Library

(Lower Grade, *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Explanation of names is found below.

[Collected Explanations] *Bielu* (Recorded by Masters of Other Lineages) states: Lu Ying (*Sambucus javanica*) grows in the valleys of Xiong'er Mountain and Yuanju County; it is harvested at Start of Autumn.
Su Gong says: This is Shuo Diao (*Ageratum conyzoides*). Ancient prescriptions do not contain "Shuo Diao," only mentioning Lu Ying. Later people failed to recognize this and arbitrarily added a section on Shuo Diao. Its leaves resemble those of celery and the flowers of *Sarcandra glabra*.
Ma Zhi points out: Su Gong considered Lu Ying and Shuo Diao to be the same substance. Upon detailed examination, Lu Ying tastes bitter, is cold in nature, and non-toxic; whereas Shuo Diao tastes sour, is warm in nature, and toxic. Since their properties differ, it is difficult to claim they are one species; they are likely merely related.
Kou Zongshi says: Shuo Diao and Lu Ying differ in nature, taste, origin, and therapeutic applications; they are naturally two distinct substances and certainly not the same thing.
Su Song says: The *Bencao* records that Lu Ying grows in the valleys of Xiong'er Mountain and Yuanju County. Shuo Diao does not record specific provinces of origin, only stating it grows in fields, and is now available everywhere. It sprouts in spring, has jointed stems with branches growing from the nodes, and large leaves resembling water celery. Leaves are harvested in spring and summer; roots and stems in autumn and winter. Tao Hongjing and Su Gong both considered them the same substance. Ma Zhi, noting differences in nature and taste, suspected they were not one species but could not distinguish them finely. However, *Erya* states: Flowers of trees are called Hua, flowers of herbs are called Rong; plants that flower but do not fruit are called Xiu; plants that fruit without flowering...
Li Shizhen says: Tao Hongjing, Su Song's *Bencao*, and Zhen Quan's *Yaoxing Lun* all state that Lu Ying is Shuo Diao, which must have some basis. Although Ma Zhi and Kou Zongshi refuted this view, they lacked definitive evidence.

[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic.
Zhen Quan says: Lu Ying, also known as Shuo Diao, tastes bitter and acrid, with slight toxicity.

[Therapeutic Actions] Treats various Bi syndromes in the bones, spasms and cramps with pain and soreness in the four limbs, cold pain in the knees, impotence, shortness of breath and insufficiency, and foot swelling. Addresses wind-toxin, rising Jiaoxie (foot-stroke), mental restlessness or fainting due to vexation, and edema caused by water qi. For skin itching and malodorous pruritus caused by wind, decoct the herb, add a small amount of wine, and bathe; this is excellent (Zhen Quan).

(Phonetic: Shuo Diao. *Bielu*)

[Names] Qin Cao (Jin Grass, *Bielu*), Ji (*Bielu*),

[Collected Explanations] *Bielu* states: Shuo Diao grows in fields. Leaves are harvested in spring and summer.
Tao Hongjing says: It is very abundant in field ruins and villages.
Su Gong says: This is Lu Ying; this entry is redundant. *Erya* states: Ji is Qin Grass. Guo Pu's annotation says: It is the seedling of Aconitum. Checking the aliases of the three types of Qin, none match this. *Bielu* mentions it is also named Qin Cao, but the source is unknown.
Kou Zongshi says: Shuo Diao has white flowers; its fruits are initially green like mung beans, each flower head as large as the bottom of a cup, growing flatly, with one or two hundred seeds per flower, ripening red in October.
Li Shizhen says: Each branch has five leaves. See explanation under Lu Ying.

[Flavor and Nature] Sour, Warm, Toxic. Da Ming says: Bitter, Cool, Toxic.

[Therapeutic Actions] Treats wind-induced hidden rashes, body itching, and damp-Bi; can be used as a bathing decoction (*Bielu*).

[Attached Prescriptions] Twelve old prescriptions, seven new ones.
Hemiplegia of hands and feet: Shuo Diao leaves, scorched by fire, spread thickly on the bed, sleep on it while hot, replace when cool. In winter, use roots, pounded and heated (Waitai Miyao).
Wind-damp-cold Bi: Prescription same as above.
Cold-damp lower back pain: Prescription same as above.
Jiaoxie with calf swelling and bone pain: Pound Shuo Diao root, mix with three parts wine lees and one part root, steam until hot, and apply to the swollen area twice daily for resolution. Also treats numbness (Qianjin Fang).
Generalized edema, unable to sit or lie down: Take Shuo Diao root, peel, pound to extract juice (one he), mix with one he of wine, take warm; mild vomiting and diarrhea should occur (Meishi Fang).
Headwind causing pain: Two sheng of Shuo Diao root, two sheng of wine, decoct and take; stop when sweating occurs (Qianjin Fang).
Headwind with vertigo, unpredictable falling/rising: One qianliang each of Shuo Diao, Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Bai Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum); seven qian half of Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange, stir-fried). Take three qian per dose, decoct in one zhan of wine to six fen, then take (Shenghui Fang).
Postpartum lochia retention: Twenty liang of Xugu Mu (Cudrania tricuspidata wood, sliced). Decoct in ten dou of water to obtain three sheng, divide into three doses; lochia will pass (Qianjin Fang).
Persistent malaria: A large handful of Shuo Diao, roasted until yellow, decoct strongly in water to one zhan, take before onset (Doumen Fang).
Sudden hard masses like stones, painful to death: Take a small bundle of Shuo Diao root, wash clean and tear finely, soak in two sheng of wine for three nights, take five he to one sheng warm, three times daily. For rapid effect, warm the medicine in hot ashes and take. This prescription is non-toxic; sixteen people have been cured, it is miraculous. Re-make when exhausted (Gujin Luyan).
Biemia (abdominal mass) hard like a basin, swelling up, unable to sleep or lie down: One handful of the white bark of Shuo Diao root. Pound to extract juice, mix with water and take (Qianjin Fang).
Lower orifice obstruction: One handful of Shuo Diao root. Pound to extract juice, mix with water, strain. Strong individuals take one sheng per dose (Waitai Miyao).
All wind-rashes: Decoct Shuo Diao in water, mix with a little wine, apply externally; no case fails to heal (Meishi Fang).
Pediatric Chiyou Dan (red wandering erysipelas), moving up and down, fatal if reaching the heart: Shuo Diao, decoct juice and wash (Zimu Milu).
Five-color Dan Du (erysipelas): Shuo Diao leaves, pound and apply (Qianjin Fang).
Ulcers with foul flesh not resolving: Ash of Shuo Diao and Duan Shi (Calcined Alumen), each leached for juice, combined and decocted into a paste. Apply; it can cauterize foul flesh and remove moles/blemishes. This medicine loses efficacy after ten days (Qianjin Fang).
Warts on hands and feet: Shuo Diao Chizi (likely referring to the plant or a specific part/preparation), rub until soft, apply to warts (Shenghui Fang).
Bear injury: A large handful of Shuo Diao. Soak in one sheng of water, wait a moment, drink the juice, and apply the dregs topically (Zhang Wenzhong Beiji Fang).