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Mudan (Paeonia Suffruticosa)

Acrid, bitter, cold, slightly cold, non-toxic. Mainly treats alternating chills and fever, convulsions (sound: qi) and flaccidity (sound: zong) caused by wind-stroke, spasms, fright, epilepsy, and pathogenic factors; eliminates hard accumulations; removes blood stasis retained in the intestines and stomach; calms the five Zang organs; treats carbuncles and sores; removes epidemic heat, headache, external heat, five exhaustions, Qi exhaustion, head and waist pain, wind-induced lockjaw, and manic disorders. Also known as Lujiu (Deer Leek), also known as Shugu (Mouse Cabbage). Grows in the valleys of Ba Commandery and Hanzhong. Roots are harvested in the second and eighth lunar months and dried in the shade. (Avoid using with Cuscutae Semen [Tusizi].)

Tao Hongjing stated: It is now also found in the eastern regions. Those with red color are superior; when used, the heart must be removed. Note: Shufu (Armadillidium vulgare) is also named Shugu, and since this name is identical here, it is likely not the same species; there may be a textual error. The commentary in *Xinxiu Bencao* states: Mudan grows in Hanzhong. Those from Jiannan have seedlings resembling Actinidia polygama (Yangtao); they bear white flowers in summer, round green fruits in autumn, and red fruits in winter, remaining evergreen through winter. The root resembles Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao), with white flesh and red bark. Produced in Jiangzhou and Jiannan, locals call it Mudan, also named Bailiangjin. Those called Wumudan near the capital are the authentic variety. The varieties currently used in common practice differ from this and possess a distinct fishy odor. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to *Yaoxing Lun*, state: Mudan can treat cold Qi, dissipate various pains, treat amenorrhea in women, blood stasis causing lower back pain. Xiao Bing stated: Those from Hezhou are best. White ones have tonifying properties, red ones have draining properties. Those from Hezhou and Xuanzhou are also good. Rihua Zi stated: Eliminates pathogenic factors, promotes luster of complexion, opens interstices and blood vessels, expels pus, regulates menstruation, resolves traumatic blood stasis, reconnects sinews and bones, eliminates wind-bi, induces abortion and expulsion of the placenta, and treats all cold and hot blood-Qi conditions in postpartum women. This refers to the root of the Mudan flower. Those from Ba, Shu, Yu, and Hezhou are superior; those from Haiyan are inferior. Avoid garlic during administration.

*Tujing* states: Mudan grows in the valleys of Ba Commandery and Hanzhong; it is now found in the mountains of Danzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Yuezhou, Chuzhou, and Hezhou. Flowers come in yellow, purple, red, and white colors; these are likely wild Mudan. The stems become dry and brittle, appearing black or white. Seedlings and leaves emerge on the stems in the second lunar month, and flowers bloom in the third month. The flowers and leaves resemble those cultivated by households, but the flowers typically have only five or six petals. Black seeds form in the fifth lunar month, sized like chicken heads. The roots are yellowish-white, up to five or seven cun long, and as thick as a brush handle. Harvested in the second and eighth lunar months, split with a copper knife to remove the woody core (bone), and dried in the shade for use. This flower is also named Muxiaoyao (Wood Peony). In recent times, people have valued it highly. Gardeners wishing for unusual flowers transplant and graft them in autumn and winter, cultivating them in loam so they bloom profusely in spring with varied shapes. Consequently, the nature of their roots completely loses its original authenticity; such varieties cannot be used medicinally as they lack efficacy. Mudan primarily acts on the blood level to remove stasis. *Zhengyuan Guangli Fang*: For treating blood stasis due to trauma that does not dissipate, take 8 fen of Mudan Pi (Moutan Cortex), combine with 21 Melophagus Ovinus (Mengchong), stir-fry until done, pound together and sift into powder. Take one fangcun bi of the powder with warm wine every morning; the blood should transform into water and discharge.

Leigong stated: When preparing, harvest and sun-dry, split with a copper knife to remove the woody core, finely chop to the size of soybeans, mix with clear rice wine, steam from Si hour to Wei hour, remove, and sun-dry for use. *Waitai Miyao*: Formula for treating Gu poison: Take Mudan root, pound into powder, take one fangcun bi, three times daily, effective. *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*: For sores in the lower body that have ulcerated and perforated: Take one fangcun bi of Mudan, three times daily.

*Yanyi* stated: Use the outer bark of the Mudan root. There are also crimson flowers, such as Qianxi Fei from Xiluo. The imperial garden also has deep green varieties. Only single-petal red flowers from the mountains are considered excellent; cultivated ones are inferior. Grafted or transplanted branches are unusable because excessive flowering and leafing depletes the Qi of the root. How do we know this? In the case of double-flowered Mudan, if too many buds are retained in early spring, the floral branches and leaves will be weak the following year, often failing to bloom properly. Merchants sometimes sell branch bark, which is highly inappropriate.