典藏书目

Bucao Bu (Supplement to Materia Medica): The West produces not only fragrant herbs but also "stinking grass" (Choucao, a plant emitting an odor when touched). Although their scents differ, their therapeutic effects are identical. The plant grows over one chi tall, bearing small yellow flowers. The flower stamens should be picked and dried in the shade for later use; they possess the same efficacy as the leaves. After fruiting, the pods split into four chambers, each containing several seeds. Planting can be done in mid-spring or mid-autumn. In spring, inserting branches into the soil allows them to take root. It is resistant to frost and snow, does not favor fertile soil, and requires watering with clear water. When stroked by hand, it emits a pungent odor, which is distinct from foul decay. Its functions are equivalent to those of fragrant herbs. Planted beneath trees, it kills tree-dwelling insects; planted in vegetable gardens, it repels toxic creatures such as snakes, scorpions, and centipedes.

For diarrhea and urinary retention: Take the leaves of Choucao, consuming them either raw or boiled.
For poisoning from drugs or bites from snakes, scorpions, and centipedes: Immediately consume raw Choucao leaves to neutralize the toxin.
For intestinal roundworms: Fry Choucao leaves in pure oil, mash them, and apply the paste to the umbilicus. This method is far superior to consuming Quisqualis indica (Shijunzi).
For epistaxis (nosebleed): Mash Choucao leaves and insert them into the nostrils to stop bleeding.
For coma due to critical illness: Cook the leaves with vinegar, rub until warm, and insert into the nostrils to restore consciousness.
For otalgia (ear pain): Mash Choucao leaves, extract the natural juice, filter it through pomegranate peel, and instill into the ear.
For ocular pain: Soak the leaves in clean water and expose them to dew for two or three nights. Then dip the leaves in the water and apply to the eyes.
For visual fatigue: Mix the natural juice of Choucao leaves with a drop of honey and a small amount of Foeniculum vulgare (Xiaohuixiang, fennel). Use this mixture to instill into the eyes; long-term use improves vision clarity.
For yaws (Yangmeichuang): Boil the natural juice with good wine and starch powder to treat the condition.
For heart-qi pain in women caused by upward rushing of uterine qi: Inhale the scent of Choucao leaves until symptoms resolve. Cao Shangshi from Dayu used this prescription and marveled at its efficacy.
For rectal prolapse in children: Boil Choucao leaves in good wine, mash them, and apply as a poultice wrapped in cloth.

(Seventy-nine species included, with twenty-four supplementary species)

Chibe Outan records: There was a Mr. Sun in Le'an who was ninety years old yet physically robust like a man in his forties or fifties. He claimed that throughout his life he had only consumed Xiangdou (Resonant Beans). Each year, when locust fruits were about to ripen, he would station guards to prevent birds and sparrows from pecking them down. Once mature, he harvested them to make two pillows. At night, he listened for the sound; the ones that made noise were the Xiangdou. He discarded the rest. After several months of this process, he identified the location of the resonant beans. There was usually only one per tree, and he consumed only one grain per year. He persisted in this for decades without other regimens.

Yanshi Jiaxun records: Yu Jianwu frequently consumed Locusta seeds (Huai Shi). In his seventies, he could still read fine print, and his beard and hair remained black. Baopuzi states that consuming Locusta seeds nourishes the brain, prevents graying of hair, and promotes longevity. This likely refers to these beans.
Efficacy: Brightens the eyes, enhances complexion, opens the mind and spirit, strengthens sinews and bones, and nourishes blood and marrow.

Mr. Ji Xiaolan, in Guwang Tingzhi, stated: Xiangdou refers to locust fruits that crackle audibly at night. There is typically only one per tree, making them indistinguishable visually. The method is as follows: When the locust tree first blooms, cover it with a silk net to prevent birds from eating the fruit. After the fruits mature, store them in multiple cloth bags. Use them as pillows at night; discard any bag that makes no sound. Continue sleeping on the bags until one produces a cracking sound. Take this bag and divide its contents into smaller bags. Sleep on them again as before. Once a resonant bag is found, divide it further into two pillow-bags. Repeat this subdivision process until only two beans remain, then divide them between two pillows. Through this iterative selection, the true Xiangdou is obtained.