Library

(From *Bencao Gangmu*)

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: Shigua (Stone Melon) grows in the Emei Mountains of Sichuan and in the Mangbu region. Its tree has a slender trunk, and its shape resembles that of the mulberry tree (*Morus alba*). Its flowers are pale yellow. The fruits hang like beads, long but not round; when the shell cracks, the seeds are visible. Their shape resembles a melon, their hardness is like stone, and the decoction yields a yellow liquid.

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, neutral, slightly toxic.

[Indications] Heart pain. Decoct to obtain juice, wash with it for Fengbi (Wind-Bi syndrome). (Li Shizhen).

(Fifty-one species of shrubs)

(Listed as Middle Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] The fruit is named Zhen (Mulberry fruit).
Li Shizhen said: Xu Kai stated in *Shuowen Jiezi*: "Sang" sounds like "Ruo", it is the name of the divine natural tree of the East, and its character is pictographic. Mulberry leaves are eaten by silkworms, differing from the divine natural tree of the East, hence the radical 'wood' is added below 'Ruo' to distinguish it. *Dianshu* states: Mulberry is the essence of the Ji Star.

[Collected Explanations] Su Song said: Medical texts claim the efficacy of mulberry is most miraculous, especially in human utility. *Erya* states: Mulberries distinguished by having zhen are called Zhi. It also says: Nvsang (Female Mulberry), Zensang. Zensang, is Shansang (Mountain Mulberry). Guo Pu said: Bian means half. Zhen and Shen are synonymous. Half have zhen, half do not, called Zhi. In common parlance, small mulberry trees with long branches are all called Nvsang. That Shansang resembles mulberry, its timber is suitable for bows and crossbows; Zensang silk is suitable for qin and se, both are excellent materials, rarely matched by other woods.
Mulberry leaves are pointed and long. Trees grown from seed are inferior to those propagated by layering. If yellow coating grows on mulberry, it is called Jin Sang (Golden Mulberry), and its wood will surely wither. *Zhongshu Shu* says: Grafting mulberry with trema makes the mulberry larger. Burying turtle shells under mulberry roots promotes lush growth and prevents insect damage.

Bark of White Mulberry Root
[Preparation] *Bielu* states: Gather at any time. Those exposed above ground kill humans.
Tao Hongjing said: Mulberry roots growing eastward are easy to obtain, while those by rivers often emerge from the ground; do not trust them blindly.
Li Shizhen said: Ancient materia medica states that mulberry roots seen above ground are named Ma Ling (Horse Neck), which is toxic and kills humans. Those growing sideways and emerging from the ground are named Fu She (Hidden Snake), which is also toxic but treats heart pain. Thus Wu Shu wrote in *Shilei Fu*: Fu She treats diseases, Ma Ling kills humans.
It is said: For use, gather tender roots from the eastern side of trees older than ten years, scrape off one layer of greenish-yellow thin bark with a copper knife, take the inner white bark, cut it, dry by baking, and use. Do not remove the slime in the bark, as the medicinal power resides there. Avoid iron and lead. Some say the white bark of the wood can also be used. Boiling it dyes brown, lasting long.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Quan said: Neutral.
Meng Shen said: Warm.
Zhang Yuansu said: Bitter, sour.
Li Gao said: Sweet, pungent, cold. Ascending and descending, Yin within Yang.
Li Dongyuan said: Thick sweet and thin pungent, enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Cheng Cai said: Duanxin (Teasel Root), Guixin (Cinnamon Twig Heart), Maziren (Hemp Seed) are its guides.

[Indications] Treats Shangzhong (damage to middle jiao), Wulao Liují (five labors and six extremes), emaciation, Bengzhong Juemai (metrorrhagia and pulse disappearance), tonifies deficiency and boosts qi (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Removes water qi in the lungs, spitting blood, heat and thirst, edema, abdominal fullness, unblocks water passages, removes Cunbai (tapeworm), can suture metal wounds (*Bielu*). Treats lung asthma and distension, deficiency labor with guest heat headache, internal insufficiency (Zhen Quan). Decoct and drink to benefit the five zang organs. Used in powders to expel all wind and water qi (Meng Shen). Regulates the middle, directs qi downward, resolves phlegm, stops thirst, opens the stomach, promotes digestion, kills abdominal parasites, stops cholera vomiting and diarrhea. Grind to juice to treat Xia'er Tiandiao Jingxian Ketu (infant convulsions, epilepsy, and alien invasion), and apply to Eagle Mouth Sores (thrush), highly effective.

[Elucidation] Li Gao said: Sangbaipi (Mulberry Root Bark) uses sweetness to secure insufficient yuan qi and tonify deficiency, and pungency to drain excess lung qi and stop cough. He also said: Sangbaipi drains the lung, but its nature is not purely good, so it should not be used excessively.
Li Shizhen said: Sangbaipi excels at promoting urination, following the principle of draining the son when the mother is excessive, so it is suitable for those with water qi in the lungs and excess lung fire. The Ten Formulas states: Dryness can remove dampness, such as Sangbaipi and Chixiaodou. The Song dynasty physician Qian Yi treated lung qi heat excess, cough followed by wheezing, facial swelling, and body heat, using Xiebai San (Drain White Powder): Sangbaipi (stir-fried) 1 liang, Digupi (baked) 1 liang, Gancao (stir-fried) 0.5 liang. Take 1-2 qian per dose, add 100 grains of Jingmi (Japonica Rice), decoct in water, and take warm after meals. Both Sangbaipi and Digupi can drain fire via urine, Gancao drains fire and moderates the middle, Jingmi clears the lungs and nourishes blood; this is the standard for all lung-draining formulas. Yuan dynasty physician Luo Tianyi said it drains latent fire in the lungs and tonifies righteous qi; draining evil tonifies righteousness. If lung is deficient and urination is frequent, it should not be used.
Su Song said: Sangbaipi can be made into thread to suture metal wounds with eviscerated intestines, then smear with hot chicken blood. Tang dynasty An Jinzang underwent abdominal cutting and healed using this method.

[Attached Prescriptions] Nine old, five new.
Cough with hemoptysis, severe and bright red: Sanggen Baipi (White Bark of Mulberry Root) 1 jin, soak in rice washing water for three nights, scrape off yellow skin, chop finely, add 4 liang Nuomi (Glutinous Rice), bake dry and powder. Take 1 qian per dose, swallow with rice drink. (*Experience Formula*).
Xiaoke (Wasting-Thirst) with polyuria: Take Sanggen (mulberry root) three chi underground, peel white bark, roast until yellow-black, chop. Decoct in water to make thick juice, drink as desired. Can add a little rice, do not use salt. (*Emergency Prescriptions Behind the Elbow*).
Postpartum bleeding: Roast Sangbaipi, decoct in water and drink. (*Emergency Prescriptions Behind the Elbow*).
Unceasing blood loss: Saw off Sanggen, take scraps equivalent to five fingers pinch, take with strong wine, three times a day. (*Emergency Prescriptions Behind the Elbow*).
Fall from horse causing sprain: Sanggen Baipi 5 jin powder, decoct in 1 sheng water to make paste, apply to stop bleeding. No residual blood afterwards, never recurs. (*Experience Backyard Formulas*).
Metal blade wounds: Fresh Sangbaipi, burn to ash, mix with horse manure, apply to wound, change frequently. Can also decoct and drink. (*Guangli Fang*).
Foreign object in eye: Wash fresh Sanggen Baipi, pound to pulp, put in eye,拨 (move) to extract naturally. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Hair loss in temples: Sangbaipi (chopped) 2 sheng. Submerge in water, boil 5-6 times, remove dregs, wash hair frequently, hair will not fall. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Dry lusterless hair: Sanggen Baipi and Baiye (Cypress Leaf) 1 jin each, decoct juice to wash hair, becomes moist. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Infant double tongue: Decoct Sanggen Baipi, apply to nipple for infant to suck. (*Zimu Mulu*).
Infant drooling: Due to spleen heat, phlegm in chest/diaphragm. Fresh Sanggen Baipi, crush to get natural juice, apply, very effective. Dry ones decoct in water. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Infant Tiandiao, convulsions, alien invasion: Take juice from east-growing home mulberry roots, drink. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Infant Huodan (erysipelas): Decoct Sanggen Baipi to bathe. Or powder, mix with sheep fat to apply. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Shiyong (Stone Abscess) hard without suppuration: Shu Sangbaipi dried in shade to powder, melt gelatin, mix with wine to apply, soften as goal. (*Qianjin Fang*).

White Juice in Bark
[Indications] Infant mouth sores white and spreading, wipe clean then apply, heals immediately. Also applies to dry painful metal wounds, stops bleeding quickly, wrap with white bark, very good (Su Song). Apply to snake, centipede, spider bites, effective.

[Attached Prescriptions] One old, three new.
Infant Eagle Mouth (Thrush): Sangbaipi juice, mix with Hufen (Lead Carbonate/White Lead) to apply. (*Zimu Mulu*).
Infant lip swelling: Smear Sangmu juice, heals immediately. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Resolve hundred toxins: Sangbai juice 1 he, take, vomit and diarrhea self-expel shortly after. (*Emergency Prescriptions Behind the Elbow*).
Poisoned injury with wind-stroke: Mix Sangli (Mulberry sap) and good wine, take warm, get drunk. After waking, take Xiaofeng San (Wind-Expelling Powder). (*Missing Text*).

Mulberry Fruit (Also named Wenwu Shi)
[Indications] Eat alone, stops wasting-thirst (Su Gong). Benefits five zang joints, unblocks blood and qi. Long-term use prevents hunger, calms soul and spirit, makes one smart, turns white and prevents aging. Collect much, dry in sun, powder, honey pills, take daily (Chen Cangqi). Crush to juice, drink, resolve alcohol poisoning. Brew into wine, promote water qi and reduce edema (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Kou Zongshi said: *Shennong Bencao Jing* details mulberry extensively but omits Wu Shen (Black Mulberry); the essence of mulberry lies here. Pick, slightly grind, filter juice through cloth, boil in stone vessel to thin paste, add honey according to amount, boil to thick, store in porcelain. Take 1-2 qian, after meals or before bed, dissolve in boiling water. Treats fever/thirst from mineral drugs, generates spirit, clears small intestine heat, due to its slightly cool nature. *Xianfang* dries to powder, mixes with honey into pills, takes well with wine.
Li Shizhen said: Shen comes in black and white varieties. Yang's *Chanru* says: Children should not eat mulberry fruit, causing cold heart, yet Lu Ji's *Shi Shu* says: Doves get drunk and harm their nature eating too many mulberries, why? *Simin Yueling* says: April is suitable for drinking mulberry wine, can regulate hundred types of wind-heat. Method: Use 3 dou fen juice, double-boil to 1.5 dou, add 2 he white honey, 1 liang butter, 1 he ginger, cook appropriately, bottle store. Take 1 he per dose, mix with wine. Can also ferment juice into liquor, store for years, flavor/power improves. History records Emperor Wu of Wei's army lacking food, obtained dried fen to relieve hunger. Jin...

[Attached Prescriptions] One old, seven new.
Edema and fullness: If water doesn't go down, overflows; if goes down, empties then swells again, ten die nine, use Mulberry Wine. Cut Sangxinpi, boil 2 dou water to 1 dou juice, add Fen, boil again, get 5 sheng, ferment with 5 sheng glutinous rice, drink. (*Missing Text*).
Luoli Tuberculosis: Wenwu Gao: Use Wenwu Shi (Black Mulberry) 2 dou (black ripe), press juice through cloth, boil in silver/stone vessel to thin paste. Take 1 spoon with warm water, three times daily. (*Baoming Ji*).
Bone stuck in throat: Chew Red Fen finely, swallow juice first, then dregs, rinse with fresh water. Dry ones also work. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Infant Red Baldness: Take Fen juice, drink frequently. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Infant White Baldness: Put Black Fen in jar, sun-dry 3x7 days, turns to water, wash with it, 3x7 days miraculous effect. (*Shengji Lu*).
Pull white turn black: 1 jin Black Fen, 1 jin Tadpoles, seal in jar, hang east of house for 100 days, turn to black mud, dye white hair black as lacquer. (Chen Cangqi *Bencao*).
White hair not growing: Black ripe Fen, soak in water, sun-dry, rub on scalp, turns black and regrows. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Yin Syndrome Abdominal Pain: Wrap Fen in silk, air-dry, pass through Dog Days, powder. Take 3 qian per dose, hot wine, induce sweat. (*Jijian Fang*).

Leaves
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, sweet, cold, slightly toxic.
Meng Shen said: Home Mulberry Leaves: Warm, non-toxic.

[Indications] Remove chills and fever, induce sweating (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Juice, resolve centipede poison (*Bielu*). Decoct thick juice, drink, treats Hongjiaojiao (Beriberi) edema, benefits large and small intestines (Su Gong). Roast and decoct to drink, replace tea to stop thirst (Meng Shen). Decoct to drink, benefits five zang, unblocks joints, directs qi down. Tender leaves decocted in wine, treat all winds. Steam and pound, treat Fengtong (wind pain) sweating, and contusion blood stasis. Mash, apply to snake/insect bites (Meng Shen). Grind to juice, treat metal wounds and infant kiss sores. Decoct to drink, stop cholera abdominal pain/vomiting/diarrhea, can also boil dry leaves. Jisang leaves, decoct to paste, take, remove old wind and retained blood (Chen Cangqi). Treats labor-heat cough, brightens eyes, promotes hair growth (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Su Song said: Mulberry leaves can be taken regularly. Immortal diet recipe: Pick leaves when mulberry is lush in April. Also pick when frost comes in October, one-third remains (two-thirds fallen), called Shenxian Ye (Immortal Leaf), collect, shade-dry with previous leaves, powder, take as pills/powder, or decoct as tea. Frost leaves decocted as soup, wash hands/feet, excellently removes Wind-Bi. Lightly roast and mix with Sangyi (mulberry bark) to decoct, treat dysentery and metal wounds, stop bleeding.
Zhu Zhenheng said: Frost mulberry leaf powder, take with rice drink, stops night sweats.
Li Shizhen said: Mulberry leaf is a herb for Hand and Foot Yangming meridians, juice decocted as tea, stops wasting-thirst.

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old, eleven new.
Qingmang (Congenital Blindness) Wash Method: Song Zhongfu of Wusheng Army suffered this for 20 years, used this method, eyes clear after 2 years. Pick fresh green mulberry leaves, shade-dry, burn on ground according to lunar date to retain nature. Take 1 he, decoct in porcelain vessel reducing by two parts, pour out clear liquid, wash eyes warm, up to 100 times, repeatedly tested effective. Dates: Jan 8, Feb 8, Mar 6, Apr 4, May 5, Jun 2, Jul 7, Aug 20, Sep 12, Oct 17, Nov 2, Dec 30. (*Puji Fang*).
Wind Eye Tearing: Decoct mulberry leaves that don't fall in December, wash warm daily. Or add Mangxiao (Mirabilite). (*Jijian Fang*).
Red Eye Aching Pain: Powder mulberry leaves, roll in paper, burn smoke to熏 (fumigate) nose for effect, *Haishang Fang*. (*Puji Fang*).
Hair Not Growing: Boil Sangye (Mulberry Leaf) and Maze (Hemp Leaf) in rice water to wash hair, seven times grows several feet. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Unstoppable Hemoptysis: Bake late mulberry leaves, powder, take 3 qian with cool tea. Stops in one dose, follow with liver/lung tonics. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Infant Thirst Disease: Any amount of mulberry leaves, coat each with raw honey, tie stem with thread, stretch, shade-dry. Chop fine, decoct juice, drink daily as tea. (*Missing Text*).
Cholera Convulsion, Abdominal Distress: One handful of mulberry leaves, decoct and drink, 1-2 doses settle immediately. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Large Intestine Prolapse: 3 sheng Huangpi Sangshuye (Yellow-bark Mulberry Leaves), decoct in water, apply warm and insert. (*Renzhai Zhizhi Fang*).
Lung Toxic Wind Sore, resembling Leprosy: Lvyun San: Use good mulberry leaves. Wash clean, steam (overnight), sun-dry, powder. Mix with water, take 2 qian bi. (*Experience Backyard Formulas*).
Ulcer Not Healing: Frost yellow mulberry leaves, powder, apply. (*Zhizhi Fang*).
Palm Swelling Poison: Fresh mulberry leaves mash, apply, heals immediately. (*Tongxuan Lun*).
Scald/Burn Wounds: Frost mulberry leaves (burn to retain nature), powder, mix with oil to apply. Heals in 3 days. (*Yixue Zhengchuan*).
Numb Hands/Feet Unknown Pain/Itch: Decoct frost mulberry leaves, wash frequently. (*Jiuji Fang*).

Branches
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, neutral.

[Indications] Generalized wind itching dryness, water qi, beriberi, wind qi, limb spasms, upward qi dizziness, lung qi cough, digest food, promote urination. Long-term use lightens body, sharpens ears/eyes, gives luster. Treats dry mouth and thirst after carbuncle/ulcer, use 1 sheng tender branches chopped fine, roast fragrant, decoct and drink, no taboos. Long-term use, lifelong immunity to Pi Feng (hemiplegia) (Su Song. From *Jin Xiao Fang*, named Sangzhi Jian. Another method: Chop flower mulberry branches to cun, roast fragrant, boil in earthenware to half, transfer to silver vessel, double-boil to half. Or add little honey).

[Elucidation] Su Song said: Sangzhi (Mulberry Branch) is neither cold nor hot, can be taken regularly. *Baopuzi* says: *Xianjing* states: All immortal medicines must not be taken without Sang decoction.
Li Shizhen said: Using Sang for decoctions utilizes its ability to benefit joints and remove wind-cold-damp Bi pains. Observing *Ling Shu Jing* treating cold Bi with internal heat, using Guijiu method, warming bandage with Sang charcoal; treating facial paralysis using Magao method, hooking mouth with Sang hook, sitting on Sang ash, all take this meaning. Also for carbuncles/back abscesses not rising, or necrotic flesh not ulcerating, and yin sores, luoli, flowing deposits, ding sores, stubborn sores, malignant sores not healing long-term, use Sang wood moxibustion method: before ulceration, draws out toxin and stops pain; after ulceration, supplements yang qi, also taking Sang's joint-unblocking, wind-cold-removing properties, fire nature smooths out, expelling郁毒 (depressed toxin). Method: Split dry Sang wood into thin slices, tie into small bundles, ignite, blow breath, moxa affected area. Each blowing/moxa session, stop when necrotic flesh moves, internally take tonifying/supporting herbs, truly a good formula. Also note: Zhao Bi's *Yangsheng Manbi* says: A young teacher in Yuezhou suffered bitter cough, hundred medicines ineffective. Someone ordered using a bundle of south-facing soft Sang branches, each inch broken into pot, 5 bowls water, decoct to 1 bowl, store in earthenware, drink when thirsty, cured after one month. This is also a variation of Sangzhi Jian.

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old, four new.
Dietary transformation to whiteness, long-term unblocks blood/qi, benefits five zang: Chicken Sang tender branches, shade-dry powder, honey pills. Take 60 pills with wine daily. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Water Qi Beriberi: 2 liang Sangtiao (Mulberry Twig), roast fragrant, 1 sheng water, decoct to 2 he. Take empty stomach daily, no taboos. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Wind-Heat Arm Pain: 1 small sheng Sangzhi chopped and roasted. 3 sheng water, decoct to 2 sheng, drink all day. Xu Shumi said: I once had arm pain, all medicines ineffective, took a few doses of this and recovered. Observe *Bencao Qieyong* and *Tujing* say it is neither cold nor hot, can be taken regularly; *Baopuzi* says: One...
Resolve Gu Poison: Causes solid abdominal pain, yellow-green face, emaciation, unpredictable changes. 1 hu Sangmuxin (Mulberry Wood Heart) chopped, put in cauldron, cover water 3 cun above, boil to 2 dou, clarify, simmer to 5 sheng. Take 5 he empty stomach, vomit gu poison out. (*Emergency Prescriptions Behind the Elbow*).
Puncture Injury Hands/Feet, Dew Exposure Edema Pain, often kills: Use 3 Sangzhi, fire-roast hot, break, use head to熨 (press/warm) wound until hot, change when cold, finish 3 branches then wound self-heals...
Purple/White Wind Urticaria: 10 jin Sangzhi, 3 jin Yimucao (Motherwort). 5 dou water, slow boil to 5 jin, remove dregs, re-decoct to paste. Take 1/2 he with warm wine before sleep, until cured.

Mulberry Fire Ash
[Flavor and Properties] Pungent, cold, slightly toxic.

[Indications] Steam-leach juice to make decoction, equal parts with Donghui (Winter Ash), together remove nevi/black spots, erode bad flesh. Boil adzuki beans to eat, greatly reduces water distension. Apply to metal wounds, stop bleeding, generate flesh (Su Gong). Sangshuang (Mulberry Frost), treat dysphagia mass accumulation (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] Five old, six new.
Red Swollen Painful Eyes: 1 liang Sanghui (Mulberry Ash), 0.5 liang Huanglian (Coptis), powder. Take 1 qian, steep in soup, clarify, wash. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Wash Qingmang Eyes: Jan 8, Feb 8, Mar 6, Apr 4, May 5, Jun 2, Jul 7, Aug 20, Sep 12, Oct 17, Nov 26, Dec 30. On these auspicious days, use 1 he Sangchaihui (Mulberry Firewood Ash), decoct soup, pour into porcelain, clarify extremely, wash slightly warm. If cold, re-warm in water bath, wash continuously. Eventually see clearly like a hawk.