Library

(Compendium of Materia Medica)
[Ji Jie (Collected Explanations)] Li Shizhen said: This is the fungus that grows on the rudder of a ship. It is not easily obtained.
[Qi Wei (Flavor and Nature)] Salty, sweet, cold, non-toxic.
[ Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Goiter with qi stagnation, phlegm-fluid retention (Li Shizhen).

(Collected Supplementary Records)
[Jiao Zheng (Correction)] Transferred from the Grass Section to this section.
[Shi Ming (Names)] Du Xun (Mushroom of Du, *Jun Pu*), Di Xun (Earth Mushroom, *Shi Yi*), Gu Zi (*Shi Wu*), Di Ji (Earth Chicken, *Er Ya*), Zhang Tou (Deer Head).
Meng Shen said: Those growing in the earth are Jun (fungus), those growing on wood are [Mu Jun]. People in Jiangdong call them Xun (mushroom). *Er Ya* states: Zhong Kui is Jun. Sun Yan's annotation says: It is Di Xun zi (seedling of earth mushroom). Some call it Di Ji, others call it Zhang Tou.
Guo Pu's annotation says: Di Xun resembles a nail cap; people in Jiangdong call it Tu Jun (earth mushroom), which is edible. All fungi emerging from the ground mainly treat sores and scabies; the black fungus on cow dung is especially good. If burned to ash and scattered on the ground, after autumn rain, double-layered fungi grow, named Xian Ren Mao (Immortal's Hat), mainly treating blood diseases.
Li Shizhen said: Zhong Kui is a divine name, also a name for a mallet. This fungus grows on nails like an umbrella, its shape resembling a mallet and the hat of Zhong Kui, hence the name.
[Qi Wei (Flavor and Nature)] Sweet, cold, toxic.
Meng Shen said: There are several types of fungi; those on locust trees are good. Those in wild fields are toxic and can kill humans; they also induce cold qi, causing slight abdominal pain, triggering wind pathogens in the five zang organs, obstructing meridians, aggravating hemorrhoids, causing drowsiness, and weakness in the back, shoulders, and limbs.
Meng Shen said: Fungi are non-toxic in winter and spring, but toxic in summer and autumn because snakes and insects pass underneath. Those glowing at night, those about to rot but without worms, those that do not cook thoroughly, those casting no shadow when boiled, those with hairs on top but no texture below, those curling upward and red, are all toxic and can kill. For poisoning, use Di Jiang (earth slurry) and fecal juice to detoxify.
Su Ying said: When boiling fungi, add ginger pieces and rice grains; if the color turns black, it kills, otherwise it is non-toxic.
Li Shizhen said: According to *Jun Pu*: Du Xun grows in the soil and is confused with E Gao Xun (Amanita) in mountains. Folklore says it is formed by toxic qi, and eating it kills.
Though beautiful, it has evil aspects; one does not lack taste knowledge by eating meat but not horse liver. Those poisoned will laugh incessantly. Detoxify with bitter tea and alum, swallowing with fresh water; recovery is immediate. Also, Yang Shiying's *Zhi Zhi Fang* states: In Guangnan, people poison venomous snakes, cover them with grass, sprinkle water, and after a few days, fungi grow. Dried and powdered, added to wine, it poisons people. If alcohol is consumed again, the poison activates and causes instant death. Chen Shi's *Shi Yi* states: Southern barbarians use Hu Man Cao (Curare vine) to poison people to death, hang the corpse on a tree, let the juice drip on the ground, collect the resulting fungi, named Jun Yao (Fungus Medicine), which is extremely potent. These must be known, so recorded together. Ma Bo (Puffball) is also a type of fungus, see Grass Section.
[Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Burned to ash, applied to sores and scabies (Meng Shen).
[Fu Fang (Attached Prescriptions)] New Prescription 1.
Ding Zhong (Carbuncle): Let a black ox defecate on stones; wait for fungi to grow, bake dry, mix equally with [herb], grind to powder. Use a bamboo tube with both ends removed, bind tightly, and apply over the carbuncle. Mix one qian of powder with water, put into the tube.
After a short while, it boils up, and the root is extracted. If not out, repeat two or three times. (*Yi Xue Zheng Zhuan*).
[Appendix] Gui Gai (Ghost Cover) *Bie Lu* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica Supplement) lists as "Name known, usage unknown": Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Mainly treats childhood alternating chills and fever with epilepsy. Grows in clusters under walls, red, born in morning, dies at dusk. Also called Di Gai (Earth Cover).
Tao Hongjing said: Also called Chao Sheng (Morning Born), now known as Gui San (Ghost Parasol).
Meng Shen said: Also called Gui Wu (Ghost House). Grows in shady, damp places, like fungi, with a black cap and red stem. Mixed with vinegar, applied to swellings, toxins, malignant sores, and horse spine swelling.
Du Zhenglun said: Gui San has slight toxicity. In summer after rain, it gathers in manure piles, turning black and disappearing upon exposure to sun.
Li Shizhen said: This is also a type of earth fungus, born in morning and dying at evening. Burned to ash to treat carbuncles; pierce the surrounding skin with a needle, insert the ash inside, and the root emerges overnight.