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Stemona Radix

Slightly warm in nature. Chen Yuxi and others, according to the Shu Bencao (Shu Materia Medica), state: Slightly cold in nature. It primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi (cough and shortness of breath).

Tao Hongjing states: It is found everywhere in mountains and wilds. The roots are connected in clusters of dozens, resembling Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix) but more bitter and potent, and it possesses slight toxicity. After roasting over fire and steeping in wine, it can be drunk to treat cough; it also effectively removes lice. Boiled into a decoction, washing cattle and dogs with it removes lice. The *Bowuzhi* (Records of Various Things) states: In Jiuzhen Commandery, there is a grass similar to Stemona, only larger. It is hung over fire to dry. At night, four or five cun pieces are cut short, held in the mouth to swallow the juice, without letting others know. It is very effective for sudden severe cough and is named "Souyao" (Cough Medicine). It is suspected that this is indeed Stemona. Perhaps because it grows in fertile and moist places, it becomes larger. Currently, examining Chen Cangqi's *Bencao Shiyi* (Supplement to Materia Medica): Stemona Radix, after roasting and steeping in wine, should be drunk on an empty stomach. It expels insects and insect bites, as well as scabies and tinea ulcers. Chen Yuxi and others, according to *Yaoxing Lun* (Discussion on Drug Properties): Stemona, used as an assistant drug, has a sweet taste and is non-toxic. It can treat lung heat, rebellious Qi with cough, and primarily moistens and benefits the Lung. Ri Huazi states: Bitter in taste, non-toxic. It treats gan accumulation with roundworms and chuanshi lao (consumption tuberculosis), bone-steaming fever, kills roundworms, taenia (tapeworms), and pinworms, and treats all kinds of tree borings; burnt to ash, it can also kill flies and midges. It is also known as Po'fucao (Old Woman Grass). One root produces thirty-plus stems.

*Tujing Bencao* (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica) states: Stemona Radix was not previously noted for its place of origin. Now it is found in Jiang, Hu, Huai, Shaan, Qi, and Lu commanderies. In spring, shoots emerge growing as vines. The leaves are large, sharp, and long, somewhat resembling bamboo leaves, greenish-blue on the surface and glossy. The roots form a cluster at the bottom like taro. A single cluster contains fifteen or sixteen tubers, yellowish-white. They are harvested in February, March, and August, dried in the sun, and used. Ancient and modern formula books often use it to treat cough. Ge Hong advocated treating sudden cough. Using Stemona Radix and fresh ginger, two ingredients, each pressed for juice, mixed and boiled together, take 2 he. Zhang Wenzhong used Stemona Radix alone, steeped in wine for two nights. The property becomes greatly warm; take 1 sheng, twice daily. *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold): Treats thirty-year chronic cough. Use twenty jin of Stemona Radix, pound and press to extract juice, boil until thick like maltose. Take one fangcun bi (a measure roughly equivalent to a teaspoonful) per dose, three times daily. Proven effective.

*Tang Bencao* (Tang Materia Medica) states: Slightly cold in nature, slightly toxic. Lei Gong states: When preparing, after harvesting, split open with a bamboo knife, remove the heart, skin, and flowers, divide into dozens of strips, hang under the eaves to air-dry by wind. Wait until completely dry, then steep in wine overnight, strain out, bake dry, and finely chop for use. If one clump naturally has eighty-three roots, it is called "Dixianmiao" (Earth Immortal Seedling). If processed and taken, one could live a thousand years. *Waitai Miyao* (Secret Essentials of the Outer Cabinet): Treats accidental swallowing of coins. Four liang of Stemona Radix, one sheng of wine, steep overnight, warm and take one sheng, twice daily. *Xu Shiquan Fang* (Continued Perfect Ten Prescriptions) treats sudden cough. Pound Stemona vine roots to obtain natural juice, mix equally with honey, boil with boiling water to form a paste, and swallow. *Baopuzi* records Stemona Radix regulates cough and kills lice.