冬葵子 味甘,气寒。性滑利。无毒。(黄芩为使。是秋种葵覆养经冬至春作子者。)
主五脏六腑寒热羸瘦,五癃,利小便。疗妇人乳痈,下乳汁。久服坚骨长肌肉,轻身延年。难产
取一二合,杵破,水煮服之。痈节未溃者,水吞三五粒,便作头脓出。根主恶疮,疗淋,利小便,
服丹石人宜之。
蜀葵 味甘,气寒。阴中之阳。无毒。(根茎并入药,根花俱阴干。)主客热,利小便。
治恶疮及带下,散脓血恶汁。煮食主丹石发热结。叶烧为末,敷金疮,捣碎敷火疮。炙者
与小儿食,治热毒下痢及大小丹痢,捣汁服亦可。花治淋涩,水肿,催生落胎并一切疮疥、小
儿风疹子。花有五色,赤者治赤带,白者治白带,空心酒调末二钱匕。赤治血燥,白治气燥,
又白者疗痰疟。
黄蜀葵花 (与蜀葵花别种,春生苗叶尖狭多缺,夏末开淡黄花,采之晒干用。)主治
小便淋及催生,又疮家要药,主诸恶疮脓水,久不瘥者,作末敷之愈。子催生,临产时取四十
九粒或二三钱,炒研末,温水调服。
荚菔根 (俗名萝卜。)味辛、甘,气温平。无毒。(忌与地黄、何首乌同食,令发白。)
主大下气,消谷去痰癖。主咳嗽,解面毒。生捣汁服,主消渴。治肺痿,能止血消血。《衍义》
云∶散气用生姜,下气用莱菔。子治喘嗽,下气消食。水研服,吐风痰。醋研涂,消肿毒。
芜青 味苦,气温。无毒。主利五脏。轻身益气,消食。可长食之,令人肥健,诸菜之
中最有益者。昔诸葛亮所止,令兵士独种此,为其有大利,今三蜀江陵人呼为诸葛菜。根主消渴,
敷热毒风肿。子主明目。
芥 味辛,气温。无毒。归鼻,主除肾邪气,利九窍,明耳目,安中,久食温中。又云
多食动气。子治风肿毒及麻痹,醋研敷之。扑损瘀血,腰痛肾冷,和生姜研微暖涂贴之。心痛,
酒醋服。
白芥 味辛,气温。无毒。主冷气。子主敷射工及疰气,上气发汗,胸膈痰冷面青。丹
溪云∶痰在皮里膜外,非此不能达。又游肿诸毒,为末猪胆和如泥,敷之,日三易。
苋实 味甘,气寒。无毒。(忌与鳖同食,以鳖细锉和苋置湿处,则变为生鳖。)主青盲
白翳,明目除邪。利大小便,去寒热,杀蛔虫。久服益气力,不饥轻身。
马齿苋 味酸,气寒。性滑,无毒。(用叶小者。节叶间有水银,入药不用茎节。)主目盲
白翳,利大小便,止赤白下。去寒热,杀诸虫,止渴,破 结,痈疮,服之长年不白。和梳垢
敷丁肿。又烧为灰,和多年醋滓,先灸丁肿以封之,
即根出,又敷豌豆疮良。生捣绞汁服,当利下恶物,去白虫,亦治疳痢。又主三十六种风结疮,
以一釜煮,澄清,内蜡三两重,煎成膏涂之。亦可涂白秃湿癣,敷杖疮,又疗多年恶疮。子明目,
主青盲白雾,杵为末,每一匙煮葱豉粥,和搅食之。
苦苣 味苦,气平。(不可同血食,作痔疾。)主除面目及舌下黄。折取茎中白汁,
敷丁肿出根。又渍痈上立溃。碎茎叶敷蛇咬。根主赤白痢及骨蒸,并煮服之。
荠 味甘,气温。无毒。主利肝气,和中。其实名菥 子,主明目,目暴赤痛,去瘴翳,
根汁点目中亦效。根叶烧灰治赤白痢。
王瓜 味苦,气寒。无毒。(即《月令》所谓王瓜生者是也。三月采阴干。)主消渴,内
痹,瘀血月闭,寒热酸疼,益气愈聋,疗诸邪气热结,鼠 ,散痈肿留血,止小便数遗不禁。
子润心肺,肺痿吐血,肠风泄血,赤白,炒用。蛊毒,(取捣汁和酒服,当吐下。)下乳汁,为末,
酒服一钱,日三。)黄胆黑疸。(取根汁六合,顿服,当有黄水随小便出,未愈再服。)
瓜蒂 (即瓜也。)味苦,气寒。有毒。(七月七日采,阴干。去瓜皮,用蒂约半寸许。)主
大水,身面四肢浮肿,下水,杀虫毒。咳逆上气,风痫喉风,痰涎暴塞,及食诸果病在胸腹中,
皆吐下之。去鼻中息肉,为末,羊脂和少许敷之,日三次。疗黄胆及暴急黄,和小豆丁为末,吹
鼻中,少时黄水出,亦可服方寸匕。胃弱及病后、产后勿轻用。诸亡血、诸虚家不可用。花主心
痛咳逆。
苦瓠 味苦,气寒。有毒。主大水,面目四肢浮肿,下水,令人吐。
茄子根及枯茎叶 主冻脚伤者,汤渍之。
水芹 (即芹菜。)味甘,气平、寒。无毒。主女子赤沃,止血养精,保血脉,益气,
令人肥健嗜食。治烦渴,三月、八月龙带精入芹菜中,人遇食之,病蛟龙瘕。发则似癫,面
色青,小腹满痛,状如怀妊,服硬糖二三斤,
日二度,吐出如蜥蝎。
繁缕 (即鸡肠草。)味酸,气平。无毒。(五月五日日中采之干用。)主积年恶疮不
愈,有神效。又主破血,宜产妇口齿,方烧灰或作末揩齿宣露。治淋,取满两手握,水煮服。
胡荽 味辛,气温。微毒。(子入药炒用。)主消谷,利大小肠,通小腹气,通心窍。久
食损人精神,令人多忘,发酸臭香港脚。主小儿秃疮,油煎敷之。亦主蛊,直痔及食肉中毒下血,
煮冷取汁服。小儿痘疹不出,欲令速出,(用胡荽二三两,用酒二大盏,煎令沸滚之,便以物
合定不令泄气,候冷去渣,微微从颈以下喷一身令到,除面不喷。)
蓼实 味辛,气温。无毒。主明目,温中,耐风寒,下水气,面目浮肿,痈疡瘰 。
归鼻,除肾气。叶归舌,除大小肠气,利中,霍乱转筋,多取煮汤及热捋脚。又捣敷小儿头疮。
马蓼去肠中蛭虫。水蓼捣敷蛇咬。又煮渍脚捋之,消香港脚。脚肿痛成疮,频淋洗之。
葱实 味辛,气温。无毒。(葱忌与蜜同食。)主明目,补中不足。其茎葱白,入手太阴
经、足阳明经,可作汤。主伤寒寒热出汗,中风面目肿,喉痹不通。安胎,归目,除肝邪气,
利五脏,杀百药毒。通大小肠,霍乱转筋及贲豚气,香港脚心腹痛及心迷闷。连根用,主伤寒头
痛如破。又茎叶用盐研,置蛇虫伤并金疮水入皲肿痛。治蚯蚓毒,大抵发散为功,多食昏人神。
韭 味辛,微酸,气温。性急,无毒。(忌与蜜同食,其子入药炒。)主归
心,安五脏,主胃中热,充肝气,则病患可久食。韭汁生研,冬月用根细饮之,下膈间瘀血甚效。
又中风疾失音,心脾痛,上气喘息,胸膈气结滞及中恶腹胀,俱捣饮之。小儿初生灌之,即吐
恶血,令无病。狂犬咬、蛇虺虫毒并恶疮,捣敷之。多食昏人目。未出粪土为韭黄,滞不宜食。
花食之动风。子主梦泄、精滑、溺白,甚良。
薤 味辛、苦,气温。入手阳明经。无毒。(取白良,白冷清热,忌舆牛肉同食。)主金疮,
败诸疮,中风寒水肿,生捣热
涂之。与蜜同捣涂汤火疮,甚效。宜心归骨,菜芝也。轻身不饥耐老,除寒热,去水气,温中
散结,利病患。止久痢冷泻,同黄柏煮食,绝赤痢、霍乱干呕,煮之服之。胸膈卒痛,肺气
喘急,俱捣生汁,细饮之。
葫 (大蒜也。)味辛,气温。属火,有毒。(独子者入药佳,五月五日采。)主散痈肿
急疮,除风邪,杀毒瓦斯。健胃善化肉,破冷气,烂 癖,辟瘟疫气,瘴气蛊毒,蛇虫,溪毒。
治中暑毒,霍乱转筋腹痛,烂嚼温水嗌之。又鼻血不止,烂捣涂足心,止即拭去。醋浸之经年者
良。此物气极荤,煮为羹 极俊美,熏气亦微。下气温中,消谷生食。久食伤肝气,损目明。又
伤肺伤脾,引痰,宜戒之。痈疽发背,恶疮肿核初发,取紫皮独头蒜横切作片子用浓一分贴肿
头中心,炷艾如梧桐子,灸蒜上,勿令大热。若觉痛,即擎起蒜,蒜焦更用新者。如已痛者,灸
至不痛;不痛者,灸至痛。以多为善,无不效者。疣赘之类,亦根据此灸。
小蒜 味辛,气温。有小毒。归脾肾,主霍乱,腹中不安,消谷,理胃温中,除邪痹毒瓦斯。华
佗用蒜齑,吐人恶物,云是此。又云是大蒜。
假苏 (荆芥也。)味辛、苦,气温(。取花实成穗者,曝干用。)主寒热鼠 ,瘰 生疮,
破结聚气,下瘀血,除湿痹。辟邪气,通利血脉,传送五脏。能发汗,解渴,除冷风。治头风
眩晕,妇人血风等为要药。治产后血晕,捣末,童便调热服三钱匕如神。口噤者,挑齿灌之或
灌鼻中。产后中风身强直,取末酒和服。又杵末酷和,封风毒丁肿。
水苏 (一名鸡苏。)味辛,气微温。无毒。(七月采。)主吐血衄血,血崩血痢,产
后中风,下气,辟口臭,去毒辟恶气。久服通神明,轻身耐老。
香薷 味辛,气微温。无毒。主霍乱腹痛吐下,治霍乱不可缺也。下气,除烦热,调
中温胃,治伤喜。利小便,散水肿,治水甚捷,有彻上彻下之功。肺得之,则清化行而热自下。
又治口气甚捷,盖口臭是脾有郁火,溢入肺中,失其清和甘美之意,而浊气上干故也。
薄荷 味辛、苦,气凉、温。无毒。入手太阴经、厥阴经。主贼风伤寒发汗,通利
关节,伤风头脑风及小儿涎,惊风壮热,及上行之药,能引诸药入荣卫。又主风气壅并,下气,
消宿食、恶气,心腹胀满,霍乱骨蒸劳热,用其汁与众药熬为膏。新大病瘥人勿食,令虚汗
不止。猫食则醉。
Dong Kui Zi (Semen Malvae): Sweet in taste, cold in nature. Its property is slippery and unblocking. Non-toxic. (Huang Qin [Scutellariae Radix] acts as a guiding herb. This refers to the seeds of Malva verticillata sown in autumn, covered for nourishment, overwintering until spring.) It primarily treats cold-heat conditions and emaciation of the five zang and six fu organs, five types of strangury (Wu Long), and promotes urination. It treats breast abscesses in women and promotes lactation. Long-term consumption strengthens bones, builds muscle, lightens the body, and prolongs life. For difficult labor, take 1-2 he (a unit of measure), crush it, decoct with water, and drink. For carbuncles not yet ulcerated, swallow 3-5 grains with water; pus will form and drain. The root treats malignant sores, strangury, and promotes urination; it is suitable for those taking Dan Shi (mineral pills).
Shu Kui (Althaea rosea): Sweet in taste, cold in nature. Yin within Yang. Non-toxic. (Roots and stems are used in medicine; roots and flowers are dried in shade.) It treats external heat pathogens, promotes urination. It treats malignant sores and leukorrhea, dispersing pus, blood, and foul discharge. Boiling and eating it treats fever and stagnation caused by mineral pills. Leaves burned to ash are applied to metal wounds; crushed leaves are applied to burns. Roasted leaves fed to children treat dysentery caused by heat toxins and various "Dan" dysenteries; juice can also be drunk. Flowers treat strangury with difficulty, edema, induce labor, abort fetuses, and treat all sores, scabies, and infantile wind rashes. Flowers come in five colors: red ones treat bloody leukorrhea, white ones treat non-bloody leukorrhea; taken on an empty stomach with wine, 2 qian bi of powder. Red treats blood dryness, white treats qi dryness; additionally, white ones treat phlegm-malaria.
Huang Shu Kui Hua (Flower of Yellow Hollyhock): (A different species from Shu Kui; sprouts in spring with pointed, narrow, lobed leaves; blooms pale yellow in late summer; harvested and sun-dried.) It treats strangury and induces labor; it is also a key herb for sore patients, treating various malignant sores with purulent discharge that do not heal for a long time; powdered and applied externally, it heals. Seeds induce labor; at delivery, take 49 grains or 2-3 qian, stir-fry, powder, and mix with warm water to drink.
Jia Fu Gen (Radish Root): (Commonly known as Luobo.) Pungent and sweet in taste, neutral in temperature. Non-toxic. (Avoid consuming with Di Huang [Rehmanniae Radix] and He Shou Wu [Polygoni Multiflori Radix], as it causes hair whitening.) It primarily descends qi, resolves food stagnation, and eliminates phlegm-pi accumulation. It treats cough, resolves facial toxins. Raw juice treats xiao ke (wasting-thirst syndrome). It treats fei wei (lung flaccidity), stops bleeding, and resolves blood stasis. *Yan Yi* states: Ginger disperses qi, while Radish descends qi. Seeds treat wheezing and cough, descend qi, and digest food. Water-grinded seeds induce vomiting of wind-phlegm. Vinegar-grinded paste reduces swelling and toxicity.
Wu Qing (Brassica rapa var. trichosperma): Bitter in taste, warm in temperature. Non-toxic. It primarily benefits the five zang organs. It lightens the body, tonifies qi, and digests food. It can be eaten long-term to make one fat and strong; it is the most beneficial among vegetables. In the past, Zhuge Liang ordered soldiers to plant it exclusively due to its great benefit; people in San Shu and Jiangling today call it Zhuge Cai. Roots treat wasting-thirst; applied externally to hot-toxic wind swellings. Seeds brighten the eyes.
Jie (Mustard): Pungent in taste, warm in temperature. Non-toxic. Enters the nose meridian. It primarily removes kidney pathogenic qi, benefits the nine orifices, brightens eyes and ears, harmonizes the middle jiao, and warms the middle with long-term use. It is also said that excessive consumption moves qi. Seeds treat wind-swelling and toxicity and numbness; applied externally with vinegar grind. For traumatic blood stasis, lower back pain, and cold kidneys, mix with ginger, grind slightly warm, and apply. For heart pain, take with wine and vinegar.
Bai Jie (White Mustard): Pungent in taste, warm in temperature. Non-toxic. It treats cold qi. Seeds are applied externally for She Gong (poisonous insect/miasma) and Zhu Qi (chronic infectious disease), upper qi sweating, chest/diaphragm cold-phlegm with blue complexion. Zhu Danxi stated: Phlegm in the skin and fascia cannot reach without this herb. It also treats wandering swellings and various toxicities; powdered and mixed with pig bile into a paste, applied externally, changed three times daily.
Xian Shi (Amaranth Seed): Sweet in taste, cold in nature. Non-toxic. (Avoid eating with soft-shelled turtle; if chopped turtle meat is placed with amaranth in a damp place, it transforms into live turtles.) It treats green blindness and white nebula, brightens eyes, and removes pathogens. Promotes bowel and bladder movements, removes cold-heat, kills roundworms. Long-term consumption tonifies qi and strength, prevents hunger, and lightens the body.
Ma Chi Xian (Portulaca Oleracea): Sour in taste, cold in nature. Slippery property. Non-toxic. (Use small leaves. Mercury-like substance exists between nodes; stems and nodes are not used in medicine.) It treats blindness and white nebula, promotes bowel/bladder movements, stops bloody/non-bloody dysentery. Removes cold-heat, kills various worms, stops thirst, breaks stagnation, treats carbuncles; long-term use keeps hair black. Mixed with comb dirt, applied to furuncles. Burned to ash, mixed with aged vinegar dregs; after moxibustion on the furuncle, seal it to drain roots; also effective for chickenpox sores. Raw juice treated internally expels foul matter, removes white worms, and treats gan dysentery. It treats thirty-six types of wind-stagnation sores; boiled in a pot, clarified, mixed with 3 liang of wax, and cooked into a ointment. Can also treat bald wet tinea, stick wounds, and chronic malignant sores. Seeds brighten eyes, treat green blindness and white mist; powdered, mixed with scallion and soybean porridge, and eaten.
Ku Ju (Lactuca Scariola): Bitter in taste, neutral in temperature. (Do not eat with blood products, as it causes hemorrhoids.) It primarily removes yellow discoloration from face, eyes, and under the tongue. Break stem to extract white juice, apply to furuncles to draw out roots. Soaking boils causes immediate ulceration. Crushed stems/leaves apply to snake bites. Roots treat bloody/non-bloody dysentery and bone-steaming tidal fever; decoct and drink.
Qi (Shepherd's Purse): Sweet in taste, warm in temperature. Non-toxic. It primarily benefits liver qi and harmonizes the middle. Its fruit is named Xi Ming Zi, which brightens eyes, treats sudden red painful eyes, and removes cataracts; root juice applied to eyes is also effective. Roots and leaves burned to ash treat bloody/non-bloody dysentery.
Wang Gua (Trichosanthes Cucumerina): Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Non-toxic. (Refers to Wang Gua mentioned in *Yue Ling*. Harvested in March, dried in shade.) Treats wasting-thirst, internal obstruction, blood stasis amenorrhea, cold-heat and acid pain, tonifies qi, cures deafness, treats various pathogenic heat stagnations, shu lou (scrofula), disperses boil swelling and retained blood, stops frequent urination and incontinence. Seeds moisten lungs and heart, treat lung flaccidity hematemesis, intestinal wind bleeding, bloody/non-bloody dysentery; stir-fried before use. Gu Du (parasitic poisoning): Juice mixed with wine induces vomiting/purging. Promotes lactation; powdered, taken with wine, 1 qian, three times daily. Jaundice/Black Jaundice: 6 he of root juice taken at once; yellow water should pass with urine; repeat if not healed.
Gua Di (Melon Stalk): (The stalk of the melon.) Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Toxic. (Harvested on July 7th, dried in shade. Remove melon skin, use only the stalk about half cun.) Treats severe edema, swelling of face/body/extremities, drains water, kills insect toxins. Treats cough with reverse qi, wind epilepsy, throat wind, sudden phlegm obstruction, and diseases in chest/abdomen from eating fruits; induces vomiting/purging. Removes nasal polyps; powdered, mixed with sheep fat, applied externally three times daily. Treats jaundice and acute severe jaundice; mixed with adzuki bean powder, insufflated into nose; yellow water flows out shortly; can also be taken orally (1 cun bi). Do not use lightly for weak stomach, post-illness, or postpartum. Contraindicated for blood loss and deficiency patterns. Flowers treat heart pain and cough with reverse qi.
Ku Hu (Bitter Gourd/Stick Gourd): Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Toxic. Treats severe edema, swelling of face/extremities, drains water, induces vomiting.
Qie Zi Gen & Ku Jing Ye (Eggplant Root & Withered Stems/Leaves): Treat frostbitten feet; soak in hot water.
Shui Qin (Celery): Sweet in taste, neutral/cold in nature. Non-toxic. Treats vaginal bleeding (Chi Wo), stops bleeding, nourishes essence, preserves blood vessels, tonifies qi, makes one fat/strong and increases appetite. Treats irritability/thirst. If dragon essence enters celery in March/August, humans eating it get Jiao Long Xia (dragon mass disease). Symptoms resemble mania, blue complexion, lower abdominal fullness/pain, resembling pregnancy. Take 2-3 jin of hard sugar, twice daily, vomit lizard-like objects.
Fan Lv (Stellaria Media): Sour in taste, neutral in nature. Non-toxic. (Harvested at noon on May 5th, dried.) Treats chronic malignant sores that do not heal; has miraculous effects. Also treats breaking blood; suitable for postpartum dental care; burn to ash or powder to brush teeth/gums. Treats strangury; take a handful, decoct with water, and drink.
Hu Sui (Coriander): Pungent in taste, warm in temperature. Slightly toxic. (Seeds used in medicine after stir-frying.) Digests food, benefits large/small intestines, unblocks lower abdomen qi, opens heart orifices. Long-term consumption damages spirit, causes forgetfulness, and triggers sour-smelling athlete's foot. Treats infantile alopecia; apply oil-fried preparation. Also treats gu poison, straight hemorrhoids, and bloody stool from meat poisoning; cold juice from decoction is drunk. For infantile measles/rash not erupting, to hasten eruption: Use 2-3 liang Hu Sui, 2 large cups of wine, boil vigorously, cover tightly to retain vapor, cool, strain, and spray gently from neck down over body (avoid face).
Liao Shi (Polygonum Fruit): Pungent in taste, warm in nature. Non-toxic. Brightens eyes, warms middle, resists wind-cold, drains water qi, treats facial/eye swelling, sores, and scrofula. Enters nose meridian, removes kidney qi. Leaves enter tongue meridian, remove large/small intestine qi, benefit middle, treat cholera with tendon contraction; decoct soup and rub feet while hot. Powder applied to infant head sores. Ma Liao removes leeches from intestines. Shui Liao paste applied to snake bites. Decoction soak/rub feet to treat athlete's foot. Frequent washing for swollen/painful feet turning into sores.
Cong Shi (Scallion Bulb): Pungent in taste, warm in nature. Non-toxic. (Scallion avoids honey.) Brightens eyes, supplements middle deficiency. Cong Bai (white part of stem) enters Taiyin Lung and Yangming Stomach meridians; can be made into soup. Treats sha han with cold-heat and sweating, wind stroke with facial swelling, throat obstruction. Calms fetus, enters eyes, removes liver pathogenic qi, benefits five zang, kills hundred drug toxins. Unblocks large/small intestines, treats cholera tendon contraction, Ben Tun Qi, athlete's foot heart/abdominal pain, and heart confusion/stupor. With roots, treats sha han headache like splitting. Stems/leaves ground with salt applied to snake/insect bites and metal wounds with water entry causing cracking/swelling. Treats earthworm poison. Generally functions by dispersing; excessive consumption clouds the mind.
Jiu (Garlic Chives): Pungent, slightly sour, warm in nature. Urgent property. Non-toxic. (Avoid honey; seeds stir-fried for medicine.) Enters Heart, calms five zang, treats stomach heat, supplements liver qi; patients can consume long-term. Raw ground juice: In winter, use roots finely drunk; very effective for sub-diaphragmatic blood stasis. Also treats wind stroke aphonia, heart/spleen pain, upper qi panting, chest/diaphragm qi stagnation, and evil qi abdominal distension; all crushed and drunk. Given to newborns to vomit foul blood, ensuring health. Dog bites, snake venom, and malignant sores: Applied externally. Excessive consumption dims vision. Jiuhuang (yellow chives grown underground) is stagnant and unsuitable. Flowers move wind when eaten. Seeds treat nocturnal emission, seminal leakage, and white urine; very effective.
Xie (Chinese Leek/Rakkyo): Pungent, bitter, warm in nature. Enters Yangming Large Intestine meridian. Non-toxic. (White parts are good; white is cold and clears heat; avoid beef.) Treats metal wounds, resolves various sores, wind-cold edema; raw crushed hot paste applied. Mixed with honey, crushed, applied to scald/burns; very effective. Benefits heart, enters bones, considered a vegetable immortal. Lightens body, prevents hunger, resists aging, removes cold-heat, drains water qi, warms middle, dissipates nodules, benefits patients. Stops chronic cold diarrhea; boiled with Huang Bai, cures bloody dysentery, cholera dry retching. Sudden chest/diaphragm pain, lung qi panting: Raw juice crushed and slowly drunk.
Hu (Garlic): Pungent, warm in nature. Belongs to Fire, toxic. (Single-clove garlic is best for medicine; harvested May 5th.) Disperses boil swelling and urgent sores, removes wind pathogens, kills toxic vapors. Strengthens stomach, digests meat, breaks cold qi, resolves pi masses, wards off plague miasma, swamp gas, gu poison, snake/insect/stream toxins. Treats heatstroke toxin, cholera tendon contraction/abdominal pain; chew rotten, swallow with warm water. For persistent epistaxis, crush and apply to sole of foot; stop then wipe off. Aged vinegar-soaked garlic is good. Strong odor, delicious when cooked into soup, mild smoke. Descends qi, warms middle, digests food, generates appetite. Long-term consumption damages liver qi, harms vision, injures lungs/spleen, draws phlegm; should be avoided. For carbuncles/back sores/malignant swelling nodes initially: Take purple-skin single-clove garlic, slice horizontally, apply thick layer to center of swelling. Moxa cone size of wutong seed, moxa on garlic, do not let it get too hot. If pain felt, lift garlic; if garlic burns, use new one. If already painful, moxa until pain stops; if not painful, moxa until pain starts. More is better; always effective. Warts also treated similarly with moxa.
Xiao Suan (Small Garlic/Shallot): Pungent, warm in nature. Slightly toxic. Enters Spleen/Kidney. Treats cholera, abdominal discomfort, digests food, regulates stomach, warms middle, removes pathogenic obstruction/toxic vapors. Hua Tuo used garlic paste to vomit foul matter; claimed to be this, or sometimes Great Garlic.
Jia Su (Schizonepeta/Jing Jie): Pungent, bitter, warm in nature. (Use flower spikes, sun-dried.) Treats cold-heat, shu lou, scrofula sores, breaks stagnation/qi accumulation, drains blood stasis, removes damp-bi. Ward off evil qi, unblock vessels, transmit to five zang. Induces sweating, relieves thirst, removes cold wind. Key herb for head wind vertigo and women's blood wind. Postpartum blood syncope: Powdered, mixed with child's urine, hot drink, 3 qian bi, miraculous effect. For locked jaw, pry teeth and pour in or insufflate nose. Postpartum wind stroke with stiff body: Powder mixed with wine. Powder mixed with vinegar seals wind-toxic furuncles.
Shui Su (Perilla Nankinensis/Ji Su): Pungent, slightly warm in nature. Non-toxic. (Harvested July.) Treats hematemesis, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, bloody dysentery, postpartum wind stroke, descends qi, eliminates bad breath, removes toxins/evil qi. Long-term consumption clarifies spirit, lightens body, resists aging.
Xiang Ru (Mosla Chinensis): Pungent, slightly warm in nature. Non-toxic. Treats cholera with abdominal pain/vomiting/diarrhea; essential for cholera treatment. Descends qi, removes vexing heat, harmonizes middle, warms stomach, treats injury/shock. Promotes urination, disperses edema, treats water retention rapidly; has thorough upper/lower action. When lungs receive it, clear transformation occurs and heat descends. Rapidly treats bad breath; halitosis is spleen depression fire overflowing to lungs, losing clear/harmonious sweetness, turbid qi rising.
Bo He (Mint): Pungent, bitter, cool/warm in nature. Non-toxic. Enters Taiyin Lung and Jueyin Liver meridians. Treats thief wind/sha han inducing sweat, unblocks joints, wind stroke head wind, infantile saliva, convulsions with high fever. As an ascending herb, it guides other herbs into Ying and Wei. Treats wind-qii congestion, descends qi, digests retained food/evil qi, chest/abdominal fullness, cholera, bone-steaming consumptive fever; juice boiled with other herbs into ointment. Do not eat for recent illness recovery; causes continuous deficiency sweating. Cats become intoxicated eating it.