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Jingtian (Sedum aizoon)
Taste: bitter, sour; Nature: neutral; Toxicity: non-toxic. Mainly treats fire sores caused by severe heat, body fever with irritability, evil qi, various gu poisons, scabs (pronounced 'pi ji'), alternating chills and fever, wind-bi syndrome, and various deficiencies. The flowers mainly treat leukorrhea (red and white discharge) in women, lighten the body, and improve vision. Long-term consumption can enhance spiritual clarity and delay aging. Also known as Jiehuo (Fire-Restraining), Huomu (Fire Mother), Jiuhuo (Fire-Saving), Juhuo (Fire-Grasping), and Shenhuo (Fire-Precaution). Grows in the mountains and valleys of Mount Tai. Harvested on the 4th day of the 4th lunar month and the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, dried in the shade.

Tao Hongjing stated: Nowadays, people grow it in pots on rooftops, claiming it wards off fire. The leaves can treat traumatic injuries from metal weapons to stop bleeding, and bathing infants with it removes irritability and fright qi. Outside Guangzhou city, there is a tree said to be three or four zhou in circumference, called the Shenhuo Tree. Those in Jiangdong are very small. It is rarely used in prescriptions. Its flowers can be consumed. Among all medicinal names, this one is the most ornate. After our dynasty recovered the Lingbiao region, we consulted medical officials in Guangzhou regarding this matter, and found no such tree that had grown into a large plant; thus, Tao's account was likely an error. Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to *Shu Ben Tu Jing*: Shenhuo Cao has leaves resembling Portulaca oleracea but larger. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Jingtian is a Sovereign herb, slightly toxic. It can treat severe itching from wind-rash, primarily treating infant erysipelas and febrile convulsions. Flowers brighten the eyes. Rihua Zi stated: Jingtian is cold-natured. It treats mental restlessness, heat-induced mania, red eyes, headache, alternating chills and fever, wandering wind swelling, and leukorrhea in women.

*TU JING* records: Jingtian grows in the mountains and valleys of Mount Tai, and is now found throughout the north and south. Many households plant it in courtyards or in pots on rooftops, claiming it wards off fire, calling it Shenhuo Cao. Sprouts emerge in spring; leaves resemble Portulaca but are larger, growing in layers upwards, with extremely fragile stems. In mid-summer, it opens small red-purple flowers, and dies back after autumn. Some have perennial roots. On the 4th day of the 4th lunar month and the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, harvest the flowers along with seedlings and leaves, drying them in the shade. To treat sores/toxins and infant wind-rash that does not erupt on the skin, take five liang of fresh seedlings and leaves, mix with three liang of salt. Grind together, extract the juice, and massage/apply to the affected area with warm hands, twice daily. This method applies to all heat-toxin erysipelas and sores.

*Waitai Miyao*: Treats urticaria. Take one jin of Shenhuo Cao, crush and extract juice, apply to the lesion with hot compresses, rubbing repeatedly until cured. *Qianjin Fang*: Treats infant erysipelas eruption. Take a handful of fresh Shenhuo Cao, crush and extract juice, wipe onto the affected area, ten times daily, three to four times at night. Tan's Pediatric Formula is identical. *Zimu Milu* treats postpartum uterine prolapse. One jin of dried Shenhuo Cao, boiled in five sheng of wine to extract juice, divided into four warm doses. Another prescription: Treats infant wandering erysipelas moving up and down the body; if it reaches the heart, death ensues. Crush fresh Jingtian and apply to the sore. Yang's Obstetrics and Lactation treatments for smoke-fire erysipelas starting on the back, flanks, or feet, red as fire: Mix one liang of Jingtian grass and Pearl powder, grind into a paste, and apply. Another prescription: Treats fire-dan starting from the head; crush Shenhuo Cao and mix with vinegar for application.

*Yanyi* states: Regarding Jingtian, since Tao Hongjing said people grow it in pots on rooftops, it is known to be an herbal plant. He also mentioned a tree outside Guangzhou said to be three or four zhou thick, called Shenhuo Wood. Since he used the word "said," it was not seen personally. This was likely hearsay, not necessarily an error, but rather Tao being credulous. However, it is very easy to cultivate; simply place cuttings in soil and water frequently. Roots appear within ten days. Extract concentrated juice to apply to fire-heart sores, showing verified efficacy. Dry and powder it, mix with water, and sweep/applying to wandering wind and red-heat conditions.