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Ze Lan (Eupatorium fortunei)

Taste: Bitter, sweet; Nature: Slightly warm; Toxicity: Non-toxic. It primarily treats internal bleeding in postpartum women (Nei Nu), residual diseases after wind-stroke (Zhong Feng), massive abdominal edema, edema of the body, face, and four limbs, water accumulation in bone joints, metallic wounds (Jin Chuang), abscesses and sores with pus, and internal blood stasis blocking metallic wounds after childbirth. Also known as Hu Lan (Tiger Orchid), Long Zao (Dragon Date), and Hu Pu (Tiger Cattail). Grows beside major marshes in Runan. Harvested on the third day of the third lunar month, dried in the shade. (Fang Ji acts as its guide/enabler.)

Tao Hongjing stated: It is found everywhere now, mostly growing in low and damp places. The leaves have a slight fragrance and can be used to make oil. Some grow beside marshes, hence the name Ze Lan (Marsh Orchid), also called Du Liang Xiang (Du Liang Fragrance), which can be used to make bathing decoctions. Households often plant it, but the leaves are slightly different. Now there is another kind in the mountains that looks very similar, with a square stem, smaller and tougher leaves, and not very fragrant. Since it is called Ze Lan and grows beside marshes, the mountain variety is incorrect, yet herbalists still use it. Tang Ben Zhu noted: Ze Lan has a square stem, purple nodes, and leaves resembling Lan Cao (Lysimachia clethroides) but without fragrance; this is what is used in the capital region below. Tao's mention of Du Liang Xiang refers to Lan Cao. Commonly named Lan Xiang, boiled for bathing, it also grows by the water, planted by households, with white flowers and purple calyxes, round stems, which is completely different from Ze Lan. Tao's annotation on Lan Cao, stating it is also named Du Liang Xiang, shows a lack of deep understanding. Ministers Yu Xi et al. respectfully followed Wu Shi: Ze Lan is also named Shui Xiang (Water Fragrance). Shen Nong, Huang Di, Qi Bo, and Tong Jun considered it sour and non-toxic. Ji Shi considered it warm. It grows in low lands by water, with leaves like orchids, fragrant when sprouting in February, red nodes, with four leaves opposite each other at the branch nodes. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Ze Lan is an enabling herb, taste bitter and pungent. It primarily treats postpartum abdominal pain, qi and blood deficiency and coldness caused by frequent childbirth leading to consumptive emaciation, and massive swelling of the whole body and face. It treats blood stagnation in women, lower back pain. Ri Hua Zi stated: Ze Lan opens the nine orifices, benefits the collateral vessels, nourishes qi and blood, breaks old blood, eliminates masses (Zheng Jia), treats various diseases before and after childbirth, unblocks the small intestine, promotes flesh growth, resolves traumatic blood stasis, treats epistaxis and hematemesis, headache due to wind and eye pain, female consumptive emaciation, and male sallow complexion. Harvested in April and May, tied into bundles.

*Tu Jing* stated: Ze Lan grows beside major marshes in Runan. It is now found in Jing, Xu, Sui, Shou, Shu, Wu, Zhou, and Hezhong Prefecture. The root is purplish-black, resembling millet roots. Sprouts appear in February, two to three chi high, with green-purple square stems. Leaves are opposite, resembling mint, with slight fragrance. Flowers in July, purplish-white, with purple calyxes, also resembling mint flowers. Seedlings harvested in March, dried in the shade. Widely planted by households in Jing, Hu, and Lingnan. Those from Shouzhou do not produce seeds. This is generally similar to Lan Cao, but Lan Cao grows by the water, has glossy and smooth leaves, slightly purple underneath, and thrives in May and June. In contrast, Ze Lan grows in marshes and low damp areas, has pointed leaves with slight hairs, not glossy, square stems with purple nodes, harvested in early July and August, with a slightly pungent taste; this is the difference. It is currently most urgently used in prescriptions for women. There is another kind called Ma Lan (Horse Orchid), growing beside water marshes, resembling Ze Lan but with an unpleasant odor and pungent taste. It also treats blood breaking, metallic wound repair, and stopping lower bleeding. Chen Cangqi believed the evil grass metaphorically described in *Chu Ci* was this plant. People in the north call it Zi Ju (Purple Chrysanthemum) because its flower resembles chrysanthemums. There is also a Shan Lan (Mountain Orchid) growing on mountain sides, resembling Liu Ji Nu, with undivided leaves that are not opposite, and slightly yellow-red flower centers. It can also break blood and is usable.

Lei Gong stated: When using, one must distinguish between male and female forms, as their shapes differ. Da Ze Lan (Large Marsh Orchid) has round leaves and roots, with green-yellow roots, capable of generating blood, regulating qi, and harmonizing Ying. Xiao Ze Lan (Small Marsh Orchid) is different; after harvesting, look for spots on the leaves and sharp rootlets; this herb breaks blood and clears long-standing accumulations. For processing, both large and small Ze Lan must be finely chopped. Store in a silk bag, hang in the corner of the south side of the house, and let dry. *Zi Mu Mi Lu*: To treat infant postpartum skin sores, chew the heart of Ze Lan and apply it topically.

*Yan Yi* stated: Regarding Ze Lan, *Bu Zhu* says: "Leaves resemble orchids." Currently, Lan leaves resemble Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai Men Dong), being slightly wider and longer, reaching one or two chi without branches, which does not resemble Ze Lan at all. Ze Lan branches immediately upon emerging from the soil; the stems and leaves resemble chrysanthemums, just sharper and longer. If smelled for fragrance, they are somewhat similar. Since it is called Ze Lan and said to grow beside major marshes in Runan, its species is originally distinct. The claim that it resembles Lan is erroneous.