Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume on Herbs, Part 5

Gold Star Grass

Gold Star Grass original: 金星草 (Jinxingcao) grows in the regions of Guanshan, Sichuan, Shu, and the prefectures of Tan and Wu; it is found in all these places. It is also called "Gold Bracelet Grass." Its taste is bitter, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic.

The leaves are green. It grows mostly in clean, shady spots on rocks, or within bamboo thickets where there is little sunlight. It may also grow beneath large trees or on the shady sides of old tiled roofs. When it first emerges, it is deep green, and the leaves grow to one or two feet in length. In late winter, yellow star-like dots appear on the underside of the leaves. These dots are arranged in pairs and have a color like gold, which is how the plant earned its name. It has no flowers or fruit. The leaves do not wither even in the depths of winter.

Its roots are twisted and coiled like those of bamboo, but thinner. When broken, they contain fibers resembling pig bristles. In the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the plant is harvested along with its roots and then dried in the wind.

It is primarily used to treat carbuncles and ulcers|癰疽 (yongju); severe skin infections and abscesses, as well as various sores and toxins. It is highly effective at neutralizing poisoning from sulfur and mineral elixirs|丹石 (danshi); refers to the toxic side effects of alchemical minerals like cinnabar or arsenic often used in ancient medicines. For the treatment of carbuncles on the back, swellings, or hard nodules|結核 (jiehe); referring to subcutaneous lumps or swollen lymph nodes, the leaves and roots should be decocted in wine and taken orally.