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(Bian) Xu

Bitter in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats oozing sores (Jinyin), scabies, tinea, carbuncles, and hemorrhoids; kills three types of intestinal parasites (San Chong); and treats vaginal erosion in women. It grows in the valleys of Donglai. Harvested in May, dried in the shade.

Tao Hongjing stated: It is found everywhere, growing close to the ground, with white flowers between the nodes, and fine green leaves. People also call it "Zhu" (Bamboo). Boiling its juice and giving it to children has been proven effective for treating roundworms (Hui Chong). Minister Yuxi and others carefully noted according to the Shu Ben Tu Jing: The leaves resemble bamboo, the stem has nodes, and is as thin as a hairpin shaft. It grows in low and wet places and is now available everywhere. The aerial parts are harvested in February and August and sun-dried. The Erya states: "Zhu" is "Xu". The explanation says: Li Xun said that this is one thing with two names. Sun Yan cited the *Book of Songs · Wei Feng*: "Green bamboo is luxuriant." Guo Pu said: It resembles small goosefoot (Chenopodium), with red stems and nodes, prefers growing by the roadside, is edible, and can kill insects. This is what Tao Hongjing referred to as "Zhu" in his commentary on the Ben Cao. The Yao Xing Lun states: "Zhu", Shi, sweet in taste. Boiling its juice and administering it to children mainly treats heart pain caused by parasitic biting, where the face turns blue, saliva flows from the mouth, and the patient is near death. Take ten jin, finely chopped, decoct in one dan of water, remove the dregs, and concentrate into a paste resembling maltose. Taken on an empty stomach, the worms will naturally pass out, and the condition will cease. For those suffering from hemorrhoids, crushing the leaves to extract juice and taking it orally is effective. For treating heat jaundice, take the juice and ingest one sheng at once; for chronic cases lasting many years, administer again. Take a handful of roots, wash away the soil, crush to extract juice, and ingest one sheng. If toxic reactions from mineral drugs (Dan Shi) occur, causing eye swelling and pain, applying crushed fresh plant material to hot swellings is also effective.

The Tu Jing states: Xu, also known as Zhu. Originating from the valleys of Donglai, it is now present everywhere. In spring, it spreads along the ground by the roadside. The seedlings resemble Dianthus superbus (Qumai), with fine green leaves like bamboo, red stems like hairpins, and very fine flowers emerging between the nodes, slightly yellowish-green. The roots resemble Artemisia roots. The aerial parts are harvested in April and May and dried in the shade. Carefully noting the Erya: "Zhu" is "Xu". Guo Pu's annotation states: It resembles small goosefoot, with red stems and nodes, prefers growing by the roadside, is edible, and can kill insects. The *Wei Shi* mentions "Green bamboo is luxuriant." Commentators say: This refers to green Wang Chu. "Zhu" is a type of bamboo, which refers to this Xu. Medical formulas also use it singly to treat parasitic infections. Ge Hong's formula for pediatric roundworms involves boiling the juice until concentrated and drinking it, which leads to recovery.

The Shi Liao states: For roundworm-induced heart pain, blue face, salivation, and impending death. Take ten jin of leaves, finely cut. Decoct in three dan and three dou of water until it resembles maltose syrup, then filter. Administer one sheng on an empty stomach, regardless of cold or heat patterns; the worms will be expelled. For severe cases, administer again, ensuring no food intake overnight, and take it early the next morning. For hemorrhoids, frequently boil bamboo leaves to clarify the juice, often used to make cakes. Additionally, for heat jaundice and five types of hemorrhoids, crush to extract juice and ingest one sheng at once; severe cases may require a second dose. When mineral drug toxicity flares up, causing eye swelling and pain, take a handful of roots, wash them, crush with a little water, and drink the extracted juice. For hot swellings, crush the roots and stems and apply topically. The Waitai Miyao: Treats painful hemorrhoid flare-ups. Crush to extract juice and ingest one sheng; recovery occurs after one or two doses. If not cured, repeat administration for efficacy. The Qianjin Yi treats external hemorrhoids. Crush to extract juice, mix with flour to make cakes, and eat on an empty stomach. Three times daily, consume regularly. The Zhouhou Fang: For malignant ulcers with crusts, itching, and pain, crush the herb and apply to the crusts; healing occurs when the crusts fall off. The Shiyi Xinjing: Treats lower body itching caused by pinworms in children. Take a handful of bamboo leaves, chop them, decoct in one sheng of water to obtain five he, filter, and drink on an empty stomach; the worms will be expelled. Using the juice to cook porridge is also good. Another prescription: Treats cholera with persistent vomiting and diarrhea. Mix the herb with soybean paste juice, season with five flavors, cook as a soup, and eat; it is beneficial. Yang Shi's Obstetrics and Gynecology treats gu poisoning, presenting like a snail, with itching in the lower body. Take a handful of the herb, boil in two sheng of water, and have a five-year-old child ingest three to five he on an empty stomach, having fasted overnight; taken the next morning, it is particularly effective.