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Shegan (Pinyin: Shègān, pronounced like "Ye")

Bitter in flavor, neutral or slightly warm in nature, and toxic. It primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi (coughing with upward rushing of Qi), throat obstruction (throat bi) with pain, and inability to breathe freely; it dissipates stagnant Qi, treats rebellious evil Qi in the abdomen, and conditions caused by excessive heat from food and drink; it resolves old blood stasis between the Heart and Spleen, treats expectoration and foul breath odor, and dissipates hot Qi in the chest. Long-term use causes deficiency. Also known as Wushan (Black Fan), Wupu (Black Cattail), Wu Yuan (Black Iris), Wuchui (Black Blower), and Caojiang (Grass Ginger). It grows in valleys and fields of Nanyang. The roots are harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and dried in the shade.

Tao Hongjing stated: This is the root of Wu Yuan (Iris tectorum), which is widely planted in courtyards and terraces. The flowers are yellow, and it also treats toxic swellings; prescriptions often write the character as "Yegan" (Night Dry). Currently, "She" is also pronounced as "Ye". People say its leaves are those of Iris (Yuānwěi), yet there is another called "Yuantou" (Iris Head); this is likely due to similarity, and it is doubtful that the leaves of Wu Yuan are named thus. Additionally, there is another type of Shegan that is similar but has white flowers and long stems, resembling an archer holding a pole. Hence, Ruan Gong's poem says: "Shegan overlooks the layered city." This type is not used for medicinal purposes. Its root lacks tubers and consists only of fibrous texture. The commentary in *Xinxiu Bencao* (Newly Revised Materia Medica) states: Regarding Shegan, what is described here refers to Iris leaves, which resemble Shegan, but have purple-blue flowers and do not produce tall stems; the root resembles Galangal but is white inside, and the root is indeed the Iris head. Tao's comments likely discussed this variety. Ministers Yuxi et al. carefully noted according to the *Shu Ben* edition: Shegan is slightly cold in nature. The *Tu Jing* (Illustrated Canon) records: It grows two or three chi high. Flowers are yellow, fruits are black, roots have many fibers, skin is yellow-black, flesh is yellow-red. It is found everywhere today. Roots are harvested in the second and eighth lunar months, peeled, and sun-dried for use. Chen Cangqi stated: Shegan and Iris are similar, and people often fail to distinguish them. There are generally three types of Shegan. Buddhist scriptures mention: "Yegan Diao KT," referring to a vicious beast resembling a greenish-yellow dog that eats humans. Guo Pu's annotation says it can climb trees. Again, Ruan Gong's poem mentions: "Yegan overlooks the layered city," referring to a tree. The currently very tall Shegan referred to in herbal texts corresponds to the species cultivated as ornamental flowers in human dwellings, also named Fengyi (Phoenix Wing). Leaves resemble bird wings, blooming with red flowers with crimson spots in autumn. Iris is also widely cultivated; its seedlings are lower than Shegan, and those blooming with purple-blue flowers in spring and summer are Iris. Another annotation states: Based on this, there is still confusion; Yegan has yellow flowers and yellow roots. *Yaoxing Lun* (Discourse on Medicinal Properties) states: Shegan, when used as an assistant drug, has slight toxicity. It can treat throat obstruction where fluids cannot be swallowed, regulate amenorrhea in women, treat Zhu Qi (anchoring Qi disease), and resolve blood stasis. Ri Huazi stated: It resolves phlegm, breaks up masses, relieves chest and diaphragm fullness, abdominal distension, asthma, and accumulation disorders; it opens the stomach and promotes digestion, reduces swelling and toxins, and calms the Liver and brightens the eyes. The root is moistening; some resemble Galangal in size, are pale reddish-yellow and hard, harvested in the fifth through seventh lunar months.

The *Tu Jing* states: Shegan (pronounced "Ye"), originally growing in valleys and fields of Nanyang, is now found everywhere, and is also widely planted in household courtyards. Seedlings emerge in spring, growing two to three chi high. Leaves resemble Man Jiang (likely Zingiber officinale or similar ginger), but are narrow, long, spreading horizontally, sparse like wing feathers, hence the name Wu Yuan, referring to its leaves. Stems emerge from the leaves, resembling Daylily but stiffer. Flowers bloom in June, yellow-red with fine veins on petals. Fruits form capsules in autumn containing black seeds. Roots have many fibers, skin is yellow-black, flesh is yellow-red. Roots are harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and dried in the shade. Tao Hongjing stated: Prescriptions for treating toxic swellings often write "Yegan". Currently, "She" is also pronounced "Ye". He also said: There is another Shegan, similar but with white flowers and long stems, resembling an archer holding a pole. Thus, Ruan Gong's poem "Shegan overlooks the layered city" refers to this. This type is not used medicinally. Su Gong: The description of Shegan here refers to Iris, whose leaves resemble Shegan, but have purple-blue flowers and no tall stems; the root resembles Galangal but is white inside, and is the Iris head. Furthermore, citing Xunzi: In the west, there is a plant named Shegan. Its stem is four cun long, growing atop high mountains overlooking abysses hundreds of ren deep. Its stem is not inherently that long, but its position makes it appear so. Yang Jiang's annotation states: It should be a herb, calling it a tree is an error. Observing the current Shegan, its stem is slender and long, exactly like a long pole, which is how it got its name. Tao's doubt regarding the pronunciation "Ye" is unnecessary, as ancient pronunciations often overlapped; for instance, in the Han official title "Pushé" (Assistant Director), "She" is also pronounced "Ye", without different meaning. Additionally, Shegan often grows among cliffs; although its stem is thin, it resembles woody stems. Hence Xunzi called it a tree, while Su Gong considered Tao's identification as Iris incorrect. Iris flowers are not white; the white-flowered ones belong to the Shegan category, not Iris. Iris grows flat on the ground, with broader, flatter leaves than Shegan. Su Gong stated: Those with purple-blue flowers and roots resembling Galangal are correct. The *Ben Jing* (Classic of Materia Medica) states: Grows in valleys of Jiuyi Mountain; now found everywhere, resembling Man Jiang. Harvested in May. Alternatively, roots are harvested in September and October and sun-dried.

Lei Gong stated: For preparation, first soak in rice washing water overnight, drain, then decoct with Jin Zhu Ye (Asparagus leaf) from Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM) to Hai hour (9 PM-11 PM), drain, and sun-dry for use.

*Waitai Miyao* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies): Treats throat obstruction. Hold one slice of Shegan in the mouth and swallow the juice until cured. *Zhouhou Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies): Treats pediatric hernia attacks characterized by swelling and pain like needle pricks. Use fresh Shegan juice to expel the pathogen, or prepare as pills for administration.

*Yanyi* (Expanded Meaning) states: Shegan is the plant mentioned by Xunzi: the western tree named Shegan. The annotation cites the *Bencao* saying it is inappropriate to classify Shegan as a tree. However, the Five Elements are defined strictly as Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, and Earth. Thus, Confucian scholars consider grass and wood both as Wood, gold and lead as Metal, manure and earth as Earth, ash and fire as Fire, and water and pools as Water. Therefore, it is neither the beast in the Buddhist parable of the burning house nor the tree mentioned by Ruan Gong overlooking the city. Moreover, the *Ben Jing* also states it is named Caojiang (Grass Ginger), confirming it is undoubtedly a herb. It is currently best for treating Lung Qi issues and throat obstruction. Ri Huazi stated: It is similar in size to Galangal, reddish-yellow. This description is accurate.