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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Bie Lu* [Separate Record of Famous Physicians])

[Names] (Pronounced "Shu"), Shanling.
Li Shizhen stated: *Shuwei* (Salvia miltiorrhiza / Sage) is named for its spike-like inflorescence resembling a rat's tail. *Erya* states: "is the rat's tail." It can be used to dye black, hence it is called Wucao (Black Grass), also known as Shuiqing (Water Green).
Su Song in *Tujing* [Illustrated Classic] stated that one name for Shuwei is Lingshi, which is a miswriting of Lingqiao.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bie Lu* states: Shuwei grows in plains and marshes. Leaves are harvested in April, flowers in July, and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing stated: It is abundant in fields; people harvest it to use as a dye for blackening.
Miao Baosheng stated: It grows in low, damp areas everywhere, but only people in Qian (Guizhou region) use it as medicine. The leaves resemble Artemisia absinthium (Ai Hao); at the stem tips, four or five spikes grow in summer, resembling the spikes of Plantago asiatica (Cheqiancao). There are two varieties of flowers: red and white.
Chen Cangqi stated: For the purple-flowered variety, both stems and leaves can be used for blackening.

Flowers and Leaves

[Properties and Flavors] Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic. Chen Cangqi stated: Neutral.

[Indications] Treats chills and fever caused by Shuwei, and persistent dysentery with pus and blood. The white-flowered variety treats white dysentery; the red-flowered variety treats bloody dysentery. Treats Shuigu [Hydrops/Ascites] (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Tao Hongjing stated: Ancient formulas often used this herb to treat dysentery. It should be boiled strongly until it can be formed into pills, or decocted into a syrup-like consistency for consumption. Nowadays, people also use it as a tea, or take it as powder; three doses per day are appropriate.

[Attached Formulas] One old formula, two new formulas.
Dafu Shuigu [Abdominal Hydrops]: See under the entry for Biancao (Verbena officinalis).
Persistent intermittent dysentery: Crush the flowers of Shuweicao (Salvia miltiorrhiza) into powder. Take one qian with water. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*)
Hematochezia persisting for years: Take 2 liang of Shuweicao (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and Diyuyu (Sanguisorba officinalis). Add 2 sheng of water, boil down to 1 sheng, and take in one dose. For cases lasting twenty years, no more than two doses are needed. Alternatively, make into powder and take with water. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Fanhuo Echuang [Reverse-flow Malignant Ulcer]: Internal growth of malignant flesh resembling rice grains; upon rupture, blood flows out and tissue everts outward. Slice the roots of Shuweicao, pound together with lard, and apply externally. (*Shengji Zonglu*)

(Recorded in the Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Correction] Merged with Langyecao from *Shiyi* [Supplementary Records].

[Names] Langyecao.
Li Shizhen stated: This is the Langyecao recorded in Chen Cangqi's *Bencao*. In Fujian, "Ye" is colloquially called "Langba"; thus, "Yelangba" corresponds to "Langba," which makes sense. Some alchemists claim this herb is identical to Shuweicao, and their functions are similar, but there is no definitive evidence.

[Collection and Explanation] Chen Cangqi stated: Yelangbacao grows beside mountain paths and, along with Qiuisui, can be used for blackening. He also stated: Langyecao grows between mountains and marshes, standing three to four chi tall. The leaves resemble the teeth of a goose or the seedlings of Guizhencao (Agrimonia pilosa / Xanthium strumarium depending on context, here likely referring to a spiky weed like Bidens). Guizhen is also called Guichai. Its leaves are lobed, resembling the feet of a hairpin.
Yu Xi stated: Yelangbacao appeared in recent times and was not used in ancient formulas; only Chen Cangqi mentioned it without detail. Emperor Taizong's Imperial Records noted its efficacy in treating bloody dysentery with great precision. I have carefully recorded it at the beginning of the external category chapter in *Bencao Tujing*.

[Properties and Flavors] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Blackens human hair and promotes longevity. Additionally: Langyecao treats chronic red and white dysentery, pediatric abdominal distension and fullness, and carbuncles with chills and fever. Decoct the roots and stems for juice intake (Chen Cangqi). Yelangbacao treats male bloody dysentery, but is not effective for women. Roots: Treat chronic childhood malnutrition dysentery. Take 2 jin of the herb, crush and extract one xiao sheng of juice, add half an egg-sized amount of white flour, mix well, and take in one dose on an empty stomach. For severe cases, no more than three doses are needed. Alternatively, collect the aerial parts, dry in the shade, crush into powder, and take one fangcun bi with half a zhan of honey-water (*Tujing*). It can be used to dye beard and hair, and treat chronic tinea that itches on cloudy days and exudes yellow fluid when scratched; crush into powder and sprinkle externally (Li Shizhen).