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Sangshang Jisheng (Mistletoe on Mulberry)

Bitter, sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Mainly treats lower back pain, stiffness of the infant's back ("Qiang" pronounced Ju Liang), carbuncles and swellings, calms the fetus, enriches the skin and flesh, strengthens hair and teeth, promotes the growth of beard and eyebrows, mainly treats metal wounds (injuries caused by metal weapons), dispels Bi syndrome (painful obstruction syndrome), treats metrorrhagia and metrostaxis in women, tonifies internal deficiency, treats residual diseases after childbirth, and promotes lactation. Its fruit brightens the eyes, lightens the body, and enhances spiritual clarity. Also known as Ji Xie. Also known as Yu Mu. Also known as Wan Tong. Also known as Niao (pronounced Niao, or also Dia). Grows on mulberry trees in the valleys of Hongnong. Collected on the third day of the third lunar month; stems and leaves are dried in the shade.

Tao Hongjing says: Those growing on mulberry trees are named Sangshang Jisheng. Poets say: "Shi (Yi) on pine trees," medical texts also use mistletoe from elm trees or maple trees, naming them according to the host tree. Their shapes and categories are generally similar, but the sites of root attachment differ; they grow among branches, with roots hidden within the bark nodes. Leaves are round, greenish-red, thick, glossy, and easily broken. Branchlets arise naturally from the sides. Evergreen in winter and summer, flowers white in April, fruits red in May, size like small beans. Now available everywhere, those from Pengcheng are superior. Commonly mistaken for Duan Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix) for use; however, according to the *Ben Jing*, Duan Xu Duan is listed separately in the Superior Category, with different therapeutic effects. How can they be the same? This confusion arises from ignorant market vendors. The "Sang [missing character]" in dietary therapy formulas differs from this. Tang Ben Zhu notes: This type often grows on oak, zelkova, willow, poplar, and maple trees. Fruits are yellow, size like small dates. Only in Guozhou is there true Sangshang Jisheng; its juice is very sticky, seeds large like small beans, leaves uniform in texture, resembling fine willow leaves but thicker. Late stems are thick and short. People in Jiangnan have traditionally used it as Duan Xu Duan, which is completely unrelated. Moreover, Jisheng fruits ripen in September and turn yellow. The description of red fruits in May, size like small beans, likely reflects what Tao Hongjing did not observe. Ministers Yuxi et al. carefully note according to Shu Ben Zhu: Mistletoe exists on many trees; stems and leaves are similar. It is said that birds eat a certain substance, and seeds fall with feces onto trees, generating life through Qi. Leaves resemble orange leaves but are thick and soft; stems resemble locust branches but are fleshy and brittle. Available everywhere, but medical practitioners require only those from mulberry trees. Without self-harvesting, identification is difficult. One may break the stem to inspect; deep yellow color indicates authenticity. *Tu Jing* states leaves resemble Gentian leaves but are thicker and broader. Stems are short, resembling chicken feet, forming a tree shape. Flowers in March and April, yellow-red. Fruits in June and July, yellow-green, like small beans; those with thick, sticky juice are good. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Sang Jisheng is a Minister herb. It stabilizes the fetus and treats persistent bleeding during pregnancy. Ri Huazi states: It assists sinews and bones, benefits blood vessels. Harvesters often collect from zelkova trees, calling it Sang Jisheng. True ones from mulberry trees are rare; even if present, their morphology differs from those on zelkova. Next best are those from maple trees, with efficacy similar to zelkova types, appearing yellow. Collected in July and August.

*TU Jing* states: Sang Jisheng originates from mulberry trees in the valleys of Hongnong; now available everywhere. It is said that birds consume food, seeds fall into branch joints, and generate life through Qi. Leaves resemble orange leaves but are thick and soft; stems resemble locust branches but are fleshy and brittle. Flowers appear in March and April, yellow-white. Fruits form in June and July, yellow, size like small beans. Stems and leaves collected on the third day of the third lunar month, dried in the shade. Mistletoe exists on oak, zelkova, willow, poplar, and maple trees, but only those from mulberry trees are suitable for use. However, they are difficult to identify, and physicians dare not use them unless harvested personally. Some suggest breaking the stem for inspection; deep yellow color and fruits with thick, sticky juice indicate authenticity. Carefully consulting *Er Ya*: Yu Mu, Wan Tong. Guo Pu states: Mistletoe is also called Niao. *Shi Jing · Bian* states: Niao and Nuoluo. Lu Ji's commentary states: Leaves resemble Danglu, fruits resemble raspberries, dark red-black, sweet and tasty. The Middle Category contains Song Luo, which is Nuoluo. The *Shi Jing* phrase "Niao and Nuoluo, spreading on pine trees" refers to this. Old records state it grows on pine trees in the valleys of Xiong'er Mountain. Collected in May, dried in the shade. Ancient formulas included it in phlegm-expelling medicines. Modern physicians rarely use it and no longer harvest it; it is merely appended here.

Lei Gong states: When using, select those naturally growing on single-branched trees on the host. After harvesting, finely chop roots, branches, and stems with a copper knife, dry in the shade, and use as needed. Do not expose to fire.

Yanyi states: Sang Jisheng, in old and new books, states: Now available everywhere. From north to south of the capital, genuine sources are hard to find. Is it because annual cutting, picking, and trampling cause suffering and inhibit growth? Or is it due to different regional suitability? If one believes it grows because bird-eaten seeds fall into branch joints and generate life through Qi, then wheat should produce wheat, grains should produce grains, not just this one species. Furthermore, some grow on smooth, thin branches; how can seeds fall into branch joints? Thus, it is naturally generated by the Qi of Creation, a distinct entity. In ancient times, only those from mulberry trees were selected, truly borrowing their Qi. It is also said: Modern physicians rarely use it; this is extremely erroneous. Modern physicians do use it, but simply cannot obtain true Sangshang Jisheng. I once obtained true Sang Jisheng; upon ingestion, it proved effective as if by magic. Previously, while acting in Wushan, someone requested medicine from various counties. I ordered widespread searching and picking, but ultimately failed to obtain any, so I truthfully informed them, causing great dissatisfaction. They likely feared being deceived by fake medicine. Someone from a neighboring county sent me mistletoe from other trees falsely labeled as such; after taking it for over a month, the patient died. How tragic!