Library

(Recorded in the Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] Shengzhi Zi (from *Ri Hua Zhen Cao*), Shengxian Zi.
Su Song's *Bencao Tujing* states: It is said that two seeds are attached to the collar; when encountering gu poison, a sound is heard, allowing one to know in advance. Hence these names.
Li Shizhen says: "Xianzhao" is suspected to be an error for "Xianzao".

[Collection and Explanation] Su Song's *Bencao Tujing* states: Yuzhizi has a shell, and its fruit resembles that of the soap bean (*Gleditsia sinensis*).
Su Song further states: Previously, its place of origin was not recorded. Now it is found in Huai, Shu, Han, Qian, Bi, and other prefectures. It grows as a vine, clinging to large trees. The leaves are green, triangular, with a dark surface and light back. In July and August, fruits form in pods, initially green, turning deep red when ripe. Each pod contains five to seven seeds, resembling soap beans, mottled brown, glossy like flying insects. Its efficacy surpasses that of the fruit itself. Mountain people call it "Sheng Wuyou" (Sage Without Worries).
Seeds with two kernels can be taken with the shell.

[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
Chen Zangqi's *Bencao Shiyi* states: Warm. Those with double kernels may be taken with the shell.

[Indications] Kills parasites and treats gu poison; cures various toxins. Peel and grind for administration; effective (from *Kaibao Bencao*). Treats all wind pathogens, tonifies the Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries; its merits cannot be fully described. Treats pi qi masses (accumulations), eliminates retained food, relieves irritability and oppression, promotes urination, facilitates childbirth, treats sudden loss of voice due to evil invasion, promotes hair growth, treats epidemic warm diseases, applies to all snake, insect, and centipede bites, treats all diseases. Swallow two to seven pills daily, not exceeding three thousand pills, for permanent cure (from *Bencao Shiyi*).

[Attached Formulas] Three new formulas.
Yuzhizi Wan (Pre-knowing Seed Pill): Treats insufficient Heart Qi, mental trance, confused speech, palpitations with irritability and depression, sorrow and grief, excessive anger or fear, forgetfulness, insomnia, vivid dreams at night, waking in fright or nightmare, or mania, dizziness, violence, and unconsciousness. All are suitable for this formula: Yuzhizi (peeled), Bai Fuling (Poria), Gouqizi (Lycium Fruit), Shichangpu (Acorus Rhizome), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Baiziren (Biota Seed), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Digupi (Lycium Bark), Yuanzhi (Polygala Root), Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome), Huangjing (Polygonatum Rhizome, steamed), Zhusha (Cinnabar, water-ground) in equal parts. Grind into powder, make pills with refined honey the size of a Chinese quince seed. Chew one pill per dose, swallow with Ginseng decoction (from *Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang*).

Sudden Deafness and Ear Obstruction: In August or September, take a pomegranate, make a small hole, keep the lid, fill with rice vinegar, seal tightly, wrap in dough, and bake in fire until cooked. Take out... [text fragment] Xianzhaozi, Hei Lizi...

Eyebrow Loss and Voice Change: Yuzhizi Gao (Pre-knowing Seed Ointment): Use two liang of Yuzhizi and two liang of Xionghuang (Realgar), grind into powder. Use three liang of Ruxiang (Frankincense), boil with one dou of water in a silver pot until reduced to five sheng. Add the two powders and simmer into an ointment. Store in a bottle. Take one spoonful per dose, mixed with warm wine. Worms like horse tails will be excreted with stool (from *Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Root
[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Resolves gu poison. Pound in a stone mortar and sieve. Use three qian each time, taken with warm water, effect is immediate (Su Song).