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Crucian Carp (Jiyu)
Mainly treats various sores. It can be burned to ash, mixed with sauce, and applied topically, or fried in lard of pig for use. It also treats intestinal abscess (Changyong).

Ash of the head: Chen Yuxi et al., according to *Yao Dui*, state that the head is warm in nature. It treats sores on the infant's head, mouth ulcers, double tongue (Chongshe), and corneal opacity (Muyi). Also known as Fu fish (Fu, pronounced 'fu').

Chen Yuxi et al., according to *Shu Ben Cao*, state that crucian carp tastes sweet and is warm in nature. It stops dysentery, but excessive consumption is not beneficial to the human body. Furthermore, the annotation notes: its shape resembles the common carp, it is black in color with a short body, large belly, and prominent dorsal ridge. It is found in ponds and marshes everywhere. Meng Shen states: crucian carp soothes stomach qi, regulates the middle jiao, benefits the five zang organs, and is excellent when made into soup. Additionally, the snakehead fish (Li) and crucian carp are quite similar in appearance but differ in taste. The snakehead fish transforms from insect segments, while the crucian carp transforms from broomcorn millet; the belly of this fish still retains a rice-like color. Those that are broad are crucian carp, while those with high backs and narrow bellies are snakehead fish; their efficacy is inferior to that of the crucian carp. Fish roe regulates the middle jiao and benefits liver qi. Ri Hua Zi states: crucian carp is neutral in nature and non-toxic. It warms the middle and directs rebellious qi downward, tonifying deficiencies. Prepared as sashimi, it treats intestinal disorders, indigestion of food and fluids, and bloody or white dysentery. Burned to ash and applied, it is effective for malignant sores. Additionally, when alum is stuffed inside the fish and burned to ash, it treats wind-intestinal bloody dysentery. The head burned to ash treats cough. It is also stated that fish roe should not be eaten with pork.

*Tu Jing Ben Cao* states: Crucian carp is not listed in *Ben Cao Jing* regarding its place of origin. Currently, it is found in ponds and marshes everywhere. It resembles the common carp, is black in color with a short body, large belly, and prominent dorsal ridge. Some can weigh up to two or three jin. It is warm in nature and non-toxic. Among all fish, it is the most edible. Some say it is transformed from broomcorn millet, hence its belly retains a rice-like color. There is another type with a high back and narrow belly, named Li fish. Its functions are the same as crucian carp, but its potency is slightly inferior. Additionally, in Qianzhou, there is a species called heavy-lipped stone crucian carp, which belongs to the same category.

Chen Cangqi states: The head treats cough; burn to powder and ingest. The meat treats emaciation due to deficiency; cook thoroughly with five flavors and eat. Sashimi also treats bloody or white dysentery and the "five wild chicken diseases" (referring to types of dysentery).

Dietary therapy: Eating it soothes stomach qi, regulates the middle jiao, and benefits the five zang organs; making soup with [scallions] is good. Eating it as sashimi stops acute dysentery. Eating with garlic adds slight heat; eating with ginger and sauce adds slight cold. Additionally, it can be eaten during summer for hot dysentery, with greater benefit if consumed more. It does not treat winter cold dysentery. Bones burned to ash applied to [malignant] sores heal after three to five applications. According to notes, its roe regulates the middle jiao and benefits liver qi. All fish eggs adhere to grass and soil. After the water recedes in deep winter, they do not rot. Every year during the third decade of May (Sanfu period), they transform into fish in the rain. When eating crucian carp, one must not consume rock sugar, as it causes children's malnutrition syndrome (Ganchong). For those suffering from toxicity caused by mineral drugs (Danshi), taking the head of Jiaobai (Zizania latifolia rhizome) and crucian carp to make soup, consuming one or two meals, will cure the condition. *Shenghui Fang*: Treats infant brain Ganchong with nasal itching, hair forming tufts, yellow and emaciated complexion, benefiting the brain. Instill gallbladder bile from crucian carp into the nose; continuous application for three to five days is very effective. *Waitai Miyao*: Treats intestinal hemorrhoids with frequent blood in stool. Eat crucian carp soup and fill oneself as desired. *Sun Taizhen* agrees. *Qianjin Fang*: Infant alopecia on the head. Burn crucian carp to powder, mix with sauce, and apply. Mei Shi Fang: Crucian carp should not be eaten with pork liver. Sun Taizhen: Treats toothache. Place salt flowers inside the crucian carp, burn to ash, powder it, and apply; it heals immediately. Another prescription: Treats stubborn swelling of malignant nodules. Take fresh crucian carp, pound it, and apply. Another prescription: Treats Hongxiangjiao (podagra/gout) and Shangqi (asthma/wheezing). Take a one-chi long crucian carp, prepare as sashimi, eat one or two meals, and it heals.

*Shiyi Xinjing*: Treats cold qi in spleen and stomach, inability to eat, weakness, and lack of strength. Hutu Soup: Cut half a jin of crucian carp finely, prepare as sashimi, pour hot soybean paste juice over it, add powders of pepper, dried ginger, dill, and tangerine peel, and eat on an empty stomach. *Jiyan Fang*: Those who consume the five pungents (spicy foods) within one hundred days after recovering from febrile disease will inevitably suffer from dim vision. Smoke with crucian carp. *Zimu Milu*: Treats sudden sores on the face of infants with yellow fluid discharge. Burn crucian carp head to powder, mix with sauce juice, and apply; change daily. Another prescription: Treats infant erysipelas (Dan). Finely chop five he of crucian carp meat, grind two he of adzuki beans into powder, mix and pound into mud, add water, and apply. *Yangshi Chanru*: Treats epidemic cold-heat damage during pregnancy. Burn one crucian carp to ash, take with wine using a cunfang measure; sweating occurs, and it heals. *Shanghan Leiyao* agrees. Another prescription: Treats wind-stroke with cold-heat alternating symptoms and abdominal colic. Burn one dry crucian carp to powder, take three finger-pinches amount with vinegar, cover warmly to induce sweating; this is excellent.

*Yanyi* states: Crucian carp, open its abdomen, insert medicine, burn it, and treat dental diseases.