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(Shangpin, High Grade) in *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica)

[Names] The seedling is named Xiaocao (Small Grass) (*Benjing*), Xicao (Fine Grass) (*Benjing*), Jiwan (Thistle Wan) (*Benjing*), Rao (Winding) (*Benjing*).
Li Shizhen said: This herb, when taken, can enhance intelligence and strengthen willpower, hence the name Yuanzhi (Polygala Root). *Shishuo Xinyu* records Hao Long mocking Xie An saying: "When dwelling in seclusion, one is Yuanzhi; when entering officialdom, one is Xiaocao." *Jishi Zhu* calls it the Xingxin Zhang (Mind-Awakening Staff).

[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* states: Yuanzhi grows in the valleys of Taishan and Yuanju. In April, harvest the roots and leaves, and dry them in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: Yuanju belongs to Jiyin Commandery, Yanzhou Prefecture. Currently, this medicine still comes from Lanling north of Pengcheng. When used, remove the core and use only the bark; one jin yields only three liang. It is also used in immortal formulas. Xiaocao resembles Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) but is green.
Li Shizhen said: The stems and leaves resemble Daqing (Isatidis Folium) but are smaller. Compared to Mahuang, Tao Hongjing failed to identify it.
Su Song said: According to *Erya*: Rao is Jiwan. Guo Pu annotated: It is the current Yuanzhi. It resembles Mahuang, has red flowers, sharp leaves that are yellow. Its above-ground part is called Xiaocao.
Su Song said: It is also found in He, Sha, Luoxi prefectures. The root shape resembles Aogen (Artemisiae Radix), yellow. The seedling resembles Mahuang but is green, like Bidou. Leaves also resemble Daqing but are smaller. White flowers bloom in March. Roots grow up to one chi long. Those from Sizhou have red flowers, and both roots and leaves are larger than elsewhere. Those from Shangzhou have black roots. Folklore claims those from Yimen are best. Harvest roots in April, sun-dry. Ancient formulas generally used both Yuanzhi and Xiaocao. Modern physicians use only Yuanzhi, rarely Xiaocao.
Li Shizhen said: There are two types of Yuanzhi: Daye (Large Leaf) and Xiaoye (Small Leaf). What Tao Hongjing described is Xiaoye; what Ma Zhi described is Daye. Daye has red flowers.

Root

[Processing] Lei Xiao said: Whenever used, the core must be removed, otherwise it causes restlessness. Soak in Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction) overnight, then sun-dry or bake-dry for use.

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, Warm, Non-toxic. Xu Zhicai said: Yuanzhi and Xiaocao work well with Fuling (Poria), Dongkuizi (Malvae Semen), and Longgu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi). They are incompatible with Zhenzhu (Margarita), Lilu (Veratri Radix), Feilian (Blatta Orientalis), and Qige. Tao Hongjing said: The materia medica does not list Qige; perhaps it refers to Baihe (Lilii Bulbus). Quan said: It is Qicao (Meloe). Gong said: *Yaolu* Volume 2 lists Qige; Tao's statement is incorrect.

[Indications] Treats cough with qi rebellion injuring the middle, tonifies deficiency, eliminates pathogenic factors, unblocks the nine orifices, benefits wisdom, brightens eyes and ears, prevents forgetfulness, strengthens willpower and increases strength. Long-term use lightens the body and delays aging (*Benjing*). Benefits men, stabilizes Heart Qi, stops palpitations and fright, benefits essence, removes diaphragmatic qi stagnation beneath the heart, clears heat in the skin, treats yellow complexion (*Bielu*). Detoxifies Tianxiong, Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), and Wutou (Aconiti Radix); decoct juice and drink (*Zhicai*). Treats amnesia, calms hun and po spirits, prevents confusion, strengthens yang potency (*Quan*). Promotes muscle growth, assists sinews and bones, treats women's blood spasm with aphonia, and pediatric Ke Wu (*Rihua*). Treats Shenji Ben Tun (*Haogu*). Treats all carbuncles and sores (*Shizhen*).

Leaf

[Indications] Benefits essence, tonifies Yin Qi, stops dream emission due to deficiency (*Bielu*).

[Elucidation] Haogu said: Yuanzhi is a herb for the Qi aspect of the Kidney Meridian.
Li Shizhen said: Yuanzhi enters the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, not the Heart Meridian. Its function focuses on strengthening willpower and benefiting essence, treating amnesia. Essence and Will are stored by the Kidney Meridian. If Kidney Meridian is deficient, Will Qi declines and cannot ascend to connect with the Heart, leading to confusion and amnesia. *Ling Shu Jing* states: The Kidneys store Essence, and Essence combines with Will. Unrestrained anger in the Kidneys injures Will; injured Will leads to forgetting previous words, inability to bend/extend waist and spine, withered hair, and dull complexion. It also states: Those prone to amnesia have insufficient Upper Qi and excessive Lower Qi, solid Intestines/Stomach but deficient Heart/Lungs. Deficiency causes Ying and Wei to remain below; if they do not ascend timely, amnesia occurs. Chen Yan's *Sanyin Fang* Yuanzhi Wine treats carbuncles with miraculous effect, likely due to its Kidney-tonifying power. Ge Hong's *Baopuzi...

[Attached Formulas] Three old, four new.

Heart Orifice Obstruction: Frequent forgetfulness and errors. On Dingyou days, secretly buy Yuanzhi at the market, place in the corner of a hat, grind into powder, and take orally. Do not let others know. (*Zhouhou Fang*)

Chest Bi and Heart Pain: Rebellious Qi, inability to swallow fluids in the diaphragm. Xiaocao Pill: Use Xiaocao, Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Shujiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium - induces sweating) each 3 fen, Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) 2 fen (processed). Sieve the six ingredients, mix with honey to make pills the size of wu zi. Take 3 pills with rice juice before meals, three times daily. If no effect, slightly increase dosage until effective. Avoid pork, cold water, raw scallions, raw vegetables. (*Fan Wang Dongyang Fang*)

Throat Bi with Pain: Grind Yuanzhi flesh into powder, insufflate into nose. Stop when saliva flows out. (*Zhizhi Fang*)

Brain Wind Headache: Unbearable pain. Insufflate Yuanzhi powder into nose. (*Xuanming Fang*)

Breast Abscess with Swelling and Pain: Bake and grind Yuanzhi, take 2 qian with wine, apply the dregs to the affected area. (*Xiuzhen Fang*)

All Carbuncles and Sores: Yuanzhi Wine: Treats all carbuncles, back carbuncles, furuncles, severe conditions. If there is dead blood, yin toxin in the center causes no pain; applying [the wine/dregs] makes it painful. If caused by accumulated worry/anger attacking, pain is unbearable; applying makes it painless. If heat accumulates internally, heat is intense enough to repel touch; applying brings coolness. If Qi deficiency and cold blood cause ulceration without healing; applying promotes healing. This was originally a life-saving formula from Dr. Han's residence, highly effective. For internal depression of the Seven Emotions, regardless of excess/deficiency or cold/heat, treatment cures. Use any amount of Yuanzhi, soak in rice wash water, beat to remove core, grind into powder. Take 3 qian each time, mix with one cup of warm wine, let settle briefly, drink the clear liquid, apply the dregs to the lesion. (*Sanyin Fang*) Red and Turbid Urine: Yuanzhi (boiled in Licorice Water) 8 liang, Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Yizhiren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus) each 2 liang. Grind into powder, make pills with wine paste the size of wu zi. Take on an empty stomach with jujube...