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(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

[Correction] Merged into the entry for "Matang" (Setaria viridis) from *Mingyi Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians], which was previously listed as having a name but no practical use.

[Names] Matang (*Mingyi Bielu*), Ma Fan (*Mingyi Bielu*), Yang Ma (*Mingyi Bielu*), Yang Su (*Mingyi Bielu*), Man Yu (*Erya*), Xuan Yu.

Chen Cangqi stated: Horses eat this grass as if it were sugar or rice, hence the names Matang and Ma Fan.

Li Shizhen stated: Sheep also eat this grass, hence the names Yang Ma and Yang Su. Its odor is foul, hence it is called You (Pogostemon cablin). The character "You" refers to this plant whose stems resemble those of Hui (Agastache rugosa, a fragrant herb) but possess a foul odor. Thus, the *Zuo Zhuan* states: "One xun (fragrant herb) and one you (foul herb); even after ten years, the stench remains." This is correct. Sun Sheng in *Tanpu* erroneously identified You as Xiangru (Elsholtzia splendens). It is actually the Matang from *Mingyi Bielu*, and they are now combined into one entry.

[Collection and Description] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Matang grows in low, wet areas; its stems have nodes that root upon contact with soil. It is harvested in May.

Chen Cangqi stated: It grows in abandoned rice paddies in the south; each node has roots, adhering to the soil like Zoysia grass, and is suitable for feeding horses. He further stated: You grows in paddy fields, resembling Zoysia grass but with longer leaves; horses eat it.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Chen Cangqi stated: Greatly cold.

[Indications] Matang: Regulates the middle jiao (digestive system), clarifies the eyes and ears (*Mingyi Bielu*). Decocted juice clarifies vision and moistens the lungs. Furthermore: You: Eliminates water qi-induced damp bi syndrome, treats Hongjiaojiao (podagra/foot swelling and numbness), stubborn bi syndrome, edema due to deficiency, abdominal urgency, and dark, scanty urination. These conditions should be treated by boiling with Adzuki beans (Vigna angularis) for consumption, without adding salt. Juice extracted and taken orally stops thirst (Xiaoke disease). Crushed leaves applied externally treat toxic swellings (Chen Cangqi).

(Pronounced "Xu". From *Shennong Bencao Jing*, Lower Grade)

[Names] Bianzhu (Tao Hongjing), Bian Bian (*Wu Pu Bencao*), Bian Man (*Wu Pu Bencao*), Fenjie Cao (*Bencao Gangmu*), Daosheng Cao.

Li Shizhen stated: Xu Shen’s *Shuowen Jiezi* writes it as "Bian Zhu," pronounced identically to bamboo. The internodes contain powder, and it grows abundantly by roadsides, hence Daoists call it Fenjie Cao (Powder-joint Grass) and Daosheng Cao (Roadside-growing Grass).

[Collection and Description] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Xu grows in the valleys of Donglai. It is harvested in May and dried in the shade.

Tao Hongjing stated: It is found everywhere, spreading along the ground. The flowers at the nodes are white, leaves are fine and green, and people call it Bianzhu.

Su Song stated: In spring, it spreads along roadsides. The seedlings resemble Dianthus superbus (Qumai), with fine, green, bamboo-like leaves and red stems like hairpins. The flowers emerging from the nodes are very small, pale yellow-green. The roots resemble Artemisia annua (Hao) roots. Harvest the seedlings in April or May and dry in the shade. *Shu Tujing* states: Harvest seedlings in February or August and sun-dry. Guo Pu’s annotation on *Erya* states: It resembles small Chenopodium album (Xiao Li), with red stem nodes, prefers roadside growth, is edible, and kills parasites. This is Xu.

Li Shizhen stated: Its leaves resemble those of Callicarpa macrophylla (Luozhu) but are not pointed. The stems are weak and creeping with short nodes. In March, it opens small red flowers, similar to Polygonum tinctorium (Liaolan) flowers, producing small seeds used by furnace workers for ash smelting. There is a variety known as aquatic Bianzhu, named KT (pronounced "Du"), mentioned in *Shuowen Jiezi*.

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Lei Xiao stated: Sweet, astringent.

[Indications] Treats impetigo, scabies, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and kills three types of parasites (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats vaginal erosion in women (*Mingyi Bielu*). Boiled juice given to children effectively treats ascariasis (Zhen Quan). Treats cholera with jaundice, promotes diuresis, and treats pediatric malnutrition (Ganji disease) (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] Seven old prescriptions, two new ones.

Hot strangury with painful urination: Decoct Bianzhu and drink frequently (*Shengsheng Bian*).

Heat jaundice: Crush Bianzhu to extract juice, take one sheng (approx. 200ml) in one dose. For chronic cases, administer twice daily (*Yaoxing Lun*).

Cholera with vomiting and diarrhea: Cook Bianzhu in fermented soybean juice with five-flavor spice to make a soup (*Shiyi Xinjing*).

Mineral pills irritating the eyes: For toxicity from mineral pills causing eye inflammation and pain: Take a handful of Bianzhu roots, wash, crush to extract juice, and ingest (*Shiliao Bencao*).

Roundworm-induced heart pain: *Shiliao Bencao*: To treat pediatric roundworm-induced heart pain, cyanosis, foaming at the mouth, and impending death: Take ten jin (approx. 6kg) of Bianzhu (chopped). Decoct in one dan (approx. 100 liters) of water until reduced to one dou (approx. 10 liters). Remove dregs and continue decocting until thick like maltose. Fast overnight, then take one sheng on an empty stomach; worms will be expelled. Regularly boil juice to cook rice. The *Haishang Ge* states: "Urgent heart pain is unbearable, I have a celestial prescription. Decocted Xu with vinegar through the throat, guaranteed health within moments."

Parasites infesting the lower orifice, worm-like snails causing itching: Take a handful of Bianzhu. Boil in two sheng (approx. 400ml) of water. A five-year-old child takes three to five he (approx. 60-100ml) on an empty stomach (*Yangshi Chanru*).

Hemorrhoidal swelling and pain: Crush Bianzhu to extract juice, take one sheng. If not cured after one or two doses, repeat. Alternatively, mix juice with flour to make cakes, boiled and eaten three times daily (*Yaoxing Lun*).

Malignant sores with crusts, itching, and pain: Crush Bianzhu and apply externally; healing occurs when crusts fall off (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).