Library

(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** Yege (Wild Kudzu, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Dugen (Poisonous Root, from *Wu Pu Bencao*), Humancacao (Hu Man Grass, from *Tujing Bencao*), Duanchangcao (Intestine-Cutting Grass, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Huangteng (Yellow Vine, from *Bencao Shiyi*).

Tao Hongjing stated: It is said that upon entering the mouth, it hooks the human throat. Another interpretation suggests that "wen" (kiss/throat) should be read as "wan" (pull), meaning it pulls and severs the human intestines.

Li Shizhen stated: Although this herb is named Yege (Wild Kudzu), it is not the wild variety of Puerariae Radix (Kudzu Root). Some write it as "Yege". Wang Chong in *Lunheng* stated: "Ye" is a place name located in the southeast. This explanation is quite logical. People in Guangdong call it Humancacao (Hu Man Grass), also known as Duanchangcao (Intestine-Cutting Grass). Once ingested by humans or livestock, it adheres to the intestines and causes blackening and rotting within half a day, hence also called Lanchangcao (Rotting Intestine Grass). In Yunnan, it is called Huobahua (Torch Flower) because its flowers are red and its nature is hot like fire. In Yuezhou, it is called Huangteng (Yellow Vine).

**[Collection and Description]** *Bielu* stated: Gouwen grows in the valleys of Fugao Mountain and in the eastern wilds of Kuaiji. The variety that emits blue smoke when broken is called Guhuo. It is harvested in February and August.

Wu Pu stated: In Qin region, Gouwen is also known as Chuxin. It grows in the mountains of Nanyue and Hanshi Mountain, or in Yizhou. Its leaves resemble those of kudzu; the stem is red, thick as an arrow shaft and square-shaped; the root is yellow. It is harvested in January.

Su Gong stated: Yege grows south of Guizhou and is found in villages and alleys. Locals generally call it Gouwen, referring to the vine as Gouwen and the root as Yege. It is a climbing plant. Its leaves resemble persimmon leaves. Newly harvested roots have white bark and yellow flesh. Old roots resemble Cornus officinalis Cortex (Diguopi); tender roots resemble Stephaniae Tetrandrae Rhizoma (Han Fangji). Those with broken nodes at the skin joints are of good quality. It closely resembles Baihuateng (White Flower Vine). Those who do not distinguish carefully are often confused by it. Fresh stems break without dust odor. After more than a year, dust emerges from the fine pores of the root. Breaking Goji root today yields similar results. The *Bencao* statement that emitting blue smoke upon breaking indicates superior quality is also an ignorant assertion. Humans die if they mistakenly ingest its leaves, yet sheep grow fat after eating its shoots; such is the mutual suppression among things. *Bowuzhi* states: Gouwen climbs, and its leaves resemble *Nymphoides peltata* (Fukui). This is correct.

Li Shizhen stated: Ji Han in *Nanfang Caomu Zhuang* wrote: Yege climbs, leaves resemble basil (*Ocimum basilicum*), shiny and dense green, also named Humancacao. If mixed into vegetables to poison people, death occurs within half a day. Duan Chengshi in *Youyang Zazu* wrote: Humancacao grows between Yongzhou and Rongzhou. It grows in clumps. Flowers are flat like Gardenia jasminoides flowers but slightly larger, not clustered, yellowish-white. Its leaves are slightly dark. Furthermore, according to *Lingnan Weisheng Fang*: Humancacao leaves resemble tea leaves, flowers are yellow and small. One leaf entering the mouth causes bleeding from all orifices, and there is no hope of survival. Li Shizhen further asked southern people: Gouwen is indeed Humancacao, which people now call Duanchangcao. It climbs, leaves are round and shiny. Tender shoots in spring and summer are highly toxic; dried old plants in autumn and winter have slightly reduced toxicity. It flowers in May and June, resembling Zelkova schneideriana flowers, dozens forming spikes. Plants in Lingnan have yellow flowers; those in southern Yunnan have red flowers, called Huobahua (Torch Flower). These descriptions align with Wu Pu and Su Gong. Tao Hongjing and others differentiated them separately, corrected below.

**[Correction of Errors]** Tao Hongjing stated: *Wufu Jing* also says Gouwen is Yege. Upon verification, they seem to be two different substances. Yege refers to the root, shaped like Peony root, growing in toxic areas where birds cannot perch; currently used in medicinal plasters without objection. Gouwen is a different substance, leaves resemble Polygonatum Sibiricum (Huangjing) but with purple stems, flowering from the center, yellow. Young growth looks very much like Huangjing, leading to confusion during harvesting and resulting in fatal errors. Some claim Gouwen is Ranunculus japonicus (Maolü), but these accounts vary and remain unclear.

Li Shizhen stated: When using Huangjing, do not use Gouwen. They look similar, but Gouwen has two hairy hooks on the leaf tips. Huangjing leaves resemble bamboo leaves. Also: When using Gouwen, do not use "Dijing" (a local name for a similar-looking plant), as stems and shoots are identical. Gouwen treats malignant sores on the body, whereas Dijing is lethal.

Su Gong stated: Gouwen climbs, leaves resemble persimmon leaves. Tao's claim that birds do not perch is false. Huangjing grows upright, leaves resemble willow and Gentian root, completely different classes. Ranunculus involves hairy Stone Clover, unrelated to Gouwen.

Su Song stated: Jiangnan people say Huangjing stems and shoots slightly resemble Gouwen. However, Gouwen has extremely sharp leaf tips and thin roots, differing from Su Gong's description, likely due to geographical variations.

Yu Xi stated: Tao's view that Gouwen resembles Huangjing is likely correct. Su's view that it resembles persimmon leaves refers to a different object. Also, distinguishing shoot as Gouwen and root as Yege is not a comprehensive theory.

Li Shizhen stated: *Shennong Bencao Jing* clearly states Gouwen is also named Yege in one sentence. *Nanfang Caomu Zhuang* names it Humancacao, clearly indicating it is a climbing vine. Wu Pu and Su Gong's descriptions... [Text fragment] Various schools lack a definitive view, failing to distinguish between climbing vines and small herbs, a significant difference. However, Tao and Lei's descriptions refer to another type of toxic small herb, just not identifiable as Gouwen. Previously, Tianmu told the Yellow Emperor: Huangjing prolongs life, Gouwen kills. This was a comparison of the beneficial and harmful natures of two herbs. Tao did not examine carefully, suspecting similarity, thus generating this theory. See entry under Huangjing.

**[Properties and Flavor]** Acrid, Warm, Highly Toxic. Wu Pu cited Shennong: Acrid; Lei Gong: Toxic, lethal.

Li Shizhen stated: Its nature is extremely hot. Herbals usually state "Highly Toxic," but here it specifically varies the text to "Extremely/Very Highly Toxic," indicating its exceptional potency. Zhang Zhicai stated: Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum (Banxia) acts as its guide drug; it is incompatible with Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin).

**[Indications]** Golden wounds, breast abscesses, sudden onset of evil wind, coughing with upward rushing qi, edema, killing Gui-zhu (wandering pestilence) and Gu-poison (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Knee bi-pain, limb spasms and contractures, malignant sores and scabies mites, killing birds and beasts. Juice applied in plasters can treat hoarseness (from Baosheng).

**[Elucidation]** Zang Qi stated: Ingesting Gouwen leaves followed by cold water causes death, as cold water activates its toxicity. In that region, poisoned corpses were hung on trees; juice dripping onto the ground grew mushrooms, collected as Junyao (Mushroom Medicine), more potent than Yege. Ipomoea aquatica (Wengcai) juice resolves Yege poison. Taking juice... Eat Wengcai first, then Yege; the two counteract each other naturally, eliminating bitterness. Emperor Wu of Wei ate Yege up to a chi length, eating first...

Li Shizhen stated: According to Li Shi's *Xu Bowuzhi*: Humancacao originates from Liangguang. Desperate debtors in Guangdong would eat this herb to commit suicide, framing others. Swallowing with fast-flowing water causes rapid death; slow water causes slower death. Or, kill a venomous snake, cover it with this herb, add water to grow mushrooms, creating poison to harm others. Ge Hong's *Zhouhou Beifang* states: For those poisoned by Yege whose mouths cannot open, take a large bamboo tube with nodes removed, press one end against the patient's flanks and umbilicus. Pour cold water into the tube, changing water frequently. Soon the mouth opens, allowing administration of antidotes. Best to drink copious amounts of Licorice juice or human fecal juice; or drip blood from decapitated white ducks or geese into the mouth; or灌 (irrigate) with sheep blood. *Lingnan Weisheng Fang* states: Immediately take eggs incubated but not hatched, mash them, mix with sesame oil, and administer. Vomiting the toxin leads to survival; delay means death.