writes it as "Baigen," because its root has white parts, which is also acceptable. The *Jin Guangming Sutra* calls it "Wangdaluo Hexiduo." Additionally, *Mingyi Bielu* records "Baiji" as having a name but no usage; this is indeed Baiji, with identical properties, flavors, and functions, constituting a duplication. Now they are merged into one.
[Collection of Explanations] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Baiji grows in northern mountain streams, valleys, Yuanju, and Yue Mountains. It also states: Baiji grows in valleys, leaves resemble *Veratrum nigrum*, roots are white and connected, harvested in September. Wu Pu said: Stems and leaves resemble ginger and *Veratrum nigrum*. Flowers in October, growing straight up, purple-red color. Roots are white and connected. Harvested in February, August, and September. Tao Hongjing said: Found everywhere near roads. Leaves resemble *Pollia japonica*, shape resembles water chestnut roots, nodes have hairs. Rarely used in prescriptions, can be made into paste. Baosheng said: Currently produced in Shenzhou. Leaves resemble young palm shoots and *Veratrum nigrum*. In March and April, a single flower spike emerges, opening purple flowers. Fruits mature in July, yellow-black. Withers in winter. Roots resemble water chestnuts, triangular, white, buds grow at the corners. Roots harvested in August. Su Song said: Present in Jianghuai, He, Shaan, Han, Qian prefectures, growing on rocky mountains. Sprouts in spring, about one chi long. Leaves resemble palm leaves, two fingers wide, green. Purple flowers in summer. Roots harvested in February and July.
Li Shizhen said: The shape described by Han Baosheng is correct, but each plant produces only one stem. Flowers are about one cun long, red-purple, center like a tongue. Its roots resemble water chestnuts, with an umbilicus like that of *Eleocharis dulcis*, or like flat spiral patterns. Difficult to dry.
Root
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* says: Pungent, slightly cold. Baiji: Pungent, neutral, non-toxic. Wu Pu said: Shenneng considered it bitter; Huangdi considered it pungent; Li Dangzhi considered it greatly cold; Leigong considered it pungent, non-toxic. Daming said: Sweet, pungent. Gao said: Bitter, sweet, slightly cold, astringent nature, Yin within Yang.
[Indications] Carbuncles, malignant sores, necrotic ulcers, damaged yin and dead muscle, pathogenic qi in the stomach, thief wind and ghost strikes, flaccidity and inability to move (*Benjing*). Remove white tinea and scabies mites (*Mingyi Bielu*). Resolve accumulated heat that does not dissipate, genital flaccidity, facial pigmentation, making skin smooth (Zhen Quan). Stop惊邪 blood dysentery, epilepsy, wind-bi, red eye obstruction, warm-heat malaria, back carbuncles, scrofula, intestinal wind and hemorrhoids, traumatic injuries, knife and arrow wounds, scalds and burns, promote tissue regeneration and relieve pain (Daming). Stop lung bleeding (Li Gao).
Baiji: Treats hidden parasites and swelling/pain of white tinea (*Mingyi Bielu*).
[Invention/Analysis] Gong said: People in wild areas suffering from cracked hands and feet chew it and apply it, which is effective due to its sticky nature.
Su Song said: Physicians now use it frequently in prescriptions for treating non-healing metallic wounds and carbuncles/ulcers.
Zhenheng said: For continuous hematemesis, Baiji should be added.
Li Shizhen said: Baiji is astringent and contracting, receiving the command of Autumn Metal, thus entering the Lung to stop bleeding and promote tissue regeneration for treating sores. According to Hong Mai's *Yijian Zhi*: A jailer in Taizhou pitied a major prisoner. The prisoner, grateful, said: I committed capital offenses seven times, endured interrogation and torture, damaging my lungs to the point of vomiting blood. Someone passed down a prescription: Use only Baiji powder, taken daily with rice water, with miraculous effect. Later, when this prisoner was executed by lingchi, the executioner cut open his chest and found dozens of holes in the lungs, all filled with Baiji, the color unchanged. When Hong Guanzhi heard this and took office in Yangzhou, a soldier suddenly suffered severe hemoptysis, critically ill. Using this method saved him, stopping bleeding in one day. *Zhai Xuan* states: Blood testing method: Spit into a bowl of water. Floating blood is Lung blood; sinking blood is Liver blood; half-floating/half-sinking is Heart blood. Based on observation, cook sheep lung, liver, or heart, dip in Baiji powder, and take daily.
[Attached Prescriptions] One old, eight new. Epistaxis unceasing: Mix Baiji powder with saliva, apply to the shangen (root of nose), simultaneously swallow one qian with water, stops immediately (*Jingyan Shengbian*). Double tongue and goose mouth: Baiji powder mixed with milk, applied to the sole of the foot (*Shenghui Fang*). Uterine prolapse in women: Equal parts Baiji and Chuanwu (Aconitum carmichaelii). Grind to powder, wrap one qian in silk, insert into vagina, three cun deep, remove when warmth is felt in abdomen, use once daily (*Guangji Fang*). Ding sores and swelling/toxins: Half a qian of Baiji powder, clarified with water, remove water, spread on thick paper and apply (*Xiuzhen Fang*). Contusions and fractures: Take two qian of Baiji powder mixed with wine, efficacy equals natural copper and ancient coins (*Yonglei Fang*). Knife/axe injuries: Equal parts Baiji and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum). Grind to powder. Apply to wound, promotes healing (*Jiji Fang*). Hand/foot fissures: Plug cracks with Baiji powder mixed with water. Avoid water contact (*Jiji Fang*). Scalds and burns: Apply Baiji powder mixed with oil (*Zhao Zhenren Fang*).