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(From *Bencao Shiyi* / Supplement to Materia Medica)

**Names:** Red Pearl.
Su Song stated: The red fruits of *Solanum nigrum* are called "Red Pearl," named after their shape.
**Collected Explanations:** Zhen Quan said: The red berries of *Solanum nigrum* are named Longzhu (Dragon Pearl).
Chen Cangqi said: Longzhu grows by the roadside; its fruit is round like that of *Solanum nigrum*, but turns bright red when ripe.
Li Shizhen said: Longzhu and *Solanum nigrum*, although distinguished by the black or red color of their fruits, are actually one species with two colors; forcing a separation into two categories is incorrect.

**Seedlings**
**Flavor and Properties:** Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
**Indications:** Can turn white hair black, induces sleeplessness. Treats various heat toxins, flare-ups caused by mineral drugs, harmonizes the middle jiao, and relieves vexation (Chen Cangqi).
**Elucidations:** Zhen Quan said: Taking Longzhu turns white hair black and promotes longevity. If eaten raw and found bitter, while abstaining from other vegetables for ten days, spiritual efficacy will be achieved. It should not be consumed with scallions or wild garlic. The root is also used medicinally.

**Fruits**
**Flavor and Properties:** Same as the leaves.
**Indications:** Carbuncles and sores (Chen Cangqi).

(From *Shennong Bencao Jing* / Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, Middle Grade)
**Corrections:** Merged the entries for Kudan in the Vegetable section, and Suanjiang (Physalis alkekengi) and Denglongcao in the Herb section into one entry.
**Names:** Cujiang (Vinegar Juice, from *Benjing*), Kudan (pronounced 'zhen'), Kudan (from *Jiayou Bencao*), Denglongcao (Lantern Grass, from *Tang Bencao*), Cao (from *Shiliao*), Tianpao Cao (Blister Grass, from *Gangmu*), Wangmuzhu (Queen Mother's Pearl, from *Jiayou Bencao*), Luoshenzhu (Goddess Luo's Pearl, ibid.). Guo Pu noted: This is now known as Suanjiang; people in Jiangdong call it Kudan. The smaller variety is called Kudan or Xiao Kudan. Its fruit is round like a pearl. Li Shizhen said: Suanjiang is named after the taste of its fruit. Kudan is named after the taste of its seedlings. Denglong (Lantern) and Pibian (Leather Cap) are named after the shape of the calyx. Wangmu and Luoshenzhu are named after the shape of the fruit. According to Yang Shen's *Zhiyan*: Denglongcao, Kudan, and Suanjiang in the Materia Medica are all the same substance. Since the revisions were made by different people at different times, repetitions occurred. In Yanjing (Beijing), a wild fruit is called Hong Guniang (Red Girl); it hangs in a crimson sac containing red, pearl-like seeds that are sour and sweet, growing abundantly around steps alongside green grass, quite lovely. "Guniang" is likely an error for "Guawang" (Melon Sac); in ancient times, "Gua" and "Gu" had similar pronunciations, and "Niáng Náng" sounds close to "Guniang." This explanation is correct; therefore, Suanjiang from *Benjing*, Denglongcao from *Tang Bencao*, and Kudan from Song Dynasty *Jiayou Bencao* are now merged into one category.

**Collected Explanations:** *Bielu* stated: Suanjiang grows in the rivers, marshes, and gardens of Jingchu regions; harvested in May and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: Suanjiang is abundant everywhere; the seedling resembles *Solanum melongena* but is smaller, and the leaves are edible. The fruit forms a casing containing seeds the size of plums or cherries, yellowish-red, which children eat.
Su Baosheng said: Suanjiang is Kudan; the root resembles *Oenanthe javanica*, is white, and extremely bitter.
Meng Shen said: Kudan grows among old ruins, walls, and ditches, reaching two or three chi in height. The fruit forms a horn-like pouch containing pearl-like seeds that turn red when ripe. People in Guanzhong call it Luoshenzhu, also known as Wangmuzhu or Pibiancao. A smaller variety is called Kudan.
Su Gong said: Denglongcao is found everywhere; branches and stems reach three or four chi high, bearing red flowers resembling lanterns, with attractive red fruits inside. Roots, stems, flowers, and fruits are all used medicinally.
Kou Zongshi said: Suanjiang is Kudan; the *Jiayou Bencao* duplicated the Kudan entry. It is found worldwide; seedlings resemble *Solanum melongena*, bloom with small white flowers, form green casings that turn deep red when ripe. Inside the casing, seeds are cherry-sized and red; within these are fine seeds like eggplant seeds, having a grassy odor when eaten.
Li Shizhen said: *Solanum nigrum* and Suanjiang are one genus, two species. Suanjiang and Kudan are one type, two objects, distinguished mainly by bitterness in the larger variety. Baijiang (Patrinia) is also called Kudan but is different. Their seedlings and leaves look alike. However, *Solanum nigrum* blooms with small white flowers in August/Autumn, with five-petaled yellow stamens, producing shell-less fruits hanging in clusters on the branch, with a calyx lid, turning purple-black when ripe. Suanjiang blooms simultaneously with small yellow-white flowers, purple centers, white stamens, cup-shaped without petals but with five points, forming a single bell-shaped casing per branch, hanging like a lantern. The casing has five ridges and contains one fruit resembling *Solanum nigrum* seeds, turning red when ripe. This distinction makes them clear. According to *Gengxin Yuce*: Denglongcao is widespread, but those from Sichuan and Shaanxi are largest. Leaves resemble *Solanum nigrum* and are edible when tender. Flowers and fruits appear in April/May. San Ye Suan Cao (Three-leaf Sorrel) was appended after Suanjiang, likely due to ignorance of homonymy referring to different substances. See Herb Volume 9, under Suansuan Cao.

**Seedlings, Leaves, Stems, Roots**
**Flavor and Properties:** Bitter, cold, non-toxic. Meng Shen said: Slightly toxic.
Su Gong said: Bitter, very cold, non-toxic.
Li Shizhen said: Alchemists extract juice to process Cinnabar, stabilize Alum, boil Sanhuang (Three Yellows), and refine Saltpeter and Sulfur.
**Indications:** Suanjiang: Treats heat-induced vexation and fullness, stabilizes spirit, benefits qi, and promotes urination (*Benjing*). Juice applied internally treats jaundice effectively (Tao Hongjing). Denglongcao: Treats upper jiao cough due to wind-heat, brightens eyes; roots, stems, flowers, and fruits are all suitable (*Tang Bencao*). Kudan seedlings and fruits: Treats tuberculosis (transmission corpse), evil influences, internal heat accumulation, masses, pediatric malnutrition (Wugu disease), alternating chills and fever with abdominal distension, expels parasites, induces abortion, removes gu poison; all decocted for drinking or crushed fresh for application. Ground into paste, applied to pediatric abdominal masses (*Jiayou Bencao*).
**Elucidations:** Zhu Zhenheng said: Denglongcao's bitterness drains damp-heat, and its lightness targets the upper jiao, thus treating hot cough and sore throat. This herb treats phlegm-heat cough, whereas Erdao Cao treats phlegm-cold cough. Used with Pian Qin Qingjin Wan, it is more effective.
Li Shizhen said: Suanjiang promotes diuresis and clears heat. Clearing heat cleanses the lungs to treat cough; promoting diuresis resolves phlegm to treat carbuncles. One patient suffered from deficiency-related cough with phlegm; I added this to his decoction with good effect.
**Prescriptions:** Three new prescriptions.
Hot cough and sore throat: Powder Denglongcao, take with warm water, named Qingxin Wan. Also apply vinegar paste externally to the throat (*Danxi Zuanyao*).
[Throat] pain: Charred Denglongcao powder, taken slowly with wine (*Yixue Zhengchuan*).
Moxa sore not healing: Apply Suanjiang leaves.

**Fruits**
**Flavor and Properties:** Sour, neutral, non-toxic. *Bielu* said: Cold.
**Indications:** Heat-induced vexation and fullness, stabilizes spirit, benefits qi, promotes urination, and aids delivery when swallowed during difficult labor (*Benjing*). Eating it clears heat, treats jaundice, especially beneficial for children (Su Song). Treats bone-steaming consumption, wasting-thirst, phlegm-masses, and heat accumulation; same efficacy as seedlings and stems (*Jiayou Bencao*).
**Prescriptions:** Two new prescriptions.
[Malinzi] (Stir-fried), Large Salt [Form pills the size of wu zi]. Take 30 pills each time with Mugwort Wood Decoction (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Tianpao wet sores: Crush fresh Tianpao Cao fruits and apply. Alternatively, powder and mix with oil for application (*Deng Cai Zaxing Fang*).