Li Shih-chén (22) admits the occult properties attributed to 
the flowers of these early records but expresses doubts about 
their beneficial effect on prolonged use. Remarking on the 
statement given above by the Pén-ts'ao ching, he says that “As 
the flowers of Yun-shih enable one to see spirits and drive one 
to madness, how can it be possible to gain somatic levitation by 
taking it over a long time? This shows that this is an error in 
these old works.”’ 
Caesalpinia sepiaria has not been noted as a hallucinogenic 
plant in modern works. In fact, as far as I am aware, it has not 
been investigated medicinally or chemically. 
Fang-k’uei — Peucedanum japonica Thunb. — Plate 26 
This Umbelliferous plant has also not been noted as a hallu- 
cinogenic plant in modern works. The root is used in Chinese 
medicine. It is considered by most authors as an eliminative, 
diuretic, tussic and sedative, and regarded as a tonic with 
prolonged use. Some, however, believe it slightly deleterious 
in nature. 
Thus, Tao Hung-ching (7) says that ‘‘Feverish people should 
not take it, because it causes one to be delirious and see 
spirits.”’ Ch’én Yén-chih (8) says that **Fang-k’uei, if taken in 
excess, makes one become delirious and act somewhat like 
mad.”’ 
One of the noted characters of this drug is that it decays 
readily. Li Shih-chén (22), who cites the above quotation, is of 
the opinion that the hallucinogenic effects attributed to this 
drug are due to adulteration by Lang-tu. Lang-tu is generally 
referred to some species of the genus Aconitum, a genus witha 
large number of species widely distributed in China, many of 
which enter into the pharmacopeia and all are highly poisonous 
(Stuart 1911, Read 1936). In the Chinese Materia Medica 
(Pharm. Inst. 1960), however, Lang-tu is referred to a species 
of Euphorbia, E. fischeriana Steud. (E. pallasi Turcz.). Both 
Aconitum and Euphorbia species are poisonous in nature, but 
in the Chinese herbals, although drugs belonging to these gen- 
era are noted for their high toxicity, hallucinogenic properties 
do not seem to have been attributed to them. 
168 
