Volume 49

The Bran-dove original: 糠鳩, Kangjiu is slightly reddish in color and small, typically gathering in flocks. This is likely what Zhang YuxiA prominent Song Dynasty medicinal scholar and editor of the "Jiayou Bencao." referred to as the "Yellow-Brown Lord" original: 黄褐侯, Huanghehou that transforms into a turtle-dove during the autumn. They are fond of eating mulberries and the shoots of the Pinellia plant original: 半夏, Banxia. Pinellia is a toxic medicinal plant that requires careful processing.. In the past, someone who ate too many of these birds suffered from throat obstructionA condition involving pain and swelling of the throat, often associated with the toxicity of the Pinellia the bird had consumed.. A physician successfully treated and cured him by using fresh ginger as an antidote.

Meat: Flavor and Nature
Sweet, neutral, and non-toxic.

Primary Indications
Mainly used for "ant-fistulas" A chronic, discharging skin sore or scrofulous swelling. and malignant ulcers. It is excellent when marinated with the five spices and roasted.

Indications Zangqi Referring to Chen Zangqi, a Tang Dynasty pharmacologist.

It settles the five visceraThe Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys., aids the vital energy, and tonifies cases of deficiency and exhaustion. It helps discharge pus, invigorates the blood, and treats all manner of fistulas, internal masses, and carbuncles.

Fistulas Jiayou Materia Medica

Cuckoo Supplement to the Materia Medica This refers to the Bencao Shiyi, authored by Chen Zangqi.

Explanation of Names

Sower of Grain from the Liezi Bojiu the pronunciation of "Bo" is ga Harvester of Grain from the Erya dictionary Duke Guo The bird is called "Sower of Grain" when the farming season ends. A commentary notes it is a type of dove; in the Jiangdong region, it is called the Harvester, or Duke Guo. Northerners call it the Grain-Scatterer.

Li Shizhen states: The Cuckoo has many names, all of which are derived from the sound of its call. For example, common folk hear its cry as "Grandfather! Grandmother! Hoe the wheat! Plant the grain!" The Chinese names for the bird, such as Bugu (spread grain) and Huogu (reap grain), are onomatopoeic mnemonics that remind farmers of their seasonal duties.