Library

[Background Information]
Book: Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)
Author: Li Shizhen
Dynasty: Ming Dynasty, 6th Year of Wanli
Chapter: Grasses Part VII / Cuscutae Semen
Category: Materia Medica

[Original Text Processing]
Vining Herbs: 73 species, with 19 additional species attached.

(Shangpin [Superior Grade] from *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names]
Tulü (*Bielu*), Tulei (*Bielu*), Tulu (*Benjing*), Tuqiu (*Guangya*), Chiwang (*Bielu*), Yunü (*Erya*), Tangmeng (*Erya*), Huoyancao (*Gangmu*), Yehusi (*Gangmu*).

Yu Xi stated: According to the *Lüshi Chunqiu*, some say that Cuscuta has no roots. Its roots do not attach to the ground; this refers to Poria (Fuling). The *Baopuzi* states: "Underneath the Cuscuta plant lies the root of FuTu (伏菟). Without this FuTu, the silk-like stems cannot grow above, yet they are not actually connected. When the FuTu is pulled, the Cuscuta dies." It also says: "The newly sprouted root of Cuscuta resembles a rabbit. If dug up, its 'blood' cut and mixed with alchemical pills, it can instantly induce transformation. Thus, the name Cuscuta derives from this."

Hong Jing stated: The old saying that "Poria is below and Cuscuta is above" is not necessarily true.

Song stated: What is described in the *Baopuzi* is not seen today; could it be a different category? Sun Yan’s explanation of the *Erya* says: "Tang, Meng, Nuluó, and Tusī are four names for one substance," whereas the *Bencao* lists Tangmeng as a single name. The *Classic of Poetry* says: "Birds and Nuluó." Mao Chang said: "Nuluó is Cuscuta." However, the *Bencao* does not list Nuluó as a name for Cuscuta; only Songluo is named Nuluó. Could it be that both substances are parasitic and share the same name, but the *Bencao* omitted one?

Zhenheng stated: Cuscuta has never been classified with Poria. Nuluó grows attached to pine trees and is unrelated. These errors stem from accepting false statements.

Shizhen stated: The commentary on the *Mao Shi* notes that Nuluó is indeed Cuscuta. The *Wu Pu Bencao* states that Cuscuta is also called Songluo. Lu Duan said: "When growing on trees, it is Nuluó; when growing on grasses, it is Cuscuta." These two substances are distinct, an error arising because the *Erya*’s explanation of the *Poetry* mistakenly identified them as one. Zhang Yi’s *Guangya* states: "Tuqiu is Cuscuta. Nuluó is Songluo." Lu Ji’s commentary on the *Poetry* states: "Cuscuta climbs over vining plants, yellow-red like gold; Songluo climbs over pines, growing on branches with pure green color, without mixed vines." This is accurate. See details under Songluo in the Tree Section. Also, the discussion on Cuscuta and Poria is found under Poria.

[Collection and Explanation]
*Bielu* states: Cuscutae Semen (Cuscuta seeds) grow in the rivers, marshes, and fields of Choson (Korea), spreading over herbs and trees. Harvest the fruits in the ninth month and dry them in the sun. Those that are yellow and fine are called Chiwang; those that are pale and large are called Tulei. Their medicinal functions are identical.

Hong Jing stated: They are very common in fields and villages, floating on Indigofera (Lan), hemp, and mugwort. For their fruits, both immortal scriptures and folk prescriptions consider them tonic medicines. They must be soaked in wine overnight before use. They are suitable for making pills, not decoctions.

Daming stated: The seedlings and stems resemble yellow silk, without roots or stalks. They mostly attach to field grasses, strangling them to death, or grow in clumps as wide as a mat. The flowers and seeds are indistinct; the seeds resemble broken millet grains. Harvest them before the eighth and ninth months.

Song stated: They are now also found in nearby regions, with those from Yuanju being superior. Seedlings emerge in summer, initially like fine threads, unable to stand upright on the ground. When they encounter other grass stems, they wrap around and grow, while their roots gradually detach from the earth and become suspended in the air. Some say they have no roots and grow by borrowing Qi, which is credible.

Shizhen stated: According to the *Gengxin Yuce* by Prince Ningxian: "Huoyancao is Cuscutae Semen. It is a Yang herb, often growing in abandoned gardens and ancient paths. When its seeds enter the soil, they initially have roots. As they elongate over other plants, their roots break off naturally. They have no leaves but have flowers, white with a slight red tint, and fragrant. The fruit resembles coarse beans but is finer, yellow in color. Those growing on the stems are especially good. They are abundant in the forests of Huaimeng and are superior for medicinal use."

[Cuscutae Semen]

[Processing]
[Name missing in text] stated: In general use, do not use Tianbicao seeds, which look exactly alike but taste sour, astringent, and sticky. After harvesting Cuscuta, remove the shells. Soak in bitter wine for two days. Strain out, and soak in the natural juice of Polygonatum (Huangjing) overnight. At dawn, simmer over low heat until dry. Put into a mortar, and pound with a heated iron pestle more than three thousand times until it becomes powder for use.

Shizhen stated: For general use, wash away sand and mud with warm water, soak in wine overnight, dry in the sun, and pound. If not fully powdered, repeat soaking, drying, and pounding until finely ground. Another method: Soak in wine for four to five days, steam and dry four or five times, which instantly produces powder and saves effort.

[Flavor and Toxicity]
Acrid, sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

Zhicai stated: Works well with wine. Polygonatum (Shuyu) and Pine Resin (Songzhi) act as guides. Dislikes [missing character, likely referring to a specific herb or condition].

[Indications]
Heals severe injuries, tonifies deficiencies, boosts Qi and strength, and makes the body robust and healthy (*Benjing*). Nourishes muscles, strengthens Yin, fortifies sinews and bones, treats cold in the penis, spontaneous seminal emission, dribbling urine after urination, bitter taste in the mouth, dryness and thirst, and accumulation of cold blood. Long-term use brightens the eyes, lightens the body, and prolongs life. Refines essence and marrow, eliminates lower back pain and cold knees, and treats diabetes with internal heat. Long-term use removes facial spots and enhances complexion (Zhenquan). Tonifies the five exhaustion and seven injuries, treats nocturnal emissions due to "ghostly intercourse," hematuria, and moistens the lungs and heart (Daming). Tonifies liver wind deficiency (Haogou).

[Elucidation]
[Name missing in text] stated: Cuscutae Semen possesses balanced and upright Yang Qi. A single stem forms by sensing branches from trees, bearing fruit in mid-spring under ascending Yang. Therefore, it specifically tonifies the body's Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) and assists the sinews and vessels.

Song stated: The *Baopuzi* immortal prescription for single-substance use: Take one dou of fruits, soak in one dou of wine, dry in the sun, soak again, and dry again, until the wine is exhausted. Pound and sieve. Take two qian with wine, twice daily. This medicine treats waist and knee issues and expels wind, and also brightens the eyes. Long-term use gives luster to the skin, turning the old into the young. After ten days, eating and drinking feels like snow melting in hot soup.

[Attached Prescriptions]
Six old, seven new.

Unremitting Xiao Ke (Diabetes/Wasting-Thirst): Decoct Cuscutae Semen and drink freely until symptoms cease (*Shilin Guangji*).

Deficiency and Damage of Yang Qi: *Jianbian Fang*: Use equal parts Cuscutae Semen and Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shudihuang), grind into powder, and make pills with wine paste the size of wuizi (walnut seeds). Take 50 pills per dose. For Qi deficiency, take with Ginseng decoction; for rebellious Qi, take with Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chenxiang) decoction. *Jingyan Houfang*: Use two liang of Cuscutae Semen (soaked in wine for ten days, washed with water) and one liang of Eucommiae Cortex (Duzhong) (roasted, ground, and honey-fried). Make pills with Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shuyu) powder and wine paste, size of wuizi. Take 50 pills on an empty stomach with wine.

White Turbidity and Nocturnal Emission: Fuku Wan: Treats excessive thinking, Heart and Kidney deficiency, instability of True Yang, gradual dribbling, white turbid urine, and frequent emissions in dreams. Five liang of Cuscutae Semen, three liang of White Poria (Baifuling), two liang of Nelumbinis Semen (Shilianrou). Grind into powder, make pills with wine paste, size of wuizi. Take 30-50 pills on an empty stomach with salted water (*Heji Jufang*).

Dribbling Urine: Decoct Cuscutae Semen and drink the juice (*Fan Wang Fang*).

Red and Turbid Urine, Heart and Kidney Deficiency, Scanty Essence and Dry Blood, Dry Mouth with Irritable Heat, Dizziness and Palpitations: Equal parts Cuscutae Semen and Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong). Grind into powder, make honey pills size of wuizi. Take 70 pills with salted water.

Waist and Knee Pain, or Numbness and Weakness: One liang of washed Cuscutae Semen, one liang of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi). Place together in a silver vessel, soak in wine covering one cun deep. After five days, dry in the sun and grind into powder. Use the original wine to make paste pills size of wuizi. Take 20-30 pills on an empty stomach with wine (*Jingyan Houfang*).

Liver Injury and Dim Vision: Three liang of Cuscutae Semen. Soak in wine for three days, dry in the sun, grind into powder, mix with egg white to make pills size of wuizi. Take 20 pills on an empty stomach with warm wine (*Shenghui Fang*).

Sudden and Severe Edema of Body and Face: Use one sheng of Cuscutae Semen. Soak in five sheng of wine for two or three nights. Drink one sheng per dose, three times daily. If edema does not subside, prepare again (*Zhouhou Fang*).

Breech Presentation in Women: Powdered Cuscutae Semen, take two qian with wine. Add equal parts Plantaginis Semen (Cheqianzi) (*Shenghui Fang*).

Itching Tinea on Eyebrows: Stir-fry and grind Cuscutae Semen, mix with oil and apply (*Shanju Siyao*).

Red Pain in the Anus: Char Cuscutae Semen until yellow-black, grind into powder, mix with egg white and apply (*Zhouhou Fang*).

Hemorrhoids Feeling Like Bug Bites: Same prescription as above.

[Cuscutae Herba/Seedling]

[Flavor and Toxicity]
Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications]
Grind into juice and apply to the face to remove facial spots (*Benjing*). Crush and decoct for bathing children.

[Attached Prescriptions]
Two old, one new.

Infant Head Sores: Decoct Cuscutae seedlings and wash frequently (*Zimu Milu*).

Red Pain in Eyes: Crush Ye Hujia Jiang Cao (Wild Fox Juice Grass/Cuscuta) and apply the juice (*Shenghui Fang*).

[Appendix] Nanhuolan (*Shiyi*)

Zangqi stated: Sour flavor, warm, non-toxic. Treats cold qi and wind-bi, opens the stomach and promotes appetite, removes abdominal distension. Long-term use brightens the eyes. Grows in the barbarian country of Baxi. Resembles Cuscutae Semen but slightly longer.