POLYGONUM MULTIFLORUM.—何首烏 (Ho-shou-wu), 376. The Pêntsao describes this plant as being diœcious. It grows principally in the Lingnan region. The root, when old, is said to have mysterious properties. At fifty years it is as large as a fist, and is designated “mountain slave” (山奴), and if taken for a year will preserve the black color of the hair and moustache; that at a hundred years is as large as a bowl, is called “hill-brother” (山哥), and if taken for one year, a rubicund and cheerful countenance will be preserved; that at a hundred and fifty years is as large as a basin, is called “hill uncle” (山伯), and if taken for one year the teeth will fall out and come afresh; that at two hundred years is the size of a one peck ozier basket, is called “hill father” (山翁), and if taken for a year the countenance will become like that of a youth, and the gait will equal that of a running horse; and that at three hundred years is the size of a three peck ozier basket, is called “mountain spirit” (山精), has a pure ethereal substance, and if taken for some time, one becomes an earthly immortal (地仙). Therefore, wonderful restorative and reviving powers are ascribed to the ordinary root, and it is also prescribed in tumors, piles, post-partum and menstrual difficulties, colds, and diarrhœas. Its use is also said to promote fertility. It is commonly sold in flat, oblong or round pieces, often of a very irregular shape and thickness, their outline being for the most part crenated, showing a tendency to the distribution of the vascular tissue into five concentric portions around the central mass. The cuticle is shrivelled, and of a dark, reddish-brown color, and the interior woody structure is of a rufous tint. The taste is rough and bitterish. The stalk and leaves are used in decoction in scabious and itching skin diseases.
Faber also identifies 蛇繭草 (Shê-chien-ts‘ao) as Polygonum multiflorum, but this cannot be confirmed from other observers. It is described in a different volume of the Pêntsao from the last, is said to have leaves like the Colocasia, and red-jointed stems. Snakes are said to avoid the plant. The root and leaves are bruised and applied to snake and scorpion bites. If they are proving efficacious, the wound will discharge a yellow serum.