Library

(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** Chijie (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Baizhi (from *Wu Pu Bencao*), Zhumu (from *Leigong Paozhi Lun*), Bai Baji.
Li Shizhen said: The origin of the name "Bixie" is unknown. *Rihua Bencao* states that people at the time called it Bai Baji, due to its shape resemblance. Chijie and Baizhi share names with Gouji.

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Mingyi Bielu* records: Bixie grows in the valleys of Zhending. The roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun.
Tao Hongjing said: It is now found everywhere. The root resembles Baji but differs slightly; it is larger, has less distinct nodes, and is lighter in color.
Su Gong said: There are two types: those with thorny stems have white, solid roots; those without thorns have hollow, soft roots, with the soft ones being superior. It climbs as a vine, and the leaves resemble those of Dioscorea.
Su Song said: It is now present in various prefectures such as He, Shan, Bian East, Jing, and Shu. It grows as a vine, with both shoots and leaves green. The leaves are trifoliate, resembling Chinese yam or mung bean leaves. Flowers come in yellow, red, and white varieties, and some produce white seeds without flowering. The roots are yellowish-white, nodular, about three fingers thick. Roots are harvested in spring and autumn and dried. Those produced in Chengde Jun resemble Chinese yam but are harder; their vines climb, leaves resemble buckwheat, and seeds are triangular. Roots can be harvested anytime, sliced thinly with a sharp knife, and dried for use.
Li Shizhen said: Bixie grows as a vine, with leaves resembling Baji but as large as a bowl. Its roots are long and hard, with large ones resembling Phytolacca acinosa but firmer. Nowadays, people mistakenly identify Tu Fuling (Smilax glabra rhizome) as Bixie. This is incorrect, as the stems, leaves, roots, and shoots are all different. *Wu Pu Bencao* also mistakenly identifies Bixie as Gouji; see the entry for Gouji for details.

**[Properties and Flavor]** Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* records: Sweet.
Zhang Yuansu said: Coix Seed (Yiyiren) acts as an assistant. It is incompatible with Sunflower Root (Kuigen), Rhubarb (Dahuang), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Peucedanum (Qianhu), and Oyster Shell (Muli).

**[Indications]** Stiffness and pain in the lower back, wind-cold-damp bi syndrome affecting bone joints, malignant sores that do not heal, and heat sensation (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Internal injury with anger, impotence, urinary incontinence, the five slackness conditions in the elderly, and old blood stasis in joints (from *Mingyi Bielu*). Cold qi bi obstruction, paralysis and weakness of waist and legs, convulsions of hands and feet, lower back pain in men, chronic cold, and retained water in the bladder within the kidney region (Zhen Quan).
Loss of voice due to stroke (Sun Simiao). Tonifies liver deficiency.

**[Elucidation]** Li Shizhen said: Bixie enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach and Foot-Jueyin Liver meridians. Jueyin governs tendons and is associated with wind; Yangming governs flesh and is associated with dampness. The efficacy of Bixie lies in dispelling wind-dampness, thus it can treat conditions belonging to wind-dampness such as flaccid bi syndrome, turbid urination, and malignant sores. Although Bixie, Baji, and Tu Fuling differ in appearance, their therapeutic effects are similar; could they be several species within one category? Lei Xiao's preface to *Leigong Paozhi Lun* states: "For wrinkled scrotum and excessive turbid urine, boil Zhumu at night." Zhumu refers to Bixie. Excessive turbid urine is caused by dampness flowing downward. Bixue clears dampness from the Yangming meridian and secures the Lower Jiao, thereby separating the clear from the turbid. Yang Shi's *Jiacang Fang* treats insufficiency of true yuan and frequent urination.
Furthermore, Yang Zijian's *Wanquan Huming Fang* states: For anyone with frequent urination, if the fu organs are constipated with heat blockage, fluids only flow into the Small Intestine, causing the Large Intestine to become increasingly dry. Severe cases involve whole-body heat, mental restlessness, and craving for cold water; this is a critical condition. This disease originates from indulgence in alcohol and sex, accumulating heat toxins, putrefied matter, and blood stasis, which enter the Small Intestine with deficient fluids, causing pain during urination. Non-drinkers likely consumed excessive spicy, hot, and greasy animal products in life and suffered sexual damage. This presents as frequent painful urination, differing from strangury which is涩 (astringent/stinging) and painful. Use one liang of Bixie, soak briefly in water, stir-fry with half a liang of salt, remove the salt, and grind into powder. Take two qian each time with one sheng of water, decoct to eight fen, and take with the dregs. This directs the water pathway into the Large Intestine. Frequently wash the anus with scallion water to promote qi circulation, then urination...

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Two old prescriptions, three new ones.
Take three qianbi with warm wine. Avoid beef. (*Zhenyuan Guangli Fang*, Emperor Dezong of Tang)
Large seeds. Take seventy pills with salt wine each time. (*Jixuan Fang*)
Deficiency-cold. Bixie Qingfen Yin: Equal parts Bixie, Acorus tatarinowii Rhizome (Shi Changpu), Alpinia oxyphylla Fruit (Yizhiren), and Lindera Root (Wuyao). Take four qian each time with one sheng of water, add a pinch of salt, decoct to seven fen, take warm before meals, once daily, stop when effective.
Intestinal wind and hemorrhoids/fistula: Rusheng San: Equal parts Bixie and Cyperus Root (Guanzhong, cleaned of soil). Grind into powder. Take three qian each time on an empty stomach with warm wine. (Sun Shangyao)
Headache inducing sweating: Equal parts Bixie, Inula Flower (Xuanjinhua), and Tiger Skull Bone (prepared with butter). Grind into powder. When symptoms are about to appear, take two qian with warm wine, keep warm in bed to induce sweating,