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Sanguisorbae Fructus (Guanglangzi)

Bitter in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats retained blood stasis within the body. The trunk resembles that of a palm tree but is hard and solid. When chopped open, the interior contains starch-like substance; large trees can yield several *shi* (a unit of volume). The bark is flexible and tough, suitable for making ropes. It grows in the valleys of Lingnan (Southern Mountains). (Later addition)

*Tu Jing Ben Cao* records: Sanguisorba (*Guanglang*) grows in the valleys of Lingnan and is now found in various counties of Guangzhou. People also plant it in courtyards. Its trunk resembles a palm tree but is harder. When cut open, the interior yields starch; large trees can produce several *shi*, and consuming it prevents hunger. The bark is extremely soft and tough, usable for making ropes. The fruit grows in clusters at the top of the trunk and can be harvested at any time. *Lingbiao Luyi* states: Sanguisorba wood has lush branches and leaves, slightly different from jujube and betel nut trees. However, beneath the leaves are rootlets resembling coarse horsehair tails. People in Guangdong use these to bind ships without nails or thread. The wood texture is like bamboo, purple-black with grain patterns. Craftsmen split it to make Go boards. Furthermore, the wood is rigid; when made into hoes, it is as sharp as iron and sharper when striking stone, only dulling when hitting banana or coconut roots.

Chen Cangqi cites *Huayang Guozhi*: In this commandery, where grains are scarce, people take Sanguisorba starch and eat it mixed with cow butter. *Lin Hai Zhi* states: Hoes made from Sanguisorba wood are as sharp as iron and sharper against stone, only breaking when hitting banana roots; this illustrates how things mutually restrain each other. The interior contains substance similar to rice flour, which can be made into cakes to satisfy hunger. There is a tree called Quanmu, whose bark contains white powder resembling white rice. After drying and pounding, the washed residues can be used to make flatbreads. *Wu Du Fu* mentions: "Wengen" refers to this tree. There is also Shamu starch, which is warm and tonifying; long-term consumption prevents hunger and promotes longevity. In the valleys of Lingnan, large trees have trunks four or five *wei* (units of circumference) in diameter, yielding several *hu* (units of volume) of starch. Locals form it into cakes, yellow in color, for tribal consumption. *Guang Zhi* states: The tree has many branches and leaves resembling bird wings; its starch is white. A single tree yields no more than one *hu*. Pounded and sifted like flour, it does not require grinding into meal for cooking. *Hai Yao Ben Cao* states: According to *Lingbiao Lu*, it grows in the southern valleys of Guang. The trunk, bark, and leaves are slightly different from foreign jujubes and betel nuts. It has the effect of lightening the body and avoiding grains (fasting); long-term consumption makes the body light and sustains life through fasting. *Luyi* suggests: This is likely why Sanguisorba is named so.