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Wulingzhi (Trogopterus Dung)

Sweet in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats cold qi accumulation in the heart and abdomen, five types of infantile malnutrition syndromes (Wu Gang), dispels epidemics, treats intestinal wind bleeding, unblocks and promotes the flow of Qi and blood vessels, and treats amenorrhea in women. It originates from northern regions; this is the feces of the "Han Hao Chong" (flying squirrel). (Modern addition)
Minister Yuxi et al. now state: The Han Hao Chong has four feet and fleshy wings but cannot fly far, therefore it is not classified under the avian section.
The *Illustrated Classic* states: Wulingzhi originates from northern regions and is currently only found in prefectures of Hedong. It is said to be the feces of the Han Hao Chong, black like iron, collected at any time. However, it often contains sand and stones, making it extremely difficult to process. If used, it must first be ground with wine and washed (water flotation method) to remove sand and stones for best results. It is frequently used in formulas treating cold injuries and accumulations, as well as in prescriptions for infants and women. Currently, physicians use it to treat postpartum blood syncope characterized by coma, upward rushing of Qi and blood causing suffocation and unconsciousness. Use two liang of Wulingzhi, half stir-fried until cooked, half raw. Pulp and sieve into a powder. Take one qian each time, mixed with warm water and swallowed. If the jaw is clenched, pry open the mouth with an instrument and administer the medicine; recovery occurs immediately upon entering the throat. This is called Dusheng San (Single Victory Powder). Another prescription: Treats unstoppable metrorrhagia. Use ten liang of Wulingzhi, pulp and sieve into powder. Add five large bowls of water, decoct until three bowls remain, filter the dregs and clarify, then decoct again into a paste. Add two liang of Shenqu (Medicated Leaven) powder, mix well, and form pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take twenty pills each time, administered with warm wine on an empty stomach to stop bleeding. Its use in various formulas is extremely common.
Empirical Prescription: Treats hiccups in men and women that persist for days, preventing the ingestion of porridge, food, or medicinal decoctions. Applying this formula yields effective results. Mo Wan (Rubbing Pill): Grind Wulingzhi with hot ginger and wine until extremely fine. Further dissolve with a small amount of ginger, wine, and hot water. The medicinal liquid should be very hot. Prepare porridge beforehand at a suitable temperature. With the left hand, feed the medicine to the patient without allowing them to rinse their mouth. With the right hand, quickly feed the porridge to the patient, ensuring they do not eat too much. Jingxiao Fang (Effective Formula): Treats female heart pain caused by stabbing pain from stagnant Qi and blood that is unbearable. Shixiao San (Formula for Stopping Pain): Use clean, high-quality Wulingzhi and Puhuang (Cattail Pollen) in equal proportions, grind into powder. Take two qian each time. Boil one ladle of good vinegar into a paste, add one bowl of water, and decoct together until 70% remains. Administer while hot for immediate effect. Another prescription: Treats unstoppable menstrual bleeding in women. Use Wulingzhi powder, stir-fry until thoroughly cooked and all smoky odor is gone. Take five qian each time, decoct together with two slices of Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) and one medium bowl of wine until 60% remains. Filter dregs and take while hot. Effective after three to five doses.
*Yanyi* states: Wulingzhi has merit in promoting menstrual blood flow but cannot generate blood. Once, a person suffered from eye nebulae (cataracts/opacities) that moved around unpredictably; this was a disorder of the blood. Since the Heart generates blood and the Liver stores blood, and the Liver enables vision when nourished by blood, treating eye diseases without addressing the blood contradicts medical principles. This substance enters the Liver channel most rapidly. One method: Two liang of Wulingzhi, one liang of Moyao (Myrrh), half a liang of Ruxiang (Frankincense), and one and a half liang of Chuanwutou (Aconitum Carmichaelii Radix Preparata, processed and peeled). Grind all into powder, add drops of water to form pills the size of bullet seeds. Use one pill each time, rubbed with ginger and warm wine for administration. Treats wind-cold blocking Qi and blood, causing pain, coldness, and numbness in the hands, feet, and body. Another case: A person bitten by a venomous snake became comatose after some time. An old monk administered two qian of medicine mixed with wine, leading to revival. The residue was then applied to the bite site. After some time, another two qian were administered orally, eliminating all suffering. Inquiry revealed the composition was one liang of Wulingzhi and half a liang of Xionghuang (Realgar), ground together. Subsequent poisonings treated with this formula proved invariably effective. Although this drug is not very expensive, there are many counterfeit versions available.