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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** Shancōng (Mountain Scallion) (*Bielu*), Congran (*Benjing*), Cong [pronounced "tan", *Bielu*], Kongkui (Common), Fenglu (Common), Hancōng (*Gangmu*), Luchong.

Li Shizhen said: "Black" is called "Li". Its rhizome is wrapped in black skin, hence the name. The base of the root resembles scallions; the common name "Congguan Lilu" (Scallion-tube Veratrum) is correct. People in the North call it Hancōng, and people in the South call it Luchong.

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Bielu* states: Lilu grows in the valleys of Mount Tai. The roots are harvested in March and dried in the shade.

Li Dang stated: It has large leaves and small connected roots.

Tao Hongjing stated: It grows everywhere along nearby roads. The lower part of the root looks very much like a scallion but is hairy. When used, only the root should be extracted and slightly roasted.

Zheng Baosheng stated: It grows in valleys everywhere. The leaves resemble those of Curcuma aromatica (Yujin), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), and Nelumbo nucifera (He). The root resembles Gentiana scabra (Longdan), and the lower stem is hairy. It grows in summer and withers in winter; the roots are harvested in August.

Su Song stated: It is now found in Shaanxi and the prefectures of Shannan East and West. Those from Liaozhou, Junzhou, and Xiezhou are particularly good. Sprouts emerge in March. The leaves are green, resembling the emerging heart of a palm or Plantago asiatica (Cheqian). The stem resembles white scallion parts, is bluish-purple, and is five to six cun high. The upper part has black skin wrapping the stem, resembling palm bark. The fleshy flower is red. The root resembles horse intestine roots, is about four to five cun long, and is yellowish-white. Roots are harvested in February and March and dried in the shade. There are two types here; the type growing near water streams on rocks has over a hundred rootlets and is not used medicinally. The currently used type is named Congbai Lilu (White Scallion Veratrum), which has few rootlets, only three or twenty stems, and those growing in high mountains are best. The local custom in Junzhou also calls it Luchong. *Fanzi Jiran* states regarding the root...

**[Processing]** Lei Xiao stated: Upon harvesting, remove the head. Boil in rice washing water from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Wei hour (1-3 PM), then dry in the sun for use.

**[Flavor and Properties]** Acrid, Cold, Toxic. *Bielu* states: Bitter, Slightly Cold. Li Dang stated: Shennong and Lei Gong considered it Acrid and Toxic; Qibo considered it Salty and Toxic; Li Dang considered it Greatly Cold and Greatly Toxic; Bian Que considered it Bitter and Toxic.

Xu Zhicai stated: Coptis chinensis (Huanglian) acts as its guiding herb (shi). It is incompatible with Asarum heterotropoides (Xixin), Paeonia lactiflora (Shaoyao), Panax ginseng (Renshen), Adenophora stricta (Shashen), Panax japonicus (Zishen), Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), and Sophora flavescens (Kushen). It is opposed by Rheum palmatum (Dahuang).

Li Shizhen stated: It fears Allium fistulosum (Congbai). If vomiting persists after ingestion, drinking scallion soup will stop it.

**[Indications]** Gu poison-induced cough and rebellious qi, diarrhea and dysentery with intestinal pain, head sores, scabies, itching, and malignant ulcers; kills various insect toxins; removes dead flesh (*Benjing*). Treats hiccups, bi obstruction of the throat, nasal polyps, and carbuncles (*Bielu*). Not used in decoctions.

Controls upper jiao rebellious qi; removes chronic purulent bloody diarrhea and dysentery (Quan). Vomits wind-phlegm from the upper jiao; treats silent wind epilepsy and pediatric phlegm diseases (Su Song). In powder form, treats equine scabies and ringworm (Kou Zongshi).

**[Innovation/Commentary]** Su Song stated: A dose of Lilu equivalent to a coin scoop or one character causes severe vomiting in humans. It is also used to clear the top inducing sneezing. Other texts claim it treats hiccups, but its efficacy is unclear.

Li Shizhen stated: Using emetics for hiccups follows the principle of using emesis for food reflux to remove phlegm accumulation. Emetics vary: Changshan vomits malaria phlegm, Gua Di vomits heat phlegm, Wutou/Fuzui tips vomit damp phlegm, Radish seeds vomit qi phlegm, while Lilu vomits wind phlegm. Note: Zhang Zihe in *Rumen Shiqin* wrote: A woman suffered from wind epilepsy. After contracting convulsive disorder at age six or seven, she had episodes every one or two years; later, every five or seven years; by age thirty, she sometimes had more than ten episodes a day. She became confused, forgetful, and sought death. During a great famine, she ate wild herbs. Seeing a grass resembling scallions in the wild, she gathered them, steamed them, and ate her fill. At the fifth watch, she felt uneasy in her heart, vomiting saliva like glue continuously for days, totaling about one or two dou, sweating profusely, and feeling extremely drowsy. Three days later, she felt light and healthy, the illness passed, appetite returned, and her meridians harmonized. Investigating the eaten plant, it was Hancōng seedlings, i.e., Lilu in the Materia Medica. *Tujing* says it can expel wind disease; this was merely an accidental discovery of emetic therapy. In our dynasty, Consort Liu of Prince Jinghe, aged seventy, suffered from stroke, loss of consciousness, and locked jaw. Physicians were helpless. My father, Imperial Physician Yuezhi, examined her. Medicine could not enter from noon until midnight. Desperately, a tooth was removed, and strong Lilu decoction was forced down. Shortly after, she belched, vomited phlegm, and regained consciousness, stabilizing after regulation. "If medicine does not cause dizziness/reaction, the serious disease cannot be cured," truly so.

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Six old prescriptions, thirteen new ones.

For various wind-phlegm-fluid retention: Lilu 10 parts, Curcuma aromatica (Yujin) 1 part, powdered. Take one character dose, mix with one cup of warm grain water, induce vomiting (*Jingyan Fang*).

For stroke with unconsciousness and locked jaw: Lilu 1 liang (remove rhizome head), soak in strong prepared Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fangfeng) decoction, dry, crush, stir-fry until slightly brown, powder. Take half qian per dose...

For stroke with inability to speak, sawing sound in throat, salivary foam: Lilu 1 part, Pinellia ternata (Tiannanxing) 1 piece (remove floating skin, hollow navel, add aged vinegar, bake yellow). Powder, make pills size of soybeans with fresh dough. Take 3 pills with warm wine (*Jingyan Houfang*).

For various wind headaches: One stem of Helizhou Lilu, dried and powdered, add a little Moschus (Shexiang). Blow into nose. Another method: Tongding San: Lilu 0.5 liang, Coptis chinensis (Huanglian) 3 fen. Snuff (*Shenghui Fang*).

For chronic malaria with much phlegm, anorexia, urge to vomit but unable: Lilu powder 0.5 qian. Mix with warm pickled vegetable water, induce vomiting (*Baoming Ji*).

For phlegm-malaria and accumulated malaria: Lilu, Gleditsia sinensis (Zaojiao, roasted) each 1 liang, Croton tiglium (Badou, 25 seeds, fried yellow). Powder, honey pills size of soybeans. Take one pill on empty stomach, one before onset, one at onset. Avoid food/drink during treatment (*Zhouhou*).

For jaundice and swelling: Lilu processed in ash, powdered. Take half qian with water, slight vomiting occurs; effective within a few doses (*Baiyi Fang*).

For chest congestion, feeling like lingering fright: Croton tiglium 0.5 liang (peeled, fried, pounded to paste), Lilu (roasted, powdered) 1 liang, honey, pounded into pills size of sesame seeds. Swallow 1-2 pills (*Zhouhou*).

For black moles on body/face: Lilu ash 5 liang. Leach with one bowl of water, boil in copper vessel over double boiler to black ointment. Prick mole slightly with needle, apply. Do not exceed three times.

For nasal polyps: Lilu 3 fen, Realgar (Xionghuang) 1 fen. Powder, mix with honey, apply. Apply three times daily until resolved naturally; do not apply to sides (*Shengji Fang*).

For dental worm pain: Lilu powder, insert into hole, do not swallow juice, miraculous effect (*Qianjin Yi Fang*).

For bald scalp fungal infection: Lilu powder, mix with lard, apply (*Zhouhou Fang*).

For lice/nits on head: Sprinkle Lilu powder (*Zhizhi Fang*).

For wind-head with white dandruff and severe itching: Lilu powder, sprinkle during hair washing, wrap tightly for two days/nights, avoid wind, effective (*Benshi Fang*).

For inverted flowers/malignant ulcers with meat protruding like rice grains: Lilu powder, mix with lard, apply 3-5 times daily (*Shengji Lu*).

For scabies/ringworm/fungal infections: Lilu powder, mix with raw oil, apply (*Doumen Fang*).

For sheep abscess/itching: Lilu 2 fen, Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi) 8 fen. Powder, apply, worms exit naturally (Tao Hongjing's formula).

For accidental ingestion of leeches: Fried Lilu, powdered. Take 1 qian with water, must vomit (*Desheng Tang Fang*).

**[Appendix]** Shancishi (Mountain Magnetite): *Bielu* lists as "Name known, use unknown": Bitter, Neutral, Non-toxic. Treats leukorrhea in women. Grows on sunny slopes. Leaves emerge in January resembling Lilu, stem has covering. Also named Yuanzi.

Shenguogen (Root of Canarium album fruit?):

Also stated: Bitter, Toxic. Treats scrofula. Grows with over a hundred roots, stem wrapped in root covering. Harvest roots on March 3rd. Also named Bailian, Wuliao, Shujing, Lupu.