Library

[Shanglu (Phytolaccae Radix)]
Taste: Pungent, sour. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Toxic.
Indications: Mainly treats water distension (edema), hernia and mass formation (abdominal masses), and bi-syndrome (painful obstruction). External application can eliminate carbuncles and swellings; it is believed to kill "ghost spirits" (a superstitious term for evil influences). It treats pathogenic factors in the chest, edema, flaccidity and bi-syndrome, abdominal fullness with a surging and straight pulse, unblocks the five zang organs, and disperses water qi. Those resembling the human form are considered to possess spiritual efficacy.
Aliases: "Gen", "Yehu".
Habitat: Rivers and valleys of Xianyang.
Distribution: Available everywhere in nearby regions. Physicians rarely use the dried form. For treating edema, fresh roots are sliced and boiled with raw carp to make a decoction. Daoists use it as powder or in fried preparations, all of which...

[Sheyan (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix / or similar herb contextually identified as Snake Bite Root)]
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Toxic.
Indications: Mainly treats gu poison (poisoning from insects/creatures), expels evil qi, kills ghosts, treats warm malaria, and wards off misfortune.
Alias: "Quepiao".
Description: It is the root of Sheyan.
Habitat: Zhuya.
Collection: Harvested in August, dried in the shade.
Note: If it were truly Sheyan root, it should not grow exclusively in Zhuya. The herb used by the world is its leaf, which is a different substance; it is unclear which is authentic. The text "Shu" states that carrying one liang of this powder prevents epidemics...

[Tianxiong (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata - specific variety)]
Indications: Treats heart pain, blood bi-syndrome, various diseases of the face, and promotes the circulation of medicinal potency.
Habitat: Shu Commandery.
Collection: March.
Note: This material was said to originate from Rouran (an ancient northern ethnic group) and has been extinct for a long time; there are no true specimens left in the world. Nowadays, people manufacture it to present as tribute. (Da Guan Ben Cao Vol. 11, Zhenghe Ben Cao p. 279)

[Wutou/Fuzi Category Description]
Taste: Pungent, sweet. Nature: Warm, Great Warm. Toxicity: Highly toxic.
Indications: Mainly treats severe wind syndrome (severe wind-pathogen disease), cold-damp bi-syndrome, lizhi pain (severe joint pain), spasms and flaccidity, breaks up accumulations, expels pathogenic factors, treats metal wounds (trauma from sharp objects), strengthens sinews and bones, lightens the body, and enhances walking ability. It treats wandering pain in the head and face caused by wind, cardiac and abdominal accumulations, heavy joints, inability to walk, removes pain between bones, nourishes yin qi, strengthens willpower, makes one courageous, and allows labor without fatigue. It can also induce abortion.
Alias: "Baimu".
Habitat: Valleys of Mount Shaoshi.
Collection: Roots harvested in February; currently, mid-August is adopted for collection.
Comparison: Tianxiong resembles Fuzi; the slender and long ones are Tianxiong, with lengths reaching three or four cun. These three types (Wutou, Fuzi, Tianxiong) originally all came from Jianping and were called the "Three Jians". Currently, those from Yidu mountains are considered the best, called "West Jian". Those from the Qiantang area are called "East Jian"; their medicinal power is weak and they do not resemble the authentic ones, hence referred to as "West Water" (possibly indicating inferior quality or origin), yet still superior to "East Bai". When processing them with ash (likely referring to a specific preparation method involving lime or ash), those with strong ice-like properties are not good. (Dunhuang Manuscript Xinxiu Bencao Vol. 10, Da Guan Ben Cao Vol. 10, Zhenghe Bencao p. 244)