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[Steamer Band Ash]
Indicated for abdominal distension and pain, rectal prolapse. Decocted in water and taken orally, it treats gastric reflux (vomiting), urinary incontinence, urinary retention, strangury, sudden attack of evil pathogens, corpse-wandering disease (a chronic consumptive infectious disease), and metal wounds with retained blades.

According to annotations in other editions: In the Jiangnan region, cattail reeds are used as steamer liners. The ash obtained by burning long-used liners is used in medicine. It tastes pungent, is warm in nature, and is non-toxic. Since steamer liners are long exposed to steam, they can dissipate qi and promote the flow of qi. Applying the ash to metal wounds stops bleeding and relieves pain, and helps expel retained blades. (Attached from *Xinxiu Bencao*) Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to the Shu edition: Take long-used...

*Waitai Miyao*: Treats eyes obscured by foreign bodies or discomfort; administer one qianbi amount of ash with water. Another prescription: For infants with bloody stools, apply steamer band ash to the nipple for the infant to suckle, or administer internally; the condition will resolve.

*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*: For treating grass awns, sand, stones, etc., that cannot be expelled: Mix steamer band ash with water and drink; the foreign body will be expelled. *Zimu Milu*: For treating infant night crying, hang the steamer band on the door frame. Another prescription: For infant umbilical wind sores that do not heal for a long time, burn steamer band ash and apply it topically.

[Chidili]
Tastes bitter, is neutral in nature, and is non-toxic. Indicated for various types of dysentery (red, white, cold, and hot), breaks blood stasis, stops bleeding, treats leukorrhea with red and white discharge, and promotes tissue regeneration. It grows in valleys everywhere.

*Xinxiu Bencao* notes: Leaves resemble *Metaplexis japonica*, growing as vines. Root bark is reddish-black, flesh is yellowish-red. Harvest roots in February and August, dry in the sun. (Attached from *Xinxiu Bencao*)
Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to the Shu edition *Tu Jing*: Grows as vines, winding around trees and plants; flowers and seeds are green. Roots resemble *Smilax*, with purple-red bark.

*Tujing* states: Chidili was not recorded in older texts regarding its place of origin, stating it grows in valleys everywhere; currently, it is only produced in Huashan. Sprouts appear in spring and summer, growing as vines winding around trees and plants, with red stems. Leaves are green, resembling buckwheat leaves. White flowers bloom in July, also resembling buckwheat. Roots resemble *Smilax*, with black bark and yellowish-red flesh. Harvest roots within August, dry in the sun for use. Also known as Mountain Buckwheat. Below this entry is another item, Chiche Shizhe: Resembles *Elsholtzia* and *Mentha*, with red leaves and stems, and purple-red roots. Grows in the shade of streams and valleys, produced in Xiangzhou. Harvest roots in August and September, dry in the sun. Ancient prescriptions treat severe rheumatic bi-syndrome using wine decoctions of Chiche Shizhe. Nowadays, few people use it, and even fewer recognize it; thus, it is attached here.

Leigong states: After harvesting, finely chop. Use blue leaves and roots chopped together. Only Chidili is finely chopped, placed in a raw silk bag, steamed together for one shichen (two hours), then remove the blue leaves and dry in the sun. *Taiping Shenghui Fang*: For treating burns to prevent scarring: Use two liang of Chidili, grind into powder, mix with raw oil, and apply topically. *Waitai Miyao*: For treating sores on infants' faces and bodies resembling burns: Grind Chidili into powder and dust it on the affected area for good effect.