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Thirty-one species of Mountain Herbs (Grasses)

(Listed as Superior Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Classic of Materia Medica])
[Names] Mi Gan (Honey Sweet, *Mingyi Bielu*), Mi Cao (Honey Grass, *Mingyi Bielu*), Mei Cao (Beautiful Grass, *Mingyi Bielu*), Cao (*Mingyi Bielu*), Ling Tong (Spiritual Connection, *Jishi Zhu*), Guo Lao (State Elder, *Mingyi Bielu*).
Tao Hongjing stated: This herb is the master of all medicines; few classical prescriptions do not use it, just as there is Agarwood among fragrances. "Guo Lao" is a title for the Emperor's teacher. Although not the sovereign himself, he is revered by the sovereign; thus, it can harmonize herbs and minerals and resolve various toxins.
Zhen Quan stated: Among all medicines, Licorice Root (Gancao) serves as the Sovereign herb. It treats seventy-two types of Milkstone toxicity and resolves one thousand two hundred kinds of herbal and woody plant toxins. Because it has merit in harmonizing various medicines, it bears the title of State Elder.
[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Licorice Root grows in the valleys of Hexi, Jisha Mountain, and Shang Commandery. The roots are harvested on the "Chu" days of February and August, dried in the sun, and processed over ten days.
Tao Hongjing stated: Trade with Hexi and Shang Commandery no longer exists. Currently, it comes from Shu, Hanzhong, and places like Wenshan. Those with reddish bark and solid, fractured texture are called Baohan Grass, which is of the best quality. Baohan is a place name of the Western Qiang people. Some are dried by fire roasting, but their texture tends to be hollow and loose. Others resemble carp intestines, having been cut open, rendering them inferior. Those from Qingzhou are available but inferior. There is also Purple Licorice Root, which is thin but solid, usable when others are scarce.
Su Song stated: It is now found in Shaanxi and Hedong prefectures. Green shoots emerge in spring, growing one or two chi high. Leaves resemble those of the locust tree. In July, purple flowers bloom, resembling *Naidong*, bearing pods like broad beans. Roots can be three to four chi long, varying in thickness. The bark is reddish, with horizontal ridges above and fine rootlets below. After harvesting, remove the rhizome head and reddish bark, then dry in the shade. There are several varieties of Licorice Root; those with solid texture and clear fracture lines are preferred. Those that are light, hollow, longitudinally fibrous, or thin and tough are unsuitable, used only for decoction shops. Note: *Erya* states: , Da Ku (Great Bitter). Guo Pu's annotation: , resembles *Rehmanniae Radix*. Also, *Shijing · Tang Feng* states: "Gathering Ling, gathering Ling, at the peak of Shouyang." Here, is interchangeable with Ling. Mount Shouyang is in Pu County, Hedong, near where Licorice Root currently grows. However, the seedlings and leaves described by ancient scholars differ completely from current ones. Could there be different species?
Li Shizhen stated: According to Shen Kuo's *Bitan*: The annotation in *Bencao Zhu* citing *Erya*'s "Da Ku" as Licorice Root is incorrect. Guo Pu's annotation refers to Huang Yao (Yellow Medicine), which tastes extremely bitter, hence "Great Bitter," not Licorice Root. Licorice Root branches and leaves are exactly like the locust tree, five to six chi high, but leaf tips are slightly pointed and rough, seemingly with white hairs. Pods resemble Acacia pods, growing on a single stem. When ripe, pods split; seeds are flat, small like mung beans, extremely hard, and unbreakable by teeth. It is now produced at the borders of He Dong. Kou Zongshi's *Yanyi* adopts this view but does not state that Da Ku is not Licorice Root. Reasoning logically, Guo's description of the shape is quite different, while Shen's is closer. People today consider Licorice Root with large diameter (one cun) and tight, fractured patterns as best, called Fen Cao (Powder Licorice); those that are light, hollow, and thin are inferior. Liu Ji's *Feixue Lu* mentions that Licorice Root in Annam is as large as pillars, used by locals for house framing; whether true or not is unknown.
Root
[Processing] Lei Xiao stated: When using, remove the head, tail, and sharp ends, as these parts induce vomiting. Cut into three-cun lengths, break into six or seven pieces, place in a porcelain vessel, soak in wine, steam from Si hour to Wu hour, take out, dry in the sun, and grind finely. Another method: For every jin, apply seven liang of butter, roast until butter is absorbed. Another method: Roast until both inside and outside are reddish-yellow.
Li Shizhen stated: Classical texts state that roasted Licorice Root is moistened with running water before roasting, then the reddish bark is scraped off after cooking, or roasted with fermented grain wash. Roasting with butter or steaming with wine is rare. Generally, for tonifying the middle, use roasted; for clearing heat/fire, use raw.
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Kou Zongshi stated: Raw is slightly cool and tastes poor; roasted is warm.
Wang Haogu stated: Thin qi, strong flavor, ascending and floating, Yang in nature. Enters the Foot Taiyin and Jueyin meridians. Li Shizhen stated: Connects to the twelve meridians of the hands and feet.
Xu Zhicai stated: Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu), Sophora Flavescens Root (Kushen), and Dried Lacquer (Ganqi) act as guides. It is antagonistic to Polygala Root (Yuanzhi) and incompatible with Euphorbia Lathyris Root (Daji), Genkwa Flower (Yuanhua), Kansui Root (Gansui), and Sargassum Thallus (Haizao).
Zhen Quan stated: Avoid pork.
Li Shizhen stated: Licorice Root is incompatible with Sargassum, Euphorbia, Kansui, and Genkwa. However, Hu Qiajushi treated phlegm accumulation by adding Licorice Root and Rhubarb to Shizao Tang. This is because the phlegm is located above the diaphragm, aiming to promote drainage to remove the root cause. Li Gao (Dongyuan) treated cervical lymphadenopathy by adding Sargassum to Xiaozhong Kuijian Tang. Zhu Zhenheng (Danxi) treated consumption tuberculosis by adding Genkwa Flower to Lianxin Yin. Both formulas contain Licorice Root, following Hu Qiajushi's intent. Thus, Tao Hongjing noted that ancient formulas sometimes used mutually antagonistic herbs without harm. Only those who deeply understand subtle principles know this truth.
[Indications] Treats cold and heat pathogenic factors in the five zang and six fu organs, strengthens sinews and bones, promotes muscle growth, increases strength, treats traumatic injuries, and detoxifies. Long-term use lightens the body and prolongs life (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Warms the middle, directs rebellious qi downward, relieves fullness and shortness of breath, treats organ-damaging cough, stops thirst, unblocks meridians, benefits blood and qi, resolves toxicity of all medicines, considered the essence of the nine soils, harmonizes seventy-two types of stones and one thousand two hundred grasses (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats abdominal cold pain, convulsions and epilepsy, removes abdominal distension, tonifies the five zang organs, nourishes kidney qi and internal injuries, prevents impotence in men, treats women's blood stasis and lower back pain. Add for deficiency with excess heat (*Zhen Quan*). Calms the soul, tonifies five labors and seven injuries, all deficiencies, palpitations, irritability, forgetfulness, opens nine orifices, benefits hundred vessels, enriches essence and qi, strengthens sinews and bones (*Tangbencao*). Raw clears fire and heat; cooked disperses exterior cold, relieves sore throat, eliminates pathogenic heat, moderates righteous qi, nourishes yin blood, tonifies spleen and stomach, moistens lungs (*Li Gao*). Expels pus and blood from lung abscess, reduces sores and ulcers of the five emissions (*Wang Haogu*). Resolves neonatal toxin and infantile convulsions, descends fire and relieves pain (*Li Shizhen*).
Tip [Indications] Raw treats accumulated heat in the chest, removes pain in the urethra. Adding wine-boiled Corydalis Tuber (Yanhusuo) and Melia Toosendan Fruit (KuLianzi) is especially effective (*Li Dongyuan*).
Head [Indications] Raw moves turbid blood in the Foot Jueyin and Yangming meridians, reduces swelling and guides out toxins (*Zhu Zhenheng*). Treats carbuncles and sores, suitable for emetic formulas (*Li Shizhen*).
[Elucidation] Zhu Zhenheng stated: Licorice Root is sweet, greatly slowing various fires. Yellow in color, it regulates internal structures, a gentleman with thick virtue carrying things. To reach the lower jiao, use the tip. Li Gao stated: Licorice Root has thin qi and strong flavor, capable of ascending and descending, Yang within Yin. For insufficient Yang, tonify with sweetness. Sweet-warm can eliminate great heat. Thus, raw use makes qi neutral, tonifying spleen and stomach insufficiency and greatly clearing Heart Fire; roasted use makes qi warm, tonifying Sanjiao Yuan Qi, dispersing exterior cold, eliminating pathogenic heat, relieving sore throat, moderating righteous qi, and nourishing yin blood. Whenever Heart Fire invades the Spleen, causing acute abdominal pain and skin contraction, double the dose. Its nature slows urgency and harmonizes other medicines, preventing conflict. Thus, hot medicines become less hot with it; cold medicines become less cold; mixed cold and heat are balanced with it. Wang Haogu stated: The uses of the five flavors: Bitter drains, Pungent disperses, Sour collects, Saline astringes, Sweet ascends and releases. Why does the materia medica say Licorice Root directs qi downward? Sweet flavor governs the center, possessing ascending/descending and floating/sinking properties, capable of going up/down, out/in, harmonizing/slacking, tonifying/draining. The way of the center is fully realized here. Zhang Zhongjing uses Licorice Root in Fuzi Lizhong Tang to prevent rebellion upward; in Tiaowei Chengqi Tang to prevent rapid purgation, both intending to moderate. Xiaochaihu Tang contains cold Chaihu and Huangqin, warm Renshen and Banxia; Licorice Root is used for harmonization. Jianzhong Tang uses Licorice Root to tonify the center and slacken Spleen urgency; Fengsui Dan uses it to slacken Kidney urgency and generate Yuan Qi, the intention of sweet tonification. Furthermore: Sweet causes central fullness; those with central fullness should not eat sweet, as sweet slackens and obstructs qi, unsuitable for fullness. If not full, use roasted Licorice Root for tonification; if full, use raw Licorice Root for draining, guiding medicines to the site of fullness. Sweet flavor enters the Spleen, returning to its preference, illustrating the principles of ascending/descending and floating/sinking. The Classic says: Tonify with sweet, drain with sweet, slacken with sweet, this is correct.
Li Shizhen stated: Licorice Root is red outside and yellow inside, colors combining Kun and Li; strong flavor, thin qi, completing Earth Virtue. Harmonizing various products, it has the merit of a veteran statesman; treating hundred evils universally, it obtains the transformation of the Kingly Way. Praising imperial power without people knowing, concealing divine merit without claiming credit, it can be called the good minister among medicines. However, diseases of central fullness, vomiting, and alcoholics dislike its sweetness; and Euphorbia, Genkwa, Kansui, and Sargassum are incompatible with it. Is this also because being slow and steady cannot save confusion, and gentlemen are often envied by villains?
Su Song stated: According to Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Fang*: Licorice Root resolves toxicity of all medicines like soup melting snow. For Aconite or Croton poisoning, Licorice Root settles the abdomen immediately, verified easily. Formulas claim soybean juice resolves all toxins, but I tested it without effect. Adding Licorice Root to make Gandou Tang yields miraculous results. Ge Hong's *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* states: Governor Xi Bian said: People in Lingnan resolve gu poison using common items. Fearing others learn the method, they call it "300-head ox medicine" or "300-liang silver medicine." After close association, the details were learned. During meals, first take one cun of roasted Licorice Root, chew and swallow juice. If poisoned, vomit immediately. Then use three liang of roasted Licorice Root, four liang of fresh ginger, six sheng of water, boil to two sheng, take three times daily. Or use Dulinteng and Huangteng, decocted in wine, taken warm regularly, so poison exits via urine. Always carry several cun of Licorice Root for emergencies. If food is not vomited after holding Licorice Root, it is not poisonous. "300-head ox medicine" is Tuchangshan (Dichroa Febrifuga Root); "300-liang silver medicine" is Madouling Vine (Aristolochia Manshuriensis Stem), detailed in respective entries.
[Attached Prescriptions] Fifteen old, twenty-two new.
Cold Damage with palpitations and knotted/intermittent pulse: Licorice Root two liang. Three sheng of water, boil to half, take seven ge. Once daily (*Shanghan Leiyao*).
Cold Damage with sore throat: Shaoyin syndrome, Gancao Tang governs. Licorice Root two liang (honey-water roasted), two sheng of water, boil to one and a half sheng, take five ge, twice daily (*Zhang Zhongjing, Shanghan Lun*).
Lung heat with sore throat and phlegm-heat: Licorice Root (stir-fried) two liang, Platycodon Root (soaked in rice wash overnight) one liang. Take five qian each time, one and a half zhong of water, add half piece of Donkey-hide Gelatin, decoct and take (*Qian Yi, Zhijue*).
Lung Abscess with excessive saliva: Lung abscess with spitting saliva/froth, dizziness, frequent urination without cough, indicates cold in the lung. Warm with Gancao Ganjiang Tang. Licorice Root (roasted) four liang, Dried Ginger (pao) two liang. Three sheng of water, boil to one and a half sheng, divide and take (*Zhang Zhongjing, Jingui Yaolue*). Chronic cough with much sputum, bone/joint restlessness, chills/fever. Licorice Root three liang (roasted), grind to powder. Daily take three he of urine, mix with one qian of Licorice Root powder, take (*Guangli Fang*).
Infantile Heat Cough: Licorice Root two liang, soaked in pig bile for five nights, roasted, ground to powder, honey-pilled size of mung bean. Take ten pills after meals with mint decoction. Name: Liangge Wan (*Shenghui Fang*).
Newborn Detoxification: Newborns should not immediately take Cinnabar or honey. Use one finger-joint length of Licorice Root, crush after roasting, two he of water, boil to one he. Dip cotton in it, dab into mouth. Can extract one clam-shell amount of evil fluid from chest. Afterwards, when hungry/thirsty, give more. Promotes intelligence, prevents disease, reduces smallpox severity (*Wang's Selected Formulas*).
Newborn Constipation: Licorice Root, Aurantium Fructus (roasted) one qian each. Half zhan of water, decoct and take (*Quanyou Xinjian*).
Infantile Opisthotonos and Lockjaw: Raw Licorice Root two and a half qian, one zhan of water, boil to six fen, take warm. Induce vomiting of phlegm-saliva, then dab milk into mouth (*Jingui Yuyan*).
Infant Dry Eyes: Within one month, eyes closed, swollen/light-sensitive, or bleeding, named Man Gan Feng. Use one section of Licorice Root, roast with pig bile, grind to powder. Mix with rice wash, administer (*Youyou Xinsu*).
Infantile Enuresis: Large Licorice Root head, decoct in soup, take nightly (*Wei Shi, Dexiao Fang*).
Infantile Hematuria: Licorice Root one liang two qian, six he of water, boil to two he, one-year-old infant takes all in one day (*Yao Hezhong, Zhibao Fang*).
Infantile Emaciation: Licorice Root three liang, roasted until scorched, ground to powder, honey-pilled size of mung bean. Take five pills with warm water, twice daily (*Jingui Yuyan*).
Adult Emaciation: Licorice Root three liang (roasted). Every morning, boil in urine for three to four boils, take at once. Effective (*Waitai Miyao*).
Red and White Dysentery: Formula passed by Cui Xuanzhou Yan: Licorice Root one chi, roasted, split, dipped in weak grain wash three times, then roasted slowly. Add peeled fresh ginger half liang. Two ingredients with one and a half sheng of grain wash, boil to eight ge, take for immediate effect. *Meishi Fang*: Licorice Root one liang (roasted), Nutmeg (roasted) seven, chopped. Three sheng of water, boil to one sheng, divide and take. Tongue Swelling Blocking Mouth, Untreatable Death: Licorice Root, decoct strong soup, gargle hot and spit frequently (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Taiyin Mouth Ulcer: Licorice Root two cun, Alum grain-sized, chew together, swallow juice (*Baoming Ji*).
Back Carbuncle and Ulcer: Cui Yuanliang's *Haishang Jiyuan Fang* states: Li Beihai said this formula was divinely bestowed, extremely secret. Licorice Root three da liang (raw, pounded, sifted), Farina Hordei (Barley Flour) nine liang, mix evenly. Add little good butter, knead with boiling water like dough. Shape larger than sore by one fen, apply hot to swelling. Separate with silk and old paper for ventilation, change when cold. If formed, pus drains naturally; if unformed, swelling dissipates internally. Eating yellow millet porridge is excellent. Another method: Licorice Root one da liang, water-roasted, crushed, soaked in one da sheng of water. Place small knife across vessel, expose overnight. At dawn, stir to create foam, remove foam, take. Effective for all sores, carbuncles, and back eruptions (*Su Song, Tujing*).
Various Carbuncles and Ulcers: Licorice Root three liang, lightly roasted, cut. Soak in one dou of wine in bottle. Melt one piece of black lead, pour into wine, remove. Repeat nine times. Let patient drink until drunk, sleep, then cured (*Experience Formula*). For all carbuncles and eruptions, taking in advance reduces swelling, expels toxin, prevents internal attack, effects indescribable. Use large transverse-pattern Powder Licorice Root two jin, crush, soak in river water overnight, knead to extract thick juice, filter through fine silk, slow-fire simmer in silver/copper vessel to paste, store in porcelain jar. Take one or two spoons with non-ash wine or plain water. Resolves effects of elixirs, mild diarrhea is acceptable. Name: Guolao Gao (*Waike Jingyao Fang*).
Carbuncle/Ulcer Constipation: Raw Licorice Root two and a half qian, well-water decoction, takes, can guide down evil matter (*Zhizhi Fang*).
Early Breast Abscess: Roasted Licorice Root two qian, fresh water decoction, take, still have someone suck (*Zhizhi Fang*).
Minor Boils and Furuncles: When fever occurs, use Powder Licorice Root nodes, dry, grind to powder. Take one or two qian with hot wine. Continue several doses, pain and heat stop (*Waike Jingyao Fang*).
Smallpox Restlessness and Thirst: Powder Licorice Root (roasted) and Trichosanthes Root in equal parts, decoct in water and take. Licorice Root unblocks blood vessels, promotes eruption of sores/smallpox (*Zhizhi Fang*).
Perineal Abscess: Occurs before and after anus, initially pine-seed sized, gradually lotus-seed sized. After dozens of days, red/swollen like peach/plum, breaks when pus forms, difficult to heal if broken. Use transverse-pattern Licorice Root one liang, cut into four-cun pieces. One bowl of stream water (not river/well), slowly roast dipping in water from morning to noon until water is gone. Split open, stop when center is moist. Finely chop, decoct in two small bowls of good non-ash wine to one bowl, take warm. Take again next day, safe. This medicine cannot dissolve quickly; after twenty days, it dissolves completely. Kang Chao, Prefect of Xinghua, had ruptured abscess, doctors gave up. Took two doses, wound closed. Formula of Liu Congzhou from Shaozhou (*Li Xun, Yongju Fang*).
Ulcer on Glans Penis: Honey-cooked Licorice Root powder, frequently apply, miraculous (*Qianjin Fang*).
Genital Wetness and Itching: Licorice Root, decoct soup, wash three to five times daily (*Gujin Luyian*).
Ingrown Nail Swelling/Pain: Licorice Root, decoct soup, soak (*Qianjin Fang*).
Frostbite Cracking: Licorice Root, decoct soup, wash. Next, apply powder of Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian), Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin), mixed with Calomel and Sesame Oil (*Tan Ye Weng Fang*).
Scald/Burn Wounds: Licorice Root, decoct with honey, apply (*Li Lou, Qifang*).
Gu Poison/Toxin: Licorice Root nodes, soak in pure sesame oil, older is better. Chew and swallow each time, or decoct in water and take, miraculous (*Zhizhi Fang*).
Infant Severe Gu Poison: Licorice Root half liang, one zhan of water, boil to five fen, take. Should vomit (*Jingui Yuyan*).
Ox/Horse Meat Poison: Licorice Root, boil strong juice, drink one or two sheng, or decoct in wine and take, induce vomiting or purgation. If thirsty, do not drink water, drinking leads to death (*Qianjin Fang*). Food/Drink Poisoning, Unknown Substance, Sudden Emergency No Medicine: Decoct Gancao Ji Tang, alive upon entry (*Jingui Yufang*).
Water Henbane Poison: Vegetable contains Water Henbane, round shiny leaves, toxic. Accidental ingestion causes madness, stroke-like symptoms, or vomiting. Decoct Licorice Root juice and take, resolves immediately (*Jingui Yumi Fang*).