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Qinjiao (Character "Jiao")

Bitter, pungent, neutral or slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats pathogenic factors of chills and fever, wind-damp-bi syndrome, pain in limbs and joints, promotes water passage, facilitates urination, treats wind diseases regardless of whether they are new or chronic, and alleviates whole-body spasms and tightness. Grows in the valleys of Feiwu. Roots are harvested in the second and eighth months and dried in the sun. (Changpu is its guiding herb.)

Tao Hongjing states: Feiwu may be a place name. Currently, herbs from Gansong, Longdong, and Canling are available; those with long roots that are yellowish-white are considered superior. The roots all exhibit a cross-hatched pattern resembling silk threads, often containing soil in the center. They must be cooked thoroughly, broken open, and cleaned to remove the soil. Medical practitioners often write it as "Qin Jiao" (using the character for glue), which is commonly used together with Duhuo to treat wind diseases, whereas Daoist practitioners do not require this combination. The *Tang Bencao* annotation states: Those produced in Jingzhou, Yuanzhou, and Qizhou are of good quality. It was originally written as "Zha," or sometimes as "Jiu" or "Jiao." The correct character is "Qiu." Minister Yuxi and others carefully note according to *Yaoxing Lun*: Qinjiao resolves millet grease; if people consume grains but lack nourishment and vitality, they fear cow's milk. Taking it point-wise promotes bowel movements and urination. It cures five types of jaundice, resolves alcohol toxicity, and eliminates head wind. Xiao Bing states: In the *Shennong Benjing*, it was named "Qin Gua." People use it with great efficacy to treat alcohol-induced jaundice and icterus. Ri Huazi states: Bitter, cold. It primarily treats consumption (transmitted corpse disease), bone-steaming heat, treats childhood malnutrition (gan syndrome) and seasonal febrile diseases. It is also known as "Qin Gua"; those with a cross-hatched pattern are superior.

The *Tu Jing* states: Qinjiao grows in the valleys of Feiwu. It is now abundant in Hezhou and Shanzhou military regions. The root is earthy yellow, interwoven and crossed, about one chi long, varying in thickness. The stems are five or six cun high. The leaves are luxuriant and connected to the stem, all green, resembling lettuce leaves. It flowers in purple in the sixth month, similar to kudzu flowers, and bears fruit in the same month. Roots are harvested in spring and autumn and dried in the shade. The *Zhengyuan Guangli Fang* treats jaundice with mental restlessness, heat, dry mouth, and yellowing of skin and flesh. Using 12 fen of Qinjiao and one large sheng of cow's milk, boil them together until seven he remain, strain, and take warm in two doses. This prescription comes from Xu Renze. Additionally, Cui Yuanliang's *Jiyan Fang*: For any suspected cases of back carbuncle, one should immediately take Qinjiao decocted with cow's milk. When rapid diarrhea of three to five stools occurs, the condition will resolve. The method is the same as above. Another prescription for treating jaundice uses one da liang of finely chopped Qinjiao, divided into two portions. With one sheng of fine wine, half a sheng per portion, squeeze out the juice, strain, and take on an empty stomach in two doses. If bowel movements cease, it is easier to treat among those who drink wine well. There are several types of jaundice: jaundice caused by alcohol injury is called alcohol jaundice; eating rat feces by mistake at night can also cause jaundice; jaundice caused by overwork presents with excessive phlegm and nasal discharge, red veins in the eyes, increasing emaciation, or red face and nausea. Cui Yuanliang's use of it, and its application in treating people, yields extremely effective results. Qinjiao must be new and of good quality with a cross-hatched pattern.

Lei Gong states: Whenever using Qinjiao, one must recognize it by the patterns at the base: if the left pattern is listed as "Qin," it treats diseases. If it is "Jiao," it causes gout. Whenever using Qinjiao, first wipe off all the yellow hairy skin with cloth, then soak it in Huanyuan Decoction overnight. Take it out the next morning and dry it in the sun before use. The *Shenghui Fang*: Treats taiyang cold damage with mental heat and irritability, dry mouth, and vexatious thirst. One liang of Qinjiao, with buds removed and finely chopped, is decocted with one large zhan of cow's milk until reduced to six parts. Strain, and take warm in two doses at any time. Another prescription: Treats difficult urination and abdominal fullness/stuffiness; if not treated urgently, it can be fatal. Use one liang of Qinjiao with buds removed, decoct with one large zhan of water until reduced to seven parts. Strain, and divide into two doses after meals. Sun Simiao treats icterus where the skin and eyes are golden-yellow and urine is red. Take five liang of Qinjiao and three sheng of cow's milk, boil until one sheng remains. Strain, add one liang of Mangxiao (Mirabilite), and take.