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Cezǐ (Lateral Root of Aconitum)

Pungent in flavor, excessively hot in nature, possessing great toxicity. It primarily treats carbuncles and swellings, wind-bi syndrome, Li-jie disease (painful wandering joint syndrome), cold pain in the waist and legs, alternating chills and fever, and shu-lou (scrofula). Additionally, it can induce abortion.

Tao Hongjing stated: This is the larger portion peeled off from the corners of Fuzi (Lateral Root of Aconitum carmichaelii). In ancient times it was not used; recently, physicians have found it effective for treating Hongjiao (gouty swelling of the feet). Regarding these three "Jian" medicines (referring to Tianxiong, Fuzi, and Cezǐ), popular belief holds they come from the same root, whereas the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states they grow in three different places, implying each has its specific indications. Medical texts state: Tianxiong from Mount Shaoshi and Wutou (Radix Aconiti) from Langling County are both claimed as local specialties. Now there is no distinction. Mount Shaoshi connects to Mount Songgao, and Langling County belongs to Runan Commandery of Yuzhou, now located in the Northern Kingdom. The *Tang Bencao Zhu* (Commentary on Tang Materia Medica) states: Cezǐ grows together with Wutou and Fuzi. The smaller ones are called Cezǐ, and like Fuzi, they are not the main root but grow from the side of Wutou. The small ones are Cezǐ, and the large ones are Fuzi. To call the corner of Fuzi "Cezǐ" is logically incorrect. Below Yang Pass, in Jiangzuo, and between Songgao, Qi, and Lu in Shannan, Fuzi occasionally has corners the size of soybeans. Above Kuizhou, in Jiannan, the corners of Fuzi were once minute, like millet grains; using these for treatment is indeed difficult. Recently in the capital region, fine Fuzi is effective, and corners are never taken. If so, if a prescription requires octagonal Fuzi, one should speak of taking octagonal Cezǐ; claiming to use the corner is unreasonable. Ministers Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to the *Shu Bencao Zhu*: In the past it was rarely used, but now it is very effective for treating Hongjiao. According to Tao, Cezǐ is the larger corner of Fuzi, shaved off. Su Gong said it does not grow with Fuzi. The small is Cezǐ, the large is Fuzi. There is no evidence. It only says the corner of Fuzi is small like millet, hard to use, hence this theory. Currently, observing the edge of Fuzi, there are indeed corners as large as jujube pits or betel nuts, shaped as a single piece, not small. Thus, Fuzi growing from the side of Wutou, and Cezǐ growing from the side of Fuzi, is clear. Those resembling the crow's head are Wutou; those with two branches are Wu Hui (Rhizoma Aconiti); those slender and up to three or four cun long are Tianxiong (Fibrous-rooted Lateral Root of Aconitum carmichaelii); those growing scattered by the root like taro are named Fuzi; those growing connected laterally are named Cezǐ. These five substances originate from the same source but have different names. The sprout is about two chi high, leaves resemble *Ranunculus ternatus* and mugwort, flowers are purple-red, fruits are purple-black. Currently, those from Longzhou and Mianzhou are considered superior. Preparation method: Soak in raw and boiled water for half a day, preventing the loss of qi. Cover with white ash, changing frequently until dry. Another method: Using rice gruel and yeast dregs is inferior to the former method. Wu Shi stated: Cezǐ is also known as Langdang. Shennong and Qibo: Possesses great toxicity. Harvest in August, dry in shade. It is the larger corner of Fuzi, and its aversions and incompatibilities are the same as Fuzi. *Yaoxing Lun* states: Cezǐ serves as an assistant drug. It can treat cold-damp bi syndrome and tendon spasms caused by severe wind.

*Tujing* states: Wutou and Wu Hui grow in the valleys of Langling; Tianxiong grows in the valleys of Shaoshi; Fuzi and Cezǐ grow in the valleys of Jianwei and Guanghan; currently all are produced in Shu land. However, these four grades are produced from the same plant, with seeds originating from Longzhou. Planting method: Before Winter Solstice, plow fertile dry land five to seven times, fertilize with pig manure, then sow seeds, cultivating monthly. They mature only after the eighth month of the following year. The sprouts are over three or four chi high, stems are quadrangular, leaves resemble mugwort, flowers are purple-green, forming spikes, fruits are small purple-black, resembling mulberries. Originally only Fuzi was planted, but upon maturity, these four types appear. They are harvested together and brewed/processed to completion. Brewing method: First, in June, trodden wheat and barley yeast cakes are made. Half a month before harvest, boil large malt into porridge, then use the aforementioned yeast to make vinegar, filtering out dregs while hot. The vinegar should not be too sour; if so, dilute with water. Then, remove rootlets from the harvested Fuzi, soak them in a clean jar for seven days, stirring once daily. After the time is up, take them out, spread them on a coarse sieve to allow a white mold to grow. Then dry them in slow wind under the sun for 100-110 days, until thoroughly dry. If dried under strong sun, they will wrinkle and the skin will separate from the flesh. Those three to two cun long are Tianxiong; cut the sharp buds/corners from the side of Fuzi to serve as Cezǐ; the extremely small Fuzi are also named Cezǐ. The originally planted mother is Wutou; the rest, large and small, are Fuzi, with octagonal ones being the best grade. If required for prescriptions, they must be processed until cracked, skin and navel removed. Mianzhou Zhangming County plants much of it, with the best coming from Chishui township. However, the harvesting time differs from that described in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. This is simply how people plant them now. Those produced inland are quite different and rarely used now. Respectfully noting the *Shennong Bencao Jing*: Winter harvest yields Fuzi, spring harvest yields Wutou. *Guangya* states: Xi Du is Fuzi. One year old is (same as Ce) Zi, two years old is Wu Hui, three years old is Fuzi, four years old is Wutou, five years old is Tianxiong. Now, planting for one year yields these five types. Is it because modern planting methods require double the effort, leading to such abundance? Although medicinal potency may be slower, it depends on the age. Cui Shi treated cold hernia with pain radiating from the heart, abdomen, and hypochondrium, where other drugs could not approach, using honey-fried Wutou. Take five large Wutou, remove spurs, angles, and skin, break into four pieces, fry with one jin of white honey until moist and permeated, take out, bake dry, grind and sift, then form pills with熟 honey. Swallow twenty pills the size of wu-tzu seeds with cold salt water to permanently cure. Another method: Use the honey juice from fried Wutou, dissolve with five he of Guizhi Tang. Drink three he; if ineffective, add five he. If effective, the patient feels drunk, indicating the disease is addressed. *Xu Chuanxin Fang*: Treats Yin-Du Shanghan (Yin-Toxic Cold Damage) with irritability and coma. For acute cases, use one large Fuzi (approx. half liang), split immediately into four slices; one large piece of ginger, split into three slices, length of middle finger; a pinch of glutinous rice. Boil these three ingredients in one sheng of water to obtain six he, strain. While the body is warm, take in one dose, cover with thick clothing. Whether sweating occurs or not, wait for the mind to settle, then separately administer Shuijie San, Taimai Tongguan San, etc. Do not give cold water; if thirsty, decoct the dregs again for drinking. Many people now use it effectively, so it is recorded in detail here.

Chen Cangqi stated: Cezǐ, mixed with cold wine and taken orally, treats generalized wind-rash. Lei Gong stated: Cezǐ is merely small granules beside Fuzi. Fuzi, those the size of jujube pits, should be used raw. It is miraculous for treating wind-rash. Muguaizi (Momordica charantia seed) is merely the part connecting various Hui, Fu, Xiong, Wu, and Ce among them, named Muguaizi, not used in medicine. If ingested, it causes blindness.