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

**[Names]** Hu Bohe (Cinnamon Mint, from *Tianbao Fang*), Diqian Cao (Earth Coin Grass, from *Tangben Zhu*), Lianqian Cao (Linked Coin Grass, from *Yaotu*), Haisu.

Tao Hongjing stated: Jixuecao is not used in prescriptions; it is likely named for its cold and cooling nature.

Su Gong stated: The leaves of this herb are round like coins. People in Jingchu call it Diqian Cao. Xu Yi's *Yao Cao Tu* names it Lianqian Cao. Details follow below.

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Jixuecao grows in the valleys and rivers of Jingzhou.

Su Gong stated: The leaves of this herb are round and large like coins, the stems are thin and tough, it grows as a vine by streams, and its growing places are relatively scarce.

Su Song stated: It is now found everywhere. The aerial parts and leaves are harvested in the eighth and ninth lunar months and dried in the shade. Duan Chengshi in *Youyang Zazu* said: Diqian has round leaves and thin stems, spreading over the ground. One variety is called Jixuecao, another Lianqian Cao. I have verified that *Tianbao Danxing Fang* records: Lianqian Cao grows in the low-lying wetlands of Xianyang, and also in the ponds and marshes of Linzi Commandery and Jiyang Commandery, with a very fragrant odor. In common parlance, some say its round leaves resemble Bohe (Peppermint). It is extremely abundant in Jiangdong, specifically Wuyue and Danyang Commanderies, where locals often consume it raw as a vegetable. In Hebei Liucheng Commandery, it is entirely called Haisu. It prefers growing near water, survives through winter, and is also found in Xianyang and Luoyang. Some call it Hu Bohe, which is present in all regions. Used alone, it treats lower abdominal pain in women.

Chen Cheng stated: Jixuecao is abundant in the South, growing in shady and wet areas, not limited to Jingchu. Its shape resembles Shuixing (Water Naiad) but is smaller, with a smooth surface, differing only in having slightly pointed tips. The leaves grow separately. People today call it Lianqian Cao, likely taking its name from its appearance.

Li Shizhen stated: According to Su Gong's annotation on Bohe: "There is a vining variety with similar efficacy." Su Song's *Tujing* states: "Hu Bohe is similar to Bohe, but tastes less sweet. It grows between Jiangsu and Zhejiang, where people often use it as tea. Locally called Xinluo Bohe, this is the Lianqian Cao used in *Tianbao Fang*." Based on these two accounts, Jixuecao is indeed Hu Bohe, which is the vining variety of Bohe. Furthermore, *Xianguang Xin Yu Ce* states: "Diqian is a yin herb. It grows between Jing, Chu, Jiang, Huai, Min, and Zhe, often in the crevices of brick pavements in palaces and temples. The leaves are round like coins, trailing vines spread over the ground, smelling like Xixin (Asarum), and it does not flower."

**[Stems and Leaves]**

**[Flavor and Nature]** Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic. Meng Shen stated: Bitter, Pungent. Su Song stated: Sweet, Neutral, Non-toxic.

Li Shizhen stated: Extracting its juice can coagulate grass sand and fix sulfur (reduce toxicity).

**[Indications]** High fever, malignant sores and carbuncles, oozing red lesions, reddened skin, body heat (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Crushed and applied externally to treat hot swelling and erysipelas (Su Gong). Treats sudden high fever, alternating chills and fever in children, internal heat accumulation; take the crushed juice orally (Zang Qi). Used alone to treat scrofula and rat chancre, with alternating chills and fever (Zhen Quan). Mixed with salt and applied to swellings and toxic sores, as well as wind-rash and tinea ( *Rihua Bencao*). Huba Qia: Treats qi stagnation attacking the chest and diaphragm; decoct and drink for immediate effect (Shi Liang). Crushed into juice and applied to eyes for acute redness is effective (Li Shizhen).

**[Prescriptions]** Two old prescriptions, two new prescriptions.

**Heat-toxin carbuncle and swelling:** Collect Lianqian Cao after autumn. Dry in the shade and grind into powder. Mix with water and apply externally. Freshly crushed application is also acceptable. (Kou Zongshi, *Yanyi*)

**Lower abdominal pain in women:** Su Song stated: *Tianbao Danxing Fang* records: "Women suddenly suffer from lower abdominal pain. As menstruation begins, severe pain radiates to the waist and spine, feeling like being pierced by knives or awls, unbearable. Physicians fail to distinguish it, attributing it to 'ghost transmission' (chronic infectious disease), and prescribe various medicines indiscriminately, yielding no benefit and worsening the condition. Upon verifying the symptoms match, use this herb. Harvest the herb when it blooms in the fifth lunar month, dry it, crush and sieve it into a powder. Take two fangcun bi (measurements) each time, mixed with two small he (measurements) of good vinegar, stirred evenly, taken in one dose on an empty stomach at dawn. Take once every morning until effective. If the woman suffers from cold in the yin region, take five liang of the aforementioned powder, add two hundred peeled and tip-removed Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), roast and crush into a powder, form pills with honey the size of wu zi (wu berry seeds). Take thirty pills each morning on an empty stomach with rice drink and wine, twice daily, until cured. Avoid hemp seeds and buckwheat." (*Tujing Bencao*)

**Blood disorders in men and women:** Jiuxian Quhong San (Nine Immelants Red-Expelling Powder): Highly effective for vomiting blood, hematochezia, and metrorrhagia in women. Use Jixuecao 5 qian, Dang Gui (wine-washed), Zhizi Ren (wine-fried), Puhuang (fried), Huanglian (fried), Tiao Huangqin (wine-fried), Sheng Dihuang (wine-washed), Chen Huaihua (fried) each 1 qian. For upper bleeding, add Ou Jie (Lotus Node) 1.5 qian; for lower bleeding, add Diyu (Sanguisorba Root) 1.5 qian. Decoct in two zhong of water until one zhong remains, then take. Highly effective. This prescription was obtained secretly. It is puzzling why this herb's indication differs from the standard Materia Medica descriptions. (Dong Bing, *Jiyan Fang*)

**Toothache stuffed in ear:** Use Lianqian Cao (i.e., Jixuecao), mix with mud from drainage ditches, crush thoroughly, and stuff into the affected ear according to the side. (*Zhixuan Fang*)