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(From *Tang Bencao*)

[Odor and Flavor] Bitter, neutral in nature, slightly toxic.
Su Song stated: Cool in nature, non-toxic.

[Indications] Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm) and Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm). Made into a powder, taken with fat meat juice, one cun bi (a measure of volume), can also be used in pills or powders (*Tang Bencao*). Treats worm-induced heart pain. Mix half a cun bi with light vinegar and take; recovery is immediate.

[Elucidation] Su Song stated: *Heshi* (Nanostegia seeds) is the most crucial herb in anti-parasitic formulas. *Gujin Luyan Fang*: For treating heart pain caused by roundworm biting, take ten liang of *Heshi*. Pound and sieve, make pills the size of wutong seeds with honey. Swallow forty to fifty pills on an empty stomach with honey water. Avoid alcohol and meat. Wei Yun suffered from heart pain for ten years without cure; seeing this formula among miscellaneous prescriptions, he compounded and took it, and was immediately cured. Li Shizhen notes: Take with plum juice. For a five-year-old child, take two fen per dose; stop when worms are expelled.

[Attached Formulas] One new formula.
Intestinal parasites that do not cease, regrow after being cut off, making walking and sitting difficult: Powdered *Heshi*, mixed with water, take half a liang; will heal naturally. (*Guaiji Qifang*)

(Pronounced "xi".)

[Correction] Merged into *Zhigaomei* in *Tang Bencao*.

[Names] Xixian (*Bencao Gangmu*), Huocao (*Tang Bencao*), Zhigaomei (*Tang Bencao*), Hugao (*Tang Bencao*), Gougao (*Tang Bencao*), Nianhucail (*Jiu Huang Bencao*).
This herb has a pungent and toxic odor/flavor, referred to as "". This herb smells like pork and tastes pungent/stinging, hence called "". Zhigao, Hugao, Gougao are named after their odor, and also for treating tiger and dog bites. "Huocao" should be "Hugao", a folk pronunciation error; later people erroneously changed it to "Xixian". *Jiu Huang Bencao* states: Its tender shoots are blanched, soaked to remove bitterness, and eaten with oil and salt, hence the common name Nianhucail.

[Collection and Explanation] Su Gong stated: "", known in fields. Also called Huo. Leaves resemble *Physalis alkekengi* but are narrower and longer; flowers are yellowish-white. Collect shoots and leaves in March and April, dry in sun. Also said: *Zhigaomei* grows in low, wet marshy areas, found everywhere. Also called Hugao, also called Gougao. Leaves resemble *Xanthium strumarium* (Cocklebur); stem is round and hairy.
Su Song stated: "" is ubiquitous. Shoots emerge in spring; leaves resemble mustard leaves but are narrow and long, with coarse veins. Stem is two to three chi high. Flowers appear in early autumn like chrysanthemum. Fruits form in late autumn, resembling *Heshi*. Collect leaves in summer, dry for use.
Chen Zangqi stated: *Zhigaocao*, leaves resemble Perilla and are hairy.
Kou Zongshi stated: *Zhigao* leaves resemble Cocklebur, branches opposite each other, stems and leaves hairy, yellowish-white. Collect shoots in May and June, dry in sun.
Li Shizhen stated: According to Su Gong's *Tang Bencao*, "" resembles *Physalis alkekengi*, while *Zhigaomei* resembles Cocklebur, listed as two species. However, Cheng Na in his "Memorial on Submitting Pills" stated this herb differs from the Compendium descriptions, growing mostly in fertile soil, about three chi high, with nodes and leaves opposite. ... This herb has golden edges and silver lines, white stems with purple nodes, growing oppositely at nodes, called Huo in Shu... Some mistakenly identify *Di Song* as Huo. ... People do not recognize it, leading to duplicate entries. These accounts vary; now people often use "" pills for wind-bi. Which should be followed? Li Shizhen gathered various herbs for comparison and observed that *Zhigao* has white stems with straight ridges and spots, leaves resemble Cocklebur but slightly longer, resemble *Di Song* but thinner, grow oppositely at nodes, stems and leaves have fine hairs. In fertile soil, one plant branches dozens of times. Small deep-yellow flowers bloom in August and September, with inner seeds resembling *Chrysanthemum coronarium* seeds, outer calyx has fine sticky spines. *Di Song* has green stems, round without ridges, no spots or hairs, leaves wrinkled like cabbage/mustard, not opposite. Observing these features, they seem consistent with Cheng Na and Zhang Yong's descriptions. Now, Chenzhou in Henan collects "" as tribute, its shape being *Zhigao*; thus Shen's claim that "" is *Zhigaomei* holds. Su Gong's description of resembling *Physalis alkekengi* refers to *Solanum nigrum* (Longkui), not "", likely a misidentification. But Shen stated that single-use "Huocao" in the world is actually *Di Song*, not *Zhigaomei*, seemingly contradicting Cheng and Zhang. Examining the entries for "" and *Zhigaomei*, there is no mention of treating wind diseases. Only the *Shennong Benjing* entry for *Di Song* mentions dispelling bi and heat, keeping body light and aging slowly with long-term use; thus treating wind disease seems to favor *Di Song*. However, the imperial formulas submitted by Cheng and Zhang must not be false. Perhaps both herbs treat wind? Currently, those taking "" (*Zhigaomei*) often show efficacy. *Di Song* is rarely seen in use. Thus, identifying "" as *Zhigao* needs no doubt.

[Odor and Flavor] Bitter, cold in nature, slightly toxic. Also said: *Zhigaomei*: Pungent, bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
Chen Zangqi stated: Slightly toxic. Su Gong stated: *Zhigao* is non-toxic; this is incorrect.

[Indications] "": Treats heat-induced irritability, fullness, and inability to eat. Crush fresh and take three he of juice; excessive amounts cause vomiting. Also said: *Zhigaomei*: Mainly treats traumatic injuries, stops pain, halts bleeding, promotes flesh regeneration, eliminates various malignant sores, reduces swelling. Crush and apply topically; decoction soak or powder application is also good (Su Gong). Mainly treats chronic malaria with phlegm-dampness; crush and take juice to induce vomiting. Crush and apply topically for tiger bites, dog bites, spider bites, silkworm bites, and urethral discharge sores (Chen Zangqi). Treats wind-dampness in liver and kidney, limb numbness/paralysis, bone pain, weak knees, and various rheumatic sores (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Su Song stated: Shu people's method for single-use of "": Collect leaves on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, 6th day of the 6th lunar month, and 9th day of the 9th lunar month. Remove roots, stems, flowers, and fruits, wash clean, and dry. Place in a steamer, sprinkle wine and honey layer by layer, steam, then dry. Repeat nine times until the odor and flavor are extremely fragrant. Cook, pound, sieve into powder, make pills with honey. It greatly benefits primordial qi, treats wind-dampness in liver/kidney, limb paralysis, interosseous pain, weakness in waist and knees, and can move large intestine qi. All provinces state it is cold and slightly toxic, consistent with *Tang Bencao*. Only Wenzhou and Gaoyou Jun state it is hot and non-toxic. Taking it tonifies, calms the five zang organs, promotes hair growth, treats rheumatic sores, muscle stiffness/numbness, especially suitable for women with chronic cold. Must remove coarse stems, keep leaves, flowers, and fruits for steaming/drying. The two theories differ. Does using only leaves make it cold and toxic, while including stems, flowers, and fruits makes it hot and non-toxic? Or is it due to different geographical origins?
Li Shizhen stated: Crushing fresh and taking juice causes vomiting, hence "slightly toxic"; nine steams and nine dries make it tonifying and dispelling bi, hence "non-toxic". Raw is cold; cooked is warm. Claiming it is hot is incorrect.
Shen Wei stated: According to Cheng Na, Military Commissioner of Jiangling Prefecture, in his "Memorial on Submitting Pill Formula": My younger brother Xin, aged 31, suffered from stroke and bedridden for five years, unresponsive to hundreds of doctors. A Daoist named Zhong Zhen saw this affliction and said: Taking "" pills will surely cure him. This herb grows mostly in fertile soil, about three chi high, with nodes and leaves opposite. Harvest since early summer May, cut five cun above ground, wash mud with warm water, pick leaves and branch tips. Nine steams and nine dries, not too dry, just sufficient quantity. Cook, pound to powder, refine honey into wutong-sized pills. Take twenty to thirty pills on an empty stomach with warm wine or rice drink. After taking two thousand pills, symptoms may suddenly worsen; do not worry, this is the medicine attacking the pathogen; after four thousand pills, you will return to normal; after five thousand pills, you will regain vigor. I complied, gave it to Xin, and it worked as stated. After taking, must eat rice for three days; harvesters are best. Edict sent to Imperial Hospital for detailed record. Also, Zhang Yong, Prefect of Yizhou, in his "Memorial on Submitting Pill Formula": Eating stones and drinking water can fill the stomach; consuming pine and cypress can also save lives. Thus, for medicines aiding the times, I present my humble object's form. Not ashamed of limited view, I dare to submit two medicinal formulas. Dispatched men to inquire and gather; the herb somewhat... stems and leaves resemble Cocklebur. No need to climb high... Who knew that among the most base lies extraordinary efficacy. I took up to a hundred doses, eyes became clear; up to a thousand doses, beard and hair turned black, sinews and strength became light and vigorous, many efficacies. Luo Shouyi, Chief Marshal of my prefecture, once fell from horse due to stroke, lost voice and speech. I gave him ten doses, illness immediately healed. Monk Zhiyan, aged 70, suddenly suffered hemiplegia, mouth and eye deviated, constantly salivating. I gave him ten doses, also recovered. Now submitting via clerk Shi Yuan.

[Attached Formulas] Five new ones.
Wind-cold diarrhea: Huo [herb] pills: Treats wind qi moving in intestines/stomach causing diarrhea. Powder the herb, make pills with vinegar paste, wutong seed size. Take thirty pills, down with plain water. (*Shengji Zonglu*) Carbuncles, ulcers, swelling, toxins, all malignant sores. Herb (harvested on Dragon Boat Festival) one liang, Frankincense one liang, Alum (calcined) half a liang. Powder. Take two qian, mix with hot wine. For severe toxins, take three doses consecutively; sweating is excellent. (*Qiankun Miyun*)
Back carbuncles and ding sores: Herb, Wuyecao (Wuzhao Long), Yehonghua (Xiao Ji), Garlic equal parts. Pound to paste, add one bowl hot wine, squeeze juice and take, sweating brings immediate effect. (*Qiankun Shengyi*)
Mix and take. Sweating leads to cure, highly effective. () Down with fifty pills. (*Baiyi Xuanfang*)

[Appendix] Leibi *Bielu* lists as "Name exists, unused": Sour, warm, non-toxic. Mainly treats flaccidity and bi. Grows in high land fields. Leaves resemble *Patrinia scabiosafolia* (Tianmingjing). Beautiful roots, harvest in May.
Li Shizhen stated: This resembles *Zhigao*. Ancient and modern names may differ, so appended here.
Yangshichai
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Qiankun Shengyi*: Also called Niushichai, grows in mountains/wilds. Leaves resemble *Heshi*, four... Carbuncles/back sores, crush and apply. Use roots in winter. Can poison fish.