Library

(Recorded in *Bie Lu* as a substance with name but unutilized)

[Names] Zongxin Cao (Palm Heart).
Shizhen said: Folk custom dictates harvesting it in the fifth lunar month; it is the heart tied within Jiaoshu (zongzi/sticky rice dumplings), hence called Zongxin Cao.

[Collection and Explanation] *Bie Lu* states: It grows beside river waters, resembling Longchu (a grass similar to dragon's whiskers), and remains green in both winter and summer.
Shizhen said: According to *Er Ya*: "KT is Shuguan." Zheng Qiao interpreted this as Longchu. Guo Pu stated: "Fine and slender like dragon's whiskers, can be used to make mats; those from Shu are of good quality." I suspect this is exactly this Longchang Cao. It is likely a smaller variety of Longxu (Dragon's Whisker Grass). Thus, its functions are also similar.

Stem
[Flavor and Properties] Salty, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Lightens the body, benefits Yin Qi, treats Bi syndrome caused by cold-dampness (*Bie Lu*).

(Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] Huxu Cao (Tiger's Whisker Grass) (*Gangmu*), Biyu Cao (Jasper Grass) (*Gangmu*).
[Collection and Explanation] Zhi said: Dengxin Cao grows in the marshes of Jiangnan, growing in clumps. The stems are round, thin, long, and straight, and people use them to weave mats.
Zong said: It also grows in Shaanxi. After steaming and drying, breaking it open to take the white pith for burning as lamp wicks is called Shu Cao (processed herb). There is also one not steamed, merely dried raw and peeled to obtain Sheng Cao (raw herb). For medicinal use, Sheng Cao should be employed.
Shizhen said: This belongs to the category of Longxu, but Longxu is tight, small, and solid inside, whereas this herb is slightly coarser with hollow, white pith. People in Wu cultivate it, taking the pith for lamp wicks, and weaving the stems into mats and raincoats. Wild ones are not common elsewhere. External alchemists use it to fix sulfur and cinnabar. The preface of *Leigong Paozhi Lun* says: "Encountering Chixu, forever keep it in the golden tripod." The annotation notes: "Chixu is also called Huxu Cao; boiling it can stop fire." I do not know if this refers to this Huxu Cao?

Stems and Roots
[Preparation] Shizhen said: Dengxin is difficult to grind. Soak it in glutinous rice flour paste, dry it, grind it into powder, add water to clarify it. The floating part is Dengxin. Dry it and use.
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Yuansu said: Pungent, sweet, Yang nature. Wushou said: Bland, neutral.
[Indications] Treats Wu Lin (five types of strangury); boil fresh and take orally. Boiling old/decayed mats and taking them is even better (*Kaibao*).
Eliminates edema and Longbi (difficulty in urination) (Yuansu). Treats Ji Houbi (acute sore throat with obstruction); burn to ash and blow into the throat for rapid effect. Burn to ash, apply to breast milk, and feed to infants to stop night crying (Zhenheng). Descends Heart Fire, stops bleeding, promotes Qi circulation, dissipates swelling, and relieves thirst. Mix ash with Qingfen (Calomel) and Shexiang (Musk) to treat Yin Gan (genital sores/malaria affecting genitals) (Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, nine new prescriptions.
Traumatic bleeding: Chew Dengxin Cao thoroughly and apply to the wound; bleeding stops immediately (*Shengjin Fang*).
Persistent epistaxis: Dengxin 1 liang, powdered, mixed with Dansha (Cinnabar) 1 qian. Take 2 qian each time with rice drink (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Houfeng Bi Sai (Wind-stroke obstruction of the throat): *Ruzhutang Fang*: Use a handful of Dengxin (burned to retain its nature on a yin-yang tile), plus one spoonful of fried salt. Blow a pinch at a time; several applications lead to immediate cure. Another formula: Use 2 qian of Dengxin ash, 1 qian of Pengsha (Borax) powder. Blow into the throat. Another formula: Equal parts Dengxin and Ruoye (bamboo leaf sheath), burned to ash. Blow into the throat. *Huiji Fang*: Use Dengxin Cao and Honghua (Safflower) burned to ash. Take 1 qian with wine; it dissipates immediately.
Varicella with irritability, panting, and dysuria: A handful of Dengxin, 2 liang of Biejia (Turtle Shell), 1.5 sheng of water. Decoct to obtain 6 he. Divide into two doses (*Pang Anchang's Commentary on Shanghan Lun*).
Insomnia/Difficulty sleeping at night: Decoct Dengxin Cao and drink as tea; sleep will follow (*Jijian Fang*).
Promoting free flow of water passages: Tianyi Wan self-formulated by Baifeixia: Use Dengxin (10 jin, soaked in rice flour paste, dried, powdered, clarified in water, powder removed, floating part taken and dried) 2.5 liang, Chi Fuling (Red Poria) and Bai Fuling (White Poria) (peeled) total 5 liang, Huashi (Talcum) (water-flying method) 5 liang, Zhuling (Polyporus) 2 liang, Zexie (Alisma) 3 liang, Renshen (Ginseng) 1 jin (sliced and decocted into paste). Mix to form pills the size of longan seeds, coated with Zhusha (Cinnabar). Take one pill per dose, changing the guiding herb according to the disease. Generally, children's physiology tends upward, embodying the wonder of "Heaven generates Water" (Tian Yi Sheng Shui). For various diseases, promoting the free flow of water passages is the shortcut (*Hanshi Yitong*).
Damp-heat Jaundice: 4 liang of Dengxin Cao roots. Half wine, half water. Boil in a bottle for half a day, expose overnight, and take warm (*Jixuan Fang*).