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Flavor: Acrid (Xin). Temperature: Warm. Toxicity: Highly toxic. Indications: Treats metallic wounds (Jinchuang), breast abscesses (Ruyong), sudden contraction of evil wind (Zhongefeng), cough with rebellious qi (Keni shangqi), edema, kills ghostly lingering diseases and gu poison (Guizhu gudú), breaks mass accumulations (Zhengji), removes bi pain in the feet and knees (Jiaoxi bitong), spasticity of the four limbs (Sizhi juluan), severe sores and scabies mites (Echuang jiechong), and kills birds and beasts. Another name is Yege (Wild Cinnamon). The variety that emits green smoke when broken is called Guhuo. It is extremely hot in nature and is not used for decoction. It grows in high mountains, deep valleys, and the eastern wilds of Kuaiji. (Banxia serves as its assistant; it dislikes Huangqin.)

Tao Hongjing stated: The *Wufu Jing* also says that Gouwen is Yege. It is said that this is because it hooks onto the human throat and lips upon entry. Or it is said that "wen" is a homophone for "wan," meaning it pulls and severs the human intestines. Verifying the facts, these are two different substances. Yege refers to the root, which resembles Peony root (Mudanpi); the place where it grows is also toxic, and flying birds cannot perch there. Nowadays, people use it to compound ointments for oral administration without objection. Gouwen is a different herb. Its leaves resemble Polygonatum (Huangjing), but the stem is purple. Flowers emerge from the center of the heart, yellow in color. When newly sprouted, it looks very much like Huangjing, hence it is considered the antithesis of life-giving substances due to its toxicity. Some say Gouwen is Ranunculus (Maoleng). This statement differs from subsequent descriptions, and the truth remains unclear. There is another substance named Yinming, which is reddish, attaches to trees, and hangs its fruits. It grows in mountains and seas and is highly toxic; ingestion can cause immediate death. The *Tang Bencao Zhu* states: Yege grows south of Guizhou and is found in villages and alleys. Locals generally call it Gouwen, or refer to the seedling as Gouwen and the root as Yege. It is a climbing vine. If humans accidentally ingest its leaves, they die. However, sheep eat its seedlings and become fat. Such mutual subjugation exists among things, similar to how rats become fat after eating Croton seeds (Badou). Tao's claim that flying birds cannot perch on it is false. For fresh Yege harvested in season, the bark is white and the bone is yellow. Old roots resemble Cortex Lycii (Digupi), while tender roots resemble Stephania tetrandra (Hanfangji); those with broken nodes are superior. They closely resemble the roots of Baiteng Vine; those who do not distinguish carefully may be confused. Freshly harvested ones emit no dusty odor when broken. After a year, dust rises; the roots and bones resemble Goji berries (Gouqi) and have fine pores. When humans break them, dusty odor emerges from the pores; breaking Goji roots today yields the same result. The classic text states that the one emitting green smoke when broken, named Guhuo, is superior; this is also an ignorant statement. Generally, Huangjing grows straight like Gentian (Longdan); Euphorbia lathyris (Zeqi) has two or four-to-five pairs of opposite leaves; Gouwen is a climbing vine with leaves resembling Persimmon leaves. The *Bowuzhi* states that Gouwen leaves resemble Nymphoides peltata (Fukui) and are not of the Huangjing category. Maoleng has hairs; what does Saururus chinensis (Shilongrui) have to do with Gouwen? Ministers Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to the Shu edition: Gouwen treats throat obstruction (Houbi), sensation of blockage in the throat, hoarseness, cough with rebellious qi, and warms the middle. Another name is Chuxin. It grows on cold stone mountains. Harvested in February and August. Respectfully noting: Gouwen, also known as Yege, is like Xuchangqing, Chijian, and Jiejian, all of which share the alias Guiduyou. Guiduyou is naturally a separate substance. Now that Gouwen is called Yege, it is clear that Yege itself is a specific entity. Moreover, there are many drugs with the same name but different physical properties, not just this one. According to Tao's annotation: Gouwen has leaves resembling Huangjing, purple stems, flowers emerging from the center, and yellow petals—this is correct. Su Song stated: Yege comes from Guizhou, has leaves resembling Persimmon leaves, and causes death if ingested by humans. It should be a different substance. Furthermore, stating that the seedling is Gouwen and the root is Yege is not a universal theory. Currently, market vendors identify Gouwen as having leaves resembling Huangjing. According to the *Leigong Paozhi Fang*: Do not mistakenly use Gouwen for Huangjing. Gouwen leaves resemble Huangjing, but the tip has two hair-like structures resembling hooks. Wu Shi stated: Qin Gouwen, also known as Dugen. Shennong: Acrid. Leigong: Toxic, causes death. Grows in Nan Yue mountains or Yizhou. Leaves resemble Kudzu (Ge), red stems, thick as arrows, yellow roots, harvested in January. Ge Hong's formulas state: Gouwen resembles edible celery but grows where no other grass exists. Its stems have hairs; accidental ingestion causes death. *Lingbiao Luyi* states: Yege is a poisonous plant, commonly called Humancao (Hu Man Cao). If accidentally ingested, it can be detoxified with sheep blood.

Chen Cangqi stated: If humans eat its leaves and drink cold water, they die. Cold water activates its toxicity. Locals feed humans Yege but do not give them cold water. Once the person becomes fat, giving them cold water leads to death, with the corpse hanging on a tree. The juice dripping onto the ground produces mushrooms, which are collected and named Junyao; it is more potent than Yege. Humancao leaves are slender, smooth, and glossy. Leigong stated: When using, do not use Dijing (Earth Essence); its seedlings and stems are identical to Gouwen. Gouwen effectively treats severe toxic sores on the human body. That Dijing, when boiled for human consumption, should be finely chopped, pounded, ground, and squeezed to extract natural juice for use in ointments; do not mistake it for ingestion. The Yellow Emperor asked Tian Lao: Do things born of heaven and earth cause death upon ingestion? Tian Lao replied: It is the essence of Taiyin, named Gouwen. It must not be eaten; ingestion causes death. The *Bowuzhi* states: Gouwen is toxic. Guixin (Cinnamon Heart) and scallion leaf sap can detoxify it.