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

[Names] Mutong (Shiliang), Fuzhi (*Bencao Jing*).
Li Shizhen said: This plant has fine pores and is open at both ends, hence named Tongcao (Herba Tetrapanacis), which is what is now called Mutong (Akebiae Caulis). The current Tongcao is actually the ancient Tongtuomu (Akebiae Caulis or Tetrapanacis Medulla, contextually referring to Akebia). Song dynasty materia medica confused them into one entry, causing confusion between names and substances; they are now distinguished.

[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Tongcao grows in the valleys of Shicheng and Shanyang. Branches are harvested in the first and second lunar months and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: It is now produced near main roads. It is a vine that winds around trees, with white juice. The stem has fine pores open at both ends. If one end is held in the mouth and blown into, air coming out from the other end indicates good quality. Some say it is the stem of a certain vine.
Su Gong said: This plant can have a diameter of three cun for thicker stems. Each node has two or three branches, with five leaves at the branch tips. The fruit is three to four cun long, with black seeds and white pulp, tasting sweet and delicious. Southerners call it Yanfuzi or Wufuzi. It is harvested in the seventh and eighth lunar months.
Zang Qi said: People in Jiangdong call it Zizi, people in Jiangxi call it Nazizi. It is bag-shaped, with yellow pulp and black seeds; the skin must be removed before eating. Su Song stated that the white-colored ones are [text missing/unclear].
Su Song said: It is also found in Zezhou, Luzhou, Hanzhong, Jianghuai, and Hunan prefectures. It is a vine, with tendrils as thick as a finger; the thicker stems have a diameter of three cun. One branch has five leaves, resembling Shiwei (Pyrrhosiae Herba) and somewhat like Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), with three leaves opposite each other. It blooms purple flowers in summer and autumn, and some have white flowers. The fruit resembles a small papaya, tastes sweet and delicious, and is the Fuzi mentioned in Chen Shiliang's materia medica. Its branches... In ancient prescriptions, the "Tongcao" used was actually the current Mutong; Tongtuomu is rarely used. Some mistake Mutong for grape seedlings, which is incorrect. According to Zhang's *Yan Wu Xingji*: There is Tongcao in front of the two corridors of the East Courtyard of Ganquan Temple in Yangzhou, its shape resembling Toona... [text fragment], perhaps it is a different substance.
Li Shizhen said: Current Mutong comes in two colors: purple and white. The purple variety has thick skin and a pungent taste; the white variety has thin skin and a bland taste. *Bencao Jing* states it is pungent, while *Bielu* states it is sweet; this indicates both types possess unblocking and promoting properties.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Pungent, neutral, non-toxic. *Bielu* states: Sweet. Li Quan stated: Slightly cold.
Li Pu stated: Shennong and Huangdi considered it pungent; Lei Gong considered it bitter.
Zhang Gao stated: Flavor is sweet and bland, qi is neutral and flavor light. It descends, representing yin within yang.

[Indications] Eliminates cold and heat in the spleen and stomach, unblocks the nine orifices, blood vessels, and joints, prevents forgetfulness, and expels harmful parasites (*Bencao Jing*).
Treats Pi Dan (Spleen Jaundice), frequent drowsiness, mental restlessness, hiccups, voice production issues, deafness, dissipates abscesses and various unresolved nodules, treats traumatic injuries and malignant sores, Shu Lou (scrofula) and fractures, nasal polyps, induces abortion, and removes three types of parasites (*Bielu*). Treats Wu Lin (Five Types of Strangury), promotes urination, resolves Guan Ge (obstruction syndrome), treats excessive sleepiness, and manages edema with floating and large pulses (Zhen Quan).
Unblocks qi stagnation due to cold and heat in various meridians (Meng Shen). Regulates wind-heat, painful and urgent frequent urination, and lower abdominal distension; suitable for decoction with green onion for consumption, effective (Shiliang). Calms the mind, eliminates irritability, quenches thirst, reduces fever, brightens eyes and ears, treats nasal congestion, unblocks the Small Intestine, promotes water metabolism, breaks up accumulations and blood stasis, discharges pus, treats carbuncles and furuncles, relieves pain, facilitates childbirth and expulsion of the placenta, treats blood obstruction in women, irregular menstruation, epidemic febrile diseases, headache and vertigo, emaciation with milk stasis, and promotes lactation (Daming). Promotes urination and defecation, relaxes the chest, and directs qi downward (Zang Qi). Treats various sores, throat bi (sore throat) with pain; decoct strongly and gargle/swallow (Author missing). Unblocks meridians and orifices, guides fire from the Small Intestine (Gao).

[Elucidation] Zhang Gao stated: In the Ten Categories of Materia Medica, "Tong" (Unblocking) removes stagnation; examples include Tongcao and Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix). Fangji is greatly bitter and cold, able to drain damp-heat stagnation in the blood and promote bowel movements. Tongcao is sweet and bland, assisting the descending energy of Western Autumn, promoting urination, and specifically draining qi stagnation. When the Lung is affected by heat pathogens, the source of fluid transformation and qi mechanism is cut off, leading to stagnant cold water; if the Bladder is affected by damp-heat, resulting in strangury, constriction, and urinary obstruction, this herb is suitable. Symptoms include vexation and heat in the chest, dry mouth and tongue, dry throat, intense thirst with desire to drink, dribbling urine, or complete urinary retention, soreness in the shins, and hot feet; all are treated primarily with Tongcao. Substances with similar flavors/actions, such as Fuling (Poria), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Dengcao (Junci Medulla), Zhuling (Polyporus), Hupo (Fossilia Os Mastodi), Qumai (Polygoni Herba), and Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), can all leach out dampness and promote urination to drain stagnation. Furthermore: Mutong descends, drains fire from the Small Intestine, and promotes urination; its efficacy is comparable to Hupo (Fossilia Os Mastodi), with no other herb matching it.
Li Shizhen said: Mutong enters the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin, and the Small Intestine and Bladder Meridians of Foot-Taiyang and Hand-Taiyang. Therefore, it can ascend to clear the Heart and Lung, treat headaches, and benefit the nine orifices; descend to drain damp-heat, promote urination, unblock the Large Intestine, and treat generalized stiffness and pain. Neither *Bencao Jing* nor *Bielu* mentions its ability to promote urination and treat strangury; these benefits were elucidated by Zhen Quan and Ri Hua Zi. Essentially, because it drains Bing-Ding Fire (Heart Fire), the Lung is not invaded, and the water pathways are unblocked. Once the source of water is clear, fluids transform naturally, and dampness and heat in all meridians are excreted via urine. Thus, in the ancient formula Daochi San (Guide Out Red Powder), it is used to embody the principle of draining South (Fire) and tonifying North (Water), supporting West (Metal) and suppressing East (Wood). Yang Renzhai's *Zhizhi Fang* states: Generalized hidden heat in the chest and abdomen, painful stiffness, and cold feet are caused by latent heat damaging blood. Since blood belongs to the Heart, Mutong should be used to unblock the Heart orifices, allowing meridian circulation to resume.

[Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, one new prescription. For Heart Heat with red urine, red face, dry lips, teeth grinding, and thirst: Daochi San (Guide Out Red Powder): Use equal parts of Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Zhi Gancao (Prepared Licorice Root), grind into powder. Take 3 qian per dose, add seven leaves of Zhuye (Bamboo Leaf), decoct with water, and take orally.
(Qian Yi's Prescription)
For traumatic injuries and fractures: Decoct Tongcao, brew wine with the juice, and drink daily.
For persistent Shu Lou (Scrofula): Same prescription as above.
Root
[Indications] Goiter under the neck (Zhen Quan).
Seed
[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, cold, non-toxic.
Meng Shen stated: Neutral. Southerners consume it frequently; Northerners do not know its efficacy.
[Indications] Strengthens the intestines and stomach, improves appetite, descends evil qi from the Triple Burner, reconnects the severed qi of the Five Zang Organs, strengthens voice and qi, and unblocks the Twelve Meridians. Consume with the seed (Meng Shen). Clears guest-heat from the Triple Burner, treats heat closure in the stomach causing regurgitation and inability to eat (Shiliang). Quenches thirst, promotes urination (Shizhen).