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(Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Correction] Jing Sanleng is merged into the entry for Cao Sanleng in *Kaibao Bencao*.

[Names] Jing Sanleng (*Kaibao Bencao*), Cao Sanleng (*Kaibao Bencao*), Jizhao Sanleng (*Kaibao Bencao*), Hei Sanleng (*Tujing Bencao*), Shi Sanleng. Su Song stated: "Sanleng" is named because its leaves have three edges. It grows in the Jingchu region, hence the name Jing Sanleng to indicate its origin. The writing of "Jing" in *Kaibao Bencao* is erroneous. Furthermore, under the entry for Cao Sanleng, it states that this is Jizhao Sanleng, which grows in Shu. It is harvested in February and August. They are essentially the same type of plant, named according to their shapes; therefore, they are discussed together.

[Collection and Explanation] Chen Cangqi stated: There are generally three or four types of Sanleng. Jing Sanleng is yellow and heavy, resembling a small crucian carp. There is also Hei Sanleng, which resembles a dark plum but is slightly larger, light in weight with rhizomes connected and spreading, appearing lacquer-black; people in Shu use it to weave vessels. This is one type. Their therapeutic properties are largely the same.

Su Song stated: Previously, the origin of Jing Sanleng was not recorded. Now, it is found in Jingxiang, Jianghuai, Jinan, and between Heshan and Shaanxi. It mostly grows beside shallow waters and in ponds/swamps. In spring, shoots emerge, reaching three to four chi high. The leaves resemble Cyperus rotundus (Cyperaceae) leaves, extremely long, similar to Zizania latifolia (wild rice stem) leaves but with three edges. In May and June, stems shoot up, reaching four to five chi high, as thick as a human finger, with three edges as if carved. Flowers appear at the stem tip, generally resembling Cyperaceae flowers but larger, yellow-purple in color. Below the shoots, tuberous roots form initially like Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi) tubers, sometimes flat. Lateral roots run horizontally; one root connects several tubers, from which new shoots also emerge. These tubers are flat and elongated, resembling small crucian carp; those that are heavy are Sanleng. The last tuber at the end of the root, which has not yet sprouted, is small and round like a dark plum; this is Hei Sanleng. The root ends curved like claws are called Jizhao Sanleng; all have black skin, white flesh, and are very light. Some say: Those that do not sprout shoots but only produce fine roots are called Jizhao Sanleng. Those that do not produce fine roots are called Hei Sanleng; their size varies, color is black, turning white when peeled. These three are originally the same species, differing only in the strength of their action (rigid vs. soft), each suitable for different uses. They are named after their shapes, similar to Wutou and Wuwei, Yunmu and Yunhua, which are not actually two different things. Nowadays, people erroneously confuse them with Eleocharis tuberosa (Biqie) and Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu). Additionally, there is Shi Sanleng in Hezhong Prefecture; its root is yellowish-white, shaped like a hairpin shaft, leaves green like rushes, shoots about one chi high, leaves also having three edges, flowering in April with white flowers resembling Polygonum orientale (smartweed) flowers. Roots harvested in May can also resolve stagnant Qi. Currently, the Sanleng used worldwide is actually the root of red rush from Huainan, especially abundant in Taizhou. Its texture is extremely hard and heavy, carved into fish shapes, with flat leaves and round stems, lacking three edges. It is unknown why it is named Sanleng. Even imperial physicians do not consider this an error. Having been in practice for a long time, users do not recognize its shoots, and herb collectors do not investigate its true usage, leading to discrepancies and failure to distinguish. Current Sanleng typically grows two lateral roots without a straight downward taproot, and its shape mostly resembles a crucian carp.

Li Shizhen stated: Sanleng mostly grows in abandoned pond wetlands. In spring, it grows in clumps; in summer and autumn, tall stems emerge. At the stem tips, several more leaves grow, producing six or seven flower spikes. The flowers are finely fragmented into spikes, yellow-purple, containing fine seeds. Its leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits all have three edges, identical to Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) in morphology, merely larger. Its stems are smooth and triangular, like palm leaves/stems. Inside the stem is white pith; when cut open, it can be woven, flexible like rattan. Lv Chen's *Zilin* states: "Grass growing in water, roots can be used to edge vessels." This refers to the stem of this grass, not the root. *Baopuzi* mentions [missing character] root and flower, also referring to this grass. Its roots have many yellow-black fibrils; after removing the fibril skin, it resembles a carp shape, rather than the main root resembling a carp.

Root

[Processing] Zhang Yuansu stated: Must be processed thoroughly before use.

Li Shizhen stated: To resolve accumulations, it must be soaked in vinegar for one day, then stir-fried or boiled and dried. Only then is it effective for medicinal use.

[Aroma and Flavor] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Kou Zongshi stated: Sweet, neutral, warm. Meng Shen stated: Sweet, astringent, cool.

Zhang Yuansu stated: Bitter, sweet, non-toxic, Yang within Yin. It can drain True Qi. Do not use for those with deficient True Qi.

[Indications] Old Pi masses and Jia-Zhang (abdominal masses), accumulations and nodules, postpartum lochia retention and blood stasis, promotes menstruation, induces abortion, relieves pain and regulates Qi (*Kaibao Bencao*). Treats abdominal distension due to Qi, breaks down accumulated Qi, resolves traumatic blood stasis, regulates female blood vessels, treats heart and abdominal pain, postpartum abdominal pain and blood syncope (Meng Shen). Treats chest and diaphragm pain, indigestion (Zhang Yuansu). Unblocks liver meridian blood stasis, treats hard carbuncles and swellings ([Text truncated]).

[Elucidation] Li Haogu stated: Sanleng is white and belongs to Metal; it breaks Qi within Blood and is a drug for the Liver meridian Blood aspect. Sanleng and Ezhu treat hard accumulations and sores by applying the method of "削之" (reducing/scraping hard masses).

Kou Zongshi stated: Folklore tells of a person who died of Pi-Ji (masses); his dying wish was to have his abdomen opened to remove the disease mass. The removed mass was dry and hard as stone, with five-colored textures. People thought it was a foreign object and carved it into a knife handle. Later, when cutting Sanleng with this knife, the handle melted into water, revealing that this herb can treat Pi-Ji.

Li Shizhen stated: Sanleng can break Qi and dissipate nodules, thus treating various diseases. Its efficacy is close to Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) but its action is fierce, so it cannot be taken for a long time. According to Dai Yuanli's *Zhengzhi Yaojue*: A person suffered from Pi-Ji and abdominal distension. Using Sanleng and Ezhu, simmered and decocted in wine, they excreted a black substance resembling a fish and recovered.

[Attached Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, five new ones.

Pi-Zhang and Drum Distension: Sanleng Decoction: Use one shi of Sanleng root (sliced). Add five shi of water, boil down to three shi, strain, and further reduce to three dou of juice. Cook in a pot over double-boiler until thick like syrup. Store in sealed containers. Take one bi (measure) with wine every morning, twice daily. (*Qianjin Yifang*)

Pi-Qi Masses: Cao Sanleng, Jing Sanleng, Shi Sanleng, Qing Ju Pi (Green Tangerine Peel), Chen Ju Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), Mu Xiang (Costus Root) each 0.5 liang; Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg), Bing Lang (Areca Seed) each 1 liang; [Missing Character, likely Sha Ren/Amomum] 2 qian. Grind into powder, make pills with paste the size of wutong seeds. Take 30 pills with ginger soup each time. (*Qixiao Fang*) For persistent Pi-Qi with hardness under the ribs: Jing Sanleng 1 liang (processed), Chuan Da Huang (Rhubarb) 1 liang. Grind into powder, boil with vinegar to form a paste. Take one spoonful on an empty stomach daily with ginger and tangerine peel tea, stopping when bowel movement occurs. (*Shenghui Fang*)

Pediatric Qi-Pi: Boil Sanleng to make soup/congee, feed to the nursing mother, and give the infant a date-sized amount daily. Effective for infants aged 100 days to 10 years, regardless of epilepsy, heat, or Qi-Pi. The secret efficacy is beyond words; highly effective. (*Zimu Milu*)

Pi-Qi Chest Fullness: Dry mouth, emaciation, reduced appetite, occasional high fever. Shi Sanleng, Jing Sanleng, Jizhao Sanleng (all processed), Peng Ezhu (Curcuma zedoaria) 3 pieces, Bing Lang (Areca Seed) 1 piece, Qing Ju Pi (Green Tangerine Peel) 50 slices (soaked in vinegar, white pith removed), Chen Cang Mi (Stored Rice) 1 he (soaked in vinegar, washed), Ba Dou (Croton Seed) 50 pieces (peeled, stir-fried with green peel and rice until dry, remove beans). Grind into powder, make pills the size of mung beans. Take 3 pills with rice drink once daily. (*Shengji Zonglu*)

Regurgitation and Nausea, inability to take medicine/food: Jing Sanleng (processed) 1.5 liang, Ding Xiang (Clove) 3 fen. Grind into powder. Take 1 qian each time, brewed with boiling water. (*Shengji Zonglu*)

Lack of Milk Secretion: Jing Sanleng 3 pieces, 2 bowls of water. Decoct to 1 bowl of juice. Use to wash the breasts until milk flows out. Extremely effective. (*Waitai Miyao*)

Generalized Blistering: Resembling sand pear fruits, each oozing water, containing a stone-like fragment the size of a fingernail. Blisters recur, consuming muscle and skin, untreatable. Use Jing Sanleng and Peng Ezhu each 5 liang, grind into powder. Divide into three doses, taken with wine continuously until cured. (Wei Shi *De... [Text Truncated])