典藏书目

Bajitian from Chuzhou
Bajitian from Guizhou

Pungent, sweet; slightly warm in nature. Non-toxic. Although produced in the Jianghuai region, the quality from Bashu is superior. It mostly grows in deep valleys and dense forests, with thick leaves that do not wither in winter. Hence it is commonly known as "Erman Grass" (Two-Vine Grass), also called "Budiao Grass" (Evergreen Grass). For medicinal use, the roots are harvested and dried in the shade. Old roots are greenish, while young roots are white. Their efficacy is similar, but those with fleshy, bead-like segments should be selected. The original root heart naturally falls off upon drying. Some people extract the core, leaving it hollow inside, which is not due to natural pores. (If not fully extracted, the core should still be removed.) Currently, practitioners consider only those with a purple center as high quality. (According to people from Shu: there are no naturally purple ones; they are all dyed.) Sometimes they are soaked in juice boiled from black soybeans. (Or boiled together.) Although the purple color is achieved, the flavor and aroma are significantly lost. Others pick "Shangen" (Mountain Root) and dye it purple to pass it off as genuine. (In Shu, there is a type of Shangen with a similar shape but white color; when boiled in vinegar, it turns purple. Many harvest and sell it as fake Bajitian, making it hard to distinguish.) All these cases require careful examination. (Break it open to inspect: if the inside is purple and fresh/clean, it is genuine. Genuine Bajitian has a purple center but also contains slight white specks like pink powder, with a slightly dull texture.) Processing requires soaking in wine, leaving overnight, then sun-drying. It is incompatible with Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma) and Leiwan (Omphalia lapidescens). Fupenzi (Rubus chingii Fructus) is suitable as an adjuvant. It is contraindicated for seminal emission and spermatorrhea. It tonifies deficiency and damages/labor injuries. It treats wandering wind on the head and face, as well as severe wind-induced blood leprosy; it governs impotence and pulling/twisting pain in the lower abdomen. It calms the five zang organs, strengthens bones and tendons, soothes the mind qi, promotes urination, and reduces edema. It benefits essence and increases willpower, primarily benefiting men.

Qishi
Qishi from Caizhou

Bitter, sour; neutral in nature. Non-toxic. Cultivated in the valleys of Caizhou (present-day Shangcai County, Henan). The seedlings resemble Qinghao (Artemisia annua L.), growing in clumps. There may be thirty to fifty stems per clump, reaching heights of six or seven chi. The stems are straight and distinct from other mugworts. The flowers resemble chrysanthemums, pale yellow, blooming in autumn; the fruits resemble Bingshen (Broussonetia papyrifera fruits), dark red, but not sweet. Harvested in September, sun-dried for later use. It brightens the eyes and enhances wisdom, supplements qi and fills the flesh. Long-term consumption prevents hunger, lightens the body, and delays aging.
(Mo) Note: Liu Xiang's "Shuo Yuan" states: When the world is peaceful and a sage ruler reigns, this plant grows to be one zhang long, with one root producing a hundred stems. Spirit turtles guard beneath, while clouds and mist cover above. The mountains are free of venomous stings, and the region is devoid of tigers, wolves, and wild beasts. The stems resemble phoenix tails and dragon heads, used in divination to connect heaven and earth, root and moon cave. Truly a divine object, rarely seen in the world. What currently grows is merely ordinary Caizhou produce; how can it possess such extraordinary qualities?