Chapter 515 378: Rheumatism Remedy, Thunder Python Vine

"Ah, it's the Southern Snakevine~" Upon hearing this, Han Xianchen's eyes lit up, and a smile appeared on his face.

The Southern Snakevine is a deciduous vine of the Celastraceae family, commonly growing wild in mountain valleys and brushwood at the edge of forests. It enjoys sunlight, endures shade, is widely distributed, and is resistant to cold and drought. In China, it is found in Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan, and other areas.

For him, it is not an uncommon medicinal herb, just one that is not often used.

"Yes, the Southern Snakevine is one of the medicinal ingredients in the ancient prescription, Aconite and Cinnamon Twig Decoction." Qin Feng nodded, understanding that Han Xianchen was certainly familiar with this herb, but it was not the full story.

"One of the ingredients? Are there others?" Han Xianchen paused for a moment before continuing to ask.

"Yes, this formula originates from Zhang Zhongjing's 'Essentials from the Golden Cabinet' during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Hua Tuo also used this formula to treat Cao Cao's migraine, but in fact, both improved the formula several times." Qin Feng explained, "Hua Tuo's version, centered around Southern Snakevine, did have a notable effect on ailments caused by evil wind, but for those deeply affected by the evil wind, the efficacy was minimal, not reaching the afflicted area."

"And then?" Han Xianchen listened attentively, completely immersed in Qin Feng's narration.

"Zhang Zhongjing once used this prescription to treat a Han Dynasty general's rheumatism, feeling that the general, after years of warfare followed by guarding the frontier, had severe rheumatism. Although Southern Snakevine has the functions of dispersing blood, improving circulation, dispelling wind-dampness, strengthening bones, and reducing inflammation and detoxifying, it only provides temporary relief and fails to open the path for medicine to fully penetrate the afflicted spot."

"He then began searching for substitutes for Southern Snakevine. Two years later, Zhang Zhongjing arrived in Yueyang, Hunan, where there was a Yellow Vine Ridge, covered with a vine known as 'Water Hemlock.'"

It is said that locals wanted to end their lives merely by consuming six or seven buds of Water Hemlock, which could instantly lead to death due to its potent toxicity.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhongjing was intrigued and sensed the mysteriousness of Water Hemlock, believing that great toxicity must hold great medicine. Perhaps this Water Hemlock was also a rare herb, so he proceeded to Yellow Vine Ridge.

During his search, he inadvertently learned of a local legend about Yellow Vine Ridge. A youth suffering greatly from leprosy sought this mountain, collected and decocted Lei Gong Vine, drank a bowl in hopes of ending his life. Unexpectedly, after consumption, he vomited, had diarrhea, and fell asleep for a day. Instead of dying, he felt rejuvenated, with much of his pain alleviated.

Upon hearing that someone used this herb to cure leprosy, Zhang Zhongjing was overjoyed. He stayed in Yueyang to try processing this highly toxic substance for medicinal use, replacing Southern Snakevine with Lei Gong Vine, greatly enhancing the effectiveness of Aconite and Cinnamon Twig Decoction, making it several times more potent.

"This herb is called Lei Gong Vine."

"What a remarkable story!" Upon Qin Feng's words, Han Xianchen's face showed shock, unable to stay calm for a long time, "Brother Qin, is Lei Gong Vine truly as magical as you've described? An entire mountain covered with such a herb?"

If this legend is true, it would be a blessing for rheumatism patients worldwide!

Indeed, when Qin Feng received this legacy information, he immediately contacted Qiao Changping to send people to Yueyang, Hunan to investigate, and received definite news.

Locally, there indeed is a place known as Yellow Vine Ridge, but that was several hundred years ago. Now what remains of Yellow Vine Ridge has become a park, where the vegetation is no longer Lei Gong Vine.

Fortunately, there are small patches of Lei Gong Vine growing in a small valley a few hundred meters from Yellow Vine Ridge, at least confirming the legend's truth.

Lei Gong Vine not only grows in Hunan; it can also be found in areas like Fujian and Sichuan, with a similar environment to Southern Snakevine.

Thus, Qiao Changping has already begun researching and testing the medicinal properties of Lei Gong Vine. If it's truly confirmed that its efficacy reaches the level required to treat middle to late-stage rheumatism and rheumatoid diseases, it will once again shake the medical world!

"Doctor Uncle, does that mean we can cure Grandpa's illness too?"

The little girl, after hearing his story, excitedly asked.

"Alleviating seventy to eighty percent of the chronic damp ailment and reducing pain shouldn't be a problem, but to completely cure it, I'm afraid Lei Gong Vine's efficacy is far insufficient."

Qin Feng pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said.

"That's already wonderful, haha~"

For Han Xianchen, this answer brought great joy. Rheumatism has troubled him for over twenty years, and he tried various internal and external Chinese herbal remedies, all with minimal results.

No one expected that this time, by a rare coincidence, he gained such knowledge of an ancient prescription from a young Western doctor. What a gracious twist of fate!

"Senior Han, I believe our mountains here must also have Lei Gong Vine growing. You can give it a try." Just after Qin Feng finished speaking, his arm was pulled by the little girl.

"Doctor Uncle, you said earlier that Lei Gong Vine's efficacy isn't enough to cure Grandpa's illness. Does it mean there's an even better medicine that can cure Grandpa's illness?"

The little girl awaited with big eyes, an expectant look.

"This..." Upon these words, Qin Feng showed a troubled expression.

"Xiaoya! Don't be mischievous!" Han Xianchen's face became stern, his tone voiced seriously.

"It's okay, it's okay." Qin Feng saw the little girl being scolded, her eyes misting up, hastily comforted her, "Senior Han, actually she's right, but this herb is one, rare and hard to find, nurtured by nature's gems; and two, its potency is so tremendous, your body might struggle to withstand it!"

"Is it true?" Han Xianchen was also stunned.

He thought Qin Feng was just speaking casually, not taking it seriously. After all, eliminating seventy to eighty percent of his rheumatism was already miraculous; at least, such herbs are not scarce, being common herbs.

But now, being told there's truly a medicine that can completely remove rheumatism, it feels like dreaming.

"Indeed, this item is named Thunder Python Vine." Qin Feng nodded, choosing no longer to conceal.

In fact, even if he told, it wouldn't be helpful, as he himself didn't know if such a thing even existed on Earth.

"Two medicinal paths were discussed earlier: one being Southern Snakevine, and the second Lei Gong Vine. Both are major herbs for activating circulation and dispelling wind-dampness, especially with Lei Gong Vine having potency exceeding that of typical Aconite."

"And the Thunder Python Vine is actually a hybrid species of Southern Snakevine and Lei Gong Vine, thus named Thunder Python Vine."

"I see." Upon hearing this, Han Xianchen entered contemplation, nodding slightly, then questioned, "I can believe the increased efficacy from two vine hybrids, but can it truly have such remarkable effectiveness?"

"You're quite right, if it were merely the mixture of two herbs, then it would be straightforward." Qin Feng sighed, then smiled wryly, "The name Lei Gong Vine itself already hints at the key, which is encountering lightning strikes."

"Lightning strikes?" Han Xianchen couldn't help but be surprised, "Like trees struck by lightning?"

"Indeed." Qin Feng nodded.

The real Lei Gong Vine originally grew on mountain peaks and cliffs, thriving facing the sun, enduring wind and rain, surviving lightning strikes with only a thread of life.

The key is in its surrounding environment, there must be Southern Snakevine growing with it. During Lei Gong Vine's near-death state, they grow attached, finally hybridizing into a new vine plant, Thunder Python Vine, robust and resilient, growing upwards.

That is the pure Thunder Python Vine!