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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Correction] Merged with Qiongtian Grass (Qiongtian Cao) from *Bencao Tujing*.
[Names] Jiujiu (Nine Mortars, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Tianjiu (Heavenly Mortar, from *Mingyi Bielu*), Guiyao (Ghost Medicine, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Jiedu (Detoxification, from *Mingyi Bielu*), Juexi (Jue Xi, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Mamu Dougong (Horse-Eye Poison Duke, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Haimucao (Mother-Harming Grass, from *Bencao Tujing*), Xiutianhua (Shaming Heaven Flower, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Shulvcao (Shu Lv Grass, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Qiongtiancao (Qiongtian Grass, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Dujiaolian (Single-Foot Lotus, from *Tusuxiangbencao*), Duhecao (Single Lotus Grass, from *Tusuxiangbencao*), Shanheyecao (Mountain Lotus Leaf Grass, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Hanhe (Drought Lotus).

Tao Hongjing stated: Guibai (Podophyllum emodi), its root resembles Belamcanda chinensis (Shegan), is white and sweet-tasting. The nine roots are connected; those with hairs are superior, hence the name.

Li Shizhen stated: This plant is toxic, and its root tubers resemble horse eyes, hence the name Mamu Dougong (Horse-Eye Poison Duke). It kills gu poison and detoxifies, hence the name "Xi". Its leaves resemble mirrors, plates, or lotus flowers. When new shoots emerge, old shoots die, hence the names Mirror, Plate, Lotus, He, and Mother-Harming. Su Dongpo's poetry collection states: Qiongtian Grass is commonly known as Tangpo Mirror, which is Guibai in the Materia Medica. It produces one tuber annually, resembling the hard and slender root of Polygonatum sibiricum (Huangjing).

It is also said: Xiutianhua grows everywhere in Shu. Flowers hang on the stem, hidden by leaves, commonly called "Shame Heaven"; I renamed it Xiuhanhua, which is Guibai in the Materia Medica. The eulogy states: Lush in cold weather, with long stems and broad leaves. Flowers attach to the stem, covered by leaves above. Due to self-covering, it appears shy. There is another plant called Shuitiancao, which is different, namely Alocasia macrorrhizos (Haiyu).

[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Guibai grows in Jiuzhen Valley and Yuanju. Roots are harvested in February and August.

Tao Hongjing stated: Guibai grows in valleys. Harvested in August, dried in shade. It resembles Shegan and Zhu species, and also looks like Gelsemium elegans (Gouwen). There are two types: Those from Qiantang and nearby roads are sweet-tasting with clustered hairs, considered best; those from Kuaiji and Wuxing are larger but bitter-tasting without clustered hairs, with inferior efficacy. Current Mamu Dougong resembles Huangjing roots, with the joint area soft and moist like a horse eye. Physicians now mostly use Guibai and rarely use Dougong; it is unknown why such a discrepancy exists.

Su Gong stated: Guibai grows in the shade of deep mountain rocks. Leaves resemble Ricinus communis (Bima) and Paris polyphylla (Chonglou). One stem emerges, with one leaf at the tip, sometimes bifurcated. Each year adds one stem; when the stem withers, it forms one tuber. If it lives for twenty years, there would be twenty tubers, not just nine. The root flesh, skin, and fibers resemble Shegan; currently, people often use Shegan instead. What is sent from Jiangnan is not genuine. Currently, Dangyang County in Jingzhou, Yu'an County in Xia Prefecture, and Jingshan County in Xiangzhou offer tribute of this herb, but it is extremely rare.

Su Song stated: It is also found in Jiangning Prefecture, Chuzhou, Shuzhou, Shangzhou, Qizhou, Hangzhou, Xiangzhou, Xiazhou, and Jingmen Jun, as described by Su Gong. Flowers grow between stems, red in color, fruiting after blooming in March. Another theory: Guibai grows in deep mountain shades, with leaves having six or five lobes, resembling goose feet. One leaf at the stem tip resembles an umbrella, facing east in the morning and tilting west at dusk, following the sun's movement. Flowers are red-purple like lychee, located under the leaves, often shaded, rarely seeing sunlight. One stem grows per year; upon withering, it becomes one tuber. By the eighth or ninth year, there are eight or nine tubers. However, each year a new tuber forms while an old one rots, representing renewal, hence the name Mother-Harming Grass. This is similar to Colocasia esculenta (Yugui) and Aconitum carmichaelii (Wutou); when new shoots grow, old ones die, and previous tubers rot. The *Bencao Commentary* claims it is completely like Shegan; although Shegan's shape is similar, its tubers are shallow and thin, greatly differing from Guibai. Guibai resembles several Arisaema erubescens (Tiannanxing) stacked side-by-side, with color and texture like Shegan. Users should seek seedlings for harvesting, as they are no longer available in markets.

Li Shizhen stated: Guibai roots resemble stacked Tiannanxing. Thus, market people mistakenly call small ones Tiannanxing and large ones Guibai, which is erroneous.

According to *Huangshan Guji*: Tangpo Mirror blooms under leaves, commonly called Xiutianhua, which is Guibai. It produces one tuber per year; after twelve years, it can be used as medicine. Current physicians mistakenly use Rodgersia podophylla (Guidengqing) as Guibai. Zheng Qiao's *Tongzhi* states: Guibai leaves resemble small lotuses, shaped like bird feet. Each year adds one stem; when the stem withers, the root becomes one tuber, also called Bajiaopan (Eight-Angled Plate) because the leaves resemble it. Based on these two descriptions, this seems to be what is currently called Dujiaolian. Also named Shanheyecao, Duhecao, Hanheyecao, and Bajiaojing. It grows in deep, dark, dense mountains throughout the South; in the North, only Longmenshan and Wangwushan have it. One stem rises alone, hollow inside, emerging from the leaf center. One stem has seven leaves, round like young lotus leaves, green on top and purple underneath, rubbing them releases a melon-like fragrance. Flowers bloom under leaves; some do not flower. Its root resembles Atractylodes lancea (Cangshu) and Human placenta (Ziheche). Alchemists harvest roots to process Sanhuang, Cinnabar, and Mercury. Some say the eight-lobed leaf variety is more potent. Some claim the root is identical to Ziheche, distinguishing them by color (white for Ziheche, red for Guibai), which is likely incorrect. *Gengxin Yuce* distinguishes Zixiu (Paris polyphylla) as Yang grass and Hanhe as Yin grass. Tao Hongjing treated Mamu Dougong and Guibai as two different substances, not realizing they are the same substance with two varieties. Dugu Tao's *Danfang Jingyuan* states: Shulvcao has two types, both roots resembling Tiannanxing, with red stems rising straight up and leaves at the tip. One type has seven-lobed leaves; the other has layered leaves. Leaves resemble Ricinus communis, green above, purple below, with fine hairs. One bell-shaped flower hangs under the leaves, pale green-white with yellow stamens, producing yellow seeds. It does not move in wind but sways spontaneously. It can process Cinnabar and Mercury.

Note: These are the two varieties of Guibai. The description of their shapes is very clear.

Root
[Aroma and Flavor] Acrid, Warm, Toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Slightly Warm. Tao Hongjing states: Sweet, Warm, Toxic. Zhen Quan states: Bitter. Xu Zhicai states: Feared by Yuan Yi (Wall Moss).

[Indications] Kills gu poison, ghost zhu spirits, repels evil qi and ill omens, expels pathogens, resolves hundred toxins (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Kills severe toxins, treats cough and laryngeal swelling, vexation and confusion caused by wind pathogens, loss of soul and hallucinations, removes corneal opacity. Not used in decoctions (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats shi zhu, consumptive diseases, and infectious wasting diseases (Zhen Quan). Expels dead fetus, treats malignant malaria, carbuncles and sores, snake venom, and solarium poisoning (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Su Song stated: Ancient formulas for treating Five Corpse Ghost Zhu and hundred toxic evil airs often use this herb. Also stated: People in Fuzhou harvest Qiongtian grass roots and leaves in March, dry them, powder them, form pills with honey, and take them to treat wind diseases.

[Attached Formulas] Three new formulas.
Fetus died in the womb, membranes ruptured, delivery not proceeding; this formula has been repeatedly effective, saving tens of thousands: Guibai, any amount, select yellow ones, remove hairs, grind into fine powder, named Shensan (*Funren Liangfang*).
Infected by Solarium (Shegong), presenting with chills, fever, and sores: A handful of Guibai leaves, soaked in vinegar, crushed to extract juice. Take one sheng, twice daily (*Qianjin Fang*).
Acute black-yellow disease: Face is black-yellow, body like earth color, appetite unaffected, pulse is deep; if blue pulse enters the mouth, death ensues. Suitable to cauterize the black pulse in the mouth, Baihui (GV20), Yuquan, Jiegu, Zhangmen (LR13), Xinshu (BL15): Use fresh Guibai, crush to extract juice, take one small cup. Dry root powdered, taken with water.