Library

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

**[Names]** Huangzhizhu (Yellow Rhododendron) (*Bencao Gangmu*), Huang Dujue (Yellow Azalea) (*Mengquan*), Yang Bushi Cao (Herb Goats Do Not Eat) (*Shiyi*), Naoyanghua (Naoyang Flower) (*Bencao Gangmu*).
Tao Hongjing stated: "Goats eat its leaves and die from thrashing about (zhi zhu), hence the name. 'Nao' should be written as 'Nao'. Nao means to disturb."

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Bielu* states: "Yangzhizhu grows in the valleys of Mount Taihang and the mountains south of the Huai River. Collect the flowers in the third lunar month and dry them in the shade."
Tao Hongjing stated: "It is found in various mountains near the capital. Its flowers and seedlings resemble those of *Hemerocallis middendorffii* (Luzhong); it must not be brought close to the eyes."
Su Gong stated: "The flower does not resemble Luzhong; it is exactly like the yellow-flowered *Convolvulus arvensis* (Xuanhua)."
Han Baosheng stated: "It is a small tree, two chi tall. The leaves resemble peach leaves, and the flowers are yellow like melon flowers. Collect the flowers in the third and fourth lunar months and dry them in the sun."
Su Song stated: "It is available everywhere. In spring, the seedlings emerge resembling Luzhong, with leaves resembling red flowers, and stems three or four chi high. In summer, it blooms resembling *Campsis grandiflora* (Lingxiaohua) and *Punica granatum* (Shanshiliu), with a pure yellow color; goats die after eating it. Currently, in Lingnan and the Shu roads, valleys are filled with growth, all deep red like brocade. However, some say this variety is not used in medicine."
Li Shizhen stated: "What Han Baosheng described as resembling peach leaves is the most accurate. Its flowers have five petals, with both stamens and petals being yellow, and the odor is foul. The deep-red variety mentioned by Su Song is the *Punica granatum* known as Hongzhizhu, which is non-toxic and belongs to a different category. Zhang Yi in *Guangya* claimed that Zhizhu is also called Jueguang, which is incorrect. Jueguang refers to *Cassia obtusifolia* (Jueming). According to the collected works of Li Shen of the Tang Dynasty: 'Lu Valley has many wild loquats, which are toxic and can kill humans; their flowers are bright and beautiful, resembling azaleas, and woodcutters recognize them.' This description seems to refer to Yangzhizhu, though it is uncertain. It is likely of the same class."

**Flower**
**[Nature and Flavor]** Pungent, Warm, Highly Toxic.
Chen Zangqi stated: "It is incompatible with various mineral drugs and flour; it is not included in decoctions. Its toxicity is subdued by Cinnabar (Dansha), Realgar (Xionghuang), and Orpiment (Xihuang); it fears Gardenia (Zhizi)."

**[Indications]** Wind-pathogens lurking in the skin causing creeping pain, warm malaria, malignant toxins, and various Bi-syndromes (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).

**[Elucidation]** Su Song stated: "Ancient major formulas often used Zhizhu. For example, Hu Qia's treatment for epidemic red rash, and formulas such as Wusu Siman Wan for treating coughs and fullness, as well as various wine preparations for wind syndromes, all mixed it in. Furthermore, for treating rheumatism from wind and dampness in hundred diseases, Lu King's Wine also used Zhizhu flowers. Current medical prescriptions, such as Lujiao Tang, use it frequently. In the South, for treating gu poison with bloody stool, there is Zhizuhua San, said to be very effective."
Li Shizhen stated: "This substance is highly toxic. There was a case where someone drank wine infused with its roots, resulting in death. The *Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang* uses it in Fuhu Dan for treating stroke-induced paralysis, but only in small doses."

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Four new prescriptions.
**Wind-phlegm injecting pain:** Fresh Zhizhu flowers and Arisaema cum Bile (Tiannanxing) are pounded together into cakes, steamed over a steamer four or five times, and stored in thin kudzu cloth bags. When needed, take, bake until dry, powder, and form pills the size of sophora seeds. Take three pills each time with warm wine. For lower back and foot bone pain, take on an empty stomach; for arm pain, take after meals. Highly effective. (*Xu Chuanxin Fang*)
**Gouty wandering pain:** One handful of Huangzhizhu roots, one zhan of glutinous rice, half a zhan of black soybeans, one bowl of wine, and one bowl of water. Drink slowly. Causes severe vomiting and diarrhea; effective with one dose.
**Wind-damp Bi-pain, contraction and inability to move hands, feet, and body, joint pain, slurred speech:** Steep Zhizhu flowers in wine for the duration of one meal, dry in the sun, and powder. Mix 0.5 fen with one he of cow milk and two he of wine, then take orally. (*Shenghui Fang*)
**Wind-worm toothache:** One qian of Zhizhu and two and a half qian of Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux (Caowutou). Powder them, melt beeswax to form pills the size of beans. Wrap one pill in cotton, bite it, and promote salivation. (*Haishang Xianfang*)

**[Appendix] Shanzhizhu.** Li Shizhen stated: "It grows in valleys everywhere. It is four or five chi high, or one to two chi low.
In spring, seedlings and leaves emerge, light green. Branches are few, but flowers are abundant, with several calyxes per branch. Flowers begin in the second lunar month, resembling Yangzhizhu, but the calyx resembles that of *Punica granatum*. Colors include red, purple, five-petaled, and double-petaled varieties. Children who eat its flowers find the taste sour and non-toxic. It is also known as Hongzhizhu, Shanshiliu, Yingshanhong, and Dujuanhua. The yellow-flowered variety is the toxic Yangzhizhu."