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Cuttlebone

Salty, slightly warm. Non-toxic. Mainly treats leukorrhea with red and white discharge in women, amenorrhea, erosion and swelling of the yin, alternating chills and fever, zheng jia (abdominal masses), infertility, fright qi entering the abdomen, abdominal pain circling the navel, cold swelling in the vagina, and promotes conception. Additionally, it stops excessive pus discharge from sores that does not dry up.

Meat Sour, neutral. Mainly tonifies qi and strengthens willpower. Grows in the pools and marshes of the East Sea. Can be harvested at any time. (Incompatible with Bai Lian [Ampelopsis japonica Rhizome], Bai Ji [Bletilla Rhizome], and Fu Zi [Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata].)

Tao Hongjing says: This is transformed from the pelican bird; its mouth and feet are still present, resembling the original form. Its bone should also be roasted. The fish contains ink in its abdomen, which is now used to make high-quality ink. Tang Ben Zhu states: This fish's bone treats cataracts and corneal opacities in cattle and horses, and also treats eye opacities in humans, with good efficacy. Current research on Chen Cangqi's Materia Medica states: Cuttlebone mainly treats pediatric dysentery; finely ground into powder and taken with water. It also treats blood masses in women, kills small insects and aquatic worms; throwing the bone into a well causes worms to die. The ink in the abdomen treats stabbing heart pain caused by blood stasis; taken after grinding with vinegar. Fishermen say: In the past, when Qin Wang traveled east, he discarded his counting bag into the sea, which transformed into this fish. Its shape resembles a counting bag, with two very long straps, and the ink remains in the abdomen. Ministers Yu Xi et al. carefully note according to the Shu Ben Tu Jing: It is transformed from the pelican bird; its eyes and mouth remain on the back, the bone is three to four fen thick, currently produced in Yuezhou. Su Gong cites the "Yin Yi" stating there is no character for "pelican," but rather "duck," thus referring to the Pei Qi in the Erya. Also known as Ya Wu, small and flocking, with a white belly. The Tu Jing further states: The bone on the back is three to four fen thick, so it is not a water bird. According to the Erya, there are characters for "pelican" and "crow," which are water birds. Similar to the pelican, short-necked, with purple-white belly and wings, green back. Since the name matches the Tu Jing, it is clearly transformed from the pelican. Yao Xing Lun states: Cuttlebone acts as an envoy, has slight toxicity. Stops uterine bleeding, treats deafness. Meng Shen states: Cuttlebone treats all floating opacities in the eyes. Finely ground and mixed with honey for eye application. Additionally, bone powder treats hot tears in the eyes. Ri Hua Zi states: Cuttlefish regulates menstruation. Bone treats metrorrhagia, kills parasites. For severe heart pain, roast the ink and take with vinegar. Also known as Lan Yu (Cable Fish); its tentacles and feet are in front; when waves are rough, it uses tentacles to stick to rocks as cables.

Tu Jing states: Cuttlefish are found in the East Sea pools and marshes; they are now present in coastal prefectures. It is said to be transformed from the pelican bird; its mouth and feet remain, resembling the bird, hence the name Cuttlefish. It can suck ink from waves to confuse water for self-defense, hiding from harm. It also states: It loves eating pelicans; when surfacing, if a flying bird passes and thinks it is dead, pecking its abdomen, it rolls up and eats it. Hence the name, meaning it is the thief/harm of the pelican. Shape like a leather bag, mouth below the abdomen, eight legs clustered around the mouth. Only one bone, three to four fen thick, light, hollow, and white like a small boat. Two tentacles like straps allow self-anchoring, hence the alias Cable Fish. Nan Yue Zhi states: Cuttlefish have anchors; upon encountering wind, they curl one forward tentacle down to anchor and stop; "anchor" also means cable. Blood and gall in the abdomen resemble ink, used for writing. People say cuttlefish carry ink and know propriety, hence commonly called the low-ranking clerk of Hai Ruo (Sea God). Its meat benefits humans and can be harvested anytime. Those without bones are called Soft Fish. There are also Zhang Ju and Shi Ju, similar but larger, with better taste, valued in food but not used medicinally, thus omitted.

Shi Liao states: Bone treats dysentery in children and adults; roast until yellow, remove skin, grind finely to powder, mix with porridge for best results. It eliminates all floating opacities in the eyes. Finely ground and mixed with honey for eye application is excellent. Also effective for treating hot tears in horse eyes. Long-term consumption treats infertility and boosts essence. A piece of ink in the fish's abdomen is suitable for writing. Lei Gong states: When using, do not use shark bone, as it looks similar but has horizontal grain patterns and is not used medicinally. Use only those with vertical grain patterns. Soak completely in brine water, boil for one shichen (two hours), drain, dig a pit under the roof capable of holding the cuttlebones, burn out the pit, remove charcoal ash, place medicine overnight, retrieve next morning for use, doubling efficacy. Sheng Hui Fang: Treats heat toxin from cold attacking the eyes, generating red and white opacities. Use one liang of cuttlebone, remove large skin, pound into powder, add a little Long Nao (Borneolum Syntheticum), apply a small amount three to four times daily. Wai Tai Mi Yao: Treats leprosy and chronic conditions for three years. Grind cuttlebone with vinegar, first spread red flesh, then apply. Qian Jin Fang: Treats minor marriage pain in women. Burn cuttlebone to powder, take one cun bi with wine, three times daily. Another prescription: Treats abscess on the male glans, unmanageable by doctors. Apply cuttlebone powder topically, effective. Jing Yan Fang: Treats gan eye disease. Equal parts cuttlebone and Mu Li (Ostrea Shell), grind to powder, make pills with paste the size of soap beans. Boil each dose in pig liver until cooked, eat with liver, wash down with liver-boiling water, three to two doses. Zi Mu Mi Lu: Treats double tongue in children. Burn cuttlebone, mix with egg yolk, apply to throat and tongue. Nan Yue Ji: Cuttlefish float on water; crows see them as dead and peck, then they roll into water, hence named Cuttlefish. Now said to be transformed from crows. Su Wen states: Cuttlefish treats blood dryness in women. Dan Fang Jing Yuan: Cuttlebone, light salt.

Yan Yi states: Cuttlefish, dried. Four directions: People roast and eat it. Also carve bone finely. Grind fine, water levigation, settle, remove water, dry, mix with mature honey appropriately, apply to eye opacities, gradual effect.