Library

Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae)
Sweet and bitter, neutral and slightly cold, non-toxic. Primarily resolves various toxins, kills hundred spirits and old entities, wards off warm epidemics, miasma, evil qi, and gu poison. Upon ingestion of poison, it causes vomiting; suitable for zhong'e abdominal pain, shiqi toxic plague, headache with chills and fever, wind swelling and various toxins, sore throat, and mouth ulcers. Long-term use prevents premature death, lightens the body, and prolongs life. Also known as Zhouma. Grows in the valleys of Yizhou. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun.

Tao Hongjing stated: Shengma from Ningzhou was previously the best, characterized by fine, black, and extremely solid roots, which are no longer available. Currently, only Shengma from Yizhou is found; the high-quality ones are finely cut with greenish-blue skin, called Jigu Shengma (Chicken Bone Shengma). It is also produced in northern regions but appears hollow and large with a yellow color. In Jianping, it is large but thin in flavor and unsuitable for use. People claim it is the root of Astilbe chinensis (Luoxinfu), which is incorrect. Although the shapes are similar, the qi and color differ. Astilbe chinensis can also resolve toxins; its leaves are rubbed into bath water for children to treat jingwu (startle syndrome). According to notes in other editions: Shengma from Songgao has a green color and its efficacy is inferior to that from Shu. Chen Yuxi and others cited *Yaoxing Lun* stating: Shu Shengma treats pediatric wind diseases, jingxian (convulsions), shiqi heat diseases, oral and dental issues, wind swelling pain, floating and rotting gums with foul odor, hot toxin pus and blood, clears heart and lung wind-heat toxicity, unblocks stagnation, treats mouth ulcers, and relieves restlessness. It treats yongzhong (carbuncles) and wandouchuang (smallpox); decocted in water, applied with cotton to wipe sores. It treats various evil spirits and demons. Chen Cangqi noted: Tao claimed people thought Shengma was Astilbe chinensis root, which is wrong; they are merely similar. For resolving toxins, leaves are used for children's baths to treat fright. Nowadays, many call Xiaoma Astilbe chinensis; its function is similar to Shengma, though size differs. Rihua Zi stated: It calms the soul, dispels ghost attachment causing crying, treats youfeng swelling and toxins, and bad breath.

*Tujing* records: Shengma grows in the rivers and valleys of Yizhou; currently found in Shuhan, Shaanxi, and Huainan prefectures, with Shu origin being superior. Sprouts in spring, growing up to three chi tall. Leaves resemble hemp leaves, all green. Flowers appear in April and May like millet spikes, white. Fruits turn black after June. Roots are purple like Artemisia roots, with many fibrous roots. Harvested in February and August, dried in the sun. Physicians now use it to treat sore throat and swelling, mouth and tongue ulcers, relieve headache from Shanghan (Cold Damage), and is particularly effective for various swellings and toxins. Finely chopped one liang, decocted in one sheng of water to obtain concentrated juice; upon ingestion, toxic vapors are vomited out. This method is commonly used in Shu. Yang Yan's *Nanxing Fang*: Uses Shengma in Zhitu Tang for treating zhu (malignant sores); also Shengma Gao and Shengma Tang treat various Dansdu (erysipelas). Wang Fangqing's *Lingnan Fang* on taking Ruishi tonics states: Southern health preservation and disease treatment rely most on Cinnabar. The formula uses three liang of Shengma powder, refined. One liang of Guangmingsha (bright cinnabar), mixed together, honey-pilled like Wuzi (wutong seeds), taken three pills after meals daily. There is also Qi Wu Shengma Wan: Shengma, Xijiao (Rhinoceros Horn), Huangqin (Scutellaria Baicalensis), Puxiao (Mirabilite), Zhizi (Gardenia Jasminoides), Dahuang (Rhubarb Radix) each two liang, Chi (Fermented Soybean) two sheng, lightly roasted, pounded together into powder, honey-pilled. When feeling intense heat in limbs and difficulty in defecation, take thirty pills. Slight diarrhea indicates efficacy. If mild limb heat, take twenty pills with food; this not only wards off miasma but also greatly brightens vision.

Leigong said: After harvesting, scrape off the outer coarse skin layer, soak overnight in natural juice of Huangjing (Polygonatum Rhizome), remove, dry in sun, finely chop, steam, then dry again before use. *Shenghui Fang* treats pediatric banchuang (measles-like rash) and douchuang (smallpox) with restless sleep using Chuan Shengma alone, amount unspecified, finely chopped, decocted in one cup of water, strained, applied with cotton to wipe sores. *Waitai Miyao*: In recent years, there have been cases of Tianxing fabanchuang (epidemic hemorrhagic rash), covering head, face, and body rapidly, resembling burns, filled with white fluid, breaking and regenerating quickly; untreated leads to death within days; even after cure, dark patches persist for a year due to evil toxic qi. Boiling Shengma in water and washing with cotton is effective; boiling in Kujiu (vinegar) is better but causes unbearable irritability and pain. *Qianjin Yi Fang*: Treats postpartum retention of evil blood lasting months or half a year. Three liang of Shengma, five sheng of clear wine, boiled down to two and a half sheng, taken warm in two doses; should vomit or purge evil substances, very effective. *Zhouhou Fang*: For Houbi (throat obstruction), finely chop Shengma and hold in mouth; same for Housai (throat blockage). *Meishi Fang*: Treats epidemic rash. Five liang of Shengma, decocted with water and honey for three boils; half taken internally, half applied externally to sores. Yao Hezhong: Pediatric hematuria. Five fen of Shu Shengma, five he of water, decocted to one he, strained; given to a one-year-old infant over one day.