Library

[Classified as Upper Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
【Names】Dixun (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Yunhao (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Shancai (from *Wu Pu Bencao*), Rucuo (from *Wu Pu Bencao*).

Su Gong stated: "Zi" is the ancient character for "Chai". The *Shanglin Fu* mentions "Zi Jiang", and the *Erya* mentions "Zi Cao", both written with this character "Zi". The root of this plant is purple, which is the Chaihu commonly used today. Later, people replaced the grass radical with the wood radical, and it was inherited as Chaihu. Furthermore, checking various materia medica texts, none are named simply "Zi".

Li Shizhen stated: The character "Zi" has two pronunciations: "Chai" and "Zi". In "Zi Jiang" and "Zi Cao", "Zi" is pronounced "Zi"; in "Chaihu", "Zi" is pronounced "Chai". Chaihu grows in mountains; when tender, it can be eaten as a vegetable, and when mature, it can be gathered as firewood. Hence, its seedlings have names such as Yunhao, Shancai, and Rucuo, while its root is called Chaihu. Su Gong's explanation is particularly unclear. In the ancient edition of Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun*...

【Collected Explanations】The *Mingyi Bielu* states: Chaihu, whose leaves are called Yunhao, has a pungent aroma and is edible. It grows in the valleys of Hongnong Commandery and Yuanju County. The roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun. Tao Hongjing stated: It is now produced in nearby regions, resembling Qianhu but stronger. The *Bowuzhi* states: The leaves of Yunhao resemble those of Xiehao, producing white flower spikes in spring and autumn, four to five inches long, fragrant and delicious, available in Chang'an and Henei. Su Gong stated: The Da Chaihu Tang and Xiao Chaihu Tang for treating Shanghan are crucial for resolving phlegm and qi stagnation. Using Yunhao root instead would be a major error. Su Song stated: It is now found near Guan-Shan and the Jiang-Hu regions, with the best quality coming from Yinzhou. Seedlings emerge in February with a strong fragrance. The stems are greenish-purple, hard, with fine lines. Leaves resemble bamboo leaves but are tighter and smaller; some resemble Xiehao, others resemble Ophiopogon japonicus leaves but are shorter. Yellow flowers bloom in July. Roots are pale reddish, resembling Qianhu but stronger. Those from Danzhou produce green seeds, distinct from others. The root resembles a reed head, with red hairs like a mouse's tail; solitary clumps that are long are of good quality. Kou Zongshi stated: Chaihu comes from Pingzhou, Ping County, i.e., current Yinxian, Yinzhou. On the western side, many white and green cranes fly there because the fragrance of Chaihu rises straight into the clouds; passersby who smell it feel refreshed. Cheng Cheng stated: Chaihu from Yin and Xia is the best, with roots like mouse tails, one to two chi long, with excellent fragrance. The current *Tujing* illustrations are unrecognized by common people, who substitute them with those from Tongzhou and Huazhou. However, these are still superior to others, likely because Yin and Xia have sandy soil, as do Tong and Hua (from Shayuan). Pang Anchang stated: For releasing the exterior, use Northern Chaihu; for deficiency heat, use soft Chaihu from Haiyang. Li Shizhen stated: Yinzhou is now Shenmu County, Yan'an Prefecture; Wuyuan City is its ruin. The Chaihu produced there is over one chi long, slightly white and soft, and difficult to obtain. Northern Chaihu resembles Qianhu but is soft, known today as Bei Chaihu, and is good for medicinal use. Southern Chaihu does not resemble Qianhu but rather Artemisia roots, being too hard and unsuitable. Its seedlings may resemble chive leaves or bamboo leaves, with bamboo-leaf types being superior. Those resembling Xiehao are the worst. According to the *Xiaoxiao Zhengyueling*: In mid-spring, Yun begins to grow. The *Cangjie Jiegu* states: Yun is Hao, resembling Xiehao, edible. It belongs to the Chaihu category but is not ideal for medicine, hence Su Gong considered it not Chaihu. Recently, a type has appeared with roots resembling Platycodon grandiflorus and Adenophora stricta, white and large, sold as fake Yin Chaihu, lacking odor, which must be distinguished.

【Root】
【Processing】Kou Zongshi stated: When harvesting Yinzhou Chaihu, remove the fibrous roots and the head. Use a silver knife to scrape off a little of the thin red skin, wipe clean with coarse cloth, and chop. Do not expose to fire, or it will lose efficacy immediately.

【Flavor and Properties】Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. The *Mingyi Bielu* states: Slightly cold. Wu Pu stated: Shennong, Qibo, and Leigong considered it: Bitter, non-toxic. Meng Xi (Da Ming) stated: Sweet. Li Gao (Yuansu) stated: Both flavor and aroma are light, belonging to Yang, ascending, a drug for the Shaoyang meridian, guiding stomach qi upward. Bitter and cold to dissipate exterior heat. Wang Haogu (Gao) stated: Ascending, yang within yin, a guiding drug for the Hand-Foot Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians. In the zang organs, it governs blood; in the meridians, it governs qi. To direct action upward, use the root, soaked in wine; to direct action to the middle or downward, use the tip. Xu Zhicai stated: Banxia is its assistant; it dislikes Saponaria officinalis and fears Wanwan and Lulu. Li Shizhen stated: For the Hand-Foot Shaoyang meridians, use Huangqin as an assistant; for the Hand-Foot Jueyin meridians, use Huanglian as an assistant.

【Indications】Treats heart and abdominal conditions, removes stagnant qi in the intestines and stomach, resolves food accumulation, expels cold and heat pathogenic factors, pushes out the old and brings forth the new. Long-term use makes the body light, improves vision, and benefits essence (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Removes heart vexation and heat caused by Shanghan, various phlegm-heat solidities, rebellious evil qi in the chest, wandering qi among the five zang organs, water retention and distension in the large intestine, and damp-bi with spasms; can also be used for bathing (from *Mingyi Bielu*). Treats bone-steaming consumption causing joint pain, heat causing shoulder and back pain, fatigue and emaciation, descends qi and aids digestion, promotes smooth flow of qi and blood, treats persistent internal and external heat from epidemic diseases; boiling alone is effective (added by Zhen Quan). Tonifies the five consumptions and seven injuries, removes vexation and stops惊悸, boosts qi and strength, resolves phlegm and stops cough, moistens lungs and heart, replenishes essence, treats forgetfulness (added by Da Ming). Removes deficiency consumption, disperses muscle heat, eliminates morning tidal fever, alternating chills and fever, gallbladder heat (Dan Dan), various fevers in women before and after childbirth, epigastric fullness, and hypochondriac pain (added by Li Gao). Treats sinking of yang qi, calms ministerial fire of the liver, gallbladder, Sanjiao, and pericardium, as well as headache and dizziness, blurred vision, red painful eyes with nebula, deafness and tinnitus, various malaria, and febrile diseases associated with Feiqi; also treats women's heat entering the blood chamber, irregular menstruation, and residual heat after smallpox in children...

【Elucidations】Xu Zhicai stated: Chaihu, combined with Fuling, Jiegeng, Dahuang, Shigao, Maziren, Gancao, and Guizhi. Boil one dou of water to yield four sheng, add Sanfang Cunbi of Xiaoshi, to treat Shanghan with chills, fever, headache, and epigastric fullness.

Su Song stated: Zhang Zhongjing treated Shanghan with Da Chaihu Tang, Xiao Chaihu Tang, Chaihu Jia Longgu Tang, Chaihu Jia Mangxiao Tang, etc. Thus, for later generations treating alternating chills and fever, this is the most important herb.

Li Gao stated: It guides clear qi to follow the yang pathway. Outside of Shanghan, it should be added to any condition with heat, but not if there is no heat. It also guides stomach qi upward, ascending to follow the spring energy, making it suitable for addition. Furthermore, for all types of malaria, Chaihu is the sovereign drug; based on the time of onset and affected meridian, it is supplemented with guiding drugs. Among sores and ulcers of the twelve meridians, Chaihu must be used to dissipate blood stasis and qi aggregation, with effects similar to Lianqiao.

Wang Haogu stated: Chaihu removes deficiency in both interior and exterior of the zang-fu. It guides clear qi upward following the yang pathway and enters the Foot Shaoyang meridian. In the meridians, it governs qi; in the zang organs, it governs blood. As symptoms advance, there is aversion to heat; as they retreat, there is aversion to cold. Due to its slight cold qi and thin flavor, it can travel through meridians. If assisted by Sanleng, Ezhu, or Badou, it can dissolve hard accumulations, addressing blood issues. For women with irregular menstruation (just starting or stopping), or mixed Shanghan diseases, Yi Lao uses Xiao Chaihu Tang combined with Siwu Tang, along with Qinjiao and Mudanpi, as a formula for regulating menstruation. He also stated it is essential for postpartum blood heat.

Kou Zongshi stated: The *Shennong Bencao Jing* contains not a single word about treating consumption, yet modern formulas for consumption rarely omit Chaihu. Alas! Such errors mislead many. I have traced the pathology of consumption; one type involves visceral deficiency compounded by pathogenic heat, leading to consumption. Thus, "Lao" implies "firmness/stubbornness," and it must be used with discretion. For example, in the *Jingyan Fang*, Qinghao Jian for treating consumption heat uses Chaihu, which is appropriate and effective; however, once heat subsides, it must be stopped immediately. If there is no heat, using it worsens the condition, potentially leading to death without blame on the user, a sight witnessed often. *Rihua Zi Bencao* claims it tonifies the five consumptions and seven injuries; *Yaoxing Lun* also claims it treats fatigue and emaciation. For such conditions, if there is no excess heat, doctors persistently using it invite death. One cannot ignore a single word in annotating materia medica. After ten thousand years, the misled will be countless; must we not be cautious? Zhang Zhongjing's use of Chaihu Tang for alternating chills and fever resembling malaria is perfectly appropriate.

Li Shizhen stated: Consumption involves five types, affecting the five zang organs. If consumption affects the liver, gallbladder, heart, and pericardium with heat, or involves Shaoymai meridian alternating chills and fever, Chaihu is essential for the Hand-Foot Jueyin and Shaoyang meridians. If consumption affects the spleen and stomach with heat, or involves sinking of yang qi, Chaihu is essential for guiding clear qi and reducing fever. Only if consumption affects the lungs and kidneys can it be omitted. However, Li Dongyuan stated that for all conditions with heat, it should be added; without heat, it should not. He also stated that for malaria of all meridians, Chaihu is the sovereign drug. For sores and ulcers of the twelve meridians, Chaihu is needed to dissipate aggregations. Thus, lung malaria, kidney malaria, and sores/ulcers of the twelve meridians with heat can all use it. Users must carefully analyze the etiology and adjust auxiliaries and messengers accordingly. Kou's rejection of Chaihu for consumption without distinguishing zang-fu, meridians, or presence of heat is not a comprehensive view. For instance, the *Heji Ju Fang* treats bleeding from upper and lower parts using Longnao Jisu Wan, employing a method of soaking Yin Chaihu and boiling it into paste; few people understand this nuance. According to Pang Yuanying's *Tanshu*: Zhang Zhi suffered from malaria for a long time, burning with heat, becoming emaciated over a year. Doctors used Rong (deer antler) and Fuzi, worsening the heat. Physician Sun Lin was summoned. Lin administered one dose of Xiao Chaihu Tang, reducing heat by 90%; after three doses, he recovered completely. Lin said: This is called Lao Malaria; heat originates from the marrow. Adding harsh agents depletes qi and blood, causing emaciation. Heat can reside in the skin, zang-fu, or marrow; only Chaihu works. If Yin Chaihu were obtained, one dose would suffice; southern varieties are weaker, requiring three doses. Observing this, one understands the subtleties of medication. Can Kou's views be fully trusted?

【Attached Formulas】One old, five new.
Residual Heat from Shanghan: After Shanghan, pathogens enter meridians, causing emaciation and muscle heat. Pushes out the old, brings forth the new, resolves Shanghan, seasonal qi, and latent summerheat. Treats urgently regardless of age. Chaihu 4 liang, Gancao 1 liang. Use 3 qian each time, boil in one sheng of water, and drink. (Xu Xueshi, *Benshi Fang*)
Pediatric Bone Heat: Under fifteen years old, body feels like fire, gradually yellow and emaciated, night sweats, cough, vexation, and thirst. Chaihu 4 liang, Dansha 3 liang. Powder, mix with pig bile, steam over rice until cooked, form pills size of mung beans. Take one pill each time, down with peach kernel and sour plum decoction, three times a day. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Deficiency Consumption Fever: Chaihu and Renshen in equal parts. Take 3 qian each time, boil with ginger and jujube in water. (*Danliao Fang*)
Damp-Heat Jaundice: Chaihu 1 liang, Gancao 2.5 qian. Make one dose, boil in one bowl of water with a handful of Baimaogen until reduced to 70%, drink at any time, finish in one day. (Sun Shangyao, *Mibao Fang*)
Blurred Vision: Chaihu 6 zhu, Juemingzi 18 zhu. Grind and sieve, mix with human breast milk, apply to eyes. Over time, allows seeing five colors at night. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Accumulated Heat Dysentery: Chaihu and Huangqin in equal parts. Half wine, half water, boil to 70%, soak to cool, take on an empty stomach. (*Jiji Fang*)

【Seedlings】
【Indications】Sudden deafness. Crush and drip juice frequently into the ear (*Qianjin Fang*).