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(Registered as a Superior Grade herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica])

[Names] Rou Song Rong (from *Wu Pu Bencao* [Materia Medica by Wu Pu]), Hei Si Ming (from *Wu Pu Bencao*).
Li Shizhen says: This substance tonifies without being harsh, hence the name "Cong Rong" (Calm and Gentle). "Cong Rong" refers to a gentle and unhurried appearance.

[Collection and Explanation] The *Bie Lu* [Record of Exclusion] states: Cong Rong grows in the valleys of Hexi and in Yanmen of Dai Commandery. It is harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and dried in the shade.
Pu says: It grows in the shady areas of mountains in Hexi, growing in clumps, harvested from the second to the eighth lunar months.
Hongjing says: Yanmen of Dai Commandery belongs to Bingzhou; where there are many horses, it is found. It is said to grow from wild horse essence falling to the ground. When fresh, it resembles meat. It is excellent for making mutton soup to tonify deficiency and exhaustion, and can also be eaten raw. It is very abundant south of the Ruirui River. Currently, the best quality comes from Longxi, with a flat and broad shape, soft and moist, rich in flowers, and sweet in taste. The next best comes from Beidi, with a shorter shape and fewer flowers. There is also some in Badong Jianping, but it is not of good quality.
Gong says: This describes Cao Cong Rong [Herbal Cistanche], whereas Tao Hongjing did not see the true Rou Cong Rong [Meat Cistanche]. What people use today is also Cao Cong Rong, with flowers scraped off, passed off as Rou Cong Rong, but its efficacy is slightly inferior.
Baosheng says: It is produced in the sands of Fulu County, Suzhou. In March and April, the roots are dug up, over a chi long. The central good parts of three or four cun are cut, threaded with rope, and dried in the shade. They are ready by August, with pine-nut-like scales on the skin. The herbal variety, Cao Cong Rong, is harvested in mid-April, five to six cun to one chi long, with a round purple stem.
Daming says: It grows under deciduous trees and on earth banks; this is not where horses mate, so Tao's statement is erroneous. There is also Hua Cong Rong [Flowering Cistanche], which sprouts in late spring, but its power is weaker.
Song says: It is now common in various prefectures of Shaanxi, yet not as good as that from the Western Qiang borders, which has thick flesh and potent energy. The old theory says it is born from wild horse semen, but now people in the west say it grows abundantly among large trees and in earth banks, indicating it has its own species. Some suspect it initially grows from horse discharge and later propagates, similar to Qian Gen [Qian Grass Root] growing from human blood. Harvesting in May fears it may become too old and unusable, so it is mostly harvested in March.
Zhenheng says: After the unification of Hexi, we have only recently recognized its true form. Where are these so-called scales? Because Cong Rong is rare, many people use Jin Lian Gen [Golden Lotus Root] preserved in salt basins to fake it, and fill it with Cao Cong Rong. Users should examine carefully.
Jiamo says: People nowadays fake it using tender pine tips moistened with salt.

[Processing] Says: Generally, before use, it must be soaked in clear wine overnight. At dawn, brush off sand, soil, and floating scales with a palm fiber brush. Split the center and remove one layer of white membrane, resembling bamboo silk grass. If this membrane remains, it can obstruct the Qi in front of the heart, causing upper Qi rebellion (asthma/dyspnea). Steam it in a steamer from Wu hour (11 am-1 pm) to You hour (5 pm-7 pm), then take out and roast properly with butter/suet.

[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, slightly warm, non-toxic. *Bie Lu* says: Sour, salty. Pu says: Shen Nong and Huang Di considered it salty; Lei Gong considered it sour; Li Dangzhi considered it slightly warm.

[Indications] Treats Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries, tonifies the Middle Jiao, eliminates cold-hot pain in the penis, nourishes the Five Zang Organs, strengthens Yin, benefits Essence and Qi, promotes fertility, treats abdominal masses in women. Long-term use lightens the body (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Eliminates pathogenic Qi in the Bladder causing lower back pain, stops dysentery (*Bie Lu*). Benefits Marrow, enhances complexion, prolongs life, greatly tonifies and strengthens Yang, doubles sexual capacity, treats uterine bleeding in women (Zhen Quan). Treats men with absolute Yang failure and inability to erect, women with absolute Yin failure and inability to conceive, moistens the Five Zang Organs, builds muscle, warms the waist and knees, treats seminal emission, hematuria, and post-void dribbling in men, leukorrhea and genital pain in women (Daming).

[Elucidation] Haoguo says: For those with insufficient Ministerial Fire at the Gate of Life, this is used to tonify; it is a medicine entering the Kidney Meridian Blood aspect. Whenever Cong Rong is taken to treat the Kidneys, it inevitably hinders the Heart.
Zhenheng says: It severely tonifies Essence and Blood. If used abruptly, it may cause loose stools.
Cangqi says: Strengthens tendons and bones, benefits Marrow. By grinding Cong Rong and Eel into powder and taking it as pills made with Polygonatum juice, the efficacy can be tenfold. This theory comes from *Ganning Ji*.
Song says: People in the West often use it as food. Only scraping off the scales, washing away the black juice with wine, slicing thinly, and cooking with Yam and Mutton makes a delicious soup, beneficial to people, surpassing medicinal tonics.
Zong says: Washing away the black juice removes all flavor. However, only tender ones can be used for soup; old ones are bitter. For medicinal use, small doses are ineffective.

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, four new prescriptions.
Tonifying exhaustion and injury, ruined Essence with dark face: Use four liang of Cong Rong, boiled until soft, sliced thinly and finely ground. Add fine mutton meat, divided into four portions. Add five spices, cook with rice into porridge, eat on an empty stomach. (*Yao Xing Lun*)
Kidney Deficiency with White Turbidity: Equal parts Cong Rong, Deer Antler, Chinese Yam, and Poria. Grind into powder, make pills with rice paste the size of wu zi seeds. Take thirty pills per dose with jujube decoction. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Excessive sweating with constipation, suitable for elderly and deficient persons: Two liang of Cong Rong (soaked in wine, baked), one liang of powdered Agarwood. Grind into powder, make pills with sesame seed juice the size of wu zi seeds. Take seventy pills per dose with plain water. (*Jisheng Fang*)
Xiao Zhong [Gluttony/Thirst with Hunger] prone to hunger: Cong Rong, Cornus Fruit, and Schisandra Berry ground into powder. Make honey pills the size of wu zi seeds. Take twenty pills per dose with salted wine. (*Yixue Zhinan*)
Broken Wind Disease [Tetanus], locked jaw and stiff body: Slice Cong Rong and dry in the sun. Use a small cup with holes punched in the bottom. Burn it to produce smoke and fumigate the wound repeatedly. Effective. (*Weisheng Zongwei*)