482 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



Polygonum bistorta Decoction^ % ^ fir (Tzu-shen-t'ang), 

 composed of the root boiled together with licorice root, and 

 used iu dysentery. 



Anemo7ie cermia Decoction^ j^ W. m '^ (Pai-t'ou-weng- 

 t'ang), composed of the root of this plant, Coptis teeta, Phel- 

 lodendron amurense, and Fraxinus pubinervus. It is pre- 

 scribed in inflammatory dysentery. In the case of post-partum 

 bloody stools, licorice root and the medicinal glue known as 

 p^l /^ (A-chiao) are added. 



Ophiopogon spicatus Decoction^ ^ P^ ^ .lit (Mai-men- 

 tung-chien), composed of the fresh root and white honey 

 decocted together, and prescribed as tonic and general con- 

 structive remedy. 



Eclipta alba Decoction, ^ ^^ jfji; (Chin-ling-chien), com- 

 posed of this herb, raw ginger, and white honey. It is said to 

 have the power of renewing a youthful appearance by chang- 

 ing grey hair to black. 



Ague-checking Decoctions^ ^ M ^ M (Chieh-nio-chu- 

 t'ang). Several formulae for antimalarial decoctions are 

 given, and the principal ingredient in these is Orixia japonica. 

 The other ingredients vary with each prescription. 



Three cycle Decoction^ ^ ,^ '^ (San-chien-t'ang), is 

 composed of the three forms of aconite recognised by the 

 Chinese decocted together with ginger. It is considered to be 

 vitalizing and depurative, and is recommended in difficulties 

 marked by turbid urine. 



Roasted beans Purple Decoction^ ^\} ^ j^ '^ (Ch'ao-tou- 

 tzu-t'ang), is made by roasting black beans, and digesting in 

 clear spirits until the latter has a purple color. It is regarded 

 as solvent to the blood, but can have no virtues except those 

 of the spirits. 



Pien Chiao'-s three bean Decoction^ ^ f,| H ^ '^ (Pien- 

 ch'iao-san-tou-yin). Pien Chiao was a famous physician, and 

 this is one of his prescriptions. It is composed of Phaseolus 

 mungo beans, Phaseolus radiatus beans. Glycine hispidia 

 beans, and licorice root decocted together, and one may either 

 eat the beans or drink the broth. It is supposed to be prophy- 

 lactic to small-pox. 



