桃树 本草有桃核仁，生太山川谷。河南、陕西出者尤大而美。今处处有之。树高
丈余，叶状似柳叶而阔大，又多纹脉。开花红色，结实品类甚多，其油桃光小，金桃色深红，昆
仑桃肉深紫红色，又有饼子桃、面桃、鹰嘴桃、雁过红桃、冻桃之类，名多不能尽载。山中有一
种桃，正是《月令》中桃始华者，谓山桃，不堪食啖，但中入药。桃核仁味苦甘，其性平无毒。
【救饥】采叶炸熟，水浸，作成黄色，换水淘净，油盐调食。桃实熟软时摘食之，其结硬未
熟时亦可煮食，或切作片晒干，研为糁收藏之备用。【治病】见本草。
樱桃树 处处有之，古谓之含桃，甚似桑叶而狭窄微软，开粉红花，结桃似郁李子而小，红色鲜明。味甘性热。
【救饥】采红熟者食之。【治病】具见本草。
胡桃仁 一名核桃，生北土，旧云张骞从西域将来，陕洛间多有之，今钧郑间亦有。
其树叶大，株叶浓而多阴，开花成穗，花色苍黄。结实外有青皮包之，状似梨大，熟时沤去青皮，
取其核是胡核。味甘性平，一云性热无毒。
【救饥】采核桃沤去青皮，取穣食之，令人体肥健。【治病】具见本草。
梨树 出郑州及宣城，今处处有之。其树叶似棠叶而大，色青，开花白色。结实形
样甚多。鹅梨出郑州极大，味香美而浆多。宣城皮浓而肉实，味极长。水梨出北都，皮薄而浆多，
味差短。又有消梨、紫煤梨、赤梨、甘棠、御儿梨、紫花梨、青梨、茅梨、桑梨之类，不能尽具
其名。梨实味甘微酸，性寒无毒。
【救饥】其梨结硬未熟时摘取煮食。已经霜熟摘取生食，或蒸食亦佳，或削其皮晒作梨糁收
贮备用亦可。【治病】具见本草。
柿树 旧不载所出州土，今南北皆有之。然华山者，皮薄而味甘，珍。宣、歙、荆、
襄、闽、广诸州，但生啖，不堪为干棵柿。压丹石毒。乌柿宣越者性温。诸柿食之皆善而宜人。
其树高一二丈，叶似软枣叶颇小而头微圆。结实种类甚多，有牛心柿、蒸饼柿、盖柿、塔柿、蒲
柿、红柿、黄柿、朱柿、棵柿，其干柿火干者谓之乌柿。诸柿味甘，性寒无毒。
【救饥】采取软熟柿食之。其柿未软者，摘取以温水 熟食之，粗心柿不可多食，令人腹痛。
生柿弥冷，尤不可多食之。【治病】具见本草。
葡萄 生陇西、五原、敦煌山谷及河东。旧云汉张骞使西域得其种还而种之，中国
始有，盖此果之最珍者。今处处有之。苗作藤蔓，而极长大盛者，一二本绵被山谷。叶类丝瓜叶
颇壮而边多。花叉开花极细而黄白色，其实有紫白二色，形之圆锐亦二种。又有无核者，味甘性平无毒。又有一
种 真相似，然 乃是千岁叶，但山人一概收而酿酒。
【救饥】采葡萄为果食之。又熟时取汁以酿酒饮。【治病】具见本草。
李子树 本草有李核仁，旧不载所出州土，今处处有之。其树大高丈余，叶似郁李子
叶微尖FS 而润泽光后，开白花，结实种类甚多，见《尔雅》者有∶休，无实李，李之无实者，一
名赵李。座，接虑季，即今之麦李，细实有沟道，与麦同熟，故名之。驳赤李，其子赤者是也。
又有青李、绿李、赤李、房陵李、朱仲李、马肝李、黄李、紫李、水李，散见书传，美其味之可
食，皆不入药。今有穿条红、御黄子，其李实味甘微苦，一云味酸，核仁味微苦，性平，俱无毒。
【救饥】摘取李实色熟者食之，不可临水上食，亦不可和蜜食，损五脏。及与雀肉同食，和
浆水食，令人霍乩涩气。多食令人虚热。【治病】具见本草。
木瓜 生蜀中并山阴兰亭，而宣州者佳，今处处有之。其树枝状似柰，花深红色，
叶又似柿叶微小而浓。《尔雅》谓之 ，其实形如小瓜，又似枯蒌而小，两头尖长，淡黄色。味酸其性温，无毒。
【救饥】采成熟木瓜食之，多食之亦不益人。【治病】具见本草。
郁李仁 本草郁李仁，生湿州高山川谷丘陵上，今处处有之。木高四五尺，枝条、花、
叶皆似李，惟子小。花或白或赤，结实似樱桃，赤色。其仁味酸性平。一云味苦辛，实味甘酸，根性凉，俱无毒。
【救饥】其实红熟时摘取食之，酸甜美。【治病】具见本草。
菱角 本草名芰实，一名菱，处处有之。水中拖蔓生，叶浮水上，三尖锯齿叶。开
黄白花，花落而实有二种，一种四角，一种二角。两角中又有嫩皮而紫色者，谓之浮菱，食之尤
美。味甘性平无毒。一云性冷。
【救饥】采菱角鲜大者去壳食。壳老及杂小者，煮熟食，或晒其实，火燔以为米充粮。作粉极
白润宜人。服食家蒸曝蜜和饵之，断谷长生。又云杂白蜜食，令人生虱。一云多食脏冷损阳气，
痿茎腹胀满，暖姜酒饮，或含吴茱萸咽，津液即消。其菱夏月采。【治病】具见本草。
以上实可食。
石榴树 本草名安石榴，一名丹若。《广雅》谓之若榴。旧云汉张骞使西域得其种还，
今处处有之。木不甚高硕，枝柯附干自地便生操作。种极易成，
折其木条盘土中便生。叶似枸杞叶而长微尖，叶绿微带红色，花有黄赤二色。实亦有甘酸二种，
甘者可食，其酸者入药。味甘酸性温无毒。又有一种子白莹澈如水晶者，味亦甘，谓之水晶石榴。
【救饥】采嫩叶炸熟，油盐调食。榴果熟时摘取食之。不可多食，损人肺，及损人齿令黑。【治病】具见本草。
杏树 本草有杏核仁，生晋山川谷，今处处有之。其实有数种，黄而圆者，名金杏，
熟最早。扁而青黄者，名木杏，其子皆入药。又小者，名山杏，不堪入药。其树高丈余，叶颇圆
淡绿，颇带红色，叶似本葛叶而光嫩微尖，开花色红，结实金黄色，核仁味甘苦，性温，冷利有
毒。得火良，恶黄芩、黄 、葛根，解蜴毒，畏 草。杏实味微酸，其性热。
【救饥】采叶炸熟，以水浸渍，作成黄色，换水淘净。油盐调食。其杏黄熟时摘取食，不可
多食，令人发热及伤筋骨。【治病】具见本草。
枣树 本草有大枣，干枣也，一名美枣，一名良枣。生枣出河东平泽及近地州郡，
青、晋、绛、蒲州者特佳，江南出者坚燥少肉。树高一二丈，叶似酸枣叶而大，比皂角叶亦大尖
FS光泽。叶间开青黄色小花。结实种数甚多，《尔雅》云壶枣，江东呼枣大而锐上者为壶，壶犹
瓠也。边，腰枣，云子细腰，又谓辘轳枣。挤，白枣，即今枣，子白乃熟。遵，羊枣，实小而圆，
紫黑色，俗又呼为羊屎枣。洗，大枣，河东猗氏县出大枣如鸡卵。蹶泄，苦枣，云子味苦。晰，
无实枣，云不着子者。还味，稔枣，云还味短味也。又有水菱枣、御枣，叩朴落苏也。又有牙枣，
皆味甘美。其余不能尽别其名。大枣味甘，性平无奉。杀乌头毒，牙齿有病患，切忌食。生枣味
甘辛，多食令人寒热腹胀，羸瘦人不可食。蒸煮食补肠胃，肥中益气，不宜合和慈白食。
【救饥】采嫩叶炸熟，水浸作成黄色淘净，油盐调食。其枣红熟时，摘取食之，其结生硬未
红时，煮食之亦可。【治病】具见本草。
沙果树 一名花红，南北皆有，今中牟岗野中亦有之，人家园圃中亦多栽种。树高丈
余，叶似樱桃叶而色深绿，又似急苈子叶而大。开粉红花似桃花瓣微长不尖。结实似李而甚大。其味甘微酸。
【救饥】采嫩叶炸熟，油盐调食，其果红熟时摘食之。【治病】具见本草。
以上叶实皆可食。
莲藕 本草有藕实，一名水芝丹，一名莲。生汝南池泽，今处处有之。生水中其叶
名荷，圆径尺余，其花世谓之莲花，色有红白二色，花中结实谓之
莲房，俗名莲蓬。其莲青皮里白子为的，即莲子也。的中青心为苍，其的至秋表皮色黑而沉水，
就蓬中干者，谓之石莲，其根谓之藕。《尔雅》云∶荷，芙渠，其茎茄，其叶迈，其本密。云是
茎下白 ，在泥中藕节间，初生萌芽也。其花菡萏，其实莲，其根藕，其中的，的中薏是也。芙
蕖，其总名，别名芙蓉。又云其花未发为菡萏，已发为芙蓉。连实、茎味甘，性平寒无毒。
【救饥】采藕熟食、生食皆可，莲子蒸食，或生食亦可，又可休粮。仙家贮石莲子、干
藕经千年者，食之至妙又以实磨为面食，或屑为米加粟煮饭食之皆可。【治病】具见本草。
鸡头实 一名芡实，一名雁喙实，幽人谓之雁颐。出雷泽，今处处有。生泽中，叶大
如荷而皱，背紫有刺，俗谓鸡头盘花，结实形类鸡头，故以名之。中有子如皂角子大，茎褐色。
其近根茎 嫩者，名 。人采以为菜茹。实味甘，性平无毒。
【救饥】采嫩茎叶炸食，实熟采实剥仁食之。蒸过烈日晒之，其皮即开，舂去皮捣仁为粉，
蒸炸作饼皆可食，多食不益脾胃气，兼难消化，生食动风冷气，与小儿食不能长大，故驻年耳。
【治病】具见本草。
山药 本草名薯蓣，一名山芋。出明州、滁州，生高山山谷，今处处有之。春生苗
蔓延篱，圆茎紫色，叶青有三尖角，似千叶狗儿秧叶而光泽。开白花，结实如皂角子大。其根皮
色黪黄，中则白色。人家园圃种者肥大如手臂，味美。怀孟间产者入药最佳，味甘，性温平无毒。
紫芝为之使，恶甘遂毒。
【救饥】掘取根蒸熟食甚美，或火烧熟食之，或煮食皆可，其实亦可煮食。【治病】具见本草。
芋头 本草一名土芝。生田野中，今处处有之，人家多栽种。叶似小荷叶而偏长不
圆，近蒂边皆有一 儿，根状如鸡子大，皮色茶褐，其中白色。味辛性平有小毒，其药冷，无毒。
【救饥】本草芋有六种∶青芋细长，毒多，初煮须要灰汁，换水，煮熟，乃堪食；白芋、
真芋、莲禅芋、紫芋毒少，蒸煮食之。又宜冷食，疗热止渴；野芋大毒，不堪食也。【治病】具见本草。
荸荠 本草名乌芋，一名水萍，又名燕尾草。《尔雅》谓之芍。有二种∶根黑皮浓
肉硬白者谓之猪荸荠；皮薄色淡紫肉软者谓之羊荸荠。生水田中，叶似莎草而浓肥，梢又长窄，
叶间生葶，其葶三棱，梢头开花，酱褐色。根即荸荠。其味微苦甘，性微寒无毒。
【救饥】采根煮熟食，制作粉食之，浓人肠胃不饥。服丹石人尤宜食，解丹石毒。孕妇不
可食。【治病】具见本草。
以上根可食。
Peach Tree: The Materia Medica records Peach Kernel (Taoren, 桃仁), which grows in the valleys of Mount Tai and other regions. Those produced in Henan and Shaanxi are particularly large and beautiful. Now they are found everywhere. The tree is over one zhang tall; its leaves resemble willow leaves but are broader and have more distinct veins. It bears red flowers and many varieties of fruit, such as the shiny small Oil Peach (You Tao, 油桃), the deep-red Golden Peach (Jin Tao, 金桃), and the deep purple-fleshed Kunlun Peach (Kunlun Tao, 昆仑桃). There are also Biscuit Peach, Flour Peach, Eagle-beak Peach, Wild Goose Red Peach, and Frozen Peach, among others, too numerous to list. In the mountains, there is a variety that corresponds to the "peach blossoms beginning to bloom" mentioned in the *Monthly Ordinances*, known as Mountain Peach (Shan Tao, 山桃). It is inedible but suitable for medicinal use. Peach kernels taste bitter and sweet, are neutral in nature, and non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Pick the leaves, blanch them, soak in water until yellow, rinse with fresh water, and season with oil and salt to eat. When peaches are ripe and soft, pick and eat them raw. If hard and unripe, they can be boiled, sliced, dried, ground into powder, and stored for later use. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Cherry Tree: Found everywhere; anciently called Han Tao (Han Tao, 含桃). Its leaves resemble mulberry leaves but are narrower and softer. It bears pink flowers and fruits resembling small red plums. The taste is sweet, and the nature is hot.
[Relief from Famine] Eat the ripe red fruits. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Walnut: Also known as He Tao (He Tao, 核桃). Grows in northern lands; traditionally said to have been brought back by Zhang Qian from the Western Regions. Abundant in Shaanxi and Luoyang, now also found in Junzhou and Zhengzhou. The leaves are large, foliage dense and shady. Flowers form catkins with pale yellow color. Fruits are enclosed in green husks, pear-sized; when ripe, the husk is fermented off to reveal the nut. Taste is sweet, nature is neutral (some say hot), and non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Remove the green husk by fermentation, take the kernel, and eat it to promote robust health. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Pear Tree: Originates from Zhengzhou and Xuancheng, now found everywhere. Leaves resemble crabapple leaves but larger and green; flowers are white. Fruit shapes vary greatly. Goose Pear (E Li, 鹅梨) from Zhengzhou is very large, fragrant, and juicy. Xuancheng pears have thick skin and firm flesh with lasting flavor. Water Pear (Shui Li, 水梨) from Northern Capital has thin skin and abundant juice but shorter flavor. Other varieties include Xiao Pear, Purple Coal Pear, Red Pear, Gan Tang, Yu'er Pear, Purple Flower Pear, Green Pear, Mao Pear, and Mulberry Pear, among others. Pear fruit tastes sweet and slightly sour, is cold in nature, and non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Boar unripe hard pears. Eat ripe frost-softened pears raw or steamed. Peel, dry, and grind into powder for storage. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Persimmon Tree: Old texts do not specify origin; now found north and south. Persimmons from Huashan have thin skin and sweet taste, considered precious. Those from Xuan, She, Jing, Xiang, Fujian, and Guangzhou are eaten fresh only, not suitable for drying. Can suppress Dan Shi toxicity. Wu Shi (Black Persimmon) from Xuan and Yue is warm in nature. All persimmons are beneficial. Trees are 1-2 zhang tall; leaves resemble soft jujube leaves, small and round-tipped. Many varieties: Ox Heart Persimmon, Steamed Cake Persimmon, Lid Persimmon, Pagoda Persimmon, Reed Persimmon, Red Persimmon, Yellow Persimmon, Vermilion Persimmon, and Dried Persimmon (fire-dried ones are called Wu Shi). Taste is sweet, nature is cold, and non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Eat soft ripe persimmons. For unripe ones, boil in warm water. Do not eat coarse persimmons in excess, as they cause abdominal pain. Raw persimmons are very cold; avoid excess. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Grape: Grows in Longxi, Wuyuan, Dunhuang valleys, and Hedong. Traditionally said to be introduced by Zhang Qian from the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty, marking their first appearance in China. Considered the most precious fruit. Now found everywhere. Vines grow long and lush, covering valleys. Leaves resemble loofah leaves but sturdier with serrated edges. Flowers are tiny, yellow-white. Fruits come in purple and white, round or pointed shapes. Seedless varieties exist. Taste is sweet, nature is neutral, and non-toxic. Another similar-looking plant is actually Thousand-Year Leaf (Qian Sui Ye, 千岁叶), gathered by mountain dwellers for wine making.
[Relief from Famine] Eat grapes as fruit. Make wine from ripe juice. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Plum Tree: Materia Medica records Plum Kernel (Lihe Ren, 李核仁). Origin unspecified; now found everywhere. Trees over one zhang tall. Leaves resemble plum leaves, slightly pointed, smooth and glossy. White flowers. Many fruit varieties listed in *Erya*: Xiu (fruitless plum, also called Zhao Li); Zuo/Jie Lv Ji (Wheat Plum, small fruit with grooves, ripens with wheat); Bo Chi Li (red fruit). Others include Green, Greenish, Red, Fangling, Zhu Zhong, Horse Liver, Yellow, Purple, and Water Plums. These edible varieties are generally not used medicinally. Current varieties like Chuan Tiao Hong and Yu Huang Zi have sweet-sour taste; kernels are slightly bitter, neutral in nature, and non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Eat ripe plums. Do not eat near water or with honey, as this damages the five zang organs. Eating with sparrow meat or Jiang Shui causes dysentery-like qi stagnation. Excess causes deficiency heat. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Papaya (Chaenomeles): Grows in Shu and Lanting, Shan Yin; Xuancheng variety is best. Now found everywhere. Branches resemble Na trees; flowers deep red; leaves resemble small, dense persimmon leaves. Called Ming Cha in *Erya*. Fruit resembles a small melon or dried trichosanthes root, tapered at both ends, pale yellow. Taste is sour, nature is warm, and non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Eat ripe papaya; excessive consumption offers no benefit. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Bush Cherry Kernel: Grows in wet high mountains, valleys, and hills; now found everywhere. Bushes 4-5 chi tall; branches, flowers, and leaves resemble plum, but fruit is smaller. Flowers white or red; fruit resembles cherry, red. Kernels taste sour, nature neutral (some say bitter/pungent); fruit sweet/sour; roots cool; all non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Eat ripe red fruits; sweet and sour. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Water Chestnut (Ji/Ling): Known as Ji Shi or Ling. Found everywhere. Grows in water with trailing vines; leaves float, three-pointed serrated. Yellow-white flowers. Fruits have two types: four-horned and two-horned. Two-horned with tender purple skin is called Floating Ling (Fu Ling), very delicious. Taste sweet, nature neutral (some say cold), non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Eat fresh large ling shelled. Cook old/small ones, or sun-dry and roast as grain substitute. Grind into fine white powder. Alchemists steam/dry with honey to fast and prolong life. Mixed with honey may cause lice. Excess damages spleen yang, causing impotence and bloating; drink warm ginger wine or swallow Evodia to resolve. Harvest in summer. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Above fruits are edible.
Pomegranate Tree: Known as An Shi Liu or Dan Ruo. Called Ruo Liu in *Guang Ya*. Introduced by Zhang Qian from Western Regions. Trees not very tall; branches grow close to ground. Easy to propagate by cutting. Leaves resemble goji leaves but longer and pointed, green with slight red tint. Flowers yellow or red. Fruits sweet or sour; sweet for food, sour for medicine. Sweet-sour, warm, non-toxic. Crystal Pomegranate has translucent white seeds and sweet taste.
[Relief from Famine] Blanch young leaves, season with oil/salt. Eat ripe fruit. Do not eat excessively; damages lungs and blackens teeth. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Apricot Tree: Materia Medica records Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren, 杏仁). Grows in Jin mountains/valleys; now everywhere. Varieties: Golden Apricot (yellow, round, earliest ripening); Wood Apricot (flat, green-yellow, kernels used medicinally); Mountain Apricot (small, not for medicine). Trees over one zhang tall. Leaves round, pale green with red tints, glossy, pointed. Red flowers, golden fruit. Kernels bitter-sweet, warm, purgative, toxic. Beneficial when roasted; incompatible with Scutellaria, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Pueraria. Resolves lizard venom; fears certain grasses. Fruit sour, hot nature.
[Relief from Famine] Blanch leaves, soak, rinse, season with oil/salt. Eat ripe yellow apricots; do not eat excessively as it causes fever and damages sinews/bones. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Jujube Tree: Materia Medica records Da Zao (Large Jujube/Dried Date), also Mei Zao or Liang Zao. Fresh dates from Hedong Pingze and nearby prefectures (Qing, Jin, Jiang, Pu) are best; Jiangnan dates are dry and fleshy. Trees 1-2 zhang tall. Leaves larger than sour jujube, sharper/glossier than soap bean leaves. Pale yellow-green small flowers between leaves. Many varieties: Hu Zao (large, pointed top), Yao Zao (waisted), Lu Lu Zao, Bai Zao (white when ripe), Yang Zao (small, round, purple-black,俗称 sheep dung date), Da Zao (chicken egg size from Yishi County), Ku Zao (bitter), Wu Shi Zao (fruitless), Ren Zao (short-lived flavor). Also Shui Ling Zao, Yu Zao, Ya Zao. Large Jujube sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Kills Aconite toxicity; avoid if tooth disease exists. Fresh Jujube sweet-pungent; excess causes chills/fever/bloating; unfit for emaciated people. Cooked/stewed tonifies stomach/intestines, enriches middle jiao qi; avoid with onions.
[Relief from Famine] Blanch young leaves, soak, rinse, season with oil/salt. Eat ripe red dates; boil unripe hard ones. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Sha Guo (Malus asiatica): Also Hua Hong. Found north and south; common in Zhongmu fields and gardens. Trees over one zhang tall. Leaves dark green like cherry, larger than Euphorbia. Pink flowers, petals longer/sharper than peach. Fruit large, plum-like. Sweet-sour taste.
[Relief from Famine] Blanch young leaves, season with oil/salt. Eat ripe red fruit. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Above leaves and fruits are edible.
Lotus Root: Materia Medica records Ou Shi, also Shui Zhi Dan or Lian. Grows in Runan marshes; now everywhere. Leaves (He) round, over one chi diameter. Flowers (Lian Hua) red or white. Fruit container (Lian Fang/Peng). Seeds inside green skin are Lian Zi (Lotus Seed). Green heart is Cang. Black seeds sunk in autumn are Shi Lian (Stone Lotus). Roots are Ou (Lotus Root). *Erya* describes He/Fu Qu, stem Qie, leaf Mai, base Mi. White filaments in mud nodes are sprouts. Bud is Han Dan, opened flower Fu Rong. Total name Fu Qu, alias Fu Rong. Unopened Han Dan, opened Fu Rong. Fruit and stem sweet, neutral-cold, non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Cook or eat raw lotus root. Steam or eat raw lotus seeds; can aid fasting. Immortals store Stone Lotus and dried lotus root for centuries; grinding into flour or mixing with millet is excellent. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Euryale Seed (Qian Shi): Also Yan Hui Shi or You Ren's Yan Yi. From Leize; now everywhere. Grows in marshes; leaves large, wrinkled, purple-spined back (Chicken Head Flower). Fruit resembles chicken head. Seeds like soap bean, brown stems. Tender root stems are edible vegetables. Seed sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Blanch tender stems. Peel ripe seeds, steam, sun-dry, hull, grind to powder. Make cakes. Excess harms spleen/stomach qi, hard to digest. Raw causes wind/cold; hinders child growth; thus preserves youth. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Chinese Yam: Materia Medica name Shu Yu, also Shan Yu. From Mingzhou, Chuzhou; grows in high mountains/valleys; now everywhere. Spring vines climb fences; round purple stems; green three-pointed leaves, glossy like dogbane. White flowers; fruit like soap bean. Root skin gray-yellow, interior white. Garden-grown large as arm, tasty. Huai Meng variety best for medicine. Sweet, neutral-warm, non-toxic. Promoted by Purple灵芝; incompatible with Kansui toxicity.
[Relief from Famine] Dig roots, steam, roast, or boil. Fruit also boilable. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Taro: Materia Medica name Tu Zhi. Grows in fields; now everywhere; commonly planted. Leaves like small lotus but elongated; bud near stem. Root egg-sized, tea-brown skin, white interior. Pungent, neutral, slightly toxic; medicinal part cold, non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Six types: Qing Yu (long, toxic, needs ash lye/water change to cook); Bai Yu, Zhen Yu, Lian Chan Yu, Zi Yu (less toxic, steam/boil). Cold eating treats heat/thirst. Wild Yu highly toxic, inedible. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Water Chestnut (Biqi): Materia Medica name Wu Yu, also Shui Ping or Yan Wei Cao. Called Shao in *Erya*. Two types: Pig Biqi (black root, thick skin, hard white flesh); Sheep Biqi (thin skin, pale purple, soft flesh). Grows in paddies; leaves like sedge, thick/fat, narrow tip. Spike triangular, brown flower at tip. Root is Biqi. Bitter-sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic.
[Relief from Famine] Cook roots, make flour to fill stomach. Suitable for those taking mineral pills; resolves toxicity. Contraindicated in pregnancy. [Treatment of Disease] See the Materia Medica.
Above roots are edible.