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[Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*]
[Names] Dianhua (Indigo Flower, *Bencao Gangmu*), Qinggefen (Green Clam Powder).
Li Shizhen stated: Dai refers to the color used for eyebrows. Liu Xi in *Shiming* said: "Eyebrows are removed and replaced with this substance, hence it is called Dai."
[Collection and Explanation] Su Song stated: Qingdai comes from Persia. Currently, in Taiyuan as well as Luling and Nankang areas, the purple-green foam floating on the surface of indigo dye vats is collected and used; its efficacy is the same as Qingdai.
Li Shizhen stated: Persian Qingdai is also foreign Indigo Flower. If unavailable, Chinese Dianhua can be used. Alternatively, if necessary, juice soaked from blue cloth can be used as a substitute. Vendors may pass off dry Dian powder as genuine, but it contains Duan Shi (calcined mineral alkali), which must be carefully distinguished when used in internal medicines.
[Flavor and Properties] Salty, cold, non-toxic. Wang Quan stated: Sweet, neutral.
[Principal Indications] Resolves toxicity of various drugs; treats various heat syndromes in children, febrile convulsions and epilepsy, headache and chills/fever due to epidemic pathogens. All are treated by grinding with water and ingesting. It can also be ground and applied topically to hot sores, malignant swellings, traumatic bleeding from metal wounds, and venom from snake or dog bites (*Kaibao Bencao*). Resolves childhood accumulation-heat, kills parasites (Zhen Quan).
Treats infant erysipelas with heat, administered with water mixed. Combined with egg white and powdered Rhubarb, applied to carbuncles and snake/insect bite venom (Zang Qi). Purges Liver fire, disperses stagnant fire in the Five Zang organs.
[Elucidation] Kou Zongshi stated: Qingdai is made from Isatis leaves. There was a woman suffering from wet sores extending from below the navel across the abdomen down to both yin organs. The sores resembled horse-claw sores, appearing nowhere else, accompanied by heat, itching, and pain. Urination and defecation were obstructed, yellow fluid exuded, appetite decreased, and the body and face were slightly swollen. Physicians treated it as a malignant sore, applying ointments containing Moray Eel, Pine Resin, and Red Lead, which intensified the heat and pain. Upon inquiry, it was found that she indulged in alcohol and favored fish and crab, which trigger wind-pathogens. She was urgently instructed to wash off the plaster. Four liang of Purslane was pounded into a paste, one liang of Qingdai was added, and the mixture was ground evenly and applied. Heat subsided immediately, and pain and itching ceased. She continued taking Bazheng San three times daily to dissipate pathogenic heat. The application was renewed when the medicine dried. After two days, symptoms reduced by one-third; after five days, by two-thirds; cured in twenty days. This was likely accumulation of wind-heat toxic qi in the middle and lower jiao. If not expelled, it might develop into intestinal abscess or internal hemorrhoids. Alcohol, sexual activity, and wind-triggering foods must be avoided. However, since she could not abstain, she subsequently developed internal hemorrhoids.
[Attached Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, ten new ones.
Heat-pain in the heart region: Mix one qian of Qingdai with Ginger Juice and ingest (*Yixue Zhengzhuan*).
Internal heat causing hematemesis: Ingest two qian of Qingdai with fresh cold water (*Shenghui Fang*).
Lung heat causing hemoptysis: Qingbingzi (Qingdai Pills): Use one liang of Qingdai and one liang of Almond seeds (stir-fried with Oyster Shell powder). Grind evenly, mix with yellow beeswax, and form thirty pills.
Take one pill per dose. Sandwich it between half a dried persimmon, wrap in wet paper, bake until fragrant, chew, and swallow with gruel broth, three times daily. (Attributed to Hua Tuo, *Zhongzang Jing*)
Pediatric convulsions and epilepsy: Grind appropriate amount of Qingdai with water and ingest according to age (*Shengsheng Bian*).
Pediatric night crying: Same prescription as above.
Pediatric malnutrition dysentery: Gongqi Formula Verse states: Miscellaneous diseases in children turn into malnutrition (Gan syndrome), regardless of strength or gender. Restless heat, scorched hair, dry nose and mouth, withered skin, paralyzed limbs. Frequent abdominal diarrhea, stools varying in green, yellow, red, and white colors. Gritty eyes, sallow complexion, red nostrils, gaping anus unviewable. This formula is Qingdai San; administering it brings peace to hundred pediatric ailments.
Ear Gan discharging fluid: Apply dry powder of Qingdai and Phellodendron Bark (*Tan Yeweng Fang*).
Ulcerative blepharitis: Soak Qingdai and Coptis Rhizome in water, wash daily (*Mingmu Fang*).
Postpartum mania: Add Qingdai to Siwu Tang, decoct in water and ingest (*Zhai Xuan*).
Cold damage with red macules: Ingest two qian of Qingdai, ground in water (*Huren Shu*).
Smallpox toxin, before suppuration: Ingest Persian Qingdai equivalent to a date pit, ground in water (*Meishi Fang*).
Scrofula not yet ulcerated: Pound Indigo Flower and Purslane together. Apply daily until effective (*Jianbian Fang*).
Injuries from various poisonous insects: Equal parts Qingdai and Realgar, grind into powder, ingest two qian with fresh cold water (*Gujin Luyian*).
[Appendix] Queqiao (Bird Tail Feathers) *Bielu* lists it as "named but unused": Salty flavor. Benefits Qi, brightens eyes. Grows among Isatis plants. Leaves bear fruit in April, sharp, yellow with black center. Harvested in May, dried in shade. Also known as Qumu or Gengsheng.