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Bark of Populus alba (Baishang Yupi)
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats toxic wind causing Hongjiao (gouty swelling), flaccidity and weakness of the four limbs with loss of voluntary movement, toxic vapors wandering in the skin, and phlegm masses (Tanpi). Administered after soaking in wine.
Select leaves that are round and large, with a small petiole, and which move without wind. Currently, according to Chen Cangqi's *Bencao*: Baishang removes wind-bi and old blood, treats fractures/trauma, and blood exuding between bone and flesh causing unbearable pain, as well as skin wind-rash and swelling. It can be mixed with five types of wood to decoct for bathing or compressing the affected area. It is very common in the northern regions; people plant it among graves. The trees are large with white bark. Some say the leaves move without wind; this is actually Yi Yang (Yiyang), not Baishang. (Attached from Tang Benxian) Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully note: Rihua Zi states: Taste sour, acts on sinews and bones. This is not the ordinary Yang (Poplar), Liu (Willow), or Song (Pine); it refers to the one with leaves like pear trees.
*Tu Jing* records: Baishang, its origin province was not recorded in old texts; now it is found everywhere, especially in the north, planted among graves. The trunk is large, leaves round like pears, bark white, wood similar to Poplar, hence named Baishang. Bark can be harvested at any time. Below is another entry for Shuiyang (Water Poplar): *Jing* says: Leaves are round, broad, and reddish; branches have short pedicels; mostly grows by water banks; shape resembles Willow, hence named Shuiyang. What *Erya* calls "Mao" is Zeli (Marsh Willow). The text mentions growing by water, shape like Willow, which is now Puyang. There are many varieties of Yang and Liu. Cui Bao's *Gujin Zhu* states: Baishang leaves are round; Qingyang leaves are long; Liu leaves are also long and fine; Tiyang has round leaves and weak petioles, shaking greatly in breeze. Also known as Gaofei, or Duyao. Puliu grows by water, leaves resemble Qingyang, also called Puyang; also called Liu; also called Pu Yan. Shuiyang is Puyang. Branches and stems are tough (Ren), used for arrows. There is also Chiyang (Red Poplar), whose wood grain is also red. However, people nowadays rarely distinguish them; I have seen them all in the Liuhua (Willow Flower) entry. *Bixiao Fang* treats abdominal fullness and masses: Take Hufeng wood, finely cut 5 sheng, stir-fry until yellow, pour 5 sheng of wine over it, then place the dregs in a silk bag and return to the wine, seal tightly and leave for two nights. Take 1 he per dose, three times daily.
Leigong says: When using, scrape off the rough bark with a copper knife, steam from Si hour to Wei hour. Store in a cloth bag, hang to dry on the east side of the house. *Waitai Miyao* treats mouth corner sores: Burn tender branches on iron until ash, apply grease. *Qianjin Fang*: Treats dysentery during pregnancy. Baishang bark 1 jin, water 1 dou, decoct to obtain 2 sheng. For toothache, decoct Baishang bark in vinegar and hold in mouth.
Sun Taoren mainly treats mouth ulcers: Use Baishang branches, decoct in Jiangshui (fermented rice wash water), add salt and hold in mouth.
*Yanyi* states: Baishang is very common in Shaanxi; residents in Yong and Yao areas use this wood for building houses. However, it roots easily; when chopping the tree, fragments entering the soil will take root, making it easy to propagate. Not only in graveyards, but often planted in front and back of houses and along paths, simply because the land suits it. When wind blows, leaves... Some say they move without wind, but this does not happen. I served in Yong and Yao areas and saw them familiarly. Only when the wind is slight, in places directly exposed to the wind, the isolated leaves often shake alone, because their petioles are long and thin, and leaves are heavy; the momentum causes this when a breeze passes.