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(Rui Wei)

Nüwei (Cyperus rotundus), also known as Weirui (Polygonatum odoratum).

Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats sudden high fever caused by wind-stroke (stroke induced by external wind pathogen), inability to move limbs, tendon knots and muscle masses resulting from falls or injuries, various deficiencies, qi stagnation in the heart and abdomen, deficiency-heat, damp-toxin, lower back pain, cold sensation in the urethra, eye pain, and excessive tearing. Long-term consumption removes facial black spots, improves complexion, adds luster, lightens the body, and delays aging. It is also called Ying, Dijie, Wangzhu, and Maxun. It grows in valleys and hills of Mount Tai. Harvested after the Beginning of Spring, dried in the shade. (Avoid using with halogenated salty substances.)

Tao Hongjing stated: According to the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), there is Nüwei but no Weirui. The *Bielu* (Additional Records) has Weirui but no Nüwei, yet their uses are exactly the same. I suspect that Nüwei is indeed Weirui, differing only in name. It is now found everywhere; its root resembles Huangjing (Rhizoma Polygonati) but differs slightly. Those who practice dietary therapy also use it. Currently, merchants use another substance whose root shape resembles the stem of Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix), with a very bitter taste, claiming it is the root of Nuqing (Radix Saposhnikoviae), produced in Jingzhou. In current formulas for treating dysentery, Nüwei is often used, whereas this substance has no mention of stopping diarrhea, so I suspect it is definitely not the correct herb. Weirui also treats disorders caused by mineral drugs (shi yao); if one ingests mineral drugs and experiences disharmony, boiling its juice and drinking it helps. The *Tang Ben Zhu* notes: The functions of Nüwei, along with its seedlings and vines, are completely different from Weirui, and it is listed in the Middle Category. In the current edition of the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, the text written in vermilion ink refers to the efficacy of Nüwei, while the black text refers to Weirui. Now, the vermilion text is changed to white text. Ministers Yu Xi et al. carefully consulted the *Erya*: "Ying" refers to Weiwei. Explanation: This is a medicinal herb. Also called Ying, also called Weiwei. Leaves resemble bamboo; large ones are like arrow shafts, with nodes. Leaves are narrow and long, white on the surface and green on the underside. Roots are as thick as a finger, one to two chi long, and edible. *Yaoxing Lun* states: Weirui is the Sovereign herb. It treats cold and heat from seasonal epidemics, tonifies internal deficiencies, removes deficiency-labor and guest-heat, and alleviates headache and restlessness; adding it to formulas yields good results. Chen Cangqi stated: Nüwei and Weirui have been transmitted together. Tao claimed they are the same substance, merely differing in name. Formulas for dysentery often use Nüwei, yet this substance lacks any mention of stopping diarrhea, leading me to suspect it is incorrect. According to Su Gong, Nüwei was extracted from the Middle Category. He stated it treats Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome), diarrhea, and borborygmus, which aligns with Tao's commentary on the Upper Category Nüwei. Thus, the functions of the two Weis are the same, and they are not two different substances; Su Gong redundantly added an entry. Su Gong further stated: Nüwei and Weirui are different. That Weirui is also called Yuzhu because it resembles bamboo; and Dijie because it has nodes. The *Records of the Three Kingdoms · Biography of Fan A* mentions Qingnian, also called Huangzhi and Dijie; this is Weirui, extremely similar and refined. Beyond its basic functions, it improves hearing and vision, regulates Qi and blood, strengthens the body. Mixed with Qiyè (leaf of Echinops latifolius) into a powder, it treats diseases of the five Zang organs, benefits essence, removes three parasites, lightens the body, delays aging, whitens hair, moistens skin, and warms the waist and feet. It should not be taken by those with excess heat. Ji Shao of the Jin Dynasty had cold phlegm in his chest and suffered from bitter saliva after drinking alcohol; he recovered after taking it. The plant resembles bamboo; roots, flowers, and leaves are harvested and dried in the shade. Once, Hua Tuo entered the mountains and saw what immortals consumed, telling Fan A about it; consuming it led to a lifespan of one hundred years. Xiao Bing stated: Weirui tonifies the middle and benefits Qi, produced in Junzhou. Rihua Zi stated: It relieves irritability and thirst, moistens the lungs and heart, tonifies the five labors and seven injuries (chronic deficiencies), alleviates lower back and leg pain, treats epidemic heat mania, and can be consumed without taboos.

*Tujing* states: Weirui grows in valleys and hills of Mount Tai; it is now found in Chuzhou, Shuzhou, and Hanzhong. Leaves are narrow and long, white on the surface and green underneath, resembling Huangjing. Stems are strong and straight, resembling bamboo arrow shafts with nodes. Roots are yellow with many fibers, as thick as a finger, one to two chi long. Some say they are edible. In March, it opens blue flowers and bears round fruits. Roots are harvested after the Beginning of Spring and dried in the shade. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* lists it in the same category as Nüwei, stating it is one substance with two names. It also states they are two substances, with completely different seedlings, vines, and functions. The *Erya* calls it Ying, Weiwei (upper character pronounced 'yu wei qie', lower character pronounced 'ren chui qie'). Guo Pu's annotation says: It is a medicinal herb. There is no alternative name for Nüwei here, suggesting it might be a different substance. Moreover, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* Middle Category has a separate entry for Nüwei. Su Gong said: It is this Nüwei. In the current *Shennong Bencao Jing*, the vermilion text describes the efficacy of Nüwei, and the black text describes the function of Weirui. Observing ancient prescriptions, there seems to be a difference. Hu Qia's formula for epidemic heat with severe diarrhea, the Nüwei Pill, uses Nüwei. The Cold Intestinal Colitis Pill for injury-cold uses Nüwei. The Small Yellow Wine for deficiency-labor states: "Add Nüwei for dysentery." Examining these formulas, it seems to refer to the Middle Category Nüwei, due to its warm nature and treatment of cholera and diarrhea. It also treats thief-wind (sudden wind pathogen), causing withered numbness of hands and feet, and limb spasms; Nüwei is used in Yin Yu Wine. The *Gujin Luyan* treatise's Weirui Ointment for body ulcers and peeling rashes seems to refer to the vermilion-text Nüwei, because it treats wind-stroke with immobility and removes facial darkness to improve complexion. The Xuming Biejia Decoction for shanghan (cold damage) unresolved after seven or eight days, and the Biejia Decoction for weak legs, both use Weirui. The Yannian Fang treats wind-heat causing neck stiffness and pain, and vexing heat in limbs and bones, using Weirui Drink; it also treats deficiency-wind-heat where head heat occurs upon onset, using Weirui Pills. These seem to refer to the black-text Weirui, because it treats deficiency-heat, damp-toxin, and lower back pain. Since the three treatments differ, it is clear they are not one substance. However, Chen Cangqi argued they are not two substances, which is incorrect. This Nüwei is neutral in nature and sweet in flavor; the Middle Category Nüwei is pungent in flavor and warm in nature. Since their natures and flavors differ, how can they be one substance? It is also said that Weirui is also called Dijie, extremely similar to Pianjing, suspected to be Qingnian, which is the subject of the Qiyè Qingnian San prescribed by Hua Tuo. However, no one in the world can distinguish them anymore, so I dare not claim this as absolute truth.

Lei Gong stated: When using it, do not use Gouwen (Aconitum carmichaelii side roots or related toxic herbs) and Huangjing, as these two look similar. Weirui is distinct; confusing them harms patients. Weirui has hairs on its nodes, spotted stems, and small yellow dots at the leaf tips. After harvesting, scrape off the node skin with a bamboo knife, wash clean, soak in honey water overnight, steam, then dry by baking before use.

*Waitai Miyao* states: Treats fever and dry mouth, astringent urination. Use five liang of Weirui, boil in water, and drink the juice.

*Yangshi Chanru* states: Treats chronic dysentery with persistent rectal prolapse. Take one sheng of sliced Nüwei, burn it, and use the smoke for fumigation.