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[White Tribulus from Tongzhou]
[Tribulus Seeds from Qinzhou]

Bitter, pungent; warm, slightly cold. Non-toxic. Mostly grows in Shayuan of Tongzhou (located in Henan), and also near roadsides in nearby areas. In horse pastures, they spread along the ground. The *Book of Songs* states: "The wall has tribulus," referring to this plant. For use, the sharp spines should be removed. Cultivation is divided into black and white varieties. Black ones form granules, slightly different from horse teeth seeds; (this variety mostly comes from Shayuan.) White ones have many spines, indistinguishable from iron tribulus. (This type also grows close to the ground.) Black ones are only suitable for pills and powders; they must be freshly taken and ground into white powder. They can be used for decoctions, but the spines must be stir-fried and removed. They can break up masses and accumulations in women, stop nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea in men. They promote childbirth and induce abortion, relieve irritability, and direct Qi downward. They are effective for mastitis (breast swelling and pain) and leukorrhea, and can cure pulmonary fibrosis with expectoration of pus. They treat redness and pain in both eyes, and persistent formation of corneal opacities; they treat vitiligo all over the body and unbearable itching. They eliminate throat obstruction (sore throat with swelling and blockage) and head sores, reduce hemorrhoids and sweating in the genital area. Long-term use can help abstain from grain food, lighten the body, improve vision, and prolong life. Boiled leaves for bathing can also remove wind-induced itching.

[Blue Leaves from Shuzhou]
[Blue Fruits]

Bitter, sweet; cold. Non-toxic. Very abundant in Fujian and Jiangxi (Min refers to Fujian, Gan belongs to Jiangxi.), and also found near production areas. The produced plants must be distinguished into several types, (Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes cusia, Isatis indigotica, and Isatis tinctoria are not used in medicine.) Only Polygonum tinctorium (Polygoni Tinctorii Folium) is used for medicine. Identification must be accurate; it is indistinguishable from smartweed. It is also planted in household gardens. Fruits are harvested in autumn, dried, slightly crushed, and taken after decoction. It kills parasites, expels evil spirits and toxins, and drives away heat and irritability from the five zang and six fu organs. It benefits heart power, fills bone marrow, tonifies deficiency, brightens ears and eyes, unblocks joints and orifices. Long-term use without weariness darkens hair and lightens the body. Stems and leaves can be used as indigo dye; fresh crushing yields juice for immediate drinking. It dissipates wind-heat causing redness and swelling, cures carbuncles and metal weapon injuries. Mixed with musk and applied topically treats various insect bites; drunk alone resolves abdominal masses (abdominal lumps) and distension/pain. It generally resolves poisoning from hundred medicines; because all blue-indigo plants possess water nature with wood properties, they can distribute stagnant blood throughout the meridians, thus truly resolving various toxins and achieving rapid effects. It also stops vomiting and epistaxis frequently. For epidemic febrile diseases with mania, urgent decoction and ingestion are appropriate. Adding Isatidis Radix (Banlangen) to Danxi's Puji Xiaodu Yin is exactly this substance. Processed indigo paste also enters medical prescriptions; for fire rashes and erysipelas, application causes them to recede. Also, the foam floating on top of indigo vats (i.e., Indigo Naturalis flower), although named Qingdai, is not genuine. Genuine Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) comes from Persia, (the shape of genuine Qingdai is different from indigo flower.) due to long distances, it is rare; here, however, because the efficacy is similar, (Note in *Shennong Bencao Jing*: Indigo flower's main indications have the same function as Qingdai,) it is specially borrowed as a name. Collected and dried promptly, its color is very purple-green. Market vendors often sell dry indigo powder pretending to be it, not knowing that dry indigo is withered, black, heavy, and solid. The flower is delicate, tender, light, and floating; one must not fail to select it carefully. Washed clean of ash residue using water levigation, it is suitable for making pills and powders as needed. It treats pediatric fever with convulsions and epilepsy, regulates pediatric malnutrition with emaciation. It drains liver fire, stops acute diarrhea, eliminates toxins, and kills harmful insects. It has merit in gathering pent-up fire of the five zang, and is most effective in clearing phlegm-fire in the upper diaphragm. It drives away epidemic headaches, consolidates scarlet rashes from cold damage. Mixed with water and ingested, its effect is as swift as a drumstick hitting a drum. Dyed into blue cloth, it can be cut and burned to ash; in surgical formulas, it is often used alone. Applied to chronic ulcers that do not heal for years, or applied to burns where bleeding is difficult to stop. [Mo] remarks: Although indigo flower is not Qingdai, it repeatedly achieves miraculous results in treating pediatric malnutrition with emaciation and fever. An ancient transmitted song verse is attached below for convenient reading:
When malnutrition forms, regardless of strong or weak, male or female.
Inside the abdomen, it feels like dysentery constantly, yellow, green, red, and white all mixed together.
Eyes feel gritty, face is yellow, nostrils are red, anus opens wide and one does not wish to look.
Irritability, heat, dry hair, and thirst accompany, skin is withered, limbs are flaccid.
Lips are scorched, vomiting and reflux prevent nursing, high fever with chills makes sleep uneasy.
This prescription is precisely Qingdai San, its effectiveness is like taking a holy elixir.