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Toxic. If a person is poisoned by it, they will die immediately. Those wishing to enter tombs or ancient wells should first test for toxicity. The method is to throw chicken feathers into the well; if the feathers sink straight down, there is no toxicity; if the feathers swirl and dance as if not sinking, there is toxicity. Pouring several *dou* (a unit of volume) of hot vinegar into the well allows safe entry. In all tombs and kiln pits, from the Summer Solstice to Autumn, toxic vapors harm humans; from the Winter Solstice to Spring, there are no toxic vapors. Dew in autumn and water in spring that settles on grass can also harm humans, whereas in winter and summer, this is not the case. If a person has been previously injured by animals or insects and suffers from various sores, upon contact with toxic dew or water, the sores may feel stubbornly non-itchy and non-painful. This is caused by wind-cold pathogen (*Feng Han*), and the body will likely exhibit opisthotonos (arched back resembling a bow). Treatment: Mix salted fermented soybeans (*Yan Chi*) with flour to form a bowl-shaped paste, cover the sore, place a large moxa cone on top, and moxibustion for one hundred *zhuang*. This draws out several liters of foul fluid. When the whole body feels itchy and pain sensation returns to the sore area, recovery occurs.

In February and August, do not drink water from such sources while traveling, as it causes malaria and miasma to erupt in summer, and weakens the legs causing softness. In May and June, do not drink stagnant water from marshes; consuming fish or turtle essence within this water causes *Bie Jia* disease (turtle-like abdominal mass).

If dripped into food, it causes malignant sores and internal carbuncles; dietary habits should avoid it.

Using overnight face-washing water causes pallor in modern people; washing the body with it causes tinea (ringworm); using unovernight face-washing water for washing the face produces similar adverse effects.

The Dragon Palace of the Water Deity must not be offended; red veins exist in the water and must not be severed. Boiling well water is inedible. All the above are harmful. Wen Qiao of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was angered by the water deity after shining an object into the water. The *Chu Ci* states: "Houses of scales and palaces of shells," referring to the residence of the River God. The *Guoyu* records: Ji Huanzi unearthed an earthen jar while digging a well. Confucius said: The monster of water is *Wangliang*, the monster of earth is *Xian Yang* (a sheep-like creature). Water having veins and boiling phenomena are all recorded in the *Baize Tu*.

Added in the You year from *Yanyi*:

Polygonatum Rhizome (*Huang Jing*)
Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Tonifies the Middle Jiao, benefits Qi, dispels wind-dampness, and calms the Five Zang organs. Long-term consumption lightens the body, extends lifespan, and prevents hunger. Also known as *Chong Lou*, *Tu Zhu*, *Ji Ge*, *Qiu Qiong*, and *Lu Zhu*. Grows in mountain valleys. Roots are harvested in February and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing states: It is found everywhere today. It begins sprouting in February, with multiple leaves per stem. The leaves resemble bamboo but are shorter; the root resembles *Wei Rui* (Polygonatum odoratum). The root of *Wei Rui* resembles reed roots and Acorus rhizomes, with flat, straight nodes; the root of *Huang Jing* resembles *Gui Jiu* (Podophyllum) and Coptis rhizome, with large but uneven nodes. Even when dry, both are soft and moist with lipids. Secular prescriptions rarely use this herb, but it is highly valued in Daoist alchemical texts. The root, leaves, flowers, and fruits can all be consumed as food or medicine, prepared as wine infusions or powders as appropriate, detailed in fasting formulas. The leaves of *Huang Jing* resemble *Gou Wen* (Gelsemium elegans), distinguished only by its non-purple stem and non-yellow flower, yet people often confuse them. Their distinct natures lead to opposite outcomes regarding life and death, which is remarkable. The *Tang Bencao Zhu* notes: *Huang Jing* growing in fertile soil is fist-sized; in poor soil, it is thumb-sized. The thick root of *Wei Rui* closely resembles smaller *Huang Jing* in texture and color. Comparing it to *Gui Jiu* or Coptis is inaccurate. Furthermore, *Huang Jing* leaves resemble willow, Gentiana, or Polygala but are firmer. *Gou Wen* grows as a vine, making comparison invalid. According to another commentary: Modern usage favors nine steaming and nine sun-drying cycles; shading alone may cause rot. Minister Yuxi et al. note: Baopuzi states: Also known as *Chui Zhu*. Consuming the flower is superior to the fruit, and the fruit to the root. Flowers are rare; ten *hu* of fresh flowers yield only five to six *dou* when dried. Daily dosage is three *ge*; only those with great resources can manage this. Ten years of consumption are needed to reap benefits. For grain substitution during famine, it serves as excellent food for adults and children, called "rice jerky." *Guangya* calls it *Long Xian*. *Yongjia Ji* states it originates from Yongning County, Songyang. *Yaoxing Lun* lists it as a sovereign herb. Chen Cangqi comments: Tao Hongjing claimed similarity to *Gou Wen*, but one is beneficial and the other harmful. Note: *Gou Wen* is another name for *Ye Ge* (Gelsemium). They are not similar; Tao’s assertion is questionable. Leaves growing asymmetrically are called *Pian Jing* and are less effective than symmetrical ones. Xiao Bing states *Huang Jing* is cold. Ri Huazi states it tonifies the five labors and seven injuries, strengthens sinews and bones, stops hunger, resists cold and heat, benefits the spleen and stomach, and moistens the lungs and heart. Single-use requires nine steaming and nine drying for cosmetic preservation; raw use is for medicinal purposes.
*Tujing* states: Old texts do not specify origin, only mountain valleys; now found north and south, with those from Mount Song and Mount Mao being best. Sprouts appear in March, reaching one to two feet high. Leaves resemble bamboo but are short, arranged oppositely. Stems are flexible and brittle, resembling peach twigs, yellow at the base and red at the tip. Small greenish-white flowers bloom in April, resembling bean flowers. Fruits are white like millet, though some plants bear none. Roots resemble young ginger, yellow. Harvested in February. Steamed and sun-dried. Now commonly harvested in August; mountain dwellers perform nine steaming and nine drying cycles to sell as sweet, blackish-yellow snacks. Jiangnan locals say *Huang Jing* seedlings resemble *Gou Wen*, but *Gou Wen* has pointed leaf tips and thin roots. Su Gong notes *Gou Wen* is vining, unlike *Huang Jing*, suggesting regional variation. Young shoots are edible vegetables called *Bi Cai*, very tasty, requiring careful identification. Yang Gong of Sui Dynasty’s *Method of Consuming Huang Jing* states: *Huang Jing* is the essence of Lingzhi grass. Also known as *Wei Rui*, *Xian Ren Yu Liang*, *Gou Ge*, *Tu Zhu*, *Chui Zhu*, *Ma Jian*, and *Bai Ji*. Harvest roots in Feb/Mar, 8-9 cun deep is best. Slice one *shi*, boil in 2.5 *shi* water to remove bitterness, strain, press juice in a bag, clarify, and simmer to paste consistency. Mix with fried black soybean powder, form coin-sized cakes. Start with two pieces, increase daily, effective after 100 days. Can also be dried, powdered, and taken with water for equal efficacy. *Baopuzi* says flower consumption exceeds fruit. Ten *hu* fresh flowers yield 5-6 *dou* dried; ten years of consumption yields benefits. *Bowuzhi* records Tian Lao telling the Yellow Emperor: The Grass of the Sun is named *Huang Jing*, consuming it grants longevity. Hua Tuo’s *Qiyе Qingnian San* mentions *Qing Nian* is the true leaf of *Huang Jing*, though unverified in texts.
Lei Gong states: Do not use *Gou Wen*; it resembles *Huang Jing* but has two hairy hooks on the leaves. Mistaking it is fatal.
*Huang Jing* leaves resemble bamboo. After harvesting, wash with stream water, steam from Si hour to Zi hour, slice thinly, and sun-dry. Dietary therapy uses *Huang Jing* to prevent aging and hunger. Method: Place a bottomless jar over a pot, fill with *Huang Jing*, seal tightly, steam until vapor penetrates, then sun-dry. Repeat nine times. One *shi* of fresh root yields 3-4 *dou* processed. Under-steaming causes throat irritation; under-drying causes rot. Initial dose: 1.5 cun of fresh root, gradually increasing. If fasting for ten days, long-term consumption reaches 3.5 chi. After 300 days, one may see spirits and ascend to heaven. Roots, leaves, flowers, and fruits are edible. Symmetrical leaves are true *Huang Jing*; asymmetrical are *Pian Jing*. *Shenghui Fang Shenxian*: Consuming *Huang Jing* makes one an Earth Immortal. Root/stem amount unlimited. Finely chopped, shade-dried, powdered, mixed with clean water, taken freely. Within a year, youth is restored. *Jishen Lu*: A scholar in Linchuan abused his maid, who fled to the mountains. She ate wild grass roots, finding them delicious, and ceased feeling hungry, becoming agile. Hearing noises at night, she climbed a tree fearing a tiger. At dawn, she descended and floated in the air. Years later, her family saw her leaping like a bird between peaks. Her master captured her after setting bait. She revealed she ate *Huang Jing*. *Daozang · Shenxian Zhicao Jing*: *Huang Jing* soothes the middle, benefits Qi, harmonizes the Five Zang, fills muscles, strengthens bones, doubles strength, prevents aging, brightens complexion, turns white hair black, and regrows teeth. It expels the Three Corpses: Upper Corpse (loves treasures, expelled in 100 days), Middle Corpse (loves flavors, expelled in 60 days), Lower Corpse (loves colors, expelled in 30 days), decomposing and exiting. Flowers, fruits, and roots are graded; flowers are Flying Essence, roots are Qi Essence. *Bowuzhi*: The Yellow Emperor asked Tian Lao: Is there any plant that prevents death? Tian Lao replied: The Grass of the Sun is *Huang Jing*, granting longevity; the Grass of the Yin is *Gou Wen*, fatal if ingested. People believe *Gou Wen* kills but doubt *Huang Jing* prolongs life, which is excessive. *Lingzhi Ruicao Jing*: *Huang Zhi* is *Huang Jing*.