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[Phytolaccae Radix]
Commonly known as Zhangliu Gen. Sprouts emerge in spring, growing three to four chi high. The leaves are long and resemble those of a sheep's tongue. The stems are greenish-red and extremely brittle. Flowers bloom in summer and autumn. The root is elongated like a radish. Harvested in the eighth and ninth lunar months. There are two varieties: red and white.
Taste: sour and acrid. Nature: neutral. Toxic. (The white variety is bitter and cold; the red variety is toxic.) It belongs to Yin within Yang. It sinks and descends. Its action moves downward. It specializes in treating bi syndrome (obstruction syndrome). External application can remove... Treats throat bi (sore throat with obstruction). For treating water qi disorders, the intent is to promote urination; when urination becomes smooth, edema subsides. Within one night, dried and ground into powder. Alternatively, boil the root together with carp. Effective. (Recorded by Jiamo) Red root... pus. Or mash and add salt. In general... Take abundant Phytolaccae Radix juice, or steam it. One sheng of fresh Phytolaccae Radix juice, one liang of Apricot Kernels, taken with wine, until foul matter is discharged. Shi... Wet sores and various boils.

[Discussion] Phytolaccae sprouts in spring, roots are harvested in August and September. It possesses Yang Qi yet reaches Yin, returning to the Yin Qi aspect. Used to treat Shui Water disease (stone water). Yin deficiency... Yin... Sudden abscesses and Yin deficiency. Therefore, for treating Yang Water... One should deduce the prescription logic... regarding the branch... treating the branch... Those who exhaust transformation... It differs from Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Kansui Radix in nature but shares the same efficacy. It should not be used by those with weak Stomach Qi. (Recorded by Binhu) The red variety can only be applied externally to reduce swelling; ingestion harms the body. Promotes blood discharge not...

[Processing] Scrape off the skin with a copper knife, slice thinly. Soak in flowing water from the east for three days. Remove. Steam together with mung beans for half a day. Remove the beans. Dry in the sun or bake before use.

Those produced in Xiliang are superior; those from Bian, Cang, and Wu are inferior. (Recorded by Rihua Zi) The sprout resembles Euphorbiae Thunbergianae Herba, with short stems and juicy leaves. The root skin is red and flesh is white, forming a beaded appearance, about the thickness of a finger. Those that are heavy and solid are good. There is a herb called Kansui, which is actually Paris Polyphylla, with completely different therapeutic effects and different sprouts; its root skin is white. (Recorded by Su Gong in Bencao Shiyi)

[Kansui Radix]
Taste: bitter and sweet. Nature: very cold. Toxic. It is a Yin herb. Jiegu said: Pure Yang. Gualti (Melon Stalk) acts as its guide. It dislikes Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix). It is incompatible with Gancao (Licorice Root). It primarily treats the "Five Waters" below. Treats Da Fu (water distension), Shanxia (abdominal masses), abdominal fullness (accumulation of water qi), facial and ocular edema. Removes retained fluids, expels phlegm-water. Promotes... Cystic swelling. (Zhongjing treats wheezing and distension, morning hot soup... Grind raw into powder, warm wine... Blood chamber and women's heart wind and blood evil, use Suixin Dan. Two qian of Kansui Radix ground into powder, take three tubes of blood from a pig heart to mix with the medicine, place inside the pig heart, tie securely, wrap in paper and roast until cooked, take the powder, add one qian of Cinnabar powder, divide into four pills. Take one pill per dose, decoct the pig heart in soup to wash down. Effect is achieved when foul matter is passed in stool. If not passed, take again. According to the above prescriptions, they are recorded because they address the branch symptoms urgently. If one should treat the root slowly, it must not be attempted. Therefore, they are not adopted.

[Discussion] Kansui has a bitter and cold taste and is Yin, yet Jiegu also calls it Pure Yang. Why? This precisely reflects the master's exquisite observation of substances, an attainment beyond the reach of later learners. Whole body... Qi... That is... Miao Shi believes that although it excels at draining water and removing dampness, its nature is Yin and toxic, capable of depleting true Qi and exhausting body fluids. One must examine whether the disease belongs to Damp-Heat, with retained fluid and water accumulation, while Yuan Qi...

[Processing] Roast in dough until cooked to remove its toxicity. Then use in prescriptions.