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Baihe (Nymphaea alba Rhizome)

Nature: Slightly warm. Indications: Mainly treats gu poison (parasitic poisoning) and malaria.

Tao Hongjing stated: Nowadays, people call the red variety "He" and the white variety "Fu Zu" (White Water Lily), although their leaves are from the same plant. For human consumption, the red variety is superior. However, for medicinal use, the white variety is employed. Those suffering from gu poison who consume its juice and lie on its leaves can call out the name of the person casting the spell. It also mainly treats various toxins found in streams and valleys, such as sand leeches. Excessive consumption damages the therapeutic efficacy and is detrimental to the feet. Planting Baihe in households is said to repel snakes. The commentary in *Xinxiu Bencao* notes: The rhizome mainly treats various malignant sores and kills gu poison. The center of the rhizome treats rice awns or wheat awns embedded in the eye that cannot be removed; instilling the juice into the eye causes the awn to exit. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to *Shuben Tujing*, recorded: The leaves resemble those of young Musa basjoo (Japanese banana); the root resembles ginger shoots; the leaves wither in winter. *Yaoxing Lun* states: Baihe can also be used singly. Flavor: Acrid; Toxicity: Slight toxicity.

*Tujing* states: Baihe was not previously noted for specific production regions. Currently, it is widely planted in Jingzhou and between the Yangtze and Yellow River regions, and also exists in northern areas. In early spring, leaves emerge resembling Musa basjoo; the root resembles ginger but is plump, and the rhizome is suitable for pickling. It prefers shade; those growing under trees are particularly fine. Pan Yue's *Xianju Fu* states: "He follows the shade..." *Shisuo Ji* says: In mid-winter, Baihe is preserved with salt for winter storage and to prevent gu poison. Shi You's *Jijiu Pian* says: "Baihe is stored in winter, a practice of long standing." Gan Bao's *Soushen Ji* records: His wife's brother-in-law, Jiang Shixian, suffered from hematochezia, claiming he had contracted gu poison. His family secretly placed Baihe under his mat. He suddenly laughed loudly and said, "The one bewitching me is Zhang Xiao." Consequently, Zhang Xiao was apprehended. Since then, this herb has been frequently used in antidotes for gu poison. *Zhou Li · Shushi* uses "Ji Cao" (auspicious grass) to eliminate gu poison. Zong Lin believed that Ji Cao refers to Baihe. Chen Cangqi stated: Baihe and Qian Gen (Rubia cordifolia Root) are the best herbs for treating gu poison. There are two varieties: red and white. The white variety enters medicine and was formerly called Fu Zu; the red variety is edible and often used in making plum preserves. Ancient prescriptions: ... Lei Gong stated: When using Baihe, do not use Ge Niu Cao (Polygonum aviculare), which looks very similar but has a fishy and astringent taste. To process Baihe, scrape off the outer coarse skin with a copper knife, finely chop, grind in a mortar until paste-like, collect only the natural juice, refine into an extract, cool in a new vessel until solid like glue. If loss of voice or throat discomfort occurs after ingestion, take 2 liang of Baihe rhizome, grind, extract juice, mix evenly with one large cup of wine, take half a qian warm at any time. This method is identical to *Zhouhou Fang*. *Waitai Miyao*: For sores and ulcers in the throat and tongue. Soak Baihe rhizome in wine. Treats shanghan (cold damage) and seasonal warm diseases with headache, high fever, and surging pulse. Take fresh Baihe rhizome and leaves, crush together, and extract juice. Treats sudden hematemesis, also treats gu poison and hemorrhoidal bleeding, and lumbar pain in women. Take one handful of east-facing Baihe rhizome, crush, extract two sheng of juice, take on an empty stomach mixed with wine. Mei Shi Fang: Treats sudden... [text fragment] make the patient conscious and reveal the name of the disease caster. Another prescription: Treats sensation of a foreign body stuck in the throat, abdominal distension, and emaciation. Take juice extracted from Baihe rhizome; parasites will immediately exit. *Jingchu Suishiji* records Jiang Shixian suffering from hematochezia due to gu poison; his family secretly spread the rhizome under the mat. He suddenly laughed and said, "The gu eating me is Zhang Xiao," and Zhang Xiao was caught.

*Yanyi* states: Baihe is soaked and stored in August and September for use as vegetables in winter. Only the white variety is used for treatment.