Library

(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

**Names** Putuizi (from *Bencao Gangmu* [Compendium of Materia Medica]), Luduzi (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Huangponai.

Li Shizhen said: Tao Hongjing, in his annotations on Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu) and Prunus pseudocerasus (Yingtao), both stated that they resemble Eriobotrya japonica (Hutui zi). [Eriobotrya japonica does not shed leaves in winter and should also be beneficial to humans.] Chen Cangqi provided detailed notes on Cornus officinalis below, but no one else recognized it clearly. Upon current investigation and inquiry, it is indeed what Lei Xiao referred to as "Que'er Su" in *Leigong Paozhi Lun* [Lei's Manual of Processing Medicinal Substances], which sparrows like to eat. People in the Yue region call it Putuizi. People in the southern regions call it Luduzi. People in the Wu region call it Banhan Chun, indicating that it ripens early. People in the Xiang-Han region call it Huangponai, likening its shape to a human nipple. Liu Ji, in *Feixue Lu* [Record of Falling Snow], mentioned that Annan has a small red fruit named Luduzi; thus, "Ludu" is a barbarian term.

**Collection and Explanation** Chen Cangqi said: Eriobotrya japonica grows naturally in forests, reaching heights of over one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters). It retains its leaves through winter, with white undersides on the foliage, and children eat it as a fruit. There is another variety very similar to it, which sheds leaves in winter, fruits in spring, and ripens in summer. People call this Mu Banxia [Amorpha fruticosa or similar shrub], which possesses no other therapeutic effects.

Eriobotrya japonica is Luduzi. The tree is six to seven chi (approx. 2-2.3 meters) high, with soft branches resembling vines. The leaves are slightly similar to those of Pyrus betulaefolia (Tangli), being long, narrow, and pointed, with green upper surfaces and white lower surfaces, both covered in fine spots like stars. As the leaves age, these spots become raised like bran, yet they remain evergreen through winter. Before spring, flowers emerge resembling Syringa oblata (Dingxiang), with extremely thin pedicels hanging downwards, blooming with white flowers in the first lunar month. The fruits are small and elongated, resembling Cornus officinalis, also bearing fine star-like spots; they are green when raw and red when ripe. They can be harvested and eaten before Lixia (Start of Summer), tasting sour and astringent. The seeds resemble those of Cornus officinalis but have eight ridges, are soft rather than hard. Inside the seed is white, silk-like pulp containing a small kernel.

The Mu Banxia shares the same tree structure, leaves, flowers, fruits, and star-like spot characteristics and odor as Luduzi; however, its branches are stiff and hard, its leaves are slightly rounder with pointed tips, and its fruits are round like cherries rather than elongated. These are the differences. It ripens after Lixia, hence people in the Wu and Chu regions call it Siziyue (Fourth Month Fruit) or Ye Yingtao (Wild Cherry). Its seeds also have eight ridges. Generally, they belong to the same category but are two different species.

**Flavor and Properties** Sour, neutral, non-toxic.

Tao Hongjing said: It should not be used for cold-heat diseases.

**Therapeutic Actions** Stops watery dysentery (Chen Cangqi).

**Roots**

**Flavor and Properties** Same as the fruit.

**Therapeutic Actions** Decocted in water, washes severe sores, scabies, and sores from dog or horse bites (Chen Cangqi). For incessant hemoptysis, drink the decoction; for laryngeal obstruction with pain and blockage, administer wine decoction orally; both are effective (Li Shizhen).

**Leaves**

**Flavor and Properties** Same as the fruit.

**Therapeutic Actions** For patients with lung deficiency causing shortness of breath, wheezing, and severe coughing, take the leaves, bake them until dry, grind into powder, and take two qian (approx. 6 grams) with rice water (Li Shizhen).

**Elucidation** Li Shizhen said: The formula for using Eriobotrya japonica leaves to treat wheezing and coughing originates from *Zhongzang Jing* [Classic of Middle Viscera], stating that even in severe cases, it is as effective as divine intervention. It is recorded that someone suffering from asthma for thirty years was instantly cured by taking it. In severe cases, after taking the medicine, small urticaria rashes may appear on the chest causing itching, which indicates recovery. If the deficiency is extreme, add an equal amount of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra (Renshen), naming the formula Qingfei San [Clear Lung Powder]. Broadly speaking, all these applications rely on its sour and astringent properties to consolidate and stop the dispersion of Lung Qi.