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Rhizoma et Radix Polygoni Cuspidati (Huzhang Gen)
Slightly warm in nature, it primarily promotes the free flow of menstruation and breaks up stagnant blood masses.
Tao Hongjing stated: It is very common in fields; its appearance resembles *Polygonum orientale* (Da Ma Liao), with spotted stems and round leaves. It is extremely effective for treating sudden abdominal masses (Jia); one should soak the root in wine and take it. Current research based on Chen Cangqi's *Bencao* states: Huzhang treats wind lodged between bones and joints, as well as blood stasis; boil the juice to make a wine preparation. Crushed leaves applied externally treat snake bites. Also known as Ku Zhang. The variety with red spots on the stem is the authentic one. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to the *Shu Ben Tu Jing*, state: It grows in low, wet areas, forming a tree-like structure over one zhang high, with red stems and yellow roots. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried. It is found everywhere. *Erya* states: [Image], which is Huzhang. The annotation says: It resembles Hong Cao but is coarser and larger, has fine thorns, and can be used to dye red. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Huzhang serves as an envoy herb. Also called Da Chong Zhang. It tastes sweet, is level in temperature, and non-toxic. It treats severe heat and restlessness, relieves thirst, promotes urination, and suppresses all kinds of heat toxins. In summer months, decocted with Gan Cao, the color becomes lovely like amber, worthy of viewing, and tastes sweet. Placed in a bottle submerged in a well to become cold as ice, it should be stored in white porcelain or silver vessels and drunk like tea. People at that time called it "Frozen Beverage," and it was even more revered than tea. It can break menstrual obstruction in women; crush and soak in wine for regular consumption. Pregnant women should not take it, as it invigorates blood. Ri Huazi stated: It treats postpartum lochia retention, abdominal distension and fullness, expels pus, and treats sores, carbuncles, abscesses, and toxic swellings, as well as blood syncope in women and traumatic injuries.
The *Tu Jing* states: Huzhang, also known as Ku Zhang. Old texts do not record its specific origin provinces; now it is available everywhere. Seedlings emerge in March; the stem resembles bamboo shoots, with red spots above, branching out immediately upon emergence. Leaves resemble small apricot leaves. Flowers bloom in July, and fruits mature in September. Those from the southern regions do not flower. The root bark is black, turning yellow when broken, resembling willow roots. Some grow over one zhang high. *Erya* states: [Image], which is Huzhang. Guo Pu said: It resembles Hong Cao but is coarser and larger, has fine thorns, and can be used to dye red; this is it. Roots are harvested in February and March and sun-dried. People in Hedong burn root ash to apply to various malignant sores. Medical practitioners in Zhejiang wash the roots, remove the rough outer skin, cut into pieces, bake, crush, sieve, and make honey pills the size of adzuki beans, taken with aged rice water to treat intestinal hemorrhoids with bleeding, which is very effective. Common people decoct it with Gan Cao as a beverage, the color lovely like amber; stored in bottles in wells to become cold as ice, it excellently resolves summer heat toxins. Its juice mixed with rice to make porridge cakes is even more delicious.
Lei Gong stated: When using Huzhang, do not use Tian Lan or Ban You roots, as their shapes and flavors are similar, leading to errors. After harvesting, finely cut, then cover with Huzhuang branches and leaves overnight, take out, and dry in the sun. *Waitai Miyao*: Treats sudden onset of fixed masses, where a hard stone-like object exists in the abdomen, causing piercing pain day and night. If untreated, death occurs within 100 days. Take Huzhang root, ensuring its shadow does not touch the water surface, obtain about one shi, wash, dry, and grind into powder. Use five sheng of rice, steam into rice, stir in the powder, soak in five dou of good wine, seal until the medicine dissolves and rice floats, then drink one and a half sheng. Avoid eating fish and salt. The mass should pass. Alternatively, take only one dou of dried material, grind, soak in wine, and drink, starting with a small amount, three times daily, which is also good. This method for treating masses surpasses many major medicines. *Zhou Hou Fang*: Treats epidemic typhoid toxin attacking hands and feet, causing swelling and pain threatening amputation. Formula: Cut Huzhang root, decoct in water, adjust to suitable temperature, and soak hands and feet until the water reaches one chi above the ankle. *Shanghan Lei Yao* combined with *Ji Yan Fang*: Treats the five types of strangury (Wu Lin). Ku Zhang, regardless of quantity, ground into powder; take two qian per dose, swallowed with rice water, without restriction on timing.
*Yanyi* states: Huzhang root tastes slightly bitter, though the *Classic* does not specify its flavor. This is a herbal medicine. *Shu Ben Tu Jing* states it grows as a tree over one zhang high, which is entirely incorrect. Huzhang generally resembles Han Ju (Chrysanthemum indicum), but flowers, leaves, stems, and pistils differ significantly. Moreover, stems and leaves have pale black spots. From June and July, flowers bloom successively until mid-September; petals are four-parted, colored like peach blossoms, slightly larger, with darker outer edges. It is abundant at the foot of mountains and near waters in Shaanxi. Nowadays, throughout the realm, root juice is often decocted as a beverage in summer months; without Gan Cao, it is unsuitable for drinking. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Decocted with Gan Cao, it tastes sweet. That sweetness is the taste of Gan Cao, not Huzhang. Regarding its therapeutic action, however, it is quite appropriate.