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Cortex Ailanthi (Chunmu Ye)
Bitter in taste, toxic. Primarily used for washing sores and scabies (Chuangjie), wind abscesses (Fengju). Boil with water to extract the medicinal juice for external use. The bark of Chumù (Ailanthus altissima) is effective for treating childhood malnutrition dysentery (Ganli).
The roots and leaves of Chumù are particularly effective.
The commentary of Tang Bencao states: The two trees have similar shapes; the distinction lies in that Chumù wood is loose, while Chunmù wood is solid. According to Chen Cangqi's Bencao: Chumù is bitter in taste and slightly toxic. Its bark treats chronic red and white dysentery, noma worms (Ganchong) in the mouth and nose, removes scabies, and treats Guizhu Chuanshen (a contagious wasting disease) and hematochezia caused by Gu poison. The root bark dispels evil qi. Take a handful, finely cut, soak overnight in two sheng of urine from a young child and one he of fermented soybeans, squeeze out the juice, and boil once. Take every three to five days. The leaves resemble those of Chunmù; northerners call it Shanchun, and people in Jiangdong call it Humu. Where leaves fall, there are scars, resembling Bai Chu Sanmu. (Originally attached to Tang Bencao). Ministers Yuxi et al., according to Yaoxing Lun: Chubai pi (White bark of Chumù), as an assistant drug, is bitter, slightly hot, and non-toxic. It can treat red and white dysentery, intestinal slipping, hemorrhoids, and persistent bloody diarrhea. Xiao Bing says: Chupi treats Ganli; when combined with Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix), the effect is better, especially with the root bark, commonly known as Huyanshu. The Chunmu in the Shen Nong Ben Jing is quite different from Chumu. Meng Shen says: Chunmu is warm. It stirs wind and affects the twelve meridians and zang-fu organs; excessive consumption causes mental confusion and weakens qi and blood. For women with metrorrhagia, postpartum bleeding, or menorrhagia, take a large handful of fine roots growing eastward, wash them, boil in one sheng of water, and divide into two doses to stop bleeding. It also stops red leukorrhea. Chunmu, commonly called Zhuchun, treats childhood Ganli; boil plenty of juice and administer. Also, take a handful of white bark, fifty grains of Cangjingmi (stored rice), a handful of Congbai (Scallion bulb), three cun of Gancao (Licorice root), and two he of Zhi Chi (Prepared soybean), boil in one sheng of water until half remains, and take at once. Children should adjust the dose accordingly. Branches, leaves, and bark have the same efficacy. Ri Huazi says: Chupi is warm, non-toxic. It stops diarrhea and Changfeng (wind affecting the intestines) and reduces urination. For medicinal use, stir-fry with honey.
Tu Jing says: Chunmu and Chumu were not recorded in old texts regarding their origin; now they are found everywhere in the north and south. The trunks of both trees are generally similar, but Chunmu is solid and its leaves are fragrant and edible, whereas Chumu is loose and has an offensive odor, which cooks can remove by roasting. Northerners call Chumu Shanchun, and Jiangdong people call it Gui mu. Scars remain where leaves fall, resembling Chuzi or eyes, hence the name. This wood is considered useless; as Zhuangzi said, "I have a great tree, people call it Chumù; its trunk is knotty and does not fit the cord, its branches twisted and do not fit the compass. Standing by the road, craftsmen do not look at it." Collection time is unspecified.
Erya says: Kao is Shanchu. Guo Pu notes: Kao resembles Chumù, is lighter in color, grows in mountains, and is named accordingly; it is also similar to Lacquer tree. The common saying goes: Chumù, Kao, Lacquer are similar. Shi Jing · Tang Feng says: Shan you kao. Lu Ji explains: Shanchu is no different from Tianchu, only the leaves are slightly narrower. People in Wu use its leaves as tea. Xu Shen reads Kao as Qiu. Now people say Kao, losing its original pronunciation. However, this is a variant species of Chumù. Decoction of Chumù root treats hematochezia and childhood Ganli. One can also take white bark mixed with Cangjingmi, Congbai, Gancao, and Chi, decoct together and consume; bloody dysentery will cease. Liu Yuxi of Tang Dynasty wrote "Chugen Hundun Fa": Around Start of Autumn, if suffering from dysentery, or water-grain dysentery with lower back pain, take one da liang of Chumù root, pound and sieve, mix with good flour to make wontons the size of soap pods, boil in clear water. Take ten pieces on an empty stomach daily. No taboos, very effective.
Shiliao says: Treats Ganli, kills roundworms. Also called Chouchun. If eaten frequently with pork and hot noodles, it causes fullness in the middle jiao because it obstructs the meridians.
Leigong says: Chunmu gen. When using roots, those not near the west end are superior. Do not use stems or leaves, only roots. After harvesting, mix with raw Cong, steam for half a day, remove Cong, finely chop, place in a bag, hang on the south side of the house, and dry in shade. It promotes urination in cases of strangury.
Zhou Hou Fang: Treats pediatric alopecia capitis (white bald patches on head) where hair does not grow. Extract juice from Chun, Qiu, and Tao leaf hearts, apply externally, highly effective. Zi Mu Mi Lu empirical formula: Treats Zangdu (visceral toxin) presenting as white dysentery. Wash Xiangchun thoroughly, peel the bark, dry and powder. Take one qian with water, immediate effect. Treat pediatric Ganji. Dry Chubai pi, two liang, powder. Rinse Suli mi to remove starch water, grind to thick paste, mix with powder to make pills the size of Wuzi. For ten-year-olds, take three to four pills, adjust dosage. Insert one pill into a bamboo tube and blow into the nostrils; cure after three times. Swallow pills with water. Yang Shi Chan Ru: Treats severe Ganli. Pound Chubai pi, mix with flour to make small pellets. Sun-dry briefly, mix again, repeat three times. Boil until cooked; add salt, vinegar, wine if desired. Take frequently, dosage based on child's age. Another formula: Near-effect treatment for chronic dysentery and Ganli. Select Chugen baipi, any amount, usually take from soil level, avoid contact with dogs and wind. Finely cut, pound to mud, mix with flour to make wontons the size of small dates, do not break, boil and swallow seven pieces. Severe cases need no more than seven doses. All taken on empty stomach. Avoid greasy food, hot noodles, toxic substances. Another formula: For Ganli without day or night rest. Take a chicken-egg-shell amount of concentrated Chugen juice, mix with a chicken-egg amount of Suli mi rinse water, enema. Cure after two times. Effect is miraculous. Reduce dose for children, very wonderful.
Yanyi says: Chunmu ye. Both Chun and Chu have odors. One has flowers and fruits, the other has neither. People consider the one without flowers/fruits, with large trunk and straight stem, as Chun. Use Chun leaves. The one with flowers/pods, smaller trunk, and crooked/stunted stem is Chu. Use Chu roots, leaves, and pods. Thus, it is said that Chun never has pods, only Chu does. There is also Chujì (insect associated with Chu), so ancient names did not say Chunji but Chuji, clearly distinguishing those with insects (Chu) from those without (Chun). When using Chunmu ye, Chumu gen/ye, or pods, deduce according to this. A woman in Luoyang, aged 46-47, drank excessively, ate much fish and crab, had no proper regimen. Later, due to overeating, toxins accumulated in viscera, causing 20-30 bowel movements daily, stool mixed with pus and blood, severe pain from large intestine to anus. Hemostatic drugs for dysentery failed; Changfeng drugs worsened it, as Changfeng involves blood but no pus. This lasted over half a year, qi and blood weakened, appetite decreased, muscles wasted. Slightly hot drugs increased abdominal pain and bleeding; slightly cool drugs increased diarrhea and weakness; neutral drugs had no effect. Nearly a year passed, doctors exhausted, awaiting death. Someone recommended Renshen San. Family hesitated but administered casually. After one dose, felt relief. After two, symptoms reduced. After three, pus and blood stopped. Did not take other medicines, cured. Asked for the formula: Treats Dachang Fengxu (Large Intestine Wind Deficiency), excessive drinking, heat-induced dysentery with pus/blood and pain, chronic. Chugen baipi one liang, Renshen one liang, powder. Take two qian bi, mix with warm wine on empty stomach. If no alcohol, use warm rice drink. Avoid greasy food, wet noodles, green vegetables, fruits, sweets, chicken, pork, fish, garlic, etc.