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Huluba (Trigonellae Semen)
Taste: Bitter. Temperature: Warm. Nature: Pure Yang. Toxicity: Non-toxic. *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It is the radish seed from foreign lands. Originally produced in various Hu regions, it is now also cultivated in Lingnan. Seedlings emerge in spring, and seeds form in summer. The seeds are in slender pods, harvested in autumn. (Combined with Taoren [Peach Kernel] and Dahuixiang [Star Anise], it effectively treats Bladder Hernia Qi (Bladder hernia qi disorder); stir-fry the three ingredients with wheat bran in equal parts, grind into powder, half made into pills with wine paste, half kept as powder. Take 50-70 pills with salt water, or take the powder mixed with hot rice broth. Alternate between pills and powder, taken on an empty stomach, once or twice daily, for immediate effect.) Combined with Liuhuang [Sulfur] and Hei Fuzi [Black Prepared Aconite Root], it excellently treats Kidney Deficiency Cold (Kidney deficiency cold syndrome). It drives away distension and fullness in the abdomen and hypochondrium, and fades the cyan-yellow discoloration on the cheeks.

Xingyuan Fu Bibi (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome from Xingyuan Prefecture)
Jingmen Jun Bibi (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome from Jingmen Military District)
Taste: Bitter, Sweet. Temperature: Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Abundantly produced in Heshan, Jingshu areas. It grows as a vine with trifoliate leaves. Roots are harvested in autumn, resembling wild yams. One variety has thorns and bears white fruit in autumn; another variety has thornless stems and soft, hollow roots. Although there are two types, the white one is superior. It differs slightly from Babao [Smilax Glabra Rhizome]; do not confuse genuine products during collection. Babao roots are chunky and reddish-yellow, whereas Bibi roots are slender and pale white. *Bowuzhi* also notes that Babao and Bibi are often confused. People at that time often referred to Bai Babao [White Smilax Glabra Rhizome] as Bibi. Slice thinly with a sharp knife, soak in wine, and dry. When using Bibi for treatment, avoid beef. It is incompatible with Kuigen [Sunflower Root], Muli [Oyster Shell], Chaihu [Bupleuri Radix], and Dahuang [Rhei Radix et Rhizoma]. As an assistant herb, Yi Yi Ren [Coicis Semen] is suitable, effectively treating Bi Syndrome caused by Wind-Cold-Dampness. It stops cold pain in the waist and back, eliminates pain and stiffness in tendons and bones. It nourishes the Water Organ (Kidney), benefits essence, reduces urination, and brightens the eyes. It expels old blood stagnation accumulated in joints for a long time, and clears malignant sores extending on the skin. It primarily treats injury to the Middle Jiao due to anger, and especially treats the Five Slownesses (Wu Huan) in the elderly. Another species of Babao is also a vine, growing near Erchan Gen, spreading in mountains and fields. Harvest roots in autumn, slice and sun-dry. Soak in red juice to cook rice flour for tasting; drinking brewed strong wine helps eliminate wind-toxicity and foot Bi, which is excellent. It stops frequent urination, benefits blood and qi. Decoction is effective for severe waist and back pain.
(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Produced in nearby regions, called Leng Fan Tuan [Cold Rice Ball], this is indeed Bibi. In secular society, adulterous men and women often suffer from Yangmei Chuang [Chancre/Kaposi Sarcoma-like lesions]. After treatment with Qingfen [Calomel], they recover but relapse. Over time, limbs become stiff and contracted, leading to abscesses and fistulas. Cleave 3 liang of Bibi, or add Zaojiao Ci [Gleditsiae Spina] and Qianniu [Pharbitidis Semen] each 1 qian. Boil in 6 bowls of water until reduced by half. Take warm in three doses. Most cases heal after a few doses. The cause is deficient Kidney Water, with Liver harboring Ministerial Fire insulting Spleen Earth. Spleen Earth governs dampness and generates muscle. Damp-heat stagnates in the muscle interstices, causing swelling and abscesses. The classic says: "Dampness harms the skin, flesh, sinews, and vessels." Bibi tastes sweet and bland, removing Spleen dampness. When dampness is removed, Ying and Wei flow smoothly, sinews become flexible, muscles grow, and contraction, abscesses, and fistulas heal. This is logical. If ineffective initially, it indicates excessive Fire without dampness stagnation. Bibi excels at removing dampness but is inferior at clearing heat. In patients, if Fire is deficient and Qi is exhausted, Qi exhaustion leads to dampness stagnation; thus, using it to remove dampness is effective.