Library

Shilongrui (Ranunculus japonicus)
Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Primarily treats wind-cold-damp bi syndrome (pain and numbness in limbs and joints caused by invasion of wind, cold, and damp pathogens), evil qi in the heart and abdomen, unblocks the joints, relieves irritability and fullness, harmonizes Kidney and Stomach Qi, tonifies deficiency of Yin Qi, and treats spermatorrhea and cold penis. Long-term use lightens the body, brightens the eyes, prevents aging, makes the skin lustrous, and promotes fertility. Also known as Luguoneng, Dizhen, Shineng, Penggen, Tiandou. Grows beside rocks in streams and marshes of Mount Tai. Seeds are harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month; bark is harvested in the second and eighth lunar months and dried in the shade. (Daji [Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix] serves as its guiding herb; it fears snake skin shed and Evodiae Fructus [Wuzhuyu].)

Tao Hongjing stated: Currently, it is produced in nearby regions. The seeds are coarse in shape, resembling Szechuan Cnidium Seed (Shechuangzi) but flatter, which are not the true high-quality variety. People say they are seeds of shepherd's purse. Those growing on rocks in the eastern mountains are the true ones. Its leaves are short and small with serrated edges. The seeds resemble Thlaspi Seeds (Tinglizi), are yellow, and have a slightly pungent taste; these are indeed authentic. The commentary in *Xinxiu Bencao* states: What is currently used is commonly known as Shuidong (pronounced "jin"). The seedling resembles Aconite Root (Fuzi), and the fruit resembles mulberry, hence the name Dizhen. It grows in low and wet areas, ripens in May, and both leaves and seeds are pungent. In southern Shanxi, the grains are as large as sunflower seeds. In Guanzhong and Hebei, they are as fine as Thlaspi Seeds, and their medicinal efficacy is inferior to those from southern Shanxi. Tao believed that the smaller ones were authentic, which was not a comprehensive view. Additionally, the *Bencao Jing Jizhu* entry for Shuidong states: It primarily treats toxic swelling, carbuncles, sores, roundworms, and dental caries. Minister Yuxi et al., according to *Yaoxing Lun*, stated: Shilongrui can expel various wind pathogens and primarily clears heart heat and restlessness.

*Tujing* states: Shilongrui grows beside rocks in streams and marshes of Mount Tai. Tao Hongjing said: It is found everywhere along nearby roads. Now it is only produced in Yanzhou. One clump has several stems, which are greenish-purple. Each stem has three leaves, which are short, small, and deeply lobed. The seeds resemble Thlaspi Seeds and are yellow. Seeds are harvested in May, bark in February and August, and dried in the shade for use. It can expel various wind pathogens and clear heart heat and restlessness. Su Gong stated: Commonly known as Shuijin. The seedling resembles Aconite Root, and the fruit resembles mulberry. It grows in low and wet areas; this is Shuijin, not Shilongrui. What is currently grown in Yanzhou exactly matches the description in *Shennong Bencao Jing* and Tao's statement, thus obtaining the authentic variety.

Chen Zangqi stated: Ruizi is pungent. According to Su Jing and *Bencao Jing Jizhu*: Shuijin primarily treats toxic swelling, snake and insect bites, and dental caries. Moreover, since Shuijin matches Su Jing's annotation, it must be Shilongrui, certainly not another herb. *Erya* states: Ji is Jincao. Guo Pu's annotation says: It is the seedling of Aconite. Su Jing also annotated Tianxiong stating: Shilongrui has leaves resembling Jincao, hence named Shuijin. Thus, based on Su Jing's annotation, Shuijin refers to Shilongrui, while Fuzi refers to Jincao. Shuijin and Jincao share the same name.

*Yanyi* states: Shilongrui now has two types: those growing in water have smooth leaves with rounded tips. Those growing on land have hairy leaves with sharp tips. For medicinal use, only the aquatic type should be employed. The terrestrial type is also called Tianjiu (Heavenly Moxibustion). Taking a few leaves, rubbing them, and tying them to the arm causes large blisters overnight, feeling like a burn. Only the terrestrial type can tonify deficiency of Yin Qi, treat cold penis, and spermatorrhea. Other effects are as described in the *Classic*.