Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica, Volume 4: Water Willow

Page 10

Its nature is slightly cold, and its taste is missing from the text. It cools the blood and detoxifies. For smallpox pustules original: dou chuang (痘瘡). Pustules caused by the smallpox virus, which were a major focus of traditional Chinese medicine. that have become scorched and black, bathing the skin with this herb will cause them to rise and fill immediately.

It treats traumatic injuries, chronic abdominal masses original: gu zheng jia (痼癥瘕). These terms refer to various types of hard or movable masses in the abdomen, often interpreted as severe blood stasis or chronic digestive blockages., and epidemic diseases. It also relieves "summer heat" stagnation and malignant toxins.

Water Willow Decoction for Smallpox

Zhang Yan A celebrated Qing Dynasty physician specializing in pediatrics and infectious diseases, particularly smallpox. used this decoction to treat smallpox cases where the pustules were red-purple and dry, failing to develop serum original: jiang (漿). The appearance of clear or milky fluid within a smallpox pustule was considered a vital sign that the body's "righteous qi" was successfully fighting the disease..

Regarding the Water Willow Decoction, it is recorded in ancient formulas as a woody plant with fine leaves and red stems. On its branches, there are round fruits that have white "whiskers" protruding from them. Commoners call this variety the Water Bayberry original: shui yangmei (水楊梅). because the fruit resembles a bayberry fruit.

I Referring to the author, Zhao Xuemin. have not yet tested that particular variety. The one I commonly use is a herb that grows at the water’s edge. Its leaves are like those of a willow, and its stems turn a deep red by autumn, yet it bears no fruit.

Instructions for Use:

• In Winter: Use the branches, stems, and roots.
• In Spring, Summer, and Autumn: Use the branches and leaves.

Whenever smallpox appears red, purple, dry, and withered without the production of fluid, one should internally administer medicines that invigorate the blood and detoxify the system. Externally, use a decoction of this herb to wipe the head and face. After wiping several times, the skin will immediately appear lustrous, and the pustules will show signs of "ripening" and developing serum. Those areas that have not been wiped will remain unchanged in color.