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Eshi (Arctii Fructus)

Pungent in flavor, neutral in nature. It primarily benefits vision, tonifies the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), and dispels wind pathogenic factors causing injury. The roots and stems treat chills and fever with sweating associated with Shanghan (Cold Damage), facial swelling due to Fengzhong (Wind Strike), internal heat in Xiaoke (Wasting and Thirsting syndrome), and expel water retention. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging. It grows in the plains and marshes of Lushan.

Tao Hongjing stated: It is no longer used in prescriptions. The commentary in *Tang Bencao* notes: Lushan is located northeast of Dengzhou. The grass and leaves are as large as taro; the seed shell resembles a chestnut, while the fruit is slender and long like *Leonurus japonicus* seeds (Chongweizi). The root primarily treats toothache, chronic malaria (Laolue), weakness of the legs, abscesses and carbuncles caused by wind-toxin, cough damaging the lungs, lung congestion, hernia, zheng jia (masses and accumulations), blood stasis, various wind-induced zheng jia, and cold qi. Swallowing one seed helps discharge the head of an abscess or carbuncle. *Bielu* names it Niubang (Arctium lappa). Another name is Shuniancao (Mouse-Adhesive Grass). Upon examination, Chen Cangqi's *Bencao* states: Eshi roots should be steamed and sun-dried; otherwise, they induce vomiting. Soaking them in wine dispels wind and treats malignant sores. The fruit is named Shunian because it has awns that can adhere to mice. Bitter in flavor, it treats wind-toxin swelling and various [sores]. The root can be cooked as a vegetable, and the leaves can be crushed and applied to whip wounds to prevent suppuration and ward off wind. Minister Yuxi et al., according to *Yaoxing Lun*, state: Niubang can also be used alone; it is sweet in flavor and non-toxic. It treats vexation and oppression in the face and eyes, lack of strength in the four limbs, unblocks the twelve meridians, and clears evil qi from the five zang organs. It can be frequently eaten as a vegetable to make the body feel light. The fruits ground into powder, soaked in wine for three days, taken in amounts of two or three cups daily at will, dispel various winds, remove Dan Shi Du (toxicity from mineral pills), benefit vision, and strengthen the waist and legs. Taken before meals, swallowing three seeds cooked thoroughly disperses various nodules and relieves heat-toxin in the tendons and bones. Cutting the root finely like beans, mixing with flour and cooking as rice reduces distension and congestion. Boiling the stems and leaves to brew wine is beneficial. Taking the juice for bathing in summer removes the sensation of insects crawling on the skin; wind should be avoided briefly after washing. It can also be applied to all swellings and toxins. Crush the roots and leaves with a little salt flower.

*Tujing* states: Eshi is the fruit of Niubang, growing in the plains and marshes of Lushan, now found everywhere. The leaves are like taro but longer. The fruit resembles grape pits, brownish in color, with an outer shell like a chestnut burr, small and thorny. Mice get stuck when passing over it, hence the name Shunianzi (Mouse-Adhesive Seed), similar to Yangfulai. The roots can be very large and are especially beneficial when eaten as vegetables. Collect the fruits in autumn for medicinal use. The roots and leaves can also be crushed raw with a little salt flower for applying to swellings and toxins. In winter, collect the roots, steam and dry them for medicinal use. Liu Yuxi's *Chuanxin Fang*: Treats sudden Wind Stroke. Use tight, fine Niubang roots. Avoid wind during harvesting. Scrape off dirt with a bamboo knife or荆knife (Jing knife), wipe clean with raw cloth. Crush and squeeze out one sheng (unit of volume) of juice, mix with four he (unit of volume) of good honey. Warm and divide into two doses. Take each dose five or six li apart. Sweating after the first dose indicates recovery. This prescription was obtained from Zheng Zhongcheng of Yue-E. When Zheng was nearing Yang, he suffered a sudden wind strike after eating a meal of hot meat. His nephew Lu, serving as Magistrate of Yang, had this prescription. He took it immediately, sweated, and recovered swiftly, showing miraculous efficacy. Also, *Qiezhong Fang*: For unbearable pulling pain in the head and brain, use a massage paste. Crush Niubang stems and leaves to obtain two sheng of thick juice, mix with one sheng of unfermented wine and a spoonful of salt flower. Boil over high fire until thickened into a paste. Massage the painful area; wind-toxin will disperse and stop. It also treats epidemic headaches; massage vigorously to generate heat for rapid effect. If no shoots are available in winter, use the root instead.

Lei Gong said: When using, carefully select the collected material to ensure no impure seeds remain. Then mix with wine and steam. Wait until a thin white frost appears again, wipe it off with cloth, then bake dry. Grind separately into powder for use. *Shiliao* states: The root made into dried slices is excellent. For heat-toxin swelling, crush roots and leaves and apply as a compress. For whip wounds and metal injuries, apply leaves; fear of wind is permanently avoided. For flaccidity and Dan Shi wind-toxin, stone-heat toxicity, brightening the eyes and ears, benefiting the waist and knees, take the powdered fruit, soak in wine for three days, drink two or three cups daily at will. To disperse heat-toxin in joints and bones, swallow three to seven seeds cooked thoroughly before meals; ten doses are very effective. Cut roots finely like mung beans, mix with flour, cook as rice; this is particularly good. For the sensation of insects crawling on the skin, bathe in boiled root juice. Be careful to avoid wind after summer bathing. Roast the seeds, grind like tea, boil three bi (spoonfuls), to promote urination. *Shenghui Fang*: Treats lingering residual heat from seasonal pathogens, restlessness, thirst, weakness in the four limbs, and inability to eat. Crush and squeeze root juice, take one small cup at any time; effective. *Waitai Miyao*: Treats Hou Bi (Throat Bi/Obstruction). Mix 6 fen of Niubangzi and 8 fen of Malinzi, grind into powder. Take one fangcun bi (square-inch spoonful) with warm water on an empty stomach, gradually increasing to one and a half bi, twice daily. *Jingyan Fang*: Treats throat blockage due to wind-heat and generalized edema. Take one ge of Niubangzi, half raw and half roasted, grind into powder. Mix with hot wine and take one qianbi (drachm spoonful); recovery is immediate. Sun Simiao's *Shiji* addresses epidemic diseases. Crush fresh Niubang root to obtain five he of juice, divide into two doses on an empty stomach. After taking, roast a large handful of mulberry leaves until yellow, boil in one sheng of water to obtain five he, strain and drink at once. Cover warmly to induce sweating; if leaves are unavailable, use branches. *Shiyi Xinjing*: Treats heat attacking the heart causing restlessness and confusion, heat-toxin wind attacking internally, or redness and swelling of hands, feet, head, and face with pain upon touch. Use Niubang root, also called Bianfuci (Bat Thorn), wash clean, crush thoroughly, decoct in wine to form a paste. Spread on paper and apply to the swollen area. Also take one dose mixed with hot wine; swelling subsides and pain decreases. *Wangshi Boji*: Treats impending eruption of sores. Roast Niubangzi until cooked, grind into powder. Take one qian per dose, add two spikes of Jingjie (Schizonepeta), decoct in one zhan of water until reduced to seven tenths. Drink when warm. If sores/rashes have already erupted, continued administration is also wonderful. Chu Yushi treated skin wind-heat causing generalized urticaria. Equal parts Niubangzi and Fuping (Duckweed), taken with mint tea, two qian per dose, twice daily. *Yanyi* states: Eshi refers to the fruit, now called Niubang. Before removing the calyx, it is called Shunianzi; the root is called Niucai. It disperses wind congestion, reduces excessive saliva, and relieves pharyngeal obstruction. Lightly stir-fry, mix with equal parts Jingjie Sui (Schizonepeta tips) and half part Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice), grind into powder. Take two qian with water after meals and before sleep; effects will be gradual. The seed is within the calyx; the calyx has fine hooks, up to a hundred or so. Calling them "awns" is incorrect. The root is one to two chi long, as thick as a thumb, boiled soft for vegetables.