Paris Polyphylla

original: 蚤休 (Zao Xiu)

Zao Xiu is the same as the "Purple River Cart" original: 紫河車 (Ziheche); while this name usually refers to human placenta in later medical texts, here it is a synonym for the Paris plant. It is commonly called "Multistoried Tower" original: 重樓 (Chonglou), referring to the tiered arrangement of its leaves or "Golden Thread" original: 金線 (Jinxian). It grows in the mountain valleys of Shanyang and within the Yuanju River Historical locations in present-day Shandong province. It is also found in Heyang, Huafeng, and Wenzhou, as well as the region between the Yangtze and Huai Rivers.

The shoots and leaves resemble those of the "Prince's Descendant" Wangsun (Polygonum sibiricum) and the "Ghost Leek" Guijiu (Dysosma versipellis or Chinese Mayapple). It grows in two or three layers. In the sixth month, it opens yellow-purple flowers. The leaves are a reddish-yellow, and above them, golden threads hang down. In autumn, it bears red seeds.

The root resembles thick ginger; its skin is red and its flesh is white. Gather the roots in the fourth and fifth months and dry them in the sun for use. The flavor is bitter, its nature is slightly cold, and it is poisonous. It primarily treats infantile convulsions original: 驚癇 (Jingxian) characterized by head-shaking and tongue-protrusion, internal heat, epilepsy, abscesses and sores, genital erosion, and intestinal parasites original: 三蟲 (Sanchong), literally "the three worms". It also neutralizes snake venom.