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(From *Xin Xiu Ben Cao*)
[Collected Explanations] Su Gong stated: It grows in Suzhou and Baxi. The leaves resemble those of *Medicago sativa* (Alfalfa), the flowers are yellow, and the root resembles that of *Polygala tenuifolia* (Yuanzhi). The roots are harvested in February and March and dried in the sun.
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Book of Tang*, it is recorded as "Baimai Gen" (Cypress Vein Root) and was an annual tribute from Suzhou. It is also occasionally used in major prescriptions such as *Qianjin Fang* and *Waitai Miyao*. It is no longer heard of nowadays; perhaps its name has changed again.

Root
[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Directs Qi downward, relieves thirst, clears heat, eliminates deficiency exhaustion, and tonifies insufficiency. It can be soaked in wine or decocted in water, and used in pills or powders. (*Xin Xiu Ben Cao*)

(From *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing*, Middle Grade)
[Names] Xianlingpi (仙灵脾) (*Xin Xiu Ben Cao*), Fangzhangcao (放杖草 - Staff-Dropping Grass) (*Rihua Bencao*), Qizhangcao (弃杖草 - Discarded-Staff Grass) (*Rihua Bencao*), Qianliangjin (千两金 - Thousand Taels of Gold) (*Rihua Bencao*), Ganjijin (干鸡筋 - Dried Chicken Sinew) (*Rihua Bencao*), Huanglianzu (黄连祖 - Ancestor of Coptis) (*Rihua Bencao*), Sanzhi Jiuyecao (三枝九叶草 - Three Branches Nine Leaves Grass) (*Bencao Tujing*), Gangqian (刚前) (*Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing*).
Tao Hongjing stated: Taking it makes people inclined towards sexual intercourse. In the northern part of Western Sichuan, there are yaks (or goats) called "Yinyang," which mate a hundred times a day, likely due to eating this herb's leaves, hence the name Yinyanghuo.
Li Shizhen stated: Leguminous leaves are called "Huo." Since the leaves of this plant resemble them, it is also named Huo. Xianlingpi, Qianliangjin, Fangzhang, and Gangqian all refer to its potent efficacy. Jijin and Huanglianzu refer to the shape of its root. Liu Zongyuan wrote it as "Xianling Pi" in his writings; "Pi" refers to the umbilicus. This herb tonifies the lower jiao, which aligns well with medical theory.
[Collected Explanations] *Mingyi Bielu* stated: Yinyanghuo grows in the valleys of Yangshan in Shangjun.
Su Gong stated: It is found everywhere. The leaf shape resembles small soybean leaves but is rounder and thinner. The stem is thin and tough. It is commonly known as Xianlingpi.
Su Song stated: It grows in Jiangdong, Shaanxi, Mount Tai, Hanzhong, and Huxiang. The stem is like millet stalks. The leaves are green like apricot leaves, with prickles on the surface. The root is purple with fibrous roots. It blooms white flowers in April, though some have purple flowers; the flowers are small and fragmented, with single-headed fruits. Leaves are harvested in May and dried. Those from Huxiang have leaves like small beans, tight and fine stems, do not wither in winter, and roots resemble Coptis chinensis. In the Guanzhong region, it is called Sanzhi Jiuyecao. The seedlings are about one to two feet high, and both roots and leaves are usable. *Shu Bencao* states that those growing in places where no water sound is heard are of good quality.
Li Shizhen stated: It grows in large mountains. One root produces several stems, thick as a thread, one to two feet high. Each stem branches into three, each branch bearing three leaves. The leaves are two to three inches long, resembling apricot or legume leaves, smooth on the front and pale on the back, very thin with fine serrated edges and slight prickles.

Root and Leaves
[Processing] Lei Xiao stated: When used, it is called Xianlingpi. Use a clamp knife to remove the flower branches from the edges of the leaves. For every jin (approx. 500g) of the herb, mix-fry with four liang (approx. 200g) of sheep fat until the fat is completely absorbed.
[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, cold, non-toxic. Zheng Shi stated: Shen Nong and Lei Gong considered it pungent; Li Dangzhi considered it slightly cold. Xu Zhicai stated: Sweet, neutral. It can be used alone. Bao Sheng stated: Warm in nature.
Li Shizhen stated: Sweet, fragrant, slightly pungent, warm in nature.
Xu Zhicai stated: *Dioscorea opposita* (Shuyu) and *Ganoderma sinense* (Zizhi) act as guides. It works well when combined with wine.
[Indications] Impotence and severe injuries, pain in the penis, promotes urination, benefits Qi and strength, strengthens willpower (*Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing*). Strengthens bones and tendons, eliminates scrofula and red carbuncles, washes out parasites from sores in the lower body. Long-term use by men may cause infertility (*Mingyi Bielu*. Ma Shi noted: "Infertility" is likely an error and should be "fertility".) For men with exhausted Yang causing infertility, women with exhausted Yin causing infertility, elderly people suffering from confusion and dementia, middle-aged people with forgetfulness, all types of cold wind and labor-induced Qi disorders, spasms and stiffness of bones and tendons, numbness of the four limbs, tonifies waist and knees, strengthens heart and spirit (Kou Zongshi).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: Yinyanghuo is sweet in flavor and fragrant in aroma, warm in nature and not cold. It benefits Essence and Qi. It is a herb for the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians, the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), and the Mingmen (Gate of Life). It is suitable for those with deficiency of True Yang.
[Attached Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, five new prescriptions.
Xianlingpi Wine: Enhances male sexual function, treats coldness in the waist and knees. Take one jin of Yinyanghuo, soak in one dou (approx. 10 liters) of wine for three days, drink occasionally. (*Shiyi Xinjing*). Suitable for hemiplegia and skin numbness.
Xianlingpi Wine: One jin of Xianlingpi, finely chopped, placed in a raw silk bag, soaked in two dou of unadulterated wine in a watertight container. Seal tightly. After three days in spring/summer and five days in autumn/winter, drink warm daily. Maintain a slightly intoxicated state, avoid drunkenness. When the wine is finished, prepare a new batch. No case fails. Avoid seeing chickens and dogs during preparation. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*). For Sanjiao cough, abdominal fullness, loss of appetite, and stagnant Qi. One qian each of Xianlingpi, *Rubus chingii* (Fupenzi), and *Schisandra chinensis* (Wuweizi, stir-fried), powdered. Form pills the size of wutong seeds. Take twenty pills with ginger tea. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Blurred vision with corneal opacity: Equal parts of Xianlingpi and fresh *Trichosanthes cucumerina var. japonica* (Wagua, specifically the red variety). Powder them. Take one qian per dose, washed down with tea, twice daily. (*Shengji Zonglu*). Post-illness amaurosis (blindness); recent onset cases are treatable. One liang of Xianlingpi, one hundred grains of fermented soybean (Danshidou). Decoct in one and a half bowls of water until one bowl remains. Take at once for recovery. (Source missing in text).
Pediatric night blindness: Half a liang each of Xianlingpi root and *Bombyx mori* larva (Wancang'e), two and a half qian each of honey-fried licorice (Zhigancao) and *Belamcanda chinensis* (Shegan). Powder them. Slice one sheep liver... (Text cuts off here).
Measles/rubella affecting the eyes: Equal parts of Xianlingpi and *Clematis chinensis* (Weilingxian). Powder them. Take five fen per dose, washed down with rice soup. (*Douzhen Bianlan*). Deficient toothache: Xian... (Text cuts off here).