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[Compendium of Materia Medica]
[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: It is planted in households everywhere, growing in clumps. The tall ones are two or three chi high, with square stems and dense leaves.
The leaves resemble those of young pepper plants but lack serrations; the upper surface is green and the underside is pale. Small branches grow oppositely at the nodes, with three leaves per branch. In the first month of the lunar calendar, small flowers bloom, resembling Daphne odora flowers.
The flowers are yellow and do not bear fruit.
Leaves

[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, astringent, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Swollen toxins and malignant sores. Dry them in the shade, grind into powder, and take two or three qian with wine. Sweating will lead to recovery (from *Health Easy Simplified Formulas*).

(Middle Grade, *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Names] Kuandong (Guo Pu), Kedong (*Erya*), Didong (*Bielu*), Zuandong (*Yanyi*), Tuxi (*Erya*), Tuowu (*Benjing*), Huxu (*Benjing*).
Li Shizhen said: According to *Shuzheng Ji*, when Luoshui freezes at the end of the year, Kuaodong grows among the ice-covered grass, thus named "Kedong" (particle frozen). Later generations miswrote it as "Kuandong," which is actually "Kuadong." "Kuan" means arrival; it arrives in winter and blooms.
Su Song said: Among all herbs, only this one disregards ice and snow, being the first to sprout in spring, hence called "Zuandong" (drilling through ice) by the people. Even under ice and snow, it sprouts when the time comes. In spring, people harvest it as a vegetable. For medicinal use, those slightly showing flowers are best. If they have fully bloomed and are fragrant, they lose efficacy. Nowadays, people mostly use buds like chopstick tips, which likely have not yet flowered.
[Collected Explanations] *Bielu* states: Kuaodong grows in the valleys of Changshan and near waters in Shangdang. Harvest the flowers in the eleventh month and dry them in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: The best quality comes from Hebei; those resembling unopened buds are superior, containing silk inside. The next best comes from Goguryeo and Baekje, where the flowers resemble large chrysanthemums. Some also come from Dangchang in northern Shu, but none compare to the previous two. It grows under ice in winter and is harvested on New Year's Day in the twelfth and first months.
Meng Shen said: Currently, it is produced in the southern mountains' streams of Yongzhou and in the ravines of Huazhou. The leaves resemble Malva but are larger, growing in clumps, with flowers emerging from below the roots.
Su Song said: It is also found in Guanzhong now. The root is purple, leaves resemble *Bixie*, blooming yellow flowers in the twelfth month with green-purple calyces. About one or two cun above the soil, it initially resembles a chrysanthemum bud, straight and plump without seeds. This is close to what Tao described as coming from Goguryeo and Baekje. There is also a variety with red flowers; the leaves resemble lotus leaves and stand upright. Large ones can hold one sheng, small ones several ge. Commonly known as Fengdouye (Bee-comb leaf) or Shuidouye (Water-bowl leaf). This corresponds to Su Gong's description of plants resembling Malva and growing in clumps. Fu Xian's preface to *Ode to Kuaodong* says:
"I once chased game and climbed the Northern Mountain. At that time, in the mid-winter month, ice filled the valleys and snow covered the cliffs. I saw Kuaodong shining brightly, beginning to bloom splendidly. This is it."
[Processing] Lei Xiao said: Upon harvesting, one must remove the inner bracts enclosing the stamen and pistil, and the inner part solid like a chestnut shell. Mix the leaves and stems, soak in licorice water overnight, then mix with Kuaodong leaves for another night. Sun-dry and discard the leaves before use.
[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, warm, non-toxic. *Bielu* adds: Sweet.
Li Gao said: Pure Yang, enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Xu Zhicai said: Apricot Kernel (*Xingren*) acts as its guiding herb. It works well with Aster Tataricus Root (*Ziwan*). It is incompatible with Soap Pod (*Zaojiao*), Niter (*Xiaoshi*), and Scrophularia Root (*Xuanshen*). It fears Fritillaria Bulb (*Beimu*), Magnolia Flower (*Xinyi*), Ephedra Herb (*Mahuang*), Astragalus Root (*Huangqi*),
Scutellaria Root (*Huangqin*), Coptis Rhizome (*Huanglian*), and Celosia Seed (*Qingxiang*).
[Indications] Cough with rebellious Qi, frequent wheezing, Bi syndrome of the throat, various types of convulsions, epilepsy, and pathogenic cold-heat conditions. (*Shennong Bencao Jing*)
Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting), wheezing and rapid breathing. (*Bielu*) Treats urgency of Lung and Heart Qi, chronic cough due to heat and deficiency, continuous coughing, thick sticky sputum, Lung萎 (Lung Flaccidity), Lung Abscess, and expectoration of pus and blood. (Zhen Quan) Moistens the Lung and Heart, benefits the Five Zang organs, eliminates vexation and phlegm, clears the Liver and brightens the eyes, and treats stroke and other diseases. (Tang Shenwei citing Da Ming)
[Elucidation] Su Song said: *Shennong Bencao Jing* indicates it treats cough and rebellious Qi. Ancient and modern formulas use it as the premier herb for warming the Lung and treating cough. Cui Zhiti's fumigation method for chronic cough: Take a quantity of Kuaodong flowers equivalent to a chicken egg each morning, mix with a little honey to moisten, and place in an iron cauldron holding one sheng. Drill a hole in a clay bowl, insert a small reed tube, seal with flour paste to prevent air leakage. Place charcoal fire under the cauldron. When smoke emerges from the tube, inhale through the mouth and swallow. If the chest feels slightly stuffy, lift the head and press the tube opening with a finger to prevent leakage. Stop when the smoke is exhausted. Perform this every five days. On the sixth day, eat a full meal of mutton for permanent cure.
Su Song said: Someone suffered from cough for many days. Following advice, they used three liang of Kuaodong flowers, inhaled the smoke through a reed tube in a windless place, filling the mouth before swallowing. It proved effective after several days.
[Attached Formulas] Two new formulas.
Phlegm-cough with blood: Equal parts Kuaodong Flower and Lily Bulb (steamed and roasted), ground into powder, formed into pills the size of longan seeds. Chew one pill before sleep, taken down with ginger decoction. (*Jisheng Fang*)
Gum ulcers in the mouth: Equal parts Kuaodong Flower and Coptis Rhizome, ground into fine powder. Mix with saliva to form cakes. First rinse the mouth with decoction of Cnidium Fruit (*Shechuangzi*), then apply the cake to the ulcer. After a short while, it fixes in place, and the ulcer disappears immediately. (Yang Cheng, *Experience Formula*)