典藏书目

Coix (the plant), grows in the river valleys of Yongzhou and along the roadsides of Shangdang, and is now also found in the Jianghuai region. It sprouts seedlings in spring; the leaves resemble those of Artemisia argyi (Mugwort), growing three to two chi high; it flowers in July and bears fruit in August. Harvested in October and dried in the shade. Nowadays, people generally harvest it in September. Households in Jiangnan often cultivate this plant to repel snakes. According to the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica): Long-term consumption lightens the body, prolongs life, and prevents aging. However, ancient medical texts rarely record its use for ingestion alone; it is mostly used as an ingredient in various miscellaneous prescriptions, such as Hu Qia's Lizhu Wan (Wild Cat Bone Pill) for treating fright-evil, which employs it within large compound formulas. Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Yifang* (Supplement to the Thousand Golden Formulas) and Wei Zhou's *Duxing Fang* (Single-Action Prescriptions) state: It primarily treats traumatic fractures and blood stasis. Both recommend using this single herb alone, decocted in water for oral administration, or taken as a powder. Currently, this method is widely used to treat contusions and injuries; whether administered as a liquid or powder, its efficacy is rapid. It is not seen in longevity-preserving regimens.

Coicis Semen (Coix Seed), grows in Pingze of Zhending and in fields; it is now available everywhere. It sprouts in spring; the stem grows three to four chi high; the leaves resemble those of Setaria italica (Foxtail Millet); it produces red and white flowers in spikes; it bears fruit in May and June, which are greenish-white, shaped like beads but slightly longer, hence called "Yi Zhu Zi" (Mean Bead). Children often thread them on strings like beads for play. The fruits are harvested in August, while the roots can be harvested at any time. Nowadays, people generally harvest in September and October, using the seeds for medicinal purposes. Ancient formulas predominantly use it in prescriptions for the Heart and Lungs. Wei Dan treated Lung Abscess with rough, scaly skin over the chest and heart by boiling Coicis Semen in pure vinegar until thick, administering it warm in one dose. Blood in the lungs should be expectorated for recovery. The *Guangji Fang* (Broad Salvation Prescriptions) offers a recipe for Cold Qi using Coix Congee: finely pound the seeds, steam into rice; it is best when the aroma is uniform like wheat rice, or boiled into porridge is also good, consumed freely without restriction. For root usage, Ge Hong treated sudden abdominal fullness and irritability. For chest and hypochondriac pain, the roots were chopped, heavily decocted, and three sheng of the juice administered to stop the pain. Nowadays, people often take the leaves as a drink; its fragrance fills the chest and diaphragm, surpassing preparations mixed with other herbs. Zhang Zhongjing treated Wind-Dampness causing bodily restlessness and pain, worsening in the late afternoon, with Mahuang Xingren Yiyiren Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, and Coix Decoction). Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) 3 liang, Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren) 30 pieces, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) and Coicis Semen (Yiyiren) each 1 liang. These four ingredients are decocted in four sheng of water to obtain two sheng, divided into two warm doses. He also treated Bi Syndrome of the Chest with unilateral flaccidity or spasticity using Yiyiren Fuzi San (Coix and Aconite Powder): Coicis Semen 15 liang, prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix (Fuzi) 10 pieces. The two ingredients are pounded into powder; each dose is one fangcun bi (a square-inch measure), taken three times daily.