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(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Shiwei (pronounced like "zhe"), Shipi (recorded in *Mingyi Bielu*), Shilan.
Taohongjing stated: It spreads over rocks, growing leaves resembling leather, hence named Shiwei.
Li Shizhen stated: Soft leather is called Wei, which also means skin.

[Collection and Description] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Shiwei grows on rocks in the valleys of Huayin. Those grown in places where no water sounds or human voices are heard are considered superior. Leaves are harvested in the second lunar month and dried in the shade.
Taohongjing stated: It is found everywhere. The variety from Jianping has large and thick leaves.
Su Gong stated: This plant grows in clusters in shady spots beside rocks and does not form vines. The variety growing on old tiled roofs is named Wa Wei, which is also effective for treating strangury.
Su Song stated: It is now produced in Jin, Jiang, Chu, Hai, Fuzhou, and Jiangning. It grows in clusters on rocks; the leaves resemble willow leaves, have hairs on the back, and spots resembling leather texture. Fuzhou has another variety of Shipi that flowers in the third lunar month; its leaves are collected to make a bath decoction for treating wind disorders.
Li Shizhen stated: It mostly grows in shady cliffs and dangerous crevices. Its leaves can be nearly one chi long and more than one cun wide, soft and tough like leather, with yellow hairs on the back. There is also a variety with golden star-like spots, named Jinxing Cao. The leaves do not wither in winter. Another variety resembles apricot leaves, also grows on rocks, and has similar properties.

[Preparation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: When used medicinally, the yellow hairs must be removed. If the hairs penetrate the lungs, they cause coughing, which is difficult to treat.
Meng Shen stated: For medicinal use, remove the leaf stalks and apply slight roasting before use. Another method: stir-fry until dry with sheep fat.

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Sweet. Li Dangzhi stated: Slightly cold.
Xu Zhicai stated: Huashi (Talcum), Xingren (Apricot Seed), and Shegan (Belamcanda Rhizome) act as guides; it works well with Changpu (Acorus). It can counteract the toxicity of Dansha (Cinnabar) and Fanshi (Alum).

[Therapeutic Actions] Treats deficiency-heat and pathogenic factors, five types of strangury with obstruction, and promotes urination through the urinary pathways (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Relieves irritability and descends rebellious Qi, unblocks fullness in the Bladder, tonifies the five deficiencies, calms the five Zang organs, expels evil wind, and benefits essence and Qi (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats dribbling strangury and enuresis (*Rihua Bencao*). Charred and powdered, taken with cold wine, treats Fa Bei (back carbuncle) (recorded by Su Song). Mainly treats metrorrhagia and metrorrhaxis, traumatic injuries, and clears Lung Qi (recorded by Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] Five new prescriptions.
Strangury with pain: Shiwei (Pyrrosiae Folium) and Huashi (Talcum) in equal parts, powdered. Take a Dao Gui dose with water; it acts fastest (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).
Retention of urine (Zhuan Pao): Shiwei (hairs removed) and Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen) each 2.5 qian, decocted in two zhan of water to one zhan, taken before meals (*Zhimifang*).
Metrorrhagia and metrorrhaxis: Shiwei powdered. Take 3 qian per dose with warm wine; very effective.
Blood before urination: Shipi powdered. Take 2 qian with decoction made from eggplant branches (*Puji Fang*).
Cough due to Qi heat: Shiwei and Binglang (Areca Seed) in equal parts, powdered. Take 2 qian with ginger soup (*Shengji Zonglu*).