典藏书目

Bitter, sour, neutral in nature, cold in qi, non-toxic. It is a herb of extreme cold and pure yin. Therefore, it governs severe fire toxin sores, body heat with vexation and evil qi, various poisonings, venomous snake bites, and malignant qi.

Jingtian (Sedum aizoon) is also known as Shenhuo Cao (Caution Fire Herb) and Guabi Qing (Hanging Wall Green). It treats fire sores for immediate recovery; decocting the soup for bathing infants treats hot prickly heat and miliaria. If crushed, it can be applied to treat infant erysipelas (Chi You Dan Du), golden wounds, gu poison, simultaneously dispelling wind,惊悸 (fright), heat, and dryness.

Xuchangqing (Cynanchum atratum) removes insect toxins and epidemic diseases, kills ghostly spirits and evil influences, dispels warm malaria, and drives away malignant qi.

It is born from the extreme yin qi within the earth, hence its yellow color and bitter taste, good qi, and non-toxicity. It enters the Foot Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. The classics state: "When one yin and one yang knot together, it causes throat obstruction (Hou Bi)." One yin refers to Shaoyin Ministerial Fire; one yang refers to Shaoyang Ministerial Fire. Resolving the heat of Shaoyin ensures that Ministerial Fire does not move recklessly, and throat obstruction heals. It governs various malignant swellings, sores, snake and dog bite toxins, primarily because its bitter and cold properties cool the blood, and by obtaining the primal qi of earth, it resolves hundred poisons.

Huangyaogen (Dioscorea bulbifera root) is used externally more often, governing throat obstruction and various malignant sores and carbuncles, treating snake and dog bites, heart and lung accumulated heat. Freshly crushed to extract juice, it can be held in the mouth or applied topically. The flesh of the tuber has a sour taste and rapidly reduces goiter. Soaking the rhizomes in wine and drinking several cups daily yields results quickly; stop upon effect, otherwise the neck may shrink.

Shilongchu (Lycopodium clavatum), named Longxu (Dragon Beard), can be used for weaving mats. It promotes urination in cases of difficulty, clears hot strangury, addresses internal injury deficiency and empty fullness, kills ghostly fixation and malignant substances, removes painful and difficult urination, moistens withered skin and hair, and expels evil qi from the heart and abdomen. Decocting old mats for soup is also effective for treating strangury.

Shilongrui (Ranunculus ternatus) has two varieties. Aquatic ones have smooth leaves and round seeds; terrestrial ones have hairy leaves and sharp seeds. For medicinal use, only the aquatic variety is valued, using seeds resembling Thistle Seeds (Tingli). It harmonizes deficient stomach qi, relieves stomach heat-induced fullness, tonifies insufficient yin qi, treats cold extremities and seminal emission, simultaneously dispels wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, resolves heart and abdominal evil qi, unblocks and benefits joints, sharpens and nourishes the skin. Long-term use brightens the eyes, lightens the body, aids conception, and facilitates childbirth.

Those growing on rocks are superior. They receive the command of Shaoyang and combine with the yin-cold qi of heaven and earth to grow. When the four seasons are irregular, their taste is bitter, their nature is warm, slightly cold, and non-toxic. They enter the Foot Yangming, Hand and Foot Shaoyin, Foot Jueyin, and Shaoyang meridians.

Luoshi (Trachelospermum jasminoides) belongs to the same category as Xili (Ficus pumila), Muliang (Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang), Dijin (Pilea nummulariifolia), and Xuexue (Emmenopterys henryi). For throat obstruction so severe as to feel like death, decocting in water and drinking brings immediate relief. For back carbuncles swelling and spreading, mixing with honey and juice and taking orally yields immediate effects. It strengthens sinews and bones, fortifies waist and feet, benefits joints, moistens and beautifies the face, dispels wind-heat causing dead muscle tissue, resolves oral and tongue dryness and snake venom, dissipates chest oppression, and seals axe wounds.

Xili (Ficus pumila), although similar to Luoshi, has stems and leaves as thick as vines. To treat back carbuncles, harvest the leaves, decoct in wine, and drink; dysentery will heal. Muliang (Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang) is similar to Luoshi, with thicker stems and leaves than Luoshi. Bitter in taste, the vine resembles parasitic plants, attaching to trees to grow. Its seedling branches and leaves resemble Shiwei (Pyrola decorata); because it obtains wood qi, it is named Muliang. Commonly called Guimantou (Ghost Bun). Also known as Xili. Whether decocted in water or soaked in wine, initial intake strengthens yang and repels disease; long-term intake promotes longevity and anti-aging. Extract the vine juice. It can be applied to wind toxins, sweep away vitiligo rashes, remove tinea and scabies ulcers. The fruit capsules formed above and the white juice inside the fruit are excellent for breaking blood stasis. Dijin (Pilea nummulariifolia) has a sweet taste; decocting in soup or soaking in wine breaks blood stasis, stops pain, removes postpartum blood coagulation, and drives out blood masses in the abdomen. Xuexue (Emmenopterys henryi) also attacks via blood; decocting in wine achieves merit, and inducing abortion is rapid.

Note: Luoshi (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is named so because it envelops wood and stones. It receives the command of Shaoyang and obtains the yin qi of the earth. It opens joints, disperses wind-heat, and is an essential herb for treating back carbuncles and sores. Shennong listed it in the Superior Grade, and Li Dangzhi called it the Lord among herbs. Few physicians know how to use it; could it be ignored because it is common and cheap? Ren Cuntang Clinic treated white turbid urine caused by the failure of Heart and Kidney communication, possibly due to excessive alcohol and sexual indulgence, termed "upper licentiousness." This implies there is deficient heat and kidney insufficiency, thus earth evil interferes with water. Historical records state: in summer, earth is dry and water is turbid; in winter, earth is solid and water is clear. This is the principle here. Physicians often use harsh tonification, which worsens the condition. Only by taking Bojin San (Golden Strength Powder) can water and fire interact harmoniously, keeping the source clean and the flow clear. Use Luoshi, Renshen (Ginseng), and Fuling (Poria) each 2 liang, and Longgu (Fossilized Bones) 1 liang, grind into powder. Take 2 qian per dose with rice water on an empty stomach. Twice daily. Those with yin organ constitution who fear cold and easily suffer diarrhea should not take it. On steep cliffs in yin mountains, it grows everywhere, mostly enveloping stones or spreading over trees. Where stem nodes touch, roots sprout. Leaves are fine, dense, round, and short, remaining evergreen through winter. Flowers are white, fruits black. Breaking it reveals white juice. It belongs to the same category as Xili and Dijin. For medicinal use, those attached to rocks are superior. Wipe off hairs with coarse cloth, soak thoroughly in hot Licorice Water, slice, and dry. Use Duzhong (Eucommia Bark) and Mudanpi (Tree Peony Bark) as guides. Detests Tie Luo (Iron Filings), fears Beimu (Fritillaria) and Changpu (Acorus).