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

**[Names]** Chixiu (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Shexiu (from *Rihua Bencao*), Ziheche (Purple River Cart / Placenta, from *Bencao Tujing*), Chongtai (Double Terrace, from *Xinxiu Bencao*), Chonglou Jinian (Golden Thread Chonglou, from *Bencao Tujing*), Sancang (Three-Layer Grass, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Qiye Yizhihua (Seven Leaves One Flower, from *Mengquan*), Caogansui (Grass Gansui, from *Xinxiu Bencao*), Baigansui.

Li Shizhen stated: "The poison of insects and snakes can be halted upon treatment with this herb, hence the names Zaoxiu (Early Rest) and Shexiu (Sting Rest). 'Chongtai' and 'Sancang' refer to its leaf arrangement resembling stacked terraces. 'Jinqian Chonglou' refers to its flower resembling a gold coin. 'Gansui' refers to its root resembling that of *Radix Kansui*. 'Ziheche' refers to its medicinal efficacy."

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Bielu* states: "Zaoxiu grows in the valleys of Shanyang and Yuanju."

Su Gong stated: "What is now called Chonglou is this herb. It is also known as Chongtai; people in the south call it Caogansui. It has a single stem bearing six or seven leaves, resembling plants such as *Pseudostellaria heterophylla* (Wangsun), *Podophyllum peltatum* (Guijiao), and castor bean (*Ricinus communis*). The leaves are arranged in two or three layers."

Tao Baosheng stated: "The leaves resemble those of Guijiao and *Atractylodes macrocephala* (Mumeng); older plants may have two or three tiers of leaves. The root resembles *Salvia miltiorrhiza* (Zishen), with yellow skin and white flesh. The roots are harvested in May and dried in the sun."

Ma Zhi (Da Ming) stated: "The root resembles a two-foot-two-inch centipede, or like fat *Adenophora stricta* (Zichangpu)."

Su Song stated: "This is Ziheche. It is now found in Hezhong, Heyang, Huazhou, Fengzhou, Wenzhou, and between the Jianghuai regions. The leaves resemble Wangsun and Guijiao, arranged in two or three layers. In June, it blooms with yellow-purple flowers; the stamens are reddish-yellow with golden threads hanging down. It bears red fruits in autumn. The root resembles fat ginger, with red skin and white flesh. It is harvested in April and May."

Kou Zongshi stated: "Zaoxiu has no side branches; it grows with a single upright stem, over a chi tall, with four or five leaves at the apex. The leaves are lobed, resembling *Polygonum multiflorum* (Kuzhang). A new stem arises from the center, growing similarly. Only the root is used medicinally."

Li Shizhen stated: "Chonglou Jinian is widespread, growing in deep mountains in shady and moist places. A single stem rises alone, positioned at the center of the leaves. The leaves are green, resembling *Paeonia lactiflora* (Shaoyao), arranged in two or three layers, with seven leaves per layer. The stem tip blooms in summer; one flower has seven petals and golden thread-like stamens, three to four cun long. Those produced in Wangwu Mountain may have five to seven layers. The root resembles *Podophyllum peltatum* or *Atractylodes lancea* (Cangzhu), purple on the outside and white inside, existing in two varieties similar to japonica rice and glutinous rice. External alchemists harvest it to prepare Sanhuang, Cinnabar, and Mercury. For medicinal use, it is washed, sliced, and roasted. As the proverb says: 'Seven leaves, one flower; deep in the mountain is my home. If encountered for carbuncles and sores, it is as easy as picking them up by hand.' This refers to this herb."

**[Flavor and Properties]** Bitter, slightly cold, toxic.

Ma Zhi (Da Ming) stated: "Cold, non-toxic. It can neutralize Realgar (Xionghuang), Cinnabar (Dansha), Borax (Pengsha), and salt."

**[Indications]** Convulsive epilepsy (Jingxian), shaking head and rolling tongue, heat qi accumulating in the abdomen, manic disorders (Dianji), carbuncles, sores, and genital ulcers (Yinshi), expelling the three parasites from the lower jiao, and removing snake venom (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Eating one sheng raw promotes urination (from *Xinxiu Bencao*). Treats...

**[Elucidation]** Su Gong stated: "Ground with vinegar and applied externally to carbuncles, swelling, and snake venom, it is very effective."

Li Shizhen stated: "Ziheche is a herb entering the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. It is suitable for conditions recorded in this chapter such as convulsive epilepsy, malaria, scrofula (Luoli), and carbuncles. However, Daoist practitioners have methods of ingestion; it is unknown if they are truly beneficial."

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Five New Prescriptions

**Ingestion Method:** Scrape the skin off the root of Ziheche using a bamboo knife, cut into dice-sized chunks, wrap in flour, place in a porcelain bottle, boil in water until it floats, then remove. After cooling, place in a new cloth bag and hang in a ventilated area to dry. Take three pills each time. At dawn, face east, recite a mantra, and swallow with well water. After taking three doses consecutively, one can cease eating grain (fasting). If one wishes to eat, first drink decoction made from black beans. Then cook thin porridge with the pills and gradually consume it. The mantra reads: "Sky clear, air fresh, golden rooster crows; I take medicine now to seek longevity. I am neither hungry nor thirsty now, relying on the spiritual power of the immortal herb."

**Pediatric Fetal Wind, Hand and Foot Convulsions:** Use Zaoxiu (i.e., Ziheche) ground into powder. Take half a qian each time, swallowed with cold water. (From *Weisheng Yijian Fang*)

**Slow Convulsive Disease with Yang Symptoms:** Take one qian of Baigansui powder (i.e., Zaoxiu) and two qian of Trichosanthes Root (Gualou Gen) powder. Stir-fry together over slow fire until scorched yellow, then grind evenly. Take an amount equivalent to one zi, mixed and taken with decoction of Musk and Mint. (Prescription from Qian Yi's *Xiao'er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue*)

**Poisoning from Arsenic-containing Minerals (Shumang):** Grind the root of Jinian Chonglou with water and drink. Recovery will follow. (From *Jijian Fang*)

**Swollen and Painful Throat (Guzai):** Use Chongtai (red-colored), Prepared Rhubarb (Chuan Dahuang - stir-fried), Semen Momordicae (Mubiezi Ren), and Halloysitum Rubrum (Mayaxiao) each banliang, and Pinellia Ternata (Banxia - soaked) yifen...