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(Liu Shi, recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** Lishi (recorded in *Mingyi Bielu*), Malinzi (recorded in *Tang Bencao*), Mazhou (recorded in *Erya*), Tiesaozhou (recorded in *Jiuhuang Bencao*), Jucuo (recorded in *Shennong Bencao*), Sanjian.

Li Gong stated: This is indeed Malinzi. The *Liji Yue Ling* states: "In the middle of winter, Li tichu emerges." Zheng Xuan's annotation says: "Li refers to Ma Xie." The *Tongsu Wen* states: "Also known as Malin. In Bencao texts, it is called Lishi."

Gao You stated: "Li tichu" means the Li grass emerges upright. Scholars of ritual did not recognize it, calling it "Litichu," and also wrote it as "Maxian," both of which are errors. Maxian is also known as Tun'er, which is Portulaca oleracea (Purslane).

People in Henan and Hebei call it Tiesaozhou, which is correct.

**[Collection & Description]** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Liu Shi grows in the rivers and valleys of Hedong. The fruits are harvested in May and dried in the shade.

It is also found in various commanderies, as well as in Dingzhou and Lizhou, with particularly abundant yields near Bianjing. The leaves resemble those of Allium tuberosum (Chinese chives) but are longer and denser. It blooms with purple-green flowers in March and bears horn-shaped fruits in May, resembling hemp seeds in size, reddish in color with ridges. The roots are slender, yellow throughout, and people use them as brushes. It flowers in March and fruits in May; both are collected and dried in the shade for use. Xu Shen in *Shuowen Jiezi* stated: "Li resembles Pu grass but is smaller, and its roots can be used as brushes." Gao You stated: "It grows predominantly in the plains and marshes of Hebei. There is much of it in Jiangdong, where it is planted in courtyards and steps, but only called Hanpu, without knowing that it is Ma Xie."

Li Shizhen stated: Li grass grows in wild fields, clustering locally. One plant has two or thirty stems, growing three to four chi high. Stems emerge from the leaves, producing flowers and fruits.

**[Correction of Errors]** Chen Cheng stated: Regarding Liu Shi, Tao Hongjing said it was not used in prescriptions, and commoners were unfamiliar with it. Various annotations in Bencao texts do not correspond. If it were indeed Malin, then *Rihua Zi Bencao* should not have stated it could be eaten as a vegetable. Since Malin leaves become hard upon emerging from the soil and have no taste, even horses and cattle refuse to eat them, how could they be suitable for human consumption? I dare not identify Liu Shi as Malin at present, and await verification by scholars.

This is an error in the character "Li." Zhang Yi in *Guangya* stated: "Li is also named Malin," making the identification clear. Furthermore, according to Zhou Dingwang's *Jiuhuang Bencao*: "The tender shoots are bitter; after blanching and soaking in water to remove bitterness, they can be seasoned with oil and salt for eating, thus Malin can serve as a vegetable." Kou Zongshi merely doubted this based on Tao's remarks, lacking sufficient investigation. Tao Hongjing failed to recognize many medicinal substances. I now correct this error.

**[Preparation)** Li Shizhen stated: For medicinal use, it must be stir-fried before application. To treat hernia, it is stir-fried with vinegar.

**[Flavor and Toxicity]** Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Bao Sheng stated: Cold.

Su Song stated: Mountain dwellers who consume it say it is greatly warming and produces remarkable effects.

**[Indications]** Treats skin alternating cold and heat, heat qi in the stomach, bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness, strengthens bones and tendons, and increases appetite. Long-term consumption lightens the body (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Stops mental restlessness and fullness, promotes urination and defecation, and nourishes skin and flesh (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats internal bleeding from traumatic injuries, carbuncles and sores, with efficacy (Su Gong). Treats women's blood and qi stagnation causing vexation, postpartum blood dizziness, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, eliminates all types of boils and ulcers, stops epistaxis and hematemesis, unblocks the Small Intestine, eliminates alcohol toxicity, treats jaundice, kills mushroom toxins, and applies to snake and insect bites (*Daming Bencao*). Treats lower abdominal hernia pain, cold accumulation in the abdomen, watery dysentery, and other diseases (Li Shizhen).

**[Prescriptions]** Two old prescriptions, six new ones.

For various extreme cold diseases untreatable by physicians: Wash nine sheng of Malinzi. Take one he measured cup on an empty stomach, taken with wine, three times daily.

For various cold hernia diseases, inability to eat due to cold hernia, and all abdominal ailments, promoting digestion and flesh gain: Take one sheng of Malinzi, take one handful daily, mix with flour, boil, and swallow. Cure upon completion. (Yao Sengtan, *Jiyan Fang*)

For throat obstruction with swelling and pain: *Weisheng Yijian Fang*: Use one he measured cup of Liu Shi and five fen of Shengma. Decoct in one sheng of water until three he measured cups remain. Add a little honey, stir evenly, and sip slowly. Highly effective. *Shenghui Fang*: Use two sheng of Malinzi and one liang of Shengma. Grind into powder, make pills with honey. Take one qian with water. Another prescription: Eight qian of Malinzi and six qian of Niubangzi. Grind into powder, take one fangcunbi with warm water on an empty stomach.

For various watery dysenteries: Zhang Wenzhong, *Beiji Fang*: Use Malinzi, stir-fried with flour from the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, in equal parts. Grind into powder, take one fangcunbi with rice drink on an empty stomach. If flour from the sixth day of the sixth month is unavailable, ordinary flour or bone ash of cattle may be used. Another prescription: Equal parts of Malinzi, Ganjiang, and Huanglian. Grind into powder, take two fangcunbi with cooked water. Cuts off symptoms immediately upon entering the abdomen. Treats both cold and heat patterns. Commonly used with divine efficacy; do not underestimate it. Avoid pork and cold water.

For intestinal wind with bloody stool, nodular sores, those that have ulcerated are untreatable: One jin of Malinzi (crushed and soaked in wine, three days in summer, seven days in winter, then sun-dried), half a jin of Heshouwu, four liang each of Xionghuang and Cihuang. Grind into powder. Make pills the size of wutong seeds using the wine used for soaking the herbs. Take thirty pills each time with warm wine, three times daily, until effective. (*Puji Fang*)

**[Flowers, Stems, Roots, and Leaves]**

**[Indications]** Expels roundworms (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats throat obstruction.

**[Elucidation]** Su Song stated: The grass, flowers, and fruits of Liu Shi are all used medicinally. *Liexian Zhuan* states: Master Kou was a person from Song who liked planting Li and consuming its flowers and fruits; this is correct.

Li Shizhen stated: According to *Ye Shuidong Riji*: People in the northern countryside suffering from chest and abdominal distension take crushed Malian flowers mixed with cold water, resulting in several bowel movements and recovery.

Based on this, the claim that excessive consumption causes diarrhea is verified, leaving no doubt that Liu Shi is indeed Malin.

**[Prescriptions]** Three old prescriptions, seven new ones.

Coma/unconsciousness: Take one handful of Liu Shi root, pound until mushy, squeeze juice with water, and drip slowly into the mouth. (*Waitai Miyao*)

Throat obstruction with jaw lock: Two liang of Malin flowers, one liang of Manjingzi. Grind into powder, take one qian with warm water.

Throat obstruction with swelling, pain, and suffocating panting: *Waitai Miyao*: Use two liang of Malin roots and leaves. Decoct in one and a half sheng of water until one zhan remains. Drink slowly; cure is immediate. *Shenghui Fang*: Pound roots to extract three he measured cups of juice, add one he measured cup of honey, simmer slowly until thickened, and apply slowly, five to seven times daily. Another method: Drink single juice alone; if jaw-locked, force-feed. If fresh material is unavailable, decoct brush bristles instead.

Sand-stone hot strangury: Seven Malin flowers (charred), fourteen old brush heads (charred), one he measured cup of millet (stir-fried). Grind into powder. Take three qian with wine, twice daily. Named Tongshen San.

Urinary retention: Stir-fried Malin flowers, stir-fried Huixiang, stir-fried Tingli. Grind into powder. Take two qian with wine. (*Shibian Liangfang*)

All carbuncles and malignant sores/back abscesses: Use Tiesaozhou together with Songmao and Niuxi. Decoct in water and drink. (*Qiankun Shengyi*)

Facial scars: Take Tiesaozhou, including naturally fallen leaves and seeds from the ground. Decoct in water and wash frequently. Disappears after several times. (*Shouyu Shenfang*)

Facial freckles and nasal debris: Mash Malin flowers and apply topically for best results. (*Zhouhou Fang*)

**[Appendix]** Bislei (recorded in *Bencao Shiyi*). Chen Cangqi stated: Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Treats cold qi, gastric closure with indigestion, and chest/abdominal fullness. Grows in Kunlun, resembling Malinzi in appearance.