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(Sound "shu". Recorded in the Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao* [Compendium of Materia Medica])

【Names】 Medicine.

【Collected Explanations】 Su Song said: Peng'ezhu (Curcuma zedoaria) grows in Xirong and various prefectures in Guangnan. The leaves resemble those of a lotus, and the fruit resembles mulberry. The rhizome grows beneath the root system together; one is good and one is bad, and the bad one is toxic. People in Xirong harvest it by first letting sheep eat it; if the sheep refuse to eat it, they discard it.

Chen Cangqi said: One name is Peng'e, which is black; another name is [character missing], which is yellow; the third name is Bosha, with a sweet taste.

Ma Zhi said: It is the root of Turmeric (Jianghuang) produced in the south. The variety produced in Hainan is called Peng'ezhu.

Su Song said: It is now found in Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. Sprouts emerge in March in fields. The stem is as thick as a copper coin, two or three chi high. The leaves are greenish-white, one to two chi long, and more than five cun wide, resembling lotus leaves. In May, flowers appear in spikes, yellow with slightly purple tips. The root resembles ginger, while the rhizome lies beneath the root, resembling chicken or duck feet.

【Processing】 Lei Xiao said: When used, grind it completely with vinegar in a mortar, then dry it near fire.

Su Song said: This substance is extremely hard and difficult to crush. When needed, roast it thoroughly in hot ashes, then crush it while hot until it becomes powder.

Li Shizhen said: Nowadays, people often stir-fry it with vinegar or boil it before use, taking advantage of its ability to enter the Blood aspect.

【Nature and Flavor】 Bitter, Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.

Ma Zhi said: It works well when combined with wine and vinegar.

【Indications】 Epigastric and abdominal pain, sudden severe discomfort or mental abnormalities (Zhong'e Zhuwu Guiqi), cold qi in cholera, vomiting of sour fluid, detoxification, indigestion of food and drink. Grind with wine and take. Also treats blood and qi stagnation and accumulation in women, and Ben Tun disease (Rushing Pig) in men (*Kaibao Bencao*). Breaks up mass-like accumulations and cold qi; grind with wine and vinegar for administration (Zhen Quan). Treats all types of Qi stagnation, opens the stomach, aids digestion, regulates menstruation, resolves blood stasis, stops pain and bleeding from trauma, and internal damage with evil blood (Ma Zhi). Unblocks stagnant blood in the Liver Meridian (Hao Gu).

【Elucidations】 Su Song said: Peng'ezhu was not used in ancient formulas. Currently, physicians consider it an essential herb for treating various Qi accumulations. It is effective when used together with Sanleng (Sparganii Rhizoma) and is also commonly used in prescriptions for women.

Hao Gu said: Peng'ezhu is black in color, breaks Blood within Qi, and enhances the fragrance of Qi-invigorating herbs. Although it is a purgative, it can also tonify Qi. Therefore, Sun Shangyong used it to treat shortness of breath and inability to sustain respiration, and it is widely used in Da Qixiang Wan, Xiao Qixiang Wan, and various decoctions and powders. It is also a herb for the Blood aspect of the Liver Meridian.

Li Shizhen said: Yujin (Curcumae Radix) enters the Heart and specifically treats diseases of the Blood aspect; Jianghuang (Curcumae Longae Rhizoma) enters the Spleen and treats both Qi within Blood; Shu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) enters the Liver and treats Blood within Qi, which is slightly different. According to Wang Zhizhong's *Zisheng Jing*: Wang Zhizhong suffered from chronic heart and spleen pain for a long time. After taking herbs that awaken the Spleen, his abdomen became distended. He used Peng'ezhu wrapped in flour, roasted until cooked, ground into powder, and decocted with water, wine, and vinegar. He recovered immediately. This demonstrates that this herb can break Blood within Qi.

【Attached Formulas】 Two old formulas, six new formulas.

All types of cold qi, seizing the heart with cutting pain, causing death-like states upon attack. For chronic epigastric/abdominal pain that recurs, this can eradicate the root cause. Peng'ezhu 2 liang (boiled in vinegar), Muxiang 1 liang (roasted). Grind into powder. Take half a qian each time, washed down with light vinegar soup. (*Weisheng Jiabao Fang*) Visceral Qi of the small intestine, unbearable pain occurring at irregular times. Grind Peng'ezhu into powder, take one qian on an empty stomach with scallion wine. (Yang Zijian *Huming Fang*) Women's blood and qi, wandering pain, and lower back pain. Peng'ezhu and Ganxi 2 liang, grind into powder, take two qian with wine. For lower back pain, wash down with walnut wine. (*Puji Fang*) Infant intestinal colic (Pan Chang Nei Diao Tong). Use Ban liang of Ezhu, mix with one qian of Asarum dissolved in water, soak for one day and night, dry and grind. Take one zi each time, washed down with Perilla soup. (*Baoyou Daquan*)

Infant Qi pain: Roast Peng'ezhu until cooked, grind into powder. Take one large qian with hot wine. (*Shiquan Bojiu Fang*)

Upper asthma and rapid breathing: Peng'ezhu 5 qian, decoct in 1.5 cups of wine until reduced to 0.8 cup, then take. (*Baosheng Fang*)

Shortness of breath and inability to sustain respiration: Zhengyuan San: Treats inability to sustain respiration, also treats slippery discharge, and frequent urination. Chancellor Wang found it effective. Use Peng'ezhu 1 liang, Jinlingzi (pitted) 1 liang, grind into powder, add Pengsha 1 qian, refine and grind finely. Take two qian each time, wash down with warm wine or salt soup on an empty stomach. (Sun Yonghe *Mibao Fang*)

Strain off the dregs, add Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis) the size of two millet grains, take orally, very effective. (*Baoyou Daquan*)

Generalized blistering rash: See formula under Sanleng.