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Wujia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex)

Pungent, bitter, warm, slightly cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats heart and abdominal hernia qi, abdominal pain, tonifies qi, treats [text missing in original], inability of children to walk, carbuncles and sores with genital erosion, male impotence, scrotal dampness, dribbling after urination, female genital itching and lumbar spine pain, pain and bi-syndrome in both legs, wind weakness, five slacknesses and emaciation, tonifies the middle and benefits essence, strengthens bones and sinews, strengthens will and intent. Long-term use lightens the body and delays aging. Also known as Chaiqi, also known as Chaijie. The variety with five leaves is superior. Grows in Hanzhong and Yuanju. Harvest stems in May and July, harvest roots in October, dry in shade. (Zongshen (Polygalae Radix) acts as an guiding herb; fears Snake Skin and Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix).)

Tao Hongjing states: It is now found everywhere near the capital, especially abundant in Jiangdong. The four-leaf variety is also good. Boiling the roots and stems to make wine is beneficial to people. Daoists use it to make ash, and also to boil stones; together with Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix), there are secret methods. Minister Yuxi et al., according to the Shuben Tujing, state: The tree grows in small clumps, with red vines, thorns between the stems, five leaves growing at the branch tips, roots resembling those of荆 (Vitex or similar), bark yellow-black, flesh white, bone hard. It is present in all places now. Xingbing Lun states: Wujia Pi has slight toxicity. It can break and expel evil wind and blood, treat paralysis of the four limbs, injury from thief-wind, soften the feet and waist (pronounced Gongdui), primarily treating chronic blood stasis in skin and muscles, treating bi-dampness, internal deficiency, and emaciation. For children unable to walk at age three, using this allows them to walk. Ri Huazi states: Brightens the eyes, directs qi downward, treats stroke, joint contracture, and tonifies the five labors and seven injuries. Leaves treat skin wind and can be eaten as vegetables.

Tujing states: Wujia Pi grows in Hanzhong and Yuanju; it is now found in all prefectures of Jianghuai and Hunan. Sprouts emerge in spring, stems and leaves are green, forming clumps. Red stems resemble vines, three to five chi high, with black thorns on top. Leaves with five lobes forming a cluster are superior. Those with four or three leaves are most common but inferior. One thorn grows under each leaf. White flowers bloom in March and April, bearing small green fruits that turn black by June. Roots resemble those of 荆, bark yellow-black, flesh white, bone hard. Harvest stems in May and July, harvest roots in October, dry in shade for use. People in Qizhou call it Mugut. Some say there are several types currently used as Wujia Pi. In the capital and northern regions, large pieces resemble Qinpi (Fraxini Cortex) and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), flat and board-like, white in color, devoid of odor, quite effective for treating wind-pain, but others are not used medicinally. In Wuzhong, wild Toona roots are peeled and sold as Wujia Pi; they are flexible and tasteless, which is a significant error. What grows in Jianghuai is the true variety, resembling Digut (Lycii Cortex), light, crisp, and fragrant. Its seedlings and stems have thorns like roses, some over one zhang long. Leaves have five lobes, like peach blossoms, with an aroma like olives. Fruits form in spring, flat like bean grains, green in spring, turning purple-black after frost. Abundant in Wuzhong, commonly called Zhuifengshi, also named Citong. Peeling and soaking in wine to treat wind indicates ignorance that it is Wujia Pi. In Jianghuai and Wuzhong, it is often used as hedges, resembling roses and Jinying (Rosa Laevigatae Fructus), exactly as described above, but northerners rarely know to use this type. It can also be made into wine; drinking it treats wind-bi and limb contracture.

Chen Cangqi preface: Wujia Pi flowers treat eye swelling; grind into powder, mix with wine and take, self-correction occurs. Leigong says: Currently, Wujia Pi comes from the Baiqiu (Paulownia) tree. Leaves like cattail leaves appear on it; those with three flowers are male, those with five flowers are female. Peel the bark and dry in shade. Yang uses yin, yin uses yang. Waitai Miyao: After taking various mineral drugs, if one feels hot and chills, lying on cold ground, and cannot eat hot noodles or wine, etc., use two liang of Wujia Pi, boil in four sheng of water to obtain two and a half sheng, take when the mineral heat erupts, repeat if necessary. Yangshi Chanru: Treats Zao Dan (burning sensation starting from both feet like fire). Burn five liang of Wujia leaves and roots to ash, mix with water from iron smith's trough, and apply externally. Donghua Zhenren Zhushi Jing: Shun often climbed Cangwu Mountain, saying: "This precious grass of gold and jade, I use to rest in the right path, this is Wujia." Also known as Jinyan. Formerly, Western Regions True Man Wang Chang of Wangwu Mountain said: How to achieve longevity? Diyu is all boiled stone and taken as food to gain immortality. Formerly, Yin Gongdu heard Meng Zhuozi and Dong Shigu say together: Better to get a handful of Wujia than a cart full of gold and jade. Better to get one jin of Diyu than bright moon pearls. Mother of Duke Ding of Lu alone took Wujia wine, achieving immortality; before retiring, she feigned death, and people at the time did not realize her state. Zhang Zisheng, Yang Jianshi, Wang Shucai, Shi Yeyan, etc., all took this wine without ceasing sexual activity, living to three hundred years, verified as such. Dawang Jun said of Wujia: Heaven has the star essence of Five Carriages. Metal corresponds to Five Lakes, humans correspond to Five Virtues, positions correspond to Five Directions, objects correspond to Five Carriages. Thus, green essence enters stems, having liquid of the East; white qi enters nodes, having fluid of the West; red qi enters flowers, having light of the South; essence enters roots, having syrup of the North; yellow smoke enters bark, having spirit of Wu and Ji. Five spirits stabilize life, transforming and nurturing each other. Those who use it become true immortals; those who take it return to infancy.