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(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

[Names] Xianmao (Curculigo rhizome).

Li Shizhen stated: Its leaves resemble those of pine. Long-term consumption promotes longevity, with effects similar to pine resin and Xianmao; hence it has two names.

[Collected Explanations] Chen Cangqi said: Changsong grows in the valleys within Guan region. Its leaves resemble pine, and there is resin on the leaves; mountain dwellers consume it.

Li Shizhen stated: Changsong grows beneath ancient pine trees. The root resembles that of Shepherd's Purse (*Capsella bursa-pastoris*), measuring three to five cun in length. It tastes sweet and slightly bitter, resembling Ginseng (*Ren Shen*), and possesses a pleasant, clear fragrance.

Note: *The Collected Works of Zhang Tianjue* records: Monk Puming resided on Mount Wutai and suffered from Feng Da (Leprosy), resulting in the loss of eyebrows and hair, causing him unbearable grief and suffering. He suddenly encountered an extraordinary person who instructed him to consume Changsong and showed him its appearance. After Puming harvested and consumed it, his hair and eyebrows regrew within ten days, and his complexion returned to normal. Currently, locals in the Bingzhou and Daizhou regions often decoct Changsong together with Licorice (*Gan Cao*) and Yam (*Shan Yao*) as a soup, which yields excellent results. However, this herb is not recorded in standard Materia Medica or medical formularies. Only Shi Huixiang’s *Qingliang Zhuan* [Biography of Qingliang] begins to detail this account. Han Mao’s *Yitong* states: Changsong is produced in the mountains northwest of the Taihang Mountains; its root resembles Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (*Duhuo*) but is aromatic.

[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.

[Indications] Treats chronic diseases caused by wind, blood stasis, cold qi, and warms the middle jiao while dispelling wind (Chen Cangqi). Treats severe Feng Da (Leprosy) and malignant diseases characterized by loss of eyebrows and hair, and rotting/ulceration of bones and flesh. Take one liang, add a small amount of Licorice (*Gan Cao*), decoct in water, and ingest. Recovery occurs within ten days. It also detoxifies various insect poisons and tonifies the body for longevity (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] New Prescription 1. Changsong Wine: Tonifies all conditions of wind deficiency. This formula was transmitted by Xiuxiuzi of Mount Lu. Changsong (one liang and five qian; shape resembles Duhuo but aromatic, considered the "holy medicine" in wine), Prepared Rehmannia Root (*Shu Di Huang*, eight qian), Raw Rehmannia Root (*Sheng Di Huang*), Honey-fried Astragalus Root (*Huang Qi*, seven qian each), Tangerine Peel (*Chen Pi*, seven qian), Angelica Sinensis Root (*Dang Gui*), Magnolia Bark (*Hou Po*), Phellodendron Bark (*Huang Bai*, five qian each), Baked White Peony Root (*Bai Shao Yao*, four qian), Ginseng (*Ren Shen*), Aurantium Fructus Immaturus (*Zhi Ke*, four qian each), Atractylodes Rhizome (*Cang Zhu*, processed with rice wash water), Pinellia Tuber (*Ban Xia*, processed), Asparagus Fern Root (*Tian Men Dong*), Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Men Dong*, Amomum Fruit (*Sha Ren*), Coptis Rhizome (*Huang Lian*, three qian each), Costus Root (*Mu Xiang*), Sichuan Pepper (*Shu Jiao*), Walnut Kernel (*Hu Tao Ren*, two qian each), Flesh of eight small red dates, a pinch of old rice, and Centipeda Herba (*Deng Xin*, 120 pieces, five cun long). Divide one batch into ten doses, place in silk bags. For every five sheng of rice used to brew wine, boil one bag of herbs, seal and age until ready to drink. (*Han Shi Yi Tong*)