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This is a substance generated when the droppings of a crow, after consuming certain fruits, fall onto a tree and are influenced by wind and qi to grow. Parasitic plants exist on many trees, with stems and leaves that are quite similar; however, only those growing on mulberry trees (Sangjisheng, Mulberry Mistletoe) meet the medicinal requirements. If not personally harvested, it is difficult to distinguish them from others. One can break the stem for inspection: those with a deep yellow color are authentic. (Cited from Baosheng)

Recently, in coastal areas such as Haizhou and overseas territories, the climate is warm but sericulture is absent, so there is no hardship of plucking mulberry leaves. The qi and medicinal potency are rich and dense, growing naturally. How could other tree species accommodate such seeds at their nodes? (Cited from Danxi)

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, sweet, neutral. It benefits the blood vessels, strengthens sinews and bones, and treats lower back pain. (Applicable to cases where deficiency and decline of blood vessels lead to poor circulation.) It primarily treats persistent spotting during pregnancy, stabilizing the fetus; cures postpartum residual ailments caused by internal injury and insufficiency, including metrorrhagia (Bengzhong); treats infantile rigidity of the back, carbuncles, and swellings; alleviates pain in the waist, back, legs, feet, and throughout the body's joints; and dispels wind-dampness causing numbness and stiffness.

The Materia Medica records that both mulberry leaves and branches can treat blood disorders. Sangjisheng inherits the qi of the mulberry tree, thus it can benefit the blood vessels. (Cited from Leiming) Originating from the mulberry tree and extracting its essence, its efficacy surpasses that of mulberry leaves and branches. The various conditions it treats are all caused by blood deficiency with heat. This herb has the ability to nourish blood and also dispel dampness. (Cited from Zhongchun)

For conditions involving pain due to wind-dampness, ancient formulas often use Duhuo Jisheng Tang (Notopterygium and Mistletoe Decoction). Presumably, the primary herb for the disease serves as the sovereign drug; these two herbs (referring to Sangjisheng and Duhuo) both dispel wind and overcome dampness. If misidentified, using parasitic plants from miscellaneous trees instead of Sangjisheng, and using Tu Danggui (Radix Angelikae Pubescentis) to substitute Chuan Duhuo (Rhizoma Notopterygii), both of which are drying in nature, will consume Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) and damage Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood), doing more harm than good.

Wu of Jiaoshan recently argued that Duhuo is originally a type of Qianghuo: those with dense nodes and light, hollow texture are Qianghuo, while those with sparse nodes and heavy, solid texture are Duhuo. Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci) differs slightly in flavor and properties from Sangjisheng, but their therapeutic indications are quite similar. If Sangjisheng is unavailable, Xu Duan can be added, creating a formula named Qianghuo Xuduan Tang (Notopterygium and Dipsacus Decoction). This approach prevents physicians from being rigid about specific names and protects patients from counterfeit drugs, which is a commendable intention. (Cited from Jiamo)

[Formulations]
1. Combined with Gouqi (Lycium Fruit), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Xuduan (Dipsacus Root), Dihuang (Rehmannia Root), Huma (Sesamum Seed), and Shouwu (Polygonum Multiflorum Root), it treats arm joint pain and fetal movement abdominal pain caused by blood deficiency.
2. Sangjisheng 1.5 liang, fried Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin) 0.5 liang, Aye (Mugwort Leaf) 0.5 liang. Decoct in water and take warm. Alternatively, remove Aye because it is hot in nature.
3. For toxic dysentery with pus and blood, minute pulses in all six positions, and absence of chills or fever: Use Sangjisheng 2 liang, Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizome) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) each 3.5 qian, Zhi Gancao (Prepared Licorice Root) 3 zhu. Grind into powder. Take 2 qian per dose, decoct in water until reduced to 8 fen, and ingest with the dregs. After bleeding stops, if one feels emptiness of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) in the Dantian and heaviness/weakness in the waist and knees: Grind Sangjisheng into powder, take 1 qian per dose, and administer with plain boiled water as needed.
4. For frequent urination, sudden continuous hematuria without pain: This arises from accumulating evil thoughts, jealousy, and resentment, damaging the Liver and Heart; combined with sexual excess leading to deficiency of Small Intestine Qi, causing blood to flow recklessly due to void. Use Sangjisheng 1 liang, Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root) and Fuling (Poria) each 0.5 liang, Renshen (Ginseng Root), Chuanxiong, Duhuo, and Puhuang (Tylpha Pollen) each 2.5 qian, Gansong (Costus Root) and Chenxiang (Aquilaria Wood) each 0.84 fen. Grind into fine powder. Take 3 qian bi (approx. 3 spoons) per dose, add one cup of water, boil for one or two boils, pour out immediately, strain, and take as needed. After taking this, if bleeding ceases but one still feels deficiency of Dantian Yuan Qi and heaviness/weakness in the waist and knees: Take another 1-2 qian of fine Sangjisheng powder and administer with water as needed to tonify.

[Discussion] The flavor of mulberry is sweet and cold. Why does the substance parasitizing it have superior efficacy? Generally, heat damages blood, while cold causes blood to congeal. The transformation into a parasite utilizes this advantage, thereby excelling in benefiting blood vessels. As Mu Xi said, it is neither cold nor hot, making it suitable for treating deficiency. Regarding claims that it treats blood heat, this is inaccurate; such statements apply only to the mulberry tree itself.

Do not use if not genuine. Kou Zongshi stated that accidental ingestion of parasitic plants from other trees led to death within a month; therefore, exercise caution. Avoid fire and iron.