Library

[Nanjing Tian Nan Xing]
[Chuzhou Tian Nan Xing]
Bitter, acrid, neutral in nature. Capable of ascending and descending, it is Yang within Yin. Toxic. Produced in vast quantities, available everywhere. The stem resembles that of a lotus, growing straight upward, only slightly over one chi high; the leaves resemble those of Colocasia esculenta (Taro), emerging from the leaf tip, with two lobes embracing each other. The flower resembles a snake's head, yellow in color; the fruit forms a raceme, bright red. The rhizome is rounder than Taro, with fine, white flesh. Ben Jing records "Hu Zhang Cao" as this plant, later renamed Tian Nan Xing. It is often confused with Bai Ji Lian (Podophyllum peltatum); during winter months, mistaken harvesting occurs. However, Bai Ji Lian has spotted stems and purple flowers, with large rhizomes and coarse flesh; whereas Tian Nan Xing has green stems and yellow flowers, with slightly smaller rhizomes and finer flesh. When processed, it cracks easily; authenticity is confirmed by these traits. Processing requires soaking in fresh ginger juice multiple times (7-8 times is ideal), or grinding into powder and filling into the gallbladder of an ox. (In the twelfth lunar month, take one black male ox gallbladder, fill it with powdered Tian Nan Xing mixed with bile juice.) Air-dry until the next year to form blocks, then chop and stir-fry. Medical texts call this "Niu Dan Nan Xing" (Ox Gallbladder Arisaema). (If unavailable, soaking in ginger water or fire-roasting can also detoxify for use, though the potency remains strong.) It is the primary herb for treating Lung channel disorders, moving upward; to direct it downward, Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) is used as a guiding agent. It is incompatible with Sheng Gan Jiang (Raw Dried Ginger) and Hei Fu Zi (Black Prepared Aconite). It disperses stasis from falls and bruises, and descends thick phlegm causing aphasia in stroke. It benefits the chest and diaphragm, directs Qi downward, induces abortion, breaks accumulations, eliminates carbuncles, and reduces swelling. Rubbed with water, it treats snake and insect bites; mixed with vinegar, it treats traumatic wind injury to the scalp. For tumors on the forehead and skull, adding She Xiang (Musk) externally promotes healing. (First, prick the tumor lightly with a bundle of about ten small needles to open pores, then apply paste made from fresh Tian Nan Xing rubbed with vinegar and a little Musk, twice daily; even if the tumor grows to bowl size, it will completely resolve within half a month.)

[Ban Xia]
(Also known as Shou Tian) Acrid, slightly bitter, neutral in nature. Raw: cold; Cooked: warm. Sinking and descending, it is Yang within Yin. Toxic. Found in valleys, rivers, and marshes everywhere. A single stem rises, bearing three leaves at the tip. The rhizome is named Ban Xia, harvested in August. It opposes Wu Tou (Aconiti Radix), dislikes Zao Jiao (Gleditsiae Fructus), fears Xiong Huang (Realgar), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Qin Pi (Fraxini Cortex), Gui Jia (Testudinis et Chelonis Carapax et Plastrum), and avoids Lamb meat, Lamb blood, Hai Zao (Sargassum), and Yi Tang (Maltose). Compatible with She Gan (Belamcandae Rhizoma) and Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix); enters the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder, Foot Taiyin Spleen, and Foot Yangming Stomach channels. For long-term storage before use, scald seven times in boiling water. Then process with ginger juice before storing in bottles. If grinding into powder, mix with a small amount of Ku Fan (Alumen). (For every 4 liang of Ban Xia, add 1 liang of Ku Fan and grind together.) Mix with ginger juice to form small cakes. Wrap in various leaves and dry in the shade in a ventilated area; this is called Ban Xia Qu (Ban Xia Fermented Cake). Sliced pieces have potent effects; fermented cakes have milder effects. It generally manages all types of Phlegm, assisting based on verification. For Fire Phlegm (black) and old sticky Phlegm, add Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Gua Lou (Trichosanthis Fructus), and Hai Fen (Spongilla); for Cold Phlegm (clear) and Damp Phlegm (white), add Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Fu Zi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix), Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), and Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium). For Wind-Phlegm causing sudden coma, combine with Zao Jiao (Gleditsiae Fructus) and Tian Nan Xing (Arisaematis Rhizoma); for Phlegm nodules causing swelling, mix with Zhu Li (Bambusae Sap) and Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen). It rescues Phlegm-Jue headaches and stops Phlegm-fluid hypochondriac pain. It disperses rebellious Qi, removes nausea and vomiting, opens stagnant Qi, and restores voice. It treats Spleen diarrhea and收敛s Heart sweating. Because the Spleen dislikes Dampness, and Ban Xia specializes in drying Dampness and overcoming Water, it acts thus. Pregnant women should avoid it, fearing miscarriage. If unavoidable, process with ginger juice. It is strictly contraindicated in Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) and all Blood disorders, because its dryness exacerbates Fire pathogens, further damaging True Yin, leading to fluid depletion and blood consumption, increasing danger; prevention is necessary. Raw Ban Xia reduces carbuncles and swellings; whole rhizomes ground in water applied to Scorpion stings heal immediately. For postpartum fainting in women, make pills and insert into both nostrils for rapid recovery. This is Bian Que's quick method.
(Mo) Commentary: Nei Jing states: The Kidney governs the five fluids, transforming them into five dampnesses. Entering internally becomes saliva, entering Liver becomes tears, entering Heart becomes sweat, entering Spleen becomes Phlegm, entering Lung becomes nasal discharge. Dan Xi added: Cough with Phlegm is called Sou, cough without Phlegm is called Ke, caused by disturbing Spleen Dampness through coughing. Ban Xia only enters the Spleen to drain the branch of Phlegm, not the Kidney to drain the root of Phlegm. However, Ke is formless, Sou has form. Formless implies moistening, formed implies drying; thus, it is a formula for draining dampness and moistening dryness. In Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), it is added to treat Shaoyang syndrome alternating chills and fever. Half assists Chai Hu to address chills, half assists Huang Qin to clear heat; used for alternating chills and fever, implying equal parts, hence the name Ban Xia. Ben Jing calls it "Shou Tian" because around mid-summer, people are busy weeding and planting in fields, giving it this descriptive name.
Volume 2, after Bei Mu entry (Mo) Commentary: Should be consulted.