Library

[Paris]
(Also known as Ziheche) Bitter in taste, slightly cold in qi. Toxic. Grows commonly in the valleys of Sichuan, especially abundant in the Jianghuai region. It does not branch laterally; a single stem stands erect.
Leaves grow from the middle of the stem, and new stems sprout from the center of the leaves. After many years, it develops three or four layers, with golden threads hanging down. Hence, it is also called Jinxian Chonglou (Gold-threaded Seven-Story Tower), commonly referred to as Qiye Yizhihua (Seven Leaves, One Flower).
The *Tujing* states: The leaves resemble *Podophyllum*, and the root resembles fat ginger. For medicinal use, only the root is harvested. It primarily treats convulsions and epilepsy manifesting as head shaking and tongue protrusion; clears damp-heat causing swelling and sores. Expels three types of parasites and resolves hundred toxins. It can be ground and taken with wine, or ground and applied externally with vinegar.

[Ru]
Pungent and sour in taste, cold in qi. Slightly toxic. Produced locally in Heyang, originally from Goryeo. Seedlings emerge only when spring warmth arrives; leaves resemble *Euphorbia* and remain evergreen.
Flowers are yellow but never produce seeds; the root bark is red (resembling radish root); when broken, it exudes juice. The juice turns black and solidifies like lacquer, hence the name Qitou (Lacquer Head). Roots are harvested in May and dried in the shade; those with black heads are considered superior. It should be used with Licorice nodes and is incompatible with Ophiopogon Root (*Ophiopogonis Radix*). Recorded in the *Suwen*, stating it removes bad blood. In ancient times, Yao Sengtan used it to treat carbuncles and ulcers. Made into powder and frequently applied externally until flesh regeneration stops it. It breaks masses and growths, kills scabies mites. Drives out necrotic tissue from foul sores, eliminates heat from severe wind pathogens. Amnesia and melancholy are also recorded in the *Benjing*.
There is another type, Caoru, whose root is white. Because physicians select the black-headed part for prescriptions, excessive harvesting leads to roasting with heated iron tools to fake authenticity. Its therapeutic effects are no different. Applied as powder for ulcers, it appears frequently in ancient formulas.

[Euonymus]
(Also known as Guijianyu) Bitter in taste, cold in qi. Non-toxic. Abundant in deep mountain valleys, completely absent in flat lands. The stem bark is brownish-yellow like cypress bark; leaves are greenish like camellia leaves.
The trunk has three feather-like projections resembling arrow feathers. The bark feathers are shaved off, dried in the shade, wiped clean of red hairs, and roasted with butter. (Another method uses only the arrowhead portion: for every two liang of herb, use one fen of butter, stir-fry slowly until the butter is fully absorbed.) It can be decocted for liquid administration, specifically treating gynecological diseases. It can induce abortion and effectively regulates blood and qi. Dispels evil influences, kills gu poison, breaks stagnation, and unblocks menstruation. Abdominal fullness with sweating is relieved immediately; metrorrhagia and leukorrhea stop instantly. Eliminates skin wind swelling, removes white worms in the abdomen. It has special efficacy for postpartum blood stasis colic and rapid effect for sudden heart pain caused by evil transmission.