Library

Toad (Commonly known as "Lai Xima")
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Cool. Elemental Association: Earth and Water. Slightly toxic. Morphologically similar to frogs, but with a particularly stout body. (Also called "Shi Bang".)
The back is covered with blackish-brown warts and leprosy-like sores; the abdomen has red markings resembling the character "Eight". It does not croak and cannot jump. Its movement is extremely slow; only those possessing these characteristics are authentic toads. They inhabit low-lying, damp places and emerge during rainy weather. Collected on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and dried in the shade. Toads that move eastward are considered superior and must be processed before use. For treating infantile dysentery and profuse diarrhea, roast, powder, and administer with water; for treating adult traumatic injuries from falls or blows, crush fresh toad into a paste and apply externally. For wind-induced tinea, burn to ash, mix with lard, and apply topically; for plague-induced macules, take the juice, mix with well water, and ingest. Roasted and eaten, it eliminates pinworms caused by malnutrition (For infants suffering from severe malnutrition leading to abdominal masses, remove the skin and viscera, wrap in mulberry leaves, then wrap again in thick paper, roast over fire, feed two per day, and cure within ten days. If thirsty, drink pear juice to quench thirst.). Eaten as sashimi, it expels rabies following dog bites. For all types of rat ulcers and malignant sores, applying powdered toad causes them to dissolve spontaneously. Toad fat applied to jade makes it soft and slippery for carving (If fat is scarce, select large toads, chop finely, boil into an ointment, and apply; stone can be carved like wax. Exquisite jade artifacts are difficult to carve without this fat or Kunwu knife.). Toad brain dropped into eyes improves vision beyond normal. Toad feces resemble betel nuts; topical application treats various toxic sores effectively. (Toads eat myriad insects, thus they can neutralize various toxins.) The white fluid from between the eyebrows is named Chan Su (Toad Venom). When harvesting, prevent splashing into eyes (Contact causes blindness). Use a needle through mulberry leaf as a shield, piercing repeatedly to collect venom on the leaf. Mix with bean flour, dry in sun, and use as a key external medicine. Added to plasters or powders, it detoxifies miraculously.
Another type of frog has a large belly and small body. Black spots on the back, croaking "Xia Xia" sound. Jumps to catch insects, moves very quickly. Distinct from toads, hence different names. *Ben Jing* states: Frog is another name for Toad, which is erroneous. It treats pathogenic factors and breaks stagnant blood; for clearing heat and applying to carbuncles, seek this specific agent. There are several other names, each belonging to different species. Pure green body with pointed mouth is called Qing Wa (sound like "Wa"), kills consumption parasites and corpse transmission pathogens; back with yellow stripes and thin abdomen is called Jin Xian Wa (Golden Line Frog), resolves epidemic jaundice. (Patients with red face and swollen neck called "Xia Ma Wen", taking this is highly effective, saved several people.) Crush into juice, mix with water, drink on empty stomach in one dose. Long arms, green back is called Shi Ya (Stone Duck); large belly, blue-green back is called Shui Ji (Water Chicken). These two are boiled and cooked, most palatable. Eastern Zhejiang, Fujian, Sichuan treat them as delicacies.
Regulates malnutrition emaciation, also tonifies deficiency. Especially suitable for postpartum women, gynecologists should know. Additionally, tadpoles are offspring of frogs. Initially swim with intestines trailing, entangled like ropes; gradually dark spots appear, deepening daily like bean grains. In spring when water warms, their croaking disturbs them, called disturbing their offspring. Books state: Turtle shadow embraces frog, sound embraces this one. Initially black, round head, tail present, no legs; slightly larger, legs grow, tail sheds, gather in groups. Commonly called "Xia Ma Nian", also used in prescriptions. Collect abundant black tadpoles in first lunar month, mix with mulberry fruit to dye hair, never turns white (Detailed in Mulberry Root Bark section). Once formed, crush and apply for burns, leaving no scars. Their eggs, when obtained, also treat eye disorders.