Library

Those broken-off vines, when taken as a drink, taste excellent and promote hair growth. This vine is also known as Dongfeng Cai (Spring Wind Vegetable), sprouting before spring; it emerges when the east wind arrives, allowing farmers to verify the activation of soil moisture. It has another name, Lv'er (Green Ear), and can be used as a vegetable.
Based on its shape, its ability to quench thirst is the same as that of Han Shui Teng (Water-Containing Vine); since it can be eaten as a vegetable and shares the name "Dongfeng" with Dongfeng Cai, they are indeed the same substance. Li [Shizhen] mistakenly considered them two different plants: one recorded in the category of vines, the other in vegetables, which was an inappropriate examination, likely due to being misled by *Guangzhou Ji* (*Records of Guangzhou*).

*Bencao Gangmu* (*Compendium of Materia Medica*) identifies Haiyue (Sea Moon) as Jiang Yao Zhu (River Pearl Column), and further associates it with Hailing (Sea Mirror), not knowing that Haiyue is Hailing, whereas Jiang Yao is not Haiyue. This follows the error of *Lingbiao Lu* (*Records of Lingnan*). According to *Haiwu Shu* (*Account of Marine Products*), Haiyue is round like the moon, also called Li Jing (Oyster Mirror). Locals grind its shell to make bright roof tiles; this is the item. In Lingnan, it is called Hailing, or Gaoyao Pan (Ointment Plate). The shell of Jiang Yao is pale like *dancai* (a type of mussel), sharp at the top and flat at the bottom, up to a chi (approx. 33 cm) long for large specimens; its meat is white and tough, and the columnar muscle is round and crisp, completely unlike Haiyue. How can they be forcibly grouped as one?

Li [Shizhen] attached Hailing under the entry for Haiyue, citing Guo Pu's *Jiang Fu* (*Rhapsody on the River*) mentioning "Fuxie" (Abdominal Crab), believing it to be this creature, which is a greater error. Fuxie is not Hailing.
*Hainan Zhi* (*Chronicles of Hainan*) records: A creature resembling a pearl clam, with a dark green-black shell, about one cun (approx. 3.3 cm) long, larger ones two or three cun, living in white sand without mud, the cleanest of creatures. It has two fleshy columns capable of extension and retraction, and several white crab-like offspring inside its abdomen, shaped like elm seeds, living together, often emerging from its mouth to gather food. However, this creature itself is clean and does not eat, merely hosting the crabs in its belly. The crabs feed for it; the food is digested in the crab but the nourishment belongs to the host, hence named Gongming Ying (Shared-Life Worm), or Yuegu (Moon Cricket). Every winter during heavy snow, it becomes fat and jade-like, shining like mica in sunlight, with a sweet and soft taste, arguably the finest of marine delicacies. There is also Hailing, whose two shells fit together very roundly, with clean flesh, inhabited by red crab-like offspring that gather food for it, named Shijing (Stone Mirror), with the abdominal crabs called Bangnu (Clam Daughter). Clearly, these are two different things: the one in the abdomen has white crabs, while Hailing has red crabs, which are distinct. I personally saw the former in Fenghua; its shape is vastly different from Haiyue, so how can they be forced together?

The *Jijie* (*Collected Explanations*) section on crabs in *Bencao Gangmu* cites various sources, stating that Pengqi (Small Crab) is larger than Peng, lives in ponds and fields, is toxic, causes vomiting and diarrhea, and is inedible. Thus, Pengqi is only used externally, with its ointment applied to wet tinea and carbuncles. It also states that something resembling Pengqi but living in sandy burrows and running away upon seeing people is Shagou (Sand Dog), which is inedible. Unknown to them, both types are edible. According to *Jiepu* (*Account of Crustaceans*), the hairy one is Mao Pengqi (Hairy Small Crab), which is toxic and causes vomiting and diarrhea if eaten in excess, yet people in Chaozhou eat it daily as garden vegetables. Also, *Haicuo Shu* (*Account of Sea Delicacies*) records that Shagou comes from Songjiang and Shanghai; it is a small crab in the sand. Locals catch it and ferment it with wine lees; the shell is soft with internal fat. When eating, place it in a cup, pour boiling wine over it, and soon the fat paste floats out, leaving an empty shell, making the wine sweeter and beneficial to consume. People in Wusong consider it a delicacy, calling it Shaligou (Sand Dog). Li [Shizhen] deemed it inedible, unfortunately deceived by ancient texts.

*Shennong Bencao Jing* (*Divine Farmer's Materia Medica*) states Sanggen Baipi (White Bark of Mulberry Root) treats Shangzhong (Injury to the Middle Jiao), Wu Lao Liu Ji (Five Labors and Six Extremes), Leishou (Emaciation), Bengzhong Maijue (Metrorrhagia and Pulse Absence), tonifying deficiency and boosting Qi. This actually refers to Sangshen (Mulberry Fruit). Later authors listed it under root bark, and most people did not notice. Zhang Zhunchun therefore believed root bark tonifies Yuan Qi, is cold in nature and clears internal heat, thus curing the aforementioned conditions; this is truly talking nonsense. Kou Zongshi suspected that *Bencao Jing* omitted Sangshen, wondering how root bark could treat Shangzhong. Only Zhao Xikan alone clarified this error and attributed the merit to Sangshen. Li Shizhen was knowledgeable, why did he still perpetuate this error in *Bencao Jing*? I believe Sangshang Jisheng (Mistletoe on Mulberry) derives its efficacy from the residual Qi of the mulberry tree. As *Lixu Yuanjian* (*Source Book for Managing Emaciation*) wisely said, among substances, only Mulberry and Lotus have pure, flawless properties throughout their entire bodies. Therefore, the claim that Sangpi (Mulberry Bark) has unruly nature is unreliable, and Jisheng is rarely genuine and unnecessary. Why use mistletoe from other trees rather than tender branches of the mulberry tree? This avoids buying fake drugs at high prices and prevents fraud.

[Published Note] *Zhangshi Yitong* (*Comprehensive Essentials of Zhang's Medical Treatise*) can be said to synthesize the achievements of various schools, and *Bencao Fengyuan* (*Source of Materia Medica*) especially shows profound insight, not only discussing the merits of Sangshen which were previously unexplored! Recently reading Mr. Zou Run'an's *Bencao Shuzheng* (*Clarification of Materia Medica*), I find the discussions of all sages incomplete. Moreover, Run'an is erudite and has seen the books of Kou and Zhang, yet under Sanggen Baipi he writes: Someone asked about the efficacy of Sanggen Baipi in *Bencao Jing*, claiming it cures almost all deficiency syndromes in the world, making it unmatched among tonics. Why do later experts view its efficacy as so narrow? I say no. Examining *Qianjin Fang* (*Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold*) regarding the five labors of the zang organs, the main idea focuses on the section in *Siqi Tiaoshen Dalun* (*Great Treatise on Regulating Spirit According to Four Seasons*) about violating the qi of the four seasons, analyzing the interplay of deficiency and excess leading to Guan Ge (Obstruction and Reversal) labor. For the six extremes, it uses *Yinyang Yingxiang Dalun* (*Great Treatise on Correspondences of Yin and Yang*) from "Heavenly Qi connects to the Lung" to "Treating the five zang organs results in half death half life" as a general theory, listing diseases received by the five zang organs (tendons, vessels, flesh, qi, bone) according to the four seasons from *Feng Lun* (*Treatise on Wind*) and *Bi Lun* (*Treatise on Bi Syndrome*), appended with images of zang organ excess/deficiency from *Zangqi Fashi Lun* (*Treatise on Zang Qi Laws and Times*). Only Jingji (Essential Extreme) is considered to govern diseases of all zang and fu organs, specifically emphasizing the Kidney. Thus, Lao (Labor) does not belong entirely to deficiency; Ji (Extreme) differs from Jie (Exhaustion). There is abundance and decline, deficiency and excess, intertwined with seasonal pathogens, so few cases are purely deficiency. Furthermore, Laoji diseases arise from injury to the middle (internal) or exterior (external), some are emaciated, some are not. Sanggen Baipi only treats Shangzhong-related Wu Lao Liu Ji and emaciation, which is already limited. The reason is that Sanggen Baipi is sweet, pungent, and cold. Coldness directs its qi down to the Kidney; sweetness and pungency direct its flavor up to the Lung and Spleen. The Lung and Spleen are thoroughfares for water fluid metabolism; the Kidney is the residence for water fluids. If upper jiao metabolism is correct, mid-jiao injuries gradually heal; if lower jiao residence is proper, peripheral weakness gradually strengthens. Moreover, its texture is dense and tough, clean and flawless. Its bark makes durable paper; its leaves feed silkworms producing continuous silk. Thus, in cases of Bengzhong Maijue, it tonifies deficiency and boosts Qi, showing it can tonify deficiency and remove stasis in internal bleeding, and reconnect severed Qi in pulse absence. Saying "Sanggen Baipi turns thin to fat" is justified. *Bielu* (*Additional Records*) uses it to remove water qi from the Lung; lung water causes facial edema, and it treats edema, abdominal fullness, and distension—does this not apply to those who are not emaciated? Precisely because it treats non-emaciated cases, we understand it treats emaciation. Water is a tangible substance requiring space in the chest and abdomen to accumulate; if muscles are plump and qi channels full, where would water reside? Since Spleen and Lung qi transformation are connected, and water pathways descend normally, treating emaciation is essentially treating water retention. My commentary: Attributing tonifying effects to Sangshen to elucidate its merits is acceptable, but Zou's book clarifies classic principles to prove pathogenesis, revealing ancient sage wisdom, benefiting students and surpassing predecessors.

Fenxi (Powder Tin) is lead powder, made by beating lead into thin sheets, placing them in a steamer, and steaming with a bottle of vinegar until it turns to powder. Many in Hangzhou practice this trade, called Fenfang (Powder Workshop). Workers rarely last three years because lead and vinegar vapors are toxic, corroding muscles and bones, and are dry and fierce. Workers eat goose once a month to detoxify, proving its toxicity. *Bencao Gangmu* cites He Mengchun's *Yu Dong Lu* (*Winter Record*) under Fenxi: Workers must eat fatty pork, drink wine, and take iron slurry to mitigate toxicity. Those poisoned on an empty stomach often die. Long-term exposure causes yellowing, paralysis, and convulsions. Some say manufacturing vapors are toxic, but the finished powder is not. If toxic, why did ancients include it in food preparations without antidotes? Unknowingly, this substance controls sulfur, removes wine acidity, turns realgar black, prevents sandiness in pickled crabs, induces abortion, and causes acne on the face. Its corrosive nature equals Arsenic and Mercury. Small doses are okay; stools turn black after ingestion, returning to its original form. Laws record women dying from lead powder poisoning with blue-black limbs, proving toxicity. Yet Li [Shizhen] stated Fenxi is acrid, cold, and non-toxic; many本草 followed this error, misleading the world significantly, hence this detailed refutation.

Tianzhu Huang (Heavenly Bamboo Yellow): *Bencao Gangmu* lists aliases but lacks collection explanations, origin, harvesting, or appearance. *Bitan Bu* (*Supplement to Brush Talks*) records: Deep mountains in Lingnan have large bamboos with clear water inside. Stream water is toxic, but this bamboo water is safe; locals drink it while traveling. In deep winter, it solidifies like jade, becoming Tianzhu Huang. When Wang Yanzu served as Prefect of Leizhou, in midsummer he couldn't drink stream water, so he cut bamboo to collect water for cooking and drinking. Summoned to the capital the next year, he couldn't find bamboo water in winter. Locals explained it solidifies in winter. Night wildfires burn forests to ash, but bamboo yellow doesn't burn, remaining light like burnt bone. Locals collect it post-fire for medicine, though fresh is better. This supplements Li Shizhen's omissions.

Xuisui Zi (Euphorbia Seed): Descriptions in *Bencao Gangmu* are unclear. Lu Shi distinguished it precisely as Banzhilian (Half-Branch Lotus), known locally as such.

Yueren drinking Shangchi Shui (Upper Pool Water) refers to Ban Tianhe Shui (Half-Sky River Water), i.e., rainwater. Li [Shizhen] insisted it was water from tree hollows, which is wrong.

In the tenth month, when hair falls and cold is endured, squirrels gather and eat Ceboshi (Cypress Seeds), then eat their own feces, which become Wulingzhi (Five Spirits Dung). This detail was missing from Dongbi.

Dongchong Xiacao (Winter Worm Summer Grass): Discussing transformation, it must result from yin-yang interaction. Yin is static, yang is active. Yet yang contains yin, yin contains yang; they are roots of each other. Transformation from inert to sentient is yin overcoming yang; sentient to inert is yang overcoming yin, resulting in irreversible change. Field mice transforming into birds (Quyu) and vice versa, doves into hawks and vice versa, restore original forms via yang overcoming yang. Alum turning to Cinnabar, broken pine turning to stone, do not revert via yin overcoming yin. Dongchong Xiacao arises from sensing both yin and yang qi. At Summer Solstice, yin begins, so it rests as grass; at Winter Solstice, yang begins, so it moves as worm. It cycles through operations, unlike rotting grass becoming fireflies or old wheat becoming butterflies (sensing damp-heat). Medicinally, it treats various deficiencies and damages because it possesses complete yin-yang qi, but winter-harvested is best. Zhang Zirun says summer-harvested induces sterility. Zhou Jianshi says winter-harvested aids conception and treats ascites.

[Published Note] Possessing complete yin-yang qi implies warm, mild, and tonic properties. Due to its lively and changing nature, it is a holy medicine for deficiency malaria, stagnation, distension, and pain, surpassing Jiuxiang Chong. Hibernating in winter, its virtue resembles the Hidden Dragon. It effectively treats wheezing and coughing due to yin deficiency with hyperactive yang, not just regulating menstruation and aiding conception. Mr. Zhou Zhigui says Autumn Equinox harvest is best; I argue summer harvest treats sinking of yang qi.

Jie KT Cao (Uncertain Character Grass): Leaves resemble broad Jianlan orchids, evergreen in winter. New buds are purple-backed, turning green. Summer brings purple spike flowers like Ophiopogon. Roots produce seeds for propagation, growing vigorously. Originating in Guangdong, commonly called Guangdong Wannianqing (Evergreen). The "Jixiang Cao" cited by Li Shizhen under "Name Known, Unused" in *Gangmu* is this plant. Custom dictates moving the potted plant to the delivery room during childbirth to prevent complications and blood dizziness. The plant is vibrant green with stiff leaves like arrows; in the delivery room, leaves soften and wilt, recovering days later.
A curiosity. The subterranean tubers are medicinal, cool in nature, sweet in taste, clearing lungs, regulating blood, resolving fire toxins, excellent for throat issues. Crushed juice with borneol treats infant acute convulsions.

(Note) KT originally written as Yuan (Round), pronounced "Yun". *Ci Re Pian* (*Treatise on Acute Heat*): "Reversal causes headache with a spinning sensation..." Later added radical Ye to Yuan, colloquially "Yun" (Dizziness), incorrect. But widely used, cannot be corrected.

Nantian Zhu (Southern Sky Candle): Known for tonifying benefits. Sanqi Tang (*Three Wonder Decoction*) effectively treats infant Tian Xiao (Sky Asthma/Wheezing). Formula: Frost-exposed Nanzhizi (Nantian Zhu seeds) and Lameihua (Wintersweet flowers), 3 qian each, plus one Shui Yan You (Leech). Prepared in advance, decocted in water. One dose cures. Also treats Shaoyin Malaria: Steamed aged Nantian Zhu seeds, one seed per year of age, taken morning with plain water. Leaves washed eyes to remove wind-heat swelling, discharge, and red vision.

Clearing Day Willow Branches: Lu Buyuan noted efficacy for Bai Zhuo (White Turbidity). For adults and children with urinary retention, decoction taken internally and used externally is effective. Only south-facing branches are used. *Baicao Jing* (*Mirror of Hundred Herbs*) states mulberry leaves harvested twice are weak. For medicine, harvest mature leaves; the second leaf retains full potency. Green till after Great Snow, or yellow/dry on branch, both usable. Snow-covered is best; harvest after snow clears, string and shade-dry until black and clanking like iron, hence Tie Shanzi (Iron Fan). Treats intestinal wind, eye diseases, coughing, and night sweats. I note: Though treating night sweats, it resolves wind-warmth and summer-heat by clearing lung qi, inducing sweating. Hairy leaves treat skin wind-heat urticaria. Green color enters Liver, extinguishes internal wind, relieves headache, stops wind-induced diarrhea, and halts liver-heat metrorrhagia. Crucial for prenatal diseases due to liver heat.

Miyou (Rice Oil): The foam rising in boiling porridge, slippery like oil. Best from large pots cooking five sheng (approx. 5 liters) or more rice. Also called Zhouyou (Porridge Oil). Strengthens pores, nourishes five zang organs, builds muscle, fills kidney essence. Take one bowl daily, plain or with a little refined salt. Black/thin individuals become plump/white after 100 days. Men with thin semen/infertility gain thick semen/fertility. I note: Essence generates from grain; Miyou is grain essence, replenishing fluids and essence, superior to other drugs. Effective only if no phlegm-fluid retention exists; otherwise easily generates phlegm. Same applies to Fish Bladder, Sea Cucumber, and all cloying substances. Thus, always assess constitution before prescribing.

Lanxun (Incense Ham): Also known as Ham, harmonizes middle, nourishes stomach, tonifies kidney, generates fluids, benefits qi and blood, fills marrow, treats deficiency consumption and palpitations, stops deficiency dysentery/diarrhea. I note: Also called Nan Tui (South Leg), southern products are superior. Among southern products, Dongyang (Jinhua) is best, Pujiang second, Yiwu third. Method: November, select young pig hind legs. Rub firmly from claw upward to drain blood, wipe dry, air for 1-2 days. Remove surface fat. Per 10 jin (5 kg) leg, rub thoroughly with 5 liang (approx. 250 g) dry salt. Place in vat. Tag date. Vat has wooden slatted tray with holes. Legs placed on tray, remaining salt sprinkled. Legs can be stacked. Salt melts into brine, draining through holes to vat bottom. Key: Legs must not soak in brine, or meat molds and tastes bitter. After 10 days, flip legs, re-salt. Flip again after 10 days, re-salt. After another 10 days (total one month), remove legs, soak in stream for half day, scrub clean, hang in sun. Must be sunny day; delay if rainy. After drying, if cloudy/rainy, hang in windy spot; resume sunning when clear. Ensure complete dryness, red skin. Shape legs. In summer, mold appears; green is best, white second, yellow/black worst. Smear with sesame oil. Remove insects with bamboo stick, fill with oil. After May, pack in bamboo boxes. Next year, aged ham. Extremely fragrant, surpassing delicacies. With this method, good pigs elsewhere can make it too. Most tonic part: First cut from foot bone, scrape clean, steam whole over rice cooker seven times, slice and eat. Boiling reduces efficacy. Only top quality suitable for steaming.

(Note) Dan Feng Zhu Rou (Lightly Wind-Dried Pork) named Qianli Fu, similar to ham. If salting fails, wind-drying is easy, good for post-illness/post-partum/deficiency tonification. Method: Coldest winter day, select good pork ribs, process immediately, do not soak/water-inject. Dry, trim internal fat/spine/belly cavity. Rub with sugar frost, smear fat areas. Hang under eaves with wind but no sun. Cook in summer, sweet and fragrant, add salt/soy sauce freely. Sugar prevents spoilage. Adding sugar to lard preserves it even in summer. Cooking pork with sugar improves taste.

[Published Note] Old friend Fan Qingzan told me: Nothing quenches thirst like pork soup. Silver smelters, working in intense heat during silver melting, require strong qi. Fire scorches them, causing unbearable thirst. They buy pork, boil clear soup, skim fat, cool in vat, drink as tea. I realized: Thirst is caused by fire scorching fluids, not solved by tea. Pigs are water animals, meat is rich, specifically tonifies water and saves fluids, incomparable to fruits. Extending this, pork addresses fluid depletion in deficiency asthma, constipation, lower damage, and difficult labor. Hence, pork is a wonder for nourishing yin. Lifelong meat-eaters adapt to organ qi, seeing benefits or harms differently. Human constitutions vary like grains/vegetables needing or not needing fertilization. Over-fertilization yields poor fruit; over-tonification causes weakness. Understanding nature of things allows understanding human nature.