Library

Tongcao (Akebiae Caulis / Tetrapanacis Medulla)
Pungent, sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily used to expel harmful parasites, eliminate cold and heat in the spleen and stomach, unblock the nine orifices (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and anterior/posterior orifices), blood vessels, and joints, enhance memory, treat Pi Dan (jaundice caused by damp-heat accumulation in the spleen), alleviate somnolence, mental restlessness, and hiccups with sound, treat deafness, dissipate carbuncles and various indurations that do not resolve, as well as Jin Chuang (traumatic injuries from metal weapons) and malignant sores, Shu Lou (scrofula/lymphatic tuberculosis), fractures, nasal polyps, induce abortion, and remove "three worms" (general term for internal parasites). Also known as Fuzhi, and Dingweng. Grows in the valleys of Shicheng and on the sunny slopes of mountains. Branches are harvested in the first lunar month and dried in the shade.

Tao Hongjing states: It is now produced in areas near the capital. It is a vine that wraps around trees, with white juice. The stem has fine pores and is open at both ends. If one end is placed in the mouth and blown into, and air exits the other end, it is considered superior. Some say it is the stem of Fu Teng. The annotation in *Tang Bencao* notes: This plant can have stems up to three cun in diameter, with two or three branches per node, and five leaves at the tips of the branches. Its fruit is three to four cun long, with a black seed and white pulp, tasting sweet and delicious. Southerners call it Yanzi, or Wu. The current term "Teng" is likely due to phonetic similarity. Minister Yuxi and others, according to *Yaoxing Lun*, state: Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), a minister herb, slightly cold, also known as Wangweng Wannian. It treats Wulin (five types of strangury), promotes urination, opens Guan Ge (obstruction syndrome characterized by vomiting and urinary retention), treats excessive sleepiness, manages edema with swelling, and clears irritability and heat. The root is used to treat goiters and masses under the neck. Meng Shen says: Yanzi (fruit of Mutong), neutral. It thickens the intestines and stomach, improves appetite, descends to the Triple Burner, and eliminates foul qi. Consuming it with the fruit is better. People in the north rarely know it, while those in the south consume it frequently. Additionally, it restores qi severed in the five zang organs, strengthens voice, and unblocks the twelve meridians. Its stem is called Tongcao; consuming it unblocks qi stagnation in the meridians. Northerners only recognize Tongcao and are unaware of the fruit's efficacy. The skin is inedible. Chen Shiliang says: Yanzi, cold, non-toxic. It treats heat closure in the stomach, regurgitation preventing food intake, and removes pathogenic heat in the Triple Burner. This is Mutong; the fruit is formally named Fuzi, and the stem is named Mutong. It treats wind-heat strangury, frequent and urgent painful urination, and deficiency-fullness in the lower abdomen. It should be decocted and eaten with green onions for effectiveness; it grows wild. Rihua Zi says: Mutong calms the mind, relieves irritability, stops thirst, reduces heat, treats forgetfulness, brightens eyes and ears, treats nasal cold, unblocks the Small Intestine, promotes water metabolism, breaks up accumulations and blood stasis, expels pus, treats sores and boils, relieves pain, induces labor and expels the placenta, treats blood obstruction in women, irregular menstruation, epidemic febrile diseases, headache and dizziness, emaciation, milk stasis, and promotes lactation. The fruit is called Zizi, harvested in the seventh and eighth lunar months. Chen Cangqi says: Tongtuomu (Tetrapanacis Medulla), non-toxic. The powder on its flowers treats various insect-related sores and pheasant diseases; the powder should be applied to the wound. It grows on mountain sides, with leaves resembling castor beans, a pithy center, light and white, and attractive. Female artisans use it for decoration. *Erya* states: Linan is Huotuo. Another version says: A medicinal herb growing in Jiangnan, treating worm diseases, now commonly called Tongcao.

*Tujing* states: Tongcao grows in the valleys of Shicheng and on sunny mountain slopes; it is now found in Zezhou, Luzhou, Hanzhong, Jianghuai, and Hunan prefectures. It grows as a vine, about the thickness of a finger, with stems up to three cun in diameter. Each node has two or three branches, with five leaves at the tips, resembling Shiwei (Pyrrhosiae Herba) or Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), with three leaves opposite each other. It blooms purple flowers in summer and autumn, sometimes white. The fruit resembles a small papaya, with a black seed and white pulp, tasting sweet. Southerners call it Yan, or Wu. Branches are harvested in the first and second lunar months and dried in the shade. Some mistake it for grape shoots, which is incorrect. Modern people call it Mutong, whereas the common folk's "Tongcao" refers to Tongtuomu. This tree grows on mountain sides, with leaves like castor beans, a hollow stem with white pith, light and attractive, used by artisans for decoration. *Erya* states: Linan is Huo (pronounced tuo). Explanation: Linan is a grass. Also known as Huo. *Shan Hai Jing* calls it Kuituo, growing in Jiangnan, about one zhang high, with large leaves resembling lotus leaves but fatter, and a stem with pure white pith. Also known as Yishang, treating gu poison. The powder on its flowers treats various insect-related malignant sores and hemorrhoids; apply the powder to the wound. *Zhengyuan Guangli Fang* uses it for Luoli (scrofula), and Li Jiang's military department formula for chest latent qi attacking the stomach and throat also uses it. It is now cultivated in gardens in the capital. Furthermore, Zhang's *Yan Wu Xingyi Ji* records: In Yangzhou, there is Tongcao before the corridors of Ganquan East Temple, resembling Toona sinensis (Xiangchun), with few leaves, and fruits hanging at the tips, resembling Chinaberry. This differs from the current description; it is unknown if this is Mutong, Tongtuomu, or another species. Ancient formulas used Tongcao, which was actually Mutong; Tongtuomu was rarely used. Recent physicians mostly use it to promote urination. Southerners sometimes preserve it in honey as a fruit, which is delicious and helps detoxify various medicines.

Chen Cangqi adds: Besides its primary functions, the fruit is sweet, promotes urination, clears irritability and heat, relaxes the mind, stops thirst, and directs qi downward. People in Jiangdong call it Chuzi, and those in Jiangxi call it Nazi, resembling a computing bag, with yellow pulp and black seeds; the skin should be removed before eating. Su Yun describes it as white, referring to Houzao (monkey date/gallstone). *Haiyao* states: According to *Xu Biao Nanzhou Ji*, it grows in the valleys of Guangzhou. Warm in nature, neutral. Treats various sores, sore throat, and throat bi (obstruction); decoction is suitable, or grinding and holding in the mouth. *Shiliao* states: Decoct and drink to regulate blood and qi in women. Strong decoction of three to five cups will quickly unblock it. It also eliminates cold and heat qi stagnation, treats shu lou, jin chuang, and fractures; brewing wine with the juice is excellent.