Library

Bitter in taste, warm and slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats wind-heat pathogenic factors, necrosis of muscle tissue, carbuncles and traumatic injuries, dry mouth with scorched tongue, persistent swelling of carbuncles, swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty swallowing where water and fluids cannot pass down, severe fright entering the abdomen (severe palpitations causing abdominal discomfort), expelling evil qi, nourishing the Kidney, treating pain in the lower back and hips (pronounced "kuan"), strengthening bones and tendons, and benefiting the joints. Long-term consumption makes the body feel light, improves vision, moistens the skin, enhances complexion, prevents aging and prolongs life, and promotes spiritual clarity. Also known as Shiling (Shí Líng), Shicuo (Shí Cuō), Lüeshi (Lüè Shí), Mingshi (Míng Shí), Lingshi (Lǐng Shí), and Xianshi (Xuán Shí). It grows in valleys of Mount Tai, on the shady side of rocky mountains, on high mountain rocks, or in inhabited areas. Harvested in the first lunar month. (Duzhong [Eucommia Bark] and Mudan [Tree Peony Root Bark] act as its assistants; it is incompatible with Tieluo [Iron Filings], and fears Beimu [Fritillaria Bulb] and Changpu [Acorus Rhizome].)

Tao Hongjing stated: I do not recognize this herb; neither immortal nor secular methods use it. Some say it is a stone-like substance. Since it is said to sometimes grow in inhabited areas, it is not a stone, just like Shihu [Dendrobium Stem], which borrows the name from stones. The *Tang Bencao* annotation notes: This plant grows in shady and damp places, remaining evergreen in winter and summer. Its fruits are black and round, and its stems creep and wrap around trees and rocks. If growing among stones, the leaves are fine, dense, round, and short. If wrapping around trees, the leaves are large and thin. People also cultivate it, commonly called Naidong [Evergreen], and people in southern mountains call it Xuexue [Stone Blood]. It effectively treats postpartum blood stasis. Because it envelopes and wraps around stones and trees while growing, it is named Luoshi [Creeper Stone]. The *Bie Lu* (Nameless Classic of Famous Physicians) calls it Shilongteng [Stone Dragon Vine], treating venomous snake bite sores by squeezing out juice for washing; ingesting the juice also removes heart stuffiness caused by snake poison. For knife and axe wounds and various sores, applying it externally leads to immediate healing. Currently consulting Chen Cangqi's *Bencao*: Luoshi, when boiled into juice and ingested, treats all kinds of wind diseases and is suitable for elderly people whose hair has turned white. Those growing on stones are superior; those growing on wood derive efficacy from the wood. Growing on the shady side of mountains, it resembles Bili [Creeping Fig]. There are more than ten other types of vines such as Mulian [Wood Lotus], Xuexue [Stone Blood], and Dijin [Ground Brocade], all belonging to this category. Generally, they all treat wind-blood disorders, warm the waist and feet, prevent hair whitening and decay. Confusing Xuexue with Luoshi is a significant error. Xuexue leaves are pointed with one end red; Luoshi leaves are round and pure green. Ministers Yuxi and others carefully followed the *Shu Ben Tu Jing*: It grows between wood and stones, does not wither in winter, leaves resemble small citrus, creeping on the shady side of wood and stones, rooting at stem nodes, enveloping stones, with white flowers and black seeds. It is present everywhere now; stems and leaves are harvested in the sixth and seventh lunar months and dried in the sun. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Luoshi is the Sovereign herb, incompatible with Tiejing [Iron Essence], kills malevolent toxins. Sweet in taste, neutral. Treats Houbi [Sore Throat/Obstruction]. Chen Cangqi says: Dijin [Ground Brocade], sweet in taste, warm, non-toxic. Treats old broken blood, postpartum blood stasis, emaciation in women, inability to eat, abdominal masses, dribbling urination, leukorrhea (red and white discharge), and heart stuffiness caused by epidemic febrile diseases. All can be decocted for ingestion or soaked in wine. Grows under forests in Huainan, leaves like duck feet, vines lie on the ground, roots at nodes, also climbs trees and rocks, survives winter, used by mountain people for postpartum conditions. Also known as Di Jin. Su Gong annotated: Luoshi and Xuexue are of the same category. He further stated: Fangfangteng [Creeping Fig Vine], bitter in taste, slightly warm, non-toxic. Treats all blood disorders, all qi disorders, all cold conditions, eliminating hundred diseases. Long-term consumption prolongs life, turns hair white without aging. Mountain people collect those on maple trees as Fufengteng [Maple-climbing Vine]. Similar to Sangshang Jisheng [Mistletoe on Mulberry], primarily treating wind-blood disorders. Also known as Pangteng. Cold in nature, taken after soaking in wine. Young vines resemble Luoshi and Bili climbing trees. After thirty to fifty years, they grow larger with lush foliage, leaves round and long two to three inches, thick like Shiwei [Pyrrosia Leaf]. Fruits resemble lotus pods containing fine seeds, ripening once a year. Seeds are also used medicinally; the pod breaks blood. Also known as Mulian [Wood Lotus]; breaking it yields white juice that turns dark like lacquer over time; harvest time is indefinite. He also mentioned Tutengteng [Earth Drum Vine], bitter in taste. Seeds are sweet, warm, non-toxic. Treat wind-blood, frailty in old age, various cold conditions in the abdomen, blood obstruction, strengthens waist and feet, prevents hair whitening. Taken as decoction or wine infusion. Grows in forest thickets, creeping vines on grass and trees, pointed leaf tips, ripe seeds like pearls, bright green and perfectly round. Children beat the vines on the ground to produce drum sounds; Li Yong named it Changchunteng [Evergreen Ivy]. Ri Hua Zi stated: Mulian vine juice applied externally treats Bai Dian [Vitiligo], ulcers, and severe wind-induced tinea and scabies. He also stated Changchunteng [Evergreen Ivy], also known as Longlin Bili [Dragon-scale Creeping Fig].

The *Tu Jing* states: Luoshi grows in valleys of Mount Tai, on the shady side of rocky mountains, on high mountain rocks, or in inhabited areas, and is now found everywhere. Planted in palaces, temples, pavilions, gardens, and among rocks as decoration. Leaves are round like small citrus, pure green, evergreen in winter and summer. Stems creep, rooting at nodes, enveloping stones, hence the name. White flowers, black seeds, harvested in the first lunar month, or some say stems and leaves in the sixth and seventh lunar months, dried in the sun. Those growing on stones are superior. Those growing on wood change with the nature of the wood. Bili, Mulian, Dijin, and Xuexue are all related. Bili is very similar but has thicker stems and leaves, appearing vine-like. Recent practitioners use its leaves to treat Back Carbuncles; dried powder ingested stops diarrhea and cures the condition. Mulian is larger than Luoshi, its fruit resembles a lotus pod, strongly boosts sexual function, and is superior. Dijin leaves look like duck feet, vines lie on the ground, root at nodes, also climb trees and rocks. Xuexue is extremely similar to Luoshi, only differing in having pointed and reddish leaf tips.

Lei Gong stated: After harvesting, wipe the hairs off the leaves and stems with coarse cloth, soak in cooked Licorice Water for one night (Fu Shi), take out, slice, and dry in the sun for use.

*Waitai Miyao*: Treats Houbi [Sore Throat/Obstruction], cold throat, inability to breathe, impending suffocation, highly effective. Use Er Liang [two taels] of Luoshi Cao [Luoshi Herb], one Sheng [liter] of water, decoct until reduced to one Da Zhan [large cup], remove dregs, drink slowly; breathing will clear shortly. Back Carbuncle: The *Tu Jing* states: Bili treats Back Carbuncles. I previously resided in Yixing County, Zhangzhu Town, where an elderly scholar running a village school, over seventy years old, suddenly developed a Back Carbuncle. With no other medicine available in the village, we urgently took Bili leaves, pounded them thoroughly, squeezed out the juice, mixed with honey, and drank several Sheng. The residue was applied to the sore, followed by other medicinal dressings, resulting in recovery. The physician stated: The cure was likely due to the power of Bili, confirming that the records in the *Tu Jing* are not false.