Library

(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

**Names**: Fish oil.
Li Shizhen states: "Zhi" (fat/lard) implies "zhi" (deliciousness). Its taste is sweet and delicious.

**Flavor and Properties**: Sweet, warm, slightly toxic.
Li Shizhen states: Using fish fat for lamp wicks can smoke the eyes of blind people.

**Indications**: Malaria. Method: Take two jin (approx. 1 kg) of fish fat mixed with calcined stone mud (fishy and smelly), place it in a copper vessel, light a torch to warm it, and ensure the fire does not extinguish day or night. Additionally, applying it to treat scabies in cattle and dogs results in immediate cure (from *Bencao Shiyi*. Li Shizhen adds: In the Southern Regions, fish oil is used as pillows.)

**Names**: Li Shizhen states: The brain bone of various fishes is called "Hua", also known as "Ding". The fish tail is called "Qi". The fish bones are called "Geng", also known as "Ci" (thorns/spines). The swim bladder is called "Pao".

**Indications**: Can detoxify (from *Bencao Shiyi*). Can resolve Gu poison. If food and drink are stored in vessels made from this material, Gu poison will manifest upon contact (from *Bencao Gangmu*).

**Names**: Li Shizhen states: Scales resemble rippling water. Fish live in water, hence their scales look like ripples; birds live in forests, hence their feathers look like leaves; beasts live in mountains, hence their fur looks like grass. Fish swim against the current, and birds fly with the wind, lest they disturb their scales and feathers.

**Indications**: Poisoning from eating fish, resulting in restlessness or forming masses (Zhengji). Burn the fish scales to ash, mix with water, and take two qian (approx. 7.5 g) orally (from *Bencao Gangmu*).

**Names**: (Pronounced "mi"),

**Collected Explanations**: Meng Shen states: All fish eggs adhere to grass and soil. After the cold winter waters pass, they do not rot. By the third dog days of May, during rain, they transform into small fish.
Li Shizhen states: All fish conceive in winter, and lay eggs near turbulent waters and aquatic plants in late spring and early summer. Male fish follow and sprinkle white milt over the eggs. They hatch after a few days, called fry, which grow very quickly. Meng's theory is likely based on erroneous transmission.

**Flavor and Properties**: Missing.

**Indications**: Eye obstructions and cataracts (from Li Shizhen).

**Elucidation**: Li Shizhen states: Fish roe is rarely seen in ancient prescriptions. Only in *Shengji Zonglu* (Generalist Manual of Holy Relief) for treating eye conditions, specifically in Jueming San (Cassia Seed Powder), is fish roe used. Generally, one should select roe from black carp, common carp, or crucian carp.

**Attached Prescriptions**: One new prescription.
Jueming San (Cassia Seed Powder): Treats all chronic eye obstructions, as well as pterygium (fleshy growth over the cornea), redness, swelling, and pain. Take half liang (approx. 30 g) of fish roe (laid in living water), wash gently with warm sulfur water. Mix with Shi Jue Ming (Haliotidis Concha, Abalone Shell), Cao Jue Ming (Cassiae Semen, Cassia Seed), Qing Xiang Zi (Celosiae Semen, Celosia Seed), Gu Jing Cao (Essential Grain Grass), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus, Goji Berry), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma, Coptis), Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Licorice Root), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Immature Bitter Orange, stir-fried with bran), Mu Li Fen (Ostreae Concha, Oyster Shell), She Tui (Bombyx Batryticatus, Silkworm Mummified, burned to ash), Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Dahurian Angelica Root), Long Gu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi et Scapulae, Fossilized Bone), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex, Phellodendron Bark), Bai Fu Zi (Typhonii Rhizoma Praeparatum, Prepared Typhonium Rhizome), Bai Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus, Tribulus Fruit, stir-fried), Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum, Cicada Slough), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, Skullcap Root, stir-fried), Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, Notopterygium Rhizome) each at half liang (approx. 25 g), and one Tiger Eye (cut into seven slices). Grind all ingredients into fine powder. Take with tea at the fifth watch (early morning), and again at noon and midnight. Avoid fish, alcohol, wheat products, spicy foods, and sexual activity. If anger arises, medical treatment may not be necessary (from *Shengji Zonglu*).