Library

(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**Names:** Gui Tao (Ghost Peach, from *Benjing*), Yang Chang (Sheep Intestine, same meaning), Xi Zi (Fine Seed, details unclear).

**Collection and Explanation:** *Bielu* states: Yang Tao grows in mountains, forests, river valleys, and fields. It is harvested in the second lunar month and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing says: It is abundant in wild mountains and hills. It closely resembles the domestic peach (*Prunus persica*) but is distinct from the mountain peach. Its flowers are very red. The fruit is small, fine, and bitter, making it inedible. The *Classic of Poetry* states: "In the lowlands there is Chang Chu," referring to this plant. It is no longer used in medical prescriptions.
Su Baosheng says: It grows in plains and marshes and is found everywhere. The stems are long and weak, unable to grow into trees. The leaves and flowers resemble those of the peach tree; the fruits are small like jujube pits. People now call it Xi Zi. Its root resembles that of the peony (*Paeonia lactiflora*). Guo Pu said: Yang Tao has leaves resembling peach leaves, white flowers, and fruits like wheat grains, also similar in shape to peaches. Lu Ji in his *Commentary on the Classic of Poetry* stated: The leaves are long and narrow, with purple-red flowers. The branches and stems are weak, extending over a foot and creeping along grass. People now use it for making ropes for drawing water because it is heavy and sinks easily, which is inferior to willow. Near the base, one can cut off the bark with a knife and place it in hot ashes to remove it; it can then be used to wrap pen tubes.
Li Shizhen says: Yang Tao has stems as thick as a finger, resembling a tree but weak and vine-like. In spring, tender shoots grow soft. The leaves are palm-sized, green on top and white underneath, hairy, and shaped like ramie (*Boehmeria nivea*) but rounder. When its stems are soaked in water, they produce a slimy substance.

**Stems and Roots**

**Nature and Flavor:** Bitter, Cold, Toxic.
Chen Cangqi says: Sweet, Non-toxic.

**Indications:** Treats heat conditions, sudden reddening of the body, clears internal heat in children, resolves accumulation due to Wind-Water, and treats malignant sores (*Benjing*). Removes five types of water retention in the five Zang organs, abdominal distension, promotes urination, tonifies Qi, and can be used as a bathing decoction (*Bielu*). Boiled into juice, it washes away wind-induced itching and various swelling sores with extreme efficacy (Meng Shen).
Roots: Soaked in wine and taken orally to treat emaciation and weakness caused by Wind-Heat (Chen Cangqi).

**Attached Prescriptions:** One old prescription, three new ones.
For Typhoid fever transforming into complications, with vexing pain in the four limbs, anorexia, and excessive sleepiness: Take ten jin of Yang Tao, pound it until熟 (cooked/softened), soak it in three dou of hot water. At noon, sit in the solution for the duration of cooking a meal. It will heal within no more than three treatments (*Qianjin Fang*).
For typhoid toxin attacking, causing swelling and pain in hands and feet: Boil Yang Tao to make juice, add a little salt and fermented soybeans, and soak the affected area (*Zhouhou Fang*).
For edema with drum-like abdominal distension and difficulty in urination and defecation: Use half a jin each of Yang Tao roots, Mulberry Root Bark (*Morus alba* root bark), Akebia Stem (*Akebiae Caulis*), and Spurge Root (*Euphorbiae Radix*, stir-fried) [chopped]. Add ten dou of water, boil down to five sheng, and simmer until it resembles thin syrup. Take one spoonful on an empty stomach with tea. Once urination and defecation become smooth, nourish the body with porridge (*Shenghui Fang*).
For spider bite toxicity: Pound fresh Yang Tao leaves and apply them externally to the site; healing occurs immediately (*Beiji Fang*).