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Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats metal wounds (injuries caused by metal weapons), stops bleeding and promotes muscle growth, and can stop epistaxis (nosebleed). Take the leaves, crush them, and apply externally to the affected area. Alternatively, pre-mix with calcined gypsum (Duan Shi), pound into pills, dry in the sun, and scrape powder for topical application when needed. It can also be boiled and ingested to resolve blood stasis and sudden hematochezia (blood in stool). It grows in low, damp fields in Jiangnan, is about one or two cun high, has leaves similar to but shorter than shepherd's purse (Shepherdia canadensis), and bears pale purple flowers in spring and summer, each flower about the length of a grain of rice.

Bitter in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats snake and spider bites. Pound and apply externally. It can also be pounded, juiced, and ingested. It grows by ponds. The leaves are branched, the stem is square, the seeds resemble hairpin tips, stick to clothing like needles, and are called "Ghost Needle" (Gui Zhen) in the north.

Added during the Jiyou year from *Yan Yi*:

Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu)
Bitter and astringent in taste, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis of the neck), dissipates carbuncles and swellings, treats wind sores on the head and face, five types of hemorrhoids (Wu Zhi), stops heart pain, nourishes blood and qi, darkens beard and sideburns, and beautifies complexion. Long-term use strengthens sinews and bones, benefits essence and marrow, and prolongs life. It also treats various diseases in women after childbirth and leukorrhea. Originally produced in Nanhe County, Shunzhou; now found in Lingnan and various prefectures in Jiangnan. The vine is purple, flowers are yellowish-white, leaves resemble *Dioscorea* (Shan Yao) but lack luster. They must grow in pairs; roots are fist-sized, with red and white varieties: red is male, white is female. Also known as Ye Miao, Jiao Teng, Ye He, Di Jing, and Chen Zhi Bai. Harvested in spring and summer. Before use, slice with a bitter bamboo knife, soak in rice wash water overnight, dry in the sun, and pound in a wooden mortar. Avoid ironware. (Currently attached)

Minister Yuxi et al. note according to Ri Hua Zi: Sweet in taste. Long-term use enables procreation. Treats chronic internal organ diseases, all forms of cold qi, and intestinal wind. This herb has male and female distinctions. Male plants have yellowish-white leaves; female plants have reddish-yellow leaves. For medicinal preparation, male and female parts must be combined for efficacy. This herb was unnamed in the *Ben Cao*, named after He Shou Wu who saw the vines intertwining at night, harvested and consumed it with effect, thus naming it after himself. Also known as Tao Liu Teng.

*Tu Jing* states: Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) originally came from Nanhe County, Shunzhou, and is also found in Lingnan and Jiangnan prefectures; currently available everywhere, with the best quality from Xiluo, Songshan, and Zhoucheng County, Nanjing. Sprouts emerge in spring, leaves grow opposite each other, resembling sweet potato (*Dioscorea*) but without luster; stems creep among bamboo, wood, and walls. Yellowish-white flowers bloom in summer and autumn, resembling *Pueraria* (Ge Gen) flowers. Seeds are angular, smaller than buckwheat, only the size of millet grains. Roots are dug in autumn and winter, fist-sized, with five ridges, resembling small melons. There are two types: red is male, white is female. When harvesting, wipe off soil with cloth while moist, slice with a bitter bamboo knife, soak in rice wash water overnight, and dry. Avoid iron. Pound in a wooden mortar. One method says: harvest roots in spring, flowers in autumn, steam nine times and dry nine times before consumption. This herb was originally named Jiao Teng, named after He Shou Wu's consumption. He Shou Wu was a native of Nanhe County, Shunzhou. His grandfather, Neng Si, originally named Tian Er, was weak since birth, fifty-eight years old, without wife or children. One day, drunk and sleeping in the wild, he saw vines growing separately but intertwining, separating and re-intertwining three or four times. Tian Er found this strange, dug up the root, and asked villagers, but no one knew its name. He dried it, pounded it into powder, and took it with wine. After seven days, he desired sexual intercourse; after one hundred days, his old ailments were cured. Ten years later, he fathered several sons, and later changed his name to Neng Si. He gave it to his son Ting, who lived to 160 years. Shou Wu took the medicine and lived to 130 years. In the seventh year of Yuanhe in the Tang Dynasty, Monk Wenxiang met an old man from Maoshan and transmitted this story. Li Ao wrote in *Fang Lu*: He also described the shoots as woody, glossy, shaped like peach or willow leaves, asymmetrical, growing singly or in pairs but not opposite. With male and female distinctions: female shoots are yellowish-white, male shoots are yellow-red. They grow far apart but intertwine at night, sometimes disappearing. Harvest both sexes on sunny days in late spring, mid-summer, and early autumn. Dry under intense sun. Powder taken with wine is excellent. Dig up all roots, wipe clean with cloth while moist, do not damage the skin, store in sealed containers, and dry again monthly. Take medicine on even days (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th). After taking, cover with clothes to induce sweating and practice Daoyin (guiding and pulling exercises). Especially avoid pig and sheep blood. The description is detailed, hence recorded.

Empirical Formula: Freshly harvested Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu), peel and remove soil, slice thinly with copper or bamboo knives, place in a steamer over a porcelain stone pot. Avoid iron. Boil another pot nearby, keep full of water. When steam rises from the herb steamer, pour hot water from above continuously, ensuring it does not overflow, until the herb loses all odor. Collect one spoonful of the liquid; plain water is also acceptable. This is the essence of the medicine, distinct from ordinary preparations. Treats bone-softening wind (osteomalacia/rheumatism), waist and knee pain, difficulty walking, and generalized pruritus. Take large Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) with distinct patterns and Achyranthes bidentata (Niu Xi), chopped, one jin each. Soak in one sheng of good wine for seven nights, dry, pound into powder in a wooden mortar, make honey pills. Take 30-50 pills with wine before meals on an empty stomach daily. Another formula: Treats deep tissue pain. Mix Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) powder with ginger juice to form a paste, wrap the painful area with cloth, and iron with a heated shoe sole. Excellent. Doumen Fang treats scrofula (Luo Li), whether ulcerated or not, extending to the lower chest. Use Nine-True Vine (Jiu Zhen Teng), take roots egg-sized, wash, chew raw, take regularly. Also take leaves, pound, and apply to sores; stops after a few applications. Long-term use darkens hair and prolongs life. Or take nine heads, consume to become immortal. Leaves resemble apricot, roots resemble Tribulus (Ci Ji Li), use as if divine. Can also be used for alchemical arts, subduing sand, with specific methods. Also known as He Shou Wu, Chi Ge. Wang Shi Bo Ji treats tinea and eczema, widespread sores, incurable cases. Equal parts Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) and Artemisia argyi (Ai Ye), boil in water until concentrated, wash in a basin. Relieves pain significantly, generates flesh. Legend of He Shou Wu: He Shou Wu was from Nanhe County, Shunzhou. Grandfather Neng Si, father Yan Xiu. Neng Si admired Daoist arts, followed a master in the mountains. Drunk and sleeping in the wild, he saw two vines, three chi apart, intertwining, separating, and re-intertwining. Surprised, he dug the roots at dawn. Asked others, no one recognized them. A mountain elder appeared and showed him. Answered: You have no heir, this vine is strange, likely an immortal medicine, why not take it? Pounded into powder, taken with wine on an empty stomach, one qian. After months seemed robust, continued taking, increased to two qian. After a year, old ailments cured, hair blackened, appearance rejuvenated. Within years, had a son, named Yan Xiu. Yan Xiu had Shou Wu, hence the name. Fathered several sons, lived over 100 years, hair black.

Li Anqi, a relative and friend of Shou Wu, stole the formula and took it, living a long life, thus narrating the event. Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu), sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. Poria cocos (Fu Ling) serves as an assistant. Treats five types of hemorrhoids, waist and knee diseases, cold qi, heart pain, chronic emaciation with phlegm stagnation, wind deficiency and deterioration, strengthens sinews, benefits essence and marrow, boosts qi, preserves youth, darkens hair, prolongs life, treats bad blood and sallow complexion in women, postpartum diseases, red and white leukorrhea, toxic vapors entering the abdomen, chronic dysentery. Its merits cannot be fully listed. Also known as Ye Miao, Jiao Teng, Ye He, Di Jing, and Shou Wu. Originally from Qianzhou, found throughout Jiangnan regions. Shoots and leaves are glossy, like peach and plum leaves, male shoots are red. Roots do not exceed three chi. Harvested in spring and autumn, dried in sun. Peel, powder, taken with wine is best. If diseased, take with Poria cocos (Fu Ling) decoction as assistant. Usually pound into powder, store in new porcelain, avoid pork blood and scaleless fish upon ingestion, as they reduce efficacy. This herb is fist-sized, bead-like, containing shapes resembling birds, beasts, and mountains; precious. Dig, peel, eat raw, tastes sweet, aids fasting. Eulogy: Divine efficacy assists the Dao, recorded in immortal books. Male and female intertwine, join at night, separate by day. Consume to eliminate grain, dwell day and night. Return to youth, transform sick body into peace. Meet those with destiny, transmit without leaking, most natural. Governor Li Yuan of Mingzhou transcribed empirical experience: Origins from Nanhe County, Shunzhou; Shaozhou; Chaozhou; Enzhou; Hezhou; Sihui County, Guangzhou; Panzhou. These origins are superior. Jinxiang County, Yongzhou; Guizhou; Kangzhou; Chunzhou; Lezhou; Gaozhou; Xunzhou. These origins are secondary. Immortal herbs aged 50 years are fist-sized, called Shan Nu, take one year, beard and sideburns turn black; 100 years bowl-sized, called Shan Ge, take one year, complexion rosy and joyful; 150 years basin-sized, called Shan Bo, take one year, lost teeth regrow; 200 years bucket-sized, called Shan Weng, take one year, face like a child, walk as fast as a galloping horse; 300 years three-bucket sized, called Shan Jing, take one year, extend lifespan, pure yang body, long-term use becomes an earth immortal.

*Yan Yi* states: Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) darkens beard and sideburns; antagonistic with radish, causing premature graying; commonly used to treat intestinal wind heat.