一名大贝母。百草镜云∶土贝形大如钱，独瓣不分，与川产迥别，各处皆产，有出安徽
六安
之安山者∶有出江南宜兴之章注者；有出宁国府之孙字埠者，浙江惟宁波鄞县之樟村及
象山
有之。入药选白大而燥皮细者良。
《百草镜》云∶味苦性平，微寒无毒，能散痈毒，化脓行滞，解广疮结毒，除风湿，利
痰。
傅恶疮，敛疮口，茅昆来笔记∶味大苦，专消痈疽毒痰，杨梅结毒，非此不除。
乳痈初起∶白芷、土贝母各等分，为细末，每服三钱，陈酒热服，护暖取汗，即消。重者再
一服，如壮实者，每服五钱。杨春涯验方∶天花粉、乳香去油、没药、白芷、归尾、土贝母
、赤芍、独活、川芎、各一钱，甘草节、陈皮、各八分，穿山甲三片，皂角刺一钱五分，金
银花二钱五分，防风一钱二分，好酒煎服。又方∶白芷梢、土贝母、天花粉、各三钱，乳香
去油一钱五分，共炒研末，白酒浆调搽，再用酒浆调服三钱。
乳痈∶外科全生∶紫河车草、浙贝各三钱，用黄糖拌匀，好酒和服尽醉，盖被取汗。赵
贡栽
云∶浙贝乃宁波土贝母也。
治乳岩∶叶氏验方∶阳和汤加土贝母五钱煎服，数日可消。姚希周济世经验方∶治乳岩
已破
，用大贝母、核桃 、金银花、连翘、各三钱，酒水煎服。
∶不论已破未破，皆治。瑞安生验方∶土贝母半斤，牛皮胶四两，敲碎牡蛎粉，炒
成珠
，去粉为细末，水发丸绿豆大，每日早晚用紫背天葵根三钱，或用海藻昆布各钱半，煎汤吞
丸三钱。又 膏药；用牛皮胶水熬化一两，入土贝母末五钱，摊油纸上贴之。吉云旅抄∶
紫背天葵一两五钱，土贝母、昆布、海藻各一两，西牛黄三分、海螵蛸五钱、陈胆星三钱、
桔梗一两、共为细末。酒发为丸，如绿豆大，每日服六七十丸，好酒送下。千金不易方∶治
男妇小儿生 ，内消；用土贝母研末，陈米醋调搽，数日即消。仙姑玉环散∶治痰核
未溃，用此方。生南星、生半夏、土贝、各等分，研末，醋蜜调匀敷。
初起∶土贝研细，陈米醋和搽，数日暗消。又方∶土贝母、大力子、全虫洗各五钱，
紫
背天葵根、昆布洗、海藻洗各一两，青皮、蝉退各三钱，甲片炒四钱，蜈蚣酒炙七条，当归
二两，为末，蜜丸，砂仁汤下三钱，虚加人参。种福堂敷痰核瘰 方∶用生南星、生半夏、
生大黄、各一两，大贝母、昆布、海藻、海浮石、铜绿明矾各五钱，用商陆根汁、葱汁、姜
汁、蜜四味调敷。又痰核瘰 膏中用大贝母。
痰核方∶人参、甘草各六分，川芎、桔梗、陈皮、木香、乌梅各八分，当归、白芷、防
风、
茯苓各一钱，半夏五分，生姜三片，黑枣二个，水二钟、煎服。如患处有水不干，加知母一
钱，土贝母一钱。
消瘰 ∶傅信方∶穿山甲和沙炒，牛皮胶切碎，麦壳炒，各二两，土贝母、连翘、各一
两，
共为末，大人三钱，小儿二钱。
治汗斑∶集验∶土贝母一两，南硼砂一两，冰片一分，共研末，搽之即愈。（家宝方∶
硼砂
只用五钱，以暑月出汗时频擦乃效。）
治鼠疮∶汇集关绍圣方∶大鲫鱼一尾，皂角内独子每岁一个，川贝母三钱，土贝母二钱，
将
皂角子贝母入鱼肚内，黄泥包裹，阴阳瓦炭火焙干存性，研为细末，每服三钱，食后黄酒调
服，忌荤百日。
手发背∶慈惠编∶生甘草、炙甘草各五钱、皂刺二钱五分、土炒土贝五钱五分、半夏一
钱五
分、甲片二钱五分，炒黑；知母二钱五分，加葱姜，水酒煎二剂服，即愈。
刀割斧砍，夹翦枪箭伤损∶集验云∶土贝母末敷之，止血收口。
毒蛇咬∶祝氏效方∶急饮麻油一碗，免毒攻心，再用土贝母四五钱，为末，热酒冲服，
再饮
酒尽醉，安卧少时，药力到处，酒化为水，从伤口喷出。候水尽，将碗内贝母渣敷伤口。垂
死者皆活。
肿毒初起∶百草镜云∶此方传自异人，应验如响。重者不过三服，轻者一二服，初起即
散，
已成者自溃，且易收口。甲片炙捣六钱、全当归五钱、花粉八钱、白芷五钱、广皮三钱、土
贝母研二钱、银花一两、皂刺三钱、赤芍六钱、防风五钱、甘草节六钱、乳香炙另研一钱、
没药炙另研一钱、苏木二钱、川牛膝一钱、川断五钱，酒水各半煎汁去渣，将没药乳香末调
服取汗，忌鸡犬孝服男女僧尼触犯，须避静室服药。赵贡栽云∶此方专于攻散，药力太重，
惟可施于壮实之人，虚弱者勿服。
按∶贝母有甜苦之分；有川象之别。《百草镜》云∶出川者曰川贝；出象山者名象贝；
绝大
者名土贝。川产者味甘，间有微苦，总不似他产之一味苦而不甘者也。入药能补气利痰而不
寒，虚人宜之。象贝一味苦寒，能化坚痰，性利可知。若土贝功专化脓，解痈毒，性燥而不
润。以象贝皆小，土贝独大，于川产者亦异。纲目不分着功用，或其时尚未有此种耳。又用
药识微云∶川贝中一种出巴东者独大，番人名紫草贝母，大不道地。出陕西者名西贝，又号
大贝。张石顽云∶贝母川产味甘，最佳；西产味薄，次之；象山者微苦，又次之；一种大而
苦者，仅能解毒，并去心用。今川中亦产一种大如钱者，土人以之捣粉作浆，刷川绸用，不
知入药。然则土贝川中亦产，不特浙江也。忆庚子春有友自川中归，贻予贝母，大如钱，皮
细白而带黄斑，味甘。云此种出龙安，乃川贝中第一，不可多得。信是，则川中之甜贝母亦
有大者，不特金川子独甜也，并附以俟考。
土贝母，又名大贝母。《百草镜》记载：土贝母的形态像铜钱一样大，瓣片单一不分瓣，与四川产地的贝母截然不同。各地都有出产，其中安徽六安安山产的、江南宜兴章注产的、宁国府孙字埠产的，浙江只有宁波鄞县樟村和象山有出产。入药时，选择白色、个头大且外皮干燥细腻的为好。
《百草镜》记载：味苦，性平，微寒，无毒。能消散痈毒，化脓行滞，解除广疮结毒，祛除风湿，利痰。
治疗恶疮，收敛疮口。茅昆来笔记记载：味道极苦，专门消除痈疽毒痰、杨梅结毒，不用此药不能去除。
乳痈初起：白芷、土贝母各等分，研成细末，每次服用三钱，用温热的陈酒送服，注意保暖以取汗，即可消散。病情重的再服一次；如果身体壮实的人，每次服用五钱。杨春涯验方：天花粉、去油的乳香、没药、白芷、当归尾、土贝母、赤芍、独活、川芎，各一钱，甘草节、陈皮，各八分，穿山甲三片，皂角刺一钱五分，金银花二钱五分，防风一钱二分，用好酒煎服。另一个方子：白芷梢、土贝母、天花粉，各三钱，去油的乳香一钱五分，共同炒后研成末，用白酒浆调匀外敷，再用酒浆调服三钱。
乳痈：《外科全生集》记载：紫河车草、浙贝母各三钱，用黄糖拌匀，用好酒调和喝到醉的程度，盖被子取汗。赵贡栽说：浙贝就是宁波的土贝母。
治疗乳岩（乳腺癌）：叶氏验方：阳和汤加土贝母五钱煎服，数日可消散。姚希周济世经验方：治疗乳岩已经破溃的，用大贝母、核桃仁、金银花、连翘，各三钱，酒水煎服。
不论是否破溃，都能治疗。瑞安生验方：土贝母半斤，牛皮胶四两，敲碎的牡蛎粉，炒成珠状，去掉粉质成为细末，用水泛丸如绿豆大小，每天早晚用紫背天葵根三钱，或者用海藻、昆布各一钱半，煎汤吞服丸药三钱。又一种膏药：用牛皮胶水熬化一两，加入土贝母末五钱，摊在油纸上贴敷。吉云旅抄：紫背天葵一两五钱，土贝母、昆布、海藻各一两，西牛黄三分、海螵蛸五钱、陈胆星三钱、桔梗一两，共同研成细末。用酒泛为丸，如绿豆大小，每天服用六七十丸，用好酒送下。千金不易方：治疗男女小儿生瘰疬，内消；用土贝母研末，陈米醋调匀外搽，数日即可消散。仙姑玉环散：治疗痰核未溃破，用此方。生南星、生半夏、土贝母，各等分，研成末，醋和蜜调匀敷贴。
初起阶段：土贝母研细，陈米醋调和外搽，数日后暗中消散。另一个方子：土贝母、大力子（牛蒡子）、全虫（全蝎）洗净各五钱，紫背天葵根、昆布洗净、海藻洗净各一两，青皮、蝉蜕各三钱，炮甲片炒四钱，蜈蚣酒炙七条，当归二两，研成末，蜜丸，砂仁汤送服三钱，体虚者加人参。种福堂敷痰核瘰疬方：用生南星、生半夏、生大黄，各一两，大贝母、昆布、海藻、海浮石、铜绿明矾各五钱，用商陆根汁、葱汁、姜汁、蜂蜜四味调匀外敷。另外痰核瘰疬膏中也用大贝母。
痰核方：人参、甘草各六分，川芎、桔梗、陈皮、木香、乌梅各八分，当归、白芷、防风、茯苓各一钱，半夏五分，生姜三片，黑枣二个，水两钟，煎服。如果患处有水不干，加知母一钱，土贝母一钱。
消瘰疬：傅信方：穿山甲和沙一起炒，牛皮胶切碎，麦壳炒，各二两，土贝母、连翘，各一两，共同研成末，成人每次三钱，小儿每次二钱。
治疗汗斑：《集验》记载：土贝母一两，南硼砂一两，冰片一分，共同研成末，搽涂即愈。（家宝方：硼砂只用五钱，在暑月出汗时频繁擦拭才有效。）
治疗鼠疮（淋巴结核）：汇集关绍圣方：大鲫鱼一条，皂角内的独子每年一个，川贝母三钱，土贝母二钱，将皂角子和贝母放入鱼肚内，用黄泥包裹，在阴阳瓦上用炭火焙干存性，研为细末，每次服用三钱，饭后用黄酒调服，忌食荤腥一百天。
手发背：《慈惠编》记载：生甘草、炙甘草各五钱，皂刺二钱五分，土炒土贝母五钱五分，半夏一钱五分，炮甲片二钱五分，炒黑；知母二钱五分，加葱姜，水酒各半煎煮两剂服，即愈。
刀割斧砍、夹剪枪箭造成的损伤：《集验》记载：土贝母末外敷，止血收口。
毒蛇咬伤：祝氏效方：急忙饮一碗麻油，以免毒气攻心，再用土贝母四五钱，研成末，热酒冲服，再饮酒直到醉倒，安静躺卧一会儿，药力到达之处，酒化为水，从伤口喷出。等水流尽，将碗底的贝母渣敷在伤口上。濒临死亡者都能救活。
肿毒初起：《百草镜》记载：此方传自异人，灵验迅速。病情重的不过三服，轻的一二服，初起即消散，已成形的自然溃破，且容易收口。炮甲片炙捣六钱、全当归五钱、花粉八钱、白芷五钱、广皮（陈皮）三钱、土贝母研末二钱、银花一两、皂刺三钱、赤芍六钱、防风五钱、甘草节六钱、乳香炙后另研一钱、没药炙后另研一钱、苏木二钱、川牛膝一钱、川断五钱，酒水各半煎汁去渣，将没药乳香末调服以取汗，忌见鸡犬孝服、男女僧尼触犯，须在静室服药。赵贡栽说：此方专于攻散，药力太重，只适用于身体壮实的人，虚弱者勿服。
按语：贝母有甜苦之分；有川产、象产之别。《百草镜》记载：出四川的叫川贝；出象山的叫象贝；特别大的叫土贝。四川产的味甘，间或有微苦，总不像其他产地的那样一味苦而不甘。入药能补气利痰而不寒，虚人适宜使用。象贝一味苦寒，能化坚痰，其性利可知。至于土贝功效专于化脓，解痈毒，性燥而不润。因为象贝都小，土贝唯独大，这与四川产的也不同。《本草纲目》没有明确记载其功用，或许当时还没有这种药材吧。又《用药识微》记载：川贝中有一种出自巴东的特别大，番人称为紫草贝母，不是地道药材。出自陕西的叫西贝，又称大贝。张石顽说：贝母四川产的味甘，最佳；陕西产的味薄，次之；象山的微苦，又次之；有一种大而苦的，只能解毒，并需去心使用。现在四川也产一种大如铜钱的，当地人用它捣粉做浆，刷洗川绸使用，不知道可以入药。然而土贝在四川也有出产，不仅限于浙江。回忆庚子年春天有朋友从四川回来，赠送给我贝母，大如铜钱，皮细白而带黄斑，味甘。说这种出自龙安，是川贝中的第一品，不可多得。如果是这样，那么四川的甜贝母也有大的，不只是金川子单独甜罢了，一并附上以供考证。
Tu Beimu (Fritillaria cirrhosa var. delavayii bulb), also known as Da Beimu (Large Fritillary Bulb). *Baicao Jing* (Mirror of Hundred Herbs) records: Tu Beimu is large like a coin, with a single unsplit scale, distinctly different from the Sichuan-produced variety. It is produced in various places; those from Anshan, Lu'an, Anhui; Zhangzhu, Yixing, Jiangnan; Sunzibu, Ningguo Prefecture; and in Zhejiang, only those from Zhangcun, Yinxian, Ningbo, and Xiangshan are available. For medicinal use, select those that are white, large, and have fine, dry skin.
*Baicao Jing* records: Bitter in taste, neutral in nature, slightly cold, non-toxic. It can dissipate carbuncle toxins, resolve pus and promote circulation, relieve generalized sore toxins, dispel wind-dampness, and benefit phlegm.
For treating malignant sores and closing wound openings: Mao Kunlai's notes record: Extremely bitter in taste, it specializes in eliminating carbuncle, ulcer, toxic phlegm, and chancre toxins; without this herb, they cannot be removed.
For early-stage mastitis: Equal parts of Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) and Tu Beimu are ground into fine powder. Take 3 qian per dose, administered with warm aged wine. Keep warm to induce sweating, which will dissipate the swelling. For severe cases, take another dose. For robust individuals, take 5 qian per dose. Yang Chunya's verified formula: Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Ruxiang (Frankincense, oil removed), Moyao (Myrrh), Baizhi, Guiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix tail), Tu Beimu, Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma), each 1 qian; Gancao Jie (Licorice Joint), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), each 8 fen; Shanzhijia (Manis Squama) 3 slices; Zaojiaoci (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina) 1.5 qian; Yinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) 2.5 qian; Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 1.2 qian. Decoct with good wine and take orally. Another prescription: Baizhi Shao (Baizhi tip), Tu Beimu, Tianhuafen, each 3 qian; Ruxiang (oil removed) 1.5 qian. Stir-fry together and grind into powder. Apply externally mixed with wine slurry, and take 3 qian internally mixed with wine slurry.
For mastitis: *Waike Quansheng* (Complete Works of External Medicine) records: Ziheche Cao (Placenta Herb), Zhebei (Fritillaria Thunbergii Bulb), each 3 qian. Mix well with brown sugar, combine with good wine, drink until drunk, cover with blankets to induce sweating. Zhao Gongzai states: Zhebei is Ningbo's Tu Beimu.
For treating breast cancer (Ru Yan): Ye Shi's verified formula: Yanghe Tang (Warm Yang Decoction) plus 5 qian of Tu Beimu, decocted and taken orally; it can dissipate within several days. Yao Xizhou's Ji Shi Jing Yan Fang (Universal Experience Formula): For breast cancer that has already ulcerated, use Da Beimu (Large Fritillary Bulb), Hetaoren (Juglandis Semen), Yinhua, Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), each 3 qian. Decoct with water and wine and take orally.
Regardless of whether it has ulcerated or not, it is treatable. Rui'an Sheng's verified formula: Tu Beimu 8 liang, Niujiao (Asini Corii Colla) 4 liang. Crushed Muli (Ostrea Concha) powder, stir-fried until bead-like, remove the powder residue to make a fine powder. Form pills the size of mung beans using water. Every morning and evening, swallow 3 qian of pills with a decoction made from 3 qian of Zi Bei Tian Kui Gen (Viola Yedoensis Radix) OR 1.5 qian each of Haizao (Sargassum Herba) and Kunbu (Eckloniae Stipe). Another plaster: Melt 1 liang of Niujiao, add 5 qian of Tu Beimu powder, spread on oiled paper, and apply topically. Ji Yun Lv Chao: Zi Bei Tian Kui 1.5 liang, Tu Beimu, Kunbu, Haizao, each 1 liang; Xi Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis) 3 fen, Haipiaoxiao (Sepiae Endochroma) 5 qian, Chen Dan Xing (Arisaema Cum Bile) 3 qian, Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) 1 liang. Grind all into fine powder. Make pills with wine, size of mung beans. Take 60-70 pills daily, delivered with good wine. Qianjin Bu Yi Fang: Treats men, women, and children suffering from scrofula for internal resolution; grind Tu Beimu into powder, mix with aged rice vinegar, apply externally, and it will dissipate in a few days. Xian Gu Yu Huan San: For non-ulcerated phlegm nodules. Use Sheng Nan Xing (Arisaematis Cum Bile Rhizoma raw), Sheng Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma raw), Tu Beimu, equal parts. Grind into powder, mix evenly with vinegar and honey, and apply.
At the initial stage: Grind Tu Beimu finely, mix with aged rice vinegar, and apply externally; it will gradually dissipate in a few days. Another formula: Tu Beimu, Dalizi (Arctii Fructus), Quan Chong (Whole Scorpion washed), each 5 qian; Zi Bei Tian Kui Gen, Kunbu washed, Haizao washed, each 1 liang; Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium viride), Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum), each 3 qian; Jia Pian (Manis Squama) stir-fried 4 qian; Wugong (Centipeda) wine-fried 7 pieces; Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 2 liang. Grind into powder, make honey pills, take 3 qian with Amomum Villosum soup, add Renshen (Ginseng Radix) for deficiency. Zhong Fu Tang paste for phlegm nodules and scrofula: Use Sheng Nan Xing, Sheng Ban Xia, Sheng Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), each 1 liang; Da Beimu, Kunbu, Haizao, Haifushi (Pumex), Tonglv Mingfan (Chalcanthite Alum), each 5 qian. Mix with juice from Shanglu Root (Phytolaccae Radix), green onion juice, ginger juice, and honey for external application. Additionally, Da Beimu is used in plasters for phlegm nodules and scrofula.
Phlegm nodule formula: Renshen, Gancao, each 6 fen; Chuanxiong, Jiegeng, Chenpi, Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Wumei (Mume Fructus), each 8 fen; Danggui, Baizhi, Fangfeng, Fuling (Poria), each 1 qian; Banxia 5 fen; Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 3 slices; Hei Zao (Jujubae Fructus) 2 pieces. Decoct with 2 zhong of water and take orally. If there is fluid at the affected site that does not dry, add Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) 1 qian, Tu Beimu 1 qian.
Eliminating scrofula: Fu Xin's formula: Shanzhijia stir-fried with sand, Niujiao chopped, Maikao (Triticale Chaff) stir-fried, each 2 liang; Tu Beimu, Lianqiao, each 1 liang. Grind all into powder. Adults take 3 qian, children take 2 qian.
Treating tinea versicolor: *Ji Yan*: Tu Beimu 1 liang, Nan Pengsha (Borax) 1 liang, Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum) 1 fen. Grind all into powder and apply; it heals immediately. (*Jiabao Fang*: Use only 5 qian of Borax, apply frequently during summer months when sweating occurs for effectiveness.)
Treating scrofula (Shu Chuang): Collected Guan Shaosheng's formula: One large crucian carp, one unique seed from a pod of Gleditsia sinensis per year, Chuanbei (Fritillaria Cirrhosa Bulb) 3 qian, Tu Beimu 2 qian. Place the Gleditsia seed and fritillary bulbs inside the fish belly, wrap tightly with yellow mud, bake dry over charcoal fire on yin-yang tiles to preserve properties, grind into fine powder. Take 3 qian per dose after meals, mixed with yellow wine. Avoid meat for 100 days.
Hand back carbuncle: *Cihui Bian*: Sheng Gancao (Raw Licorice), Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice), each 5 qian; Zaoci (Gleditsiae Spina) 2.5 qian; Tu Chao Tu Beimu (Earth-fried Tu Beimu) 5.5 qian; Banxia 1.5 qian; Jia Pian 2.5 qian, stir-fried black; Zhimu 2.5 qian. Add green onion and ginger, decoct with half water and half wine for two doses; it heals immediately.
Cuts from knives/axes, injuries from clippers/spears/arrows: *Ji Yan* records: Apply Tu Beimu powder externally to stop bleeding and close wounds.
Venomous snake bites: Zhu Shi's effective formula: Immediately drink one bowl of sesame oil to prevent toxin from attacking the heart. Then, take 4-5 qian of Tu Beimu, ground into powder, flushed down with hot wine. Drink until drunk, lie quietly for a while. Where the medicinal power reaches, the wine turns to water and sprays out from the wound. After the water drains, apply the residual Tu Beimu dregs from the bowl to the wound. Those near death will survive.
Initial stage of swollen toxins: *Baicao Jing* records: This formula was passed down by an extraordinary person, effective instantly. Severe cases require no more than three doses, mild cases one or two. At the onset, it disperses; if formed, it naturally ulcerates and heals easily. Zhi Jia Pian (Stir-fried Manis Squama) pounded 6 qian, Quan Danggui 5 qian, Huafen 8 qian, Baizhi 5 qian, Guangpi 3 qian, Tu Beimu powder 2 qian, Yinhua 1 liang, Zaoci 3 qian, Chishao 6 qian, Fangfeng 5 qian, Gancao Jie 6 qian, Zhi Ruxiang (separately ground) 1 qian, Zhi Moyao (separately ground) 1 qian, Sumu (Sappan Wood) 2 qian, Chuan Niuxi (Cyathulae Radix) 1 qian, Chuan Duan (Dipsaci Radix) 5 qian. Decoct with half water and half wine, strain. Mix Moyao and Ruxiang powders into the liquid to induce sweating. Avoid contact with chickens, dogs, mourners, monks, and nuns; take medicine in a quiet room. Zhao Gongzai says: This formula specializes in attacking and dispersing; the medicinal power is too strong, suitable only for robust individuals, do not use for the weak.
Note: There are sweet and bitter varieties of Beimu; differences between Sichuan and Xiangshan origins. *Baicao Jing* records: Those from Sichuan are called Chuanbei; those from Xiangshan are named Xiangbei; exceptionally large ones are called Tu Beimu. Sichuan-produced ones are sweet in taste, occasionally slightly bitter, never purely bitter and unsweet like other origins. Medicinally, it can tonify qi and benefit phlegm without being cold, suitable for deficient persons. Xiangbei is purely bitter and cold, capable of resolving hard phlegm, indicating its draining nature. Tu Beimu specializes in resolving pus and relieving carbuncle toxins; it is drying rather than moistening. Since Xiangbei is small and Tu Beimu is uniquely large, it differs from Sichuan productions. *Bencao Gangmu* did not clearly specify its functions, perhaps because this variety did not exist then. *Yong Wu Shi Wei* records: Among Chuanbei, one from Badong is exceptionally large, called Purple Grass Beimu by foreigners, not a genuine local product. Those from Shaanxi are called Xibei, also known as Da Beimu. Zhang Shiwang states: Sichuan-produced Beimu is sweet and best; Shaanxi-produced is thin in flavor and second best; Xiangshan-produced is slightly bitter and third best; a large and bitter type can only detoxify and must have its heart removed. Currently, Sichuan also produces a variety as large as a coin, which locals grind into powder for sizing silk, unaware of its medicinal use. Thus, Tu Beimu is also produced in Sichuan, not just Zhejiang. I recall in the spring of Gengzi year, a friend returned from Sichuan and gifted me Beimu, large as a coin, with fine white skin bearing yellow spots, sweet in taste. He said this comes from Long'an, the first grade among Chuanbei, rare indeed. If true, then sweet Beimu from Sichuan also comes in large sizes, not just Jinchuan seeds being sweet. I attach this for future verification.