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Baiji (Spina Rhamni)

Pungent, cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats heart and abdominal pain, abscesses with pus discharge, relieves pain, resolves stagnation in collaterals, treats deficiency and damage in men, impotence, and spontaneous seminal emission; tonifies Kidney Qi, and benefits essence and marrow. Also known as Jizhen (Spina Ziziphi), also known as Jici (Spina of Ziziphus). Grows in the river valleys of Yongzhou.

Tao Hongjing states: Li Yun says this is the thorn of the Sour Jujube tree. Nowadays, people use the seedlings of Asparagus cochinchinensis to substitute it, which is not the true Baiji. The annotation in Xinxiu Bencao notes: Baiji has white stems.

Tu Jing records: Baiji is the spina of the jujube tree. It grows in Yongzhou, and its flowers and thorns are found by the roadside; nowadays, they are all present near the capital. Jiu refers to small jujube trees. They grow in clumps three or four chi high; their flowers, leaves, stems, and fruits resemble those of jujube trees, but there are two varieties: red and white. Su Gong states: Baiji has stems white as powder; its seeds and leaves are the same as those of Chi Ji (Red Spina); Chi Ji occasionally contains white ones, which are rare. However, there are two types: straight and hooked. Straight ones are suitable for tonic prescriptions, while hooked ones are used for treating abscesses. Thorns can be harvested at any time. Flowers should be harvested 120 days after the Winter Solstice. Fruits are harvested in April. Additionally, Zao Zhen (Jujube thorns) treat obstruction in the throat due to Bi syndrome and are also used in medicinal preparations. Chen Zi'ang, in his observation of Yu Pian, stated: When in Zhangye Commandery, someone passed off Xianren Zhang (Immortal's Staff) as Baiji, and fellow travelers believed it. These two substances are completely dissimilar; it is unknown why such confusion arose. This explanation is seen in the entry for Gouqi (Lycium Fruit).

Waitai Miyao: Treats tooth decay caused by "tooth worms." Two hundred Jizhen, boiled in three sheng of water until one sheng remains, held in the mouth. Another prescription: Treats hematuria. Three sheng of Jici, boiled in five sheng of water until two sheng remain, divided into three doses. Qianjin Fang: Treats various malignant swellings that have been neglected and developed pus. Burn Jizhen to ash, take with water; after one night, the head will expel the pus. Another prescription: For blackening of gum tissue due to insects eating the tooth roots. Apply the juice extracted from burnt decaying Jici ten times, then apply powdered Realgar; it will heal. Zimu Milu: For infant tetanus with locked jaw and inability to suckle milk. Burn Baiji to powder, take one qianbi with water. Another prescription: Treats carbuncles, jaundice, hemorrhoids, fistulas, sores, and infant erysipelas; wash the affected area with juice boiled from Jigen (Jujube roots). From Qianjin.

Yanyi states: Baiji is also known as Jizhen and Jici. According to the Classic (Shennong Bencao Jing), this is very clear. Various schools of thought create unnecessary doubts; these are now disregarded to seek the truth in the Classic. The term Baiji refers to selecting the plump, purple branches where the thin white membrane on the wrinkled bark has started to peel off, hence called Baiji. The meaning of "white" is limited to this. Its "Jicihua" simply refers to the flowers blooming on the jujube thorns, with no other hidden meaning. Nowadays, people burn branches to extract oil for applying to dirty hair...