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Puhuang (Typhae Pollen)

Xiangpu (Typha), sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. Non-toxic. It grows abundantly in Taizhou (part of Southern Zhili), with roots filling ponds and marshes. It withers after autumn and regrows upon the arrival of spring. Initially, the sprouts are red and white and fluffy, known as "Pu," which was recorded in the *Rites of Zhou*. As it matures, the stalks become sweet, crisp, and edible, also referred to as "Pushun" (Typha shoots), documented in local gazetteers. In deep spring, leaves grow in clusters; by mid-summer, flower spikes emerge. The flowers clinging to the tip of the spike are called "Puli," resembling the club-like shapes found in Wulin (Hangzhou); the powder scattered among the flowers is Puhuang, similar to gold powder used by painters. It is collected in markets for sale as snacks for children.) Physicians collect it for medicinal decoctions. After sieving and sun-drying, it is essential for treating blood disorders. To nourish blood and stop bleeding, it should be stir-fried; to break blood stasis and reduce swelling, raw form is preferred. It stops abnormal bleeding caused by heat, providing immediate relief for hematemesis, epistaxis, spitting blood, and coughing up blood; it resolves accumulated blood stasis and is particularly effective for masses (zhengjia), metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea. It regulates irregular menstruation in women and alleviates postpartum abdominal pain caused by retained lochia. It treats traumatic injuries and fractures, and manages wind-induced swelling and sores. Long-term consumption maintains normal health, and its effects manifest promptly. It lightens the body, boosts qi and strength, and promotes longevity, akin to becoming an immortal. However, it is not beneficial for those with extreme deficiency; excessive consumption may cause spontaneous diarrhea. The reddish residue left after sieving, (the coarse reddish dregs remaining on the sieve after removing the fine yellow pollen,) is known as "Pue." (This is the name for the reddish residue.) To stop diarrhea and astringe the intestines, it should also be stir-fried. The young shoots, when harvested for use as mats, are named Xiangpu. It removes foul odor from the mouth, dispels evil qi from the heart region, improves hearing and vision, delays aging, and strengthens teeth.

Haizhou Volume

Yanzhou Volume

Pungent and bitter in flavor, warm, neutral, and slightly cold in nature. Non-toxic. It mostly grows in damp places on rocky cliffs, measuring only about one and a half cun in length. The stems and leaves are purple-green, resembling flat beans. When exposed to rain, they spread open like a palm; under sunny conditions, they curl up like a fist. Whenever needed, it should be harvested at any time. For stopping bleeding, use the roasted form; for resolving blood stasis, use the raw form. It is particularly effective in treating gynecological masses and blood obstruction, and provides immediate relief for male wind-induced vertigo and impotence. It stops rectal prolapse and disperses strangury accumulation, eliminates weeping, and drives away evil spirits. (For abdominal pain caused by corpse-possession or ghost-possession diseases and various evils, decoct with wine and take orally to treat ghostly weeping.) It benefits essence, strengthens yin, calms the mind and stabilizes the spirit. It warms the water organ (kidneys/bladder), aids conception, harmonizes complexion, and lightens the body.