Library

(Twenty-eight species of scaleless fish, with nine supplementary species)

(Listed as Superior Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
**Names**: Li Fish (from *Benjing*), Black Snakehead (from *Tujing*), [Missing Character] Fish (pronounced same as "Li", from *Benjing*).
Li Shizhen stated: The head of the Snakehead fish (*Channa argus*) has seven star-like spots. At night, it faces the Big Dipper, demonstrating a natural propriety; hence it is called "Li". It is also similar to the [Missing Character] fish, thus bearing names such as Xuan (dark/black) and Hei (black). Commonly known as the Matchstick Head Fish, this refers to this species. Smaller ones are named [Missing Character]. Previous commentators erroneously claimed that the Li fish is the Grass Carp (*Ctenopharyngodon idellus*); this is incorrect. These erroneous annotations are hereby deleted.
**Collection & Description**: *Mingyi Bielu* states: It lives in the ponds and marshes of the Jiujiang region. It can be caught at any time.
Tao Hongjing stated: It is found everywhere. Some say it transforms from male Oyster Snakes, but it also reproduces through mating. Its nature is extremely difficult to kill, retaining snake-like vitality.
Li Shizhen stated: The body is long and round, with head and tail of equal size. It has fine black scales with spotted patterns, resembling the Viper (*Gloydius*). It possesses a tongue, teeth, and stomach. Fins connect from the back and belly to the tail, which is unbranched. Its appearance is repulsive, its odor foul and fishy, and it is despised as food. People in the South cherish it, while those in the North abhor it. Daoists regard it as a water repellent spirit and forbid its consumption during fasting rituals.
**Flavor & Properties**: Sweet, Cold, Non-toxic. Those suffering from sores should not eat it, as it causes white scars on the skin (from *Bielu*).
Chen Cangqi stated: It has slight toxicity, no nutritional benefit, and should not be eaten.
Su Song stated: It can trigger chronic diseases. In treating illness, only one aspect of its efficacy is utilized.
**Indications**: Treats five types of hemorrhoids, damp-bi syndrome, edema of the face and eyes, and promotes urination and defecation to remove excess water (from *Benjing*. Tao Hongjing added: Boiled with adzuki beans, it is very effective for swelling and fullness). Promotes urination and defecation, resolves qi stagnation. Made into a soup, it is beneficial for patients with Hong Kong Foot (podagra/foot pain and numbness) or wind-disease (from Meng Shen). Mainly treats hydrops during pregnancy (from Su Song).
**Prescriptions**: Three old prescriptions, two new ones.
Ten types of hydrops nearing death: Boil a one-jin Snakehead fish to make juice, mix with winter melon and scallion whites to make a soup and eat (from *Xinjing*).
To move all types of qi stagnation: Meng Shen said: Take one large Snakehead fish, cut open the belly, insert half an ounce of ground pepper and three to two cloves of garlic, sew it up, and cook together with one sheng of adzuki beans until soft. Add three to five radishes and a handful of scallions, chop finely, cook thoroughly, and eat until full on an empty stomach, drinking the broth as well. By night, infinite evil qi will be discharged. Can be repeated every three to five days.
Intestinal hemorrhoids with bleeding: Make the Snakehead fish into a meat paste/soup, eat with minced garlic. Avoid cold and toxic foods (from *Waitai Miyao*).
All wind sores, stubborn tinea, scabies, and leprosy: For long-standing cases that do not heal, two or three doses will suffice. Take one black Matchstick Head Fish (i.e., Black Snakehead), remove intestines and guts, fill with leaves of Xanthium strumarium (Cang Er Zi). Place Cang Er Zi leaves at the bottom of the pot, put the fish on top, add a little water, and simmer slowly over low heat until cooked. Remove skin and bones, eat plain. Do not add salt or soy sauce; the efficacy is great (from *Yilin Jiyao*).
Bathing infants to prevent smallpox: On New Year's Eve at dusk, boil one large black carp or two to three small ones to make a bathwater for the infant, ensuring all seven orifices and the whole body are washed. Do not dislike the fishy smell; rinse with clear water. If skeptical, leave one hand or foot unwashed; when smallpox appears, the unwashed area will have more lesions. This was transmitted by extraordinary persons and should not be taken lightly (from Yang Gong's *Yifang Jiangyao*).
**Intestine and Liver**
**Indications**: Worms in cold, necrotic ulcers (from *Bielu*). The intestine is roasted with five flavors until fragrant.
**Gallbladder**
**Flavor & Properties**: Sweet, Neutral.
*Rihua Bencao* stated: The gall of most fish is bitter, but the gall of this fish is sweet and edible, which is unique. Collect in the twelfth lunar month and dry in the shade.
**Indications**: For severe throat obstruction (Hou Bi) near death, instill a few drops of bile for immediate recovery. For deeper conditions, dilute with water and administer orally (from *Lingyuan Fang*).