Library

(From *Tang Bencao*)

[Names] Ma Shu (Horse Art).

Zhu Zhenheng stated: Yu Jin (Curcuma aromatica) has no fragrance but its nature is light and ascending, capable of directing the qi of wine to high and distant parts of the body. The ancients used it to treat conditions where qi was depressed and unable to ascend; it is likely named for this reason.

Li Shizhen stated: In ancient times, wine was mixed with Yuchang (a ceremonial wine made with mugwort and turmeric), and predecessors said this referred to the fragrance of the flower of Yu Jin produced in Daqin (Rome/Byzantine Empire). Only Zheng Qiao in *Tongzhi* stated that this is indeed the current Yu Jin. However, before the three dynasties period, there was no contact between Daqin and China, so how could such a herb exist? Luo Yuan in *Eryayi* also stated that this root, when boiled with wine, turns the wine yellow like gold, hence called "Huangliu" (Yellow Flow). Both explanations are plausible. The shape of this root resembles Ezhu (Curcuma zedoaria).

[Collection and Explanation] Su Gong stated: Yu Jin grows in Shu region and Western Regions. The seedling resembles Jianghuang (Turmeric longa); the flower is white with a red texture; in late autumn, it emerges from the stem heart without producing fruit. Its root is yellow-red. The lateral tuberous roots are taken, peeled, dried by fire, and used as veterinary medicine for horses; it breaks blood stasis while tonifying. Hu people call it "Ma Shu". Those from Lingnan have fruits resembling small cardamom, which are not edible.

Kou Zongshi stated: It is now also found in various prefectures of Guangnan and Jiangxi, though those from Shu are superior. In early April, the seedlings emerge resembling Jianghuang, as described by Su Gong.

Chen Cheng stated: Yu Jin is not fragrant. Nowadays, people use it to dye women's clothing, yielding the most vivid color, though it is not sun-resistant and has a faint Yu Jin odor.

Li Shizhen stated: There are two types of Yu Jin: Xiangyuren (Tulip) uses the flower, see relevant section; this one uses the root. Its seedling resembles ginger. The root is finger-sized, about one cun long, round with transverse striations resembling a cicada's abdomen, yellow outside and red inside. People use it to dye water, and it has a slight fragrance.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Acrid, Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic.

Wang Haogu stated: The flavor and qi are dense, purely Yin.

Dugu Tao stated: The ash can coalesce into sand-like particles.

[Indications] Blood accumulation, descending Qi, generating flesh, stopping bleeding, breaking bad blood, treating blood strangury, hematuria, and metallic wounds (from *Tang Bencao*). Used alone, it treats chronic blood-stasis heart pain and cold qi aggregation in women; take it ground with warm vinegar. It also treats horse abdominal distension (Zhen Quan). Cools the Heart (Wang Haogu). Treats Yang toxin entering the stomach, causing frequent painful bleeding (Li Gao). Treats blood-qi heart and abdominal pain, postpartum failing blood rushing to the heart causing near-death states, insanity, mania, and gu poison (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Zhu Zhenheng stated: Yu Jin belongs to Fire, Earth, and Water. Its nature is light and ascending, suitable for treating hematemesis, epistaxis, bloody sputum, and regurgitation of meridians. It is appropriate to take Yu Jin powder mixed with chive juice, ginger juice, and child's urine, which will clear the blood. For blood in phlegm, add bamboo sap. For upward-flowing epistaxis, take Yu Jin and chive juice combined with Siwu Tang.

Li Shizhen stated: Yu Jin enters the Heart and Pericardium meridians to treat blood diseases. *Jingyan Fang* treats insanity and mania using 7 liang of genuine Yu Jin and 3 liang of alum, ground into powder, formed into pills the size of wu zi (smartweed seeds) with thin paste. Take 50 pills each time with plain hot water. A woman suffered from mania for ten years; someone taught her this formula. After the first dose, she felt something detach from her chest and mind, feeling refreshed; after the second dose, she recovered. This was caused by fright and worry leading to phlegm and blood stasis obstructing the heart orifices. Yu Jin enters the Heart to remove bad blood, and alum resolves stubborn phlegm.

Pang Anchang's *Shanghan Lun* records: When pox initially show white blisters, suddenly convulsing into the abdomen, gradually turning purple-black without pus, crying chaotically day and night: Use one piece of Yu Jin and 2.5 qian of Licorice, boil in half a bowl of water until dry. Remove Licorice, slice, bake, and grind into powder. Add 0.5 qian of genuine borneol (stir-fried). Take 1 qian each time, mixed with 5-7 drops of fresh pig blood,调和 with fresh well water. Within two doses, severe cases expel toxic vapors from the palms and soles like carbuncles, then recover. This is a critical condition with only one chance of survival out of five. Also, *Fan Shihu's Collected Works* records: In Lingnan, there is harm from "Tiaosheng" (picking life). Sorcery is performed in food; fish and meat can revive and grow in the human abdomen, killing the person and enslaving their family in the underworld. Initially, chest and abdominal pain are felt; stabbing occurs the next day; growth in the abdomen occurs after ten days. For chest and diaphragm pain, induce vomiting with Cimicifuga or Alum. If pain is below the diaphragm, urgently take 2 qian of Yu Jin powder mixed with rice soup to expel evil substances. Or combine Cimicifuga and Yu Jin; if not vomited, it will be purged. Vice Minister Li Xinyan, while serving as Judge in Leizhou, obtained this formula through case adjudication and saved many lives.

[Attached Formulas] Three old formulas, ten new formulas.

Insanity and Mania: See under [Elucidation].

Pox Toxin Entering the Heart: See under [Elucidation].

Cold Reversal Heart Qi Pain Unbearable: Equal parts Yu Jin, Aconite, and Dried Ginger, ground into powder, formed into pills the size of wu zi with vinegar paste, coated with Cinnabar. Take 30 pills each time, administered with wine for men and vinegar for women. (*Qixiao Fang*)

Postpartum Heart Pain, Blood-Qi Rushing Upward Causing Near-Death: Yu Jin (burned to retain character, ground into powder) 2 qian, mixed with one sip of rice vinegar, stirred and灌 (administered) to restore consciousness. (*Xiuzhen Fang*)

Spontaneous Sweating Unceasing: Yu Jin powder, mixed with water and applied to the breasts at bedtime. (*Jijian Fang*)

Epistaxis and Hematemesis: Sichuan Yu Jin ground into powder, taken with well water, 2 qian. Severe cases repeat dosage. (Liju Shi *Yijian Fang*)

Yang Toxin Bleeding Downward, Heat Qi Entering Stomach, Unbearable Pain: Five large pieces of Yu Jin, amount of Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis) equal to a soap pod. Ground into powder. Each dose is decocted with one cup of vinegar-grain-water for three boils, taken warm. (Sun Yonghe *Mibao Fang*)

Intermittent Hematuria: Yu Jin powder 1 liang, a handful of Scallion White, one cup of water, decocted to 3 he, taken warm, three times daily. (*Jingyan Fang*)

Wind-Phlegm Obstruction: Yu Jin 1 fen, Lili 10 fen, ground into powder. Take one zi measure each time,调和 with warm grain-water. Rinse mouth with one cup of grain-water and suppress with food. (*Jingyan Houfang*)

Tiaosheng Gu Poison: See under [Elucidation].

Arsenic Poisoning: Yu Jin powder 2 qian. Mix with a little honey,调和 with cold water and take. (*Shilin Guangji*)

Hemorrhoid Swelling and Pain: Yu Jin powder,调和 with water and apply topically, subsides immediately. (*Yifang Jiaoyao*)

Ear Pain: Yu Jin powder 1 qian,调和 with water, poured into the ear, and immediately drained out. (*Shengji Zonglu*)