Library

Lángdàngzǐ (Datura Metel Seed)
(Also known as Tiānxiānzǐ / Datura metel seed)
Taste: Bitter, Sweet. Nature: Cold. Toxicity: Toxic. Grows in various valleys. The plant is about four chi tall. Leaves are wide, about three fingers broad, blooming with white flowers in summer. The fruit resembles an opium poppy capsule, and the seeds are like millet grains. Harvested in May, dried in the sun. Indicated for wind-phlegm epilepsy and mania; treats damp-bi syndrome with spasms and stiffness. Enhances leg strength for walking, may cause hallucinations of seeing ghosts; treats dental caries and expels worms. Long-term use makes the body light and enables running as fast as a galloping horse. Only beneficial when stir-fried cooked; raw use causes purging.
*Shuobie* states: Even after boiling for one or two days, it can still sprout in the soil; users must exercise extreme caution.

Xùsuízǐ (Euphorbia Lathyris Seed)
(Also known as Qiānjīnzǐ)
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Toxic. The herb resembles *Da Ji* (Euphorbia pekinensis). Stems emerge from the center of the leaves. It bears small yellow flowers with multiple layers of petals and produces green fruits with shells. Often planted in pavilions and gardens for ornamental purposes. Because it is sown in autumn, grows in winter, shows foliage in spring, and matures in summer, it is also called Jùdōngshí. For use, the kernel must be extracted, wrapped in paper, pressed under heavy stones to remove oil, then ground into a frost-like powder before medicinal use. Promotes the resolution of all types of retained stagnation and accumulations; applied externally for various scabies, tinea, and malignant sores. Promotes urination and bowel movements, affecting both large and small intestines. Overuse risks toxic damage to the human body. The white juice from its stem should be collected promptly and applied to vitiligo and facial pigmentation spots for removal.

Míngzhōu Bìmánzǐ (Castor Bean from Mingzhou)
Dānzhōu Bìmánzǐ (Castor Bean from Danzhou)
Taste: Sweet, Pungent. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Slightly toxic. Cultivated in gardens; those from Hu regions are considered superior. Seeds resemble the spotted pattern of cattle ticks; leaves are dense and large, similar to hemp. Hence the name, reflecting its nature of "drawing in" or absorbing. To extract the kernel, avoid iron tools during processing. Boil thoroughly in salt water in a clay pot (for half a day), remove, and pound into a paste using a stone mortar. Applied externally to treat unnamed toxic carbuncles, drawing out有形 (tangible) stagnant matter. Causes remaining bones to stand erect and expels pus and blood completely. Applied to the sole of the foot, it induces abortion and expulsion of the placenta with miraculous effect; applied to the vertex, it rapidly reduces prolapsed viscera and rectum. Applied to facial paralysis (mouth and eye deviation), it immediately corrects alignment and restores normalcy. (Apply to the right side if the left is affected, and vice versa.) Discontinue upon efficacy; prolonged use causes harm due to its harsh and urgent nature. It can also be ingested, following specific methods. To treat sudden collapse and wind-phlegm epilepsy: Take 1 liang of kernels and 1 liang of Coptis chinensis (Huánglián) cut into bean-sized pieces. Add 1 bowl of water, simmer slowly in a clay pot. When water evaporates, add more. Continue for exactly three days and two nights. Remove the Coptis, use only the kernels. Air-dry away from sunlight. Cut each kernel into four segments with a bamboo knife. Take 5 kernels per dose, divided into 20 segments. Administer with Jingjie decoction, taken well after meals, three times daily. Effective regardless of disease duration (recorded in *Weisheng Baojian*). To eliminate abdominal fullness and water swelling: Strong individuals take 10 kernels ground in water. If vomiting occurs, increase gradually to 20 kernels. Take once every three days until cured (recorded in *Jingwen*). Also expels corpse-possession evil qi, and treats cold-heat wind-deficiency syndromes. Those who have consumed castor beans must avoid eating beans for life; accidental ingestion causes immediate abdominal distension and death. Health cultivators must know this. Castor oil is used externally for scabies and leprosy sores; mixed with silver powder, it serves as ink color. Crushed and steamed leaves are applied to tinea pedis (athlete's foot) swelling; applying heat to the fontanelle stops epistaxis. (Applying oil, heating, and fomenting is effective.)
Commentary by Mo: Diseases are differentiated by Blood and Qi; medicines are distinguished by Yin and Yang. Danxi stated: Castor bean belongs to Yin, primarily absorbing tangible stagnant matter; hence it is used for placenta retention, retained bone fragments, and pus/blood. Lychee meat belongs to Yang, primarily dispersing intangible stagnant Qi; hence it eliminates tumors, swellings, and redness. If this principle is not understood and misuse occurs, treatment will fail.