Library

(La Chong)
Li Shizhen stated: According to Pei Yuan's "Guangzhou Ji", in Linren County, there is a type of beetle that favors eating putrid meat. When a person dies, they consume the corpse entirely, filling the room densely, leading to the deceased remaining undiscovered.
These insects, when used to wipe objects, can induce feelings of affection and love among people. However, keeping them at home harms children, chickens, and dogs.

(Huang Chong)
"Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi" records it as having a name but no usage: Bitter in taste. It treats chills and fever. It grows on the ground, with a red head and long legs.

(Di Fang)
It is also said to make one free from hunger and thirst. It grows in Huangling. Its shape resembles a worm, dwelling in the soil.

(Geng Ji)
It is also said to be sweet in taste and non-toxic. It treats Bi syndrome (obstruction syndrome).

(Yi Fu)
It is also said to treat obstruction syndromes. Another name is Wu She (Tongueless).

(Fei Li)
It is also said to treat women's chills and fever.

Li Shizhen stated: Scaled creatures are divided into aquatic and terrestrial categories. Although their types differ, they all belong to scaled creatures. Thus, dragons and snakes are spiritual beings, while fish are aquatic animals. Although their lineages differ, their transformations are interconnected; this is likely due to different natures but identical resonances. Most scaled creatures are oviparous, whereas pit vipers are viviparous. Aquatic creatures generally do not blink, whereas pufferfish eyes blink (pronounced 'zha'), and the tail of the blue snake can detoxify its head. Shark skin blurs the distinction between insects and fish. Now, these are separated into the Scaled Category, comprising 94 species, divided into four classes: Dragon, Snake, Fish, and Scaleless Fish. The old edition contained 58 species.
(Tang Su Gong added 11 species, Song Ma Zhi's "Jia You Ben Cao" added 11 species, Ming Wang Ji's "Hui Bian" etc. also supplemented. [Annotations]: Wei Wu Pu's "Wu Pu Ben Cao", Li Dang Zhi's "Yao Lu", Zhen Quan's "Yao Xing Lun", Sun Simiao's "Qian Jin Shi Zhi", Tang Shen Wei's "Zheng Lei Ben Cao", Shu Han Bao Sheng's "Shu Ben Cao", Chen Cheng's "Ben Cao Bie Shuo", Ming Wang Ying's "Shi Wu Ben Cao", Wang Ji's "Ben Cao Hui Bian", Chen Jia Mo's "Ben Cao Meng Qian")

(Nine Species of Dragon Class)

(Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing - Upper Grade)
[Names]
Li Shizhen stated: According to Xu Shen's "Shuo Wen Jie Zi": The seal script character for dragon is pictographic. "Sheng Xiao Lun" states: The dragon's ears are defective in hearing, hence called Long (Dragon). (Text missing here, presumably related to Buddhist texts)

[Collected Explanations]
Li Shizhen stated: According to Luo Yuan's "Er Ya Yi": The dragon is the leader of scaled creatures. Wang Fu described its form as having nine similarities: head like a camel, horns like a deer, eyes like a rabbit, ears like an ox, neck like a snake, belly like a clam, scales like a carp, claws like an eagle, palms like a tiger. This is correct. It has 81 scales on its back, embodying the number of Yang (9x9). Its sound is like striking a bronze plate. It has whiskers by its mouth, a pearl under its chin, and inverted scales under its throat. On its head is Boshan, also known as Chi Mu (Ruler Wood); without Chi Mu, the dragon cannot ascend to heaven. Its breath forms clouds; it can transform into water and fire. Lu Tian's "Pi Ya" states: Dragon fire burns when wet and flares up in water, but extinguishes when driven away by human fire. Thus, the Minister Fire in humans is similar. Dragons are oviparous; during mating, the male roars in the upper wind, and the female in the lower wind, transforming through the wind. Buddhist scriptures state: After dragons mate, they transform into two small snakes. Novels record that dragons have a fierce nature but love beautiful jade and Azurite, enjoy eating swallow meat, and fear iron, certain grasses, centipedes, Chinaberry leaves, and five-colored silk. Therefore, those who eat swallows avoid crossing water; those praying for rain use swallows; those suppressing water disasters use iron; those sacrificing to Qu Yuan use Chinaberry leaves and five-colored silk wrapped rice dumplings thrown into the river. Physicians using Dragon Bone should also know these characteristics.

(Long Gu / Dragon Bone)
"Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi" states: Produced in the valleys of Jin region, and in dead dragon burrows in rock shores and soil caves of Mount Tai. Collection time is unspecified.
Tao Hongjing stated: Currently, it is mostly produced in Liang, Yi, and Ba regions. The bone should possess the spine and brain, showing white brocade-like patterns; those that stick to the tongue are good. Teeth are small and strong, retaining tooth shape. Horns are strong and solid. These are all shed skins/bones of dragons, not from actual death.
(Some physician) stated: Those from Yanzhou, Cangzhou, and Taiyuan are superior. Bones with fine texture and wide patterns are female; those with coarse texture and narrow patterns are male. Those with complete five colors are superior; white and yellow are medium grade; black is inferior. Those not washed clean by rainwater or collected by women are not used.
Currently, all are produced in Jin region. Hard ones are poor; those with complete five colors are good. The five colors (green, yellow, red, white, black) should correspond to the five Zang organs, but "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" does not mention this.
During spring floods, fish leap over the Dragon Gate, shedding many bones. Are the bones collected by humans the bones of these fish? Also, Sun Guangxian's "Bei Meng Suo Yan" says: One type looks blue in front, with patterns like chaotic brocade, unknown to people. Thus, dragons can also die.
Kou Zongshi stated: Various theories differ; ultimately, they are conjectures. Once, a cliff collapsed revealing a complete skeleton, with limbs, head, and horns intact. Whether it was shed or dead is unknown.
(Some physician) argued: If the bone of a dead dragon is considered shed, it remains a conjecture.
Kou Zongshi doubted all theories. I believe the dragon is a divine creature; the Keeper of Dragons once made dragon meat paste for food; "Shu Yi Ji" states: Zhang Hua of Han obtained dragon meat...

[Processing]
(Some physician) stated: Whenever using Dragon Bone, first boil in herbal soup and wash twice, then grind into powder, store in a silk bag. Take one swallow, remove intestines, place the bag inside, hang above a well overnight, then take out and grind into powder. Add to kidney-tonifying medicines; the effect is miraculous.
Li Shizhen stated: Modern methods simply calcine it into powder. Some use it raw. "Shi Lin Guang Ji" states: Soak in wine overnight, dry by baking, grind, and process by water levigation three times. For urgent use, boil in wine and dry. Some say: For medicinal use, it must be water-levigated and dried. Use one dou (approx. 10 liters) of black beans per jin (approx. 500g) of bone, steam for a Fu period (approx. 12 hours), then dry. Otherwise, it may cause gastrointestinal issues and heat in later years.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
"Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi" states: Slightly cold.
Zhen Quan stated: Slightly toxic. Avoid fish and ironware.
Xu Zhicai stated: Works well with Ginseng and Calculus Bovis; fears Gypsum Fibrosum.
Li Shizhen stated: Xu Hong said: Calculus Bovis dislikes Dragon Bone, but Dragon Bone works better with Calculus Bovis due to mutual restraint. Its qi gathers Yin within Yang, entering the Hand Shaoyin, Foot Shaoyin, and Jueyin meridians.

[Indications] Heart and abdominal Gui Zhu (diseases caused by evil qi), Jing Wu (spiritual entities), cough and reverse flow of Qi, dysentery with pus and blood, uterine bleeding in women, hard masses in the abdomen (Zheng Jia), pediatric convulsions due to heat (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing).
White Dragon Bone: Treats hypersomnia, seminal emission, urinary incontinence (Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi). Expels evil Qi, calms the mind, stops sweating, reduces urination, stops hematuria, nourishes spirit, stabilizes Hun and Po, and calms the Five Zang organs.
(Some physician) stated: Stops palpitations, stops Yin malaria, retracts dampness-induced rectal prolapse, generates flesh, and heals sores (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation]
(Some physician) stated: Its Qi enters the husband's Kidney, so it is suitable for kidney-tonifying medicines.
Li Shizhen stated: Astringency removes leakage. Thus, Cheng Wuji said: Dragon Bone can gather floating righteous Qi, secure the Large Intestine, and calm fright. It also treats Dai Mai disorders...

[Prescriptions] Old: 11, New: 7.
(Treats) Mental exhaustion and nocturnal emission: Dragon Bone and Polygalae Radix in equal parts, powdered, honey-pilled like wu zi, coated with Cinnabar. Take 30 pills each time, washed down with Lotus Seed Decoction. ("Xin Tong")
(Treats)...: Dragon Bone 4 fen, Leek Seeds 5 he. Powdered. Take one cun bi with wine on an empty stomach. ("Mei Shi Fang")
(Treats)...: Powdered. Take 2 qian each time with salt water. ("Mei Shi Fang")
(Treats)...: Boil, drink hot until finished. Cover warmly to induce sweating; effective immediately. ("Zhou Hou Fang")
Persistent diarrhea: White Dragon Bone and Kaolin in equal parts, powdered, water-pilled like wu zi. Wash down with Perilla and Papaya Decoction, dosage adjusted for adults and children. ("Xin Jian")
Severe irritability, thirst, heat, sores in San Jiao, dysentery, or opening mouth and sticking out tongue, rotting eyes, sores in nose and mouth, inability to recognize people: Use half a jin of Dragon Bone, ten dou of water, boil to four sheng, sink in a well. Drink five he cold, gradually increasing dose. ("Wai Tai Mi Yao")
Unceasing panting: Crush four liang of Dragon Bone, five sheng of water, boil to two and a half sheng. Divide into five doses, drink cold. Also mix with rice drink to make pills, take ten pills each time. ("Zhou Hou Fang")
(Treats)...: Immediately stops. ("San Yin Fang")
(Treats)...: One cun bi, three times daily. ("Qian Jin Fang")
(Treats)...: Powder, apply externally. ("Yi Zong San Fa")

(Long Chi / Dragon Teeth)
[Processing] Same as Dragon Bone. Some say roast with butter.
[Flavor and Toxicity] Astringent, cool, non-toxic.
Li Dang Zhi stated: Very cold.
Xu Zhicai stated: Neutral. Works well with Ginseng and Calculus Bovis; fears Gypsum Fibrosum and ironware.
[Indications] Kills spiritual entities. Adult convulsions and spasms, epilepsy, manic walking, stagnation of Qi below the heart, inability to breathe. Pediatric five frights and twelve types of epilepsy (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing).
Treats irritability, mania, and spirits (Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao).
[Elucidation]
Li Shizhen stated: The Dragon is the deity of the East, so its bones, horns, and teeth all treat Liver diseases. Xu Shuwei said: The Liver stores the Hun, which can transform, thus the Hun wanders...

(Long Jiao / Dragon Horns)
[Processing] Same as bone.
[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Xu Zhicai stated: Fears Dried Lacquer, Sichuan Pepper, and Pyritum.
[Indications] Convulsions and spasms, body heat like fire, hardness in abdomen and hot diarrhea. Long-term use lightens the body, clarifies the mind, and prolongs life (Ben Cao Jing Jiu Yi).
Pediatric high fever (Zhen Quan).
[Elucidation]
Su Song stated: Bones and teeth are commonly used by physicians, but horns are rarely used. Only "Shen Shi Fang" Wu Xie Wan uses them, stating if no horn, use teeth. However, "Qian Jin Fang" uses horns and teeth together for treating Heart diseases.

(Long Nao / Dragon Brain)
[Indications] Its form is fat and soft; it can stop dysentery (Tao Hongjing).

(Long Tai / Dragon Fetus)
[Indications] Postpartum residual diseases, amenorrhea in women.
Tao Hongjing stated: Recently, Dragon wombs were frequently found in Ba region, with intact forms. They are said to treat postpartum residual diseases, best taken as powder.
Su Song stated: Xu Xiaozong's "Qie Zhong Fang" says: Dragon fetus comes from streams in Shu mountains, resembling dried fish scales, very fishy and smelly when decocted. It treats chronic amenorrhea. Mix with small amounts of Lycopodium and Sedum, decoct two cups of water to one cup, strain. Divide into two warm doses. Soon, movement in the abdomen occurs followed by discharge.
Note: This substance...
Li Shizhen stated: Both womb and fetus come from Ba and Shu, both treat blood diseases, likely the same substance.

(Long Xian / Dragon Ambergris)
Wang Ji stated: Dragon spits saliva and foam, which can be used to make incense.
Li Shizhen stated: Dragon Ambergris is rarely used in prescriptions, only in various incenses, said to preserve Musk and Bezoar for decades without dissipating. It is also said that burning it produces green smoke floating in the air. It comes from the oceans in the southwest. It is said to be the saliva and foam spit by groups of dragons in spring, floating to the surface. Foreigners collect and sell it, priced at two thousand coins per unit. It can also be obtained by dissecting large fish. Initially, it resembles gum resin, yellowish-white; when dry, it forms blocks, yellow-black, like Baidaojian (a type of fermented tea brick) with a greasy texture; over time, it becomes purple-black, shiny like Wulingzhi (Trogopterus Dung). Its body is light and floating, resembling Pumice but fishy and smelly.