Library

(Pronounced "xian". Listed as Medium Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*.)

[Names] Baixian (Tao Hongjing), Baiyangxian (Tao Hongjing), Diyangxian (*Xinxiu Bencao: Tujing*), Jinque'erjiao (*Rihua Bencao*).
Tao Hongjing stated: The common name is Baiyangxian. Its odor strongly resembles mutton fat (shan), hence the alternative name Baixian.
Li Shizhen stated: The character "xian" refers to the smell of sheep. The root of this plant is white and emits a mutton-like odor; its fruits are clustered like Sichuan pepper, thus giving rise to these names.

[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Baixianpi grows in the valleys of Shanggu and Yuanju. The roots should be harvested in April and May and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing stated: It is found everywhere nearby, but those from Shu are of superior quality.
Su Gong stated: Its leaves resemble those of Cornus officinalis (Zhuyu). The seedling grows over one chi high. The root bark is white with a solid core, and the flowers are purple-white. The roots are best harvested in February; if harvested in April or May, they become hollow and inferior.
Su Song stated: It is now available in Hezhong Prefecture, Jiangning Prefecture, Chuzhou, and Runzhou. The seedling grows over one chi high, with green stems and slightly whitish leaves, resembling both Sophora japonica (Huai) and Cornus officinalis (Zhuyu). It blooms pale purple flowers in April, resembling small hibiscus flowers. The root resembles a small turnip, with yellowish-white bark and a solid core. Mountain people harvest the tender shoots as vegetables.
(Root bark)

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, cold, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Salty. Xu Zhicai stated: Incompatible with Ommatoiulus sp. (Piaoxiao), Platycodon grandiflorus (Jiegeng), Poria cocos (Fuling), and Dioscorea hypoglauca (Bixie).

[Indications] Treats cephalalgia due to wind (Toufeng), jaundice, cough with reverse flow of Qi (Nixi), stranguria with dribbling (Linli), swelling and pain in the female vagina, damp-bi syndrome causing necrosis of muscles and skin, and inability to flex, extend, or walk (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats restlessness of the four limbs, intense abdominal heat during epidemic febrile diseases accompanied by thirst, desire to run and shout, pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, and residual pain after childbirth in women (from *Mingyi Bielu*). Treats all types of heat-toxin wind syndromes, aversion to wind, wind sores, scabies, tinea with redness and ulceration, brittle hair and eyebrows falling out, tight skin and muscles, high fever with aversion to cold. Resolves various types of jaundice including heat jaundice, wine jaundice, acute jaundice, grain jaundice, and consumptive jaundice (Zhen Quan). Unblocks joints, benefits the nine orifices and blood vessels, regulates water qi in the Small Intestine, treats epidemic pestilence, cephalalgia, and ocular pain. The flowers have the same efficacy (Daming). Treats pulmonary cough (Su Song).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: Baixianpi has a cold nature that facilitates movement and a bitter flavor with drying properties. It is a herb for clearing damp-heat in the Foot-Taiyin (Spleen) and Foot-Yangming (Stomach) meridians, and also enters the Hand-Taiyin (Lung) and Hand-Yangming (Large Intestine) meridians. It is a key herb for treating various forms of jaundice and bi-syndrome caused by wind. Physicians of later generations only apply it to dermatology, which is a superficial understanding.

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, one new prescription.
For a rat abscess that has ruptured and discharged pus and blood: Decoct Baixianpi in water, take one sheng orally. The patient will vomit something resembling a young rat. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)
For postpartum wind-stroke where the patient is too weak to take other medicines: A single-herb Baixianpi Decoction. Use three sheng of fresh drawn water, decoct until one sheng remains, and take warm. (Chen Yanzhi's *Duanju Fang*)