Library

(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Bie Lu*)

[Names] Lv (from *Erya*), Ao (pronounced "Ao"), Lv (commentary by Guo Pu), Zicao (from *Qianjin Fang*), Echangcai (Goose Intestine Vegetable).

Li Shizhen states: This herb has very lush vines, with a thread-like strand in the center, hence the name. The common people call it "E'er Changcai" (Goose Intestine Vegetable) due to its shape. It is easy to proliferate, thus called Zicao. The *Ancient Yuefu* says: "When making music, one should act in time; how can one wait for Lai Zi?" Here, "Zi" refers to the herb name, which is this plant.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bie Lu* states: Fanchu (Stellaria media), harvested at noon on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, dried for use.

Su Gong states: This is indeed Jichang (Chicken Intestine Herb). It grows abundantly beside wetlands and ditches. The vulgar generally call it Jichang, while scholars collectively name it Fanchu.

Zhen Quan states: Fanchu is a vine-type herb. He also suspects that Bairuancao may be the same.

Miao Baosheng states: Leaves are green, flowers white; the seedlings are harvested for medicinal use.

Su Song states: It is Jichang. It is abundant in the south, growing in fields. It may also be found in wetlands near the lower reaches of the Bian River. The leaves resemble those of Nymphoides peltata but are smaller. In summer and autumn, small white-yellow flowers appear. The stems are vining; when broken, they reveal thread-like strands. They are thin, hollow, and resemble chicken intestines, hence the name. The *Ben Cao Jing* lists Fanchu and Jichang as two separate items, but Su Gong considers them one item. Careful examination: Guo Pu's commentary on *Erya* states: "Lv is also named Jichangcao," confirming they are the same item. Differences in appearance between northern and southern specimens, due to soil fertility, may lead people to suspect they are two different items. However, Ge Hong's *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* for treating sudden strangury mentions using both Jichang and Fanchu, suggesting they might be distinct. Their functions generally relate to blood, so humans are advised to consume them.

Li Shizhen states: Fanchu is Echang (Goose Intestine), not Jichang (Chicken Intestine). It is extremely common in low-lying wet areas. Seedlings emerge in the first lunar month, with leaves as large as a finger. Thin stems trail and spread; when broken, they are hollow with a silk-like thread inside. As a vegetable, it is sweet and crisp. After the third lunar month, it becomes tough. It opens into small white-petaled flowers. It bears small fruits the size of barnyard millet seeds, containing fine seeds like Thlaspi seeds. Wu Rui's *Ben Cao* claims that yellow-flowered plants are Fanchu and white-flowered plants are Jichang, which is incorrect. These two herbs are similar. However, Echang tastes sweet, has hollow stems with threads, and white flowers; Jichang tastes slightly bitter, produces slippery saliva when chewed, lacks threads in the stem, has a slightly purple color, and purple flowers. These features distinguish them.

[Properties and Flavor] Sour, neutral, non-toxic. Chen Cangqi states: Bitter. Li Shizhen states: Sweet, slightly salty. Zhen Quan states: Warm. Sun Simiao states: The Yellow Emperor said: Consuming it with eel induces Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting syndrome) and causes forgetfulness.

[Indications] Chronic malignant ulcers, non-healing hemorrhoids (*Bie Lu*). Breaks blood stasis, promotes lactation; suitable for postpartum women. For postpartum abdominal masses and pain, stir-fry with wine, squeeze out the juice, and take warm. Alternatively, dry and powder it, mix with vinegar paste to form pills, take fifty pills on an empty stomach to expel evil blood (Chen Cangqi).

[Elucidation] Tao Hongjing states: Harvest this vegetable on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, dry it, burn it to ash/powder, and it is effective for treating various ulcers. It can also be taken mixed with other herbs, not limited to this single type.

Zhen Quan states: It has miraculous effects in treating malignant ulcers; crush and apply the juice. Eating it as a vegetable benefits the body. Only those harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month are effective.

He also states: It removes blood stasis. Do not consume for long periods, lest it deplete the blood.

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

Dietary Therapy for Blackening Hair: Make Fanchu into pickles; long-term consumption can blacken hair (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Sudden Strangury: Take a handful full of fresh Fanchu grass, boil in water, and drink frequently (*Fan Wang Dongyang Fang*).

Postpartum Abdominal Masses and Pain: See the usage of Fanchu mentioned above.

Male Genital Ulcers: For ulcers on the penis and glans, causing unbearable pain and chronic non-healing. Burn five fen of Fanchu collected on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month until charred, add two fen of fresh earthworm excrement, mix with a little water, grind into a paste, and apply to the lesion. Change when dry. Avoid alcohol, wheat products, Five Pungent Spices, and hot foods. Highly effective (*Bianque Fang*).