味甘,微寒,无毒。主筋急拘挛,不可屈伸,风湿痹,下气。除筋骨邪气不仁,利肠胃,
消水肿,令人能食。久服
轻身益气。其根,下三虫。一名解蠡,一名屋 ,一名起实,一名赣。生真定平泽及田野。
八月采实,采根无时。
真定县属常山郡,近道处处有,多生人家。交趾者子最大,彼土呼为杆珠。马援大取将
还,人谗以为珍珠也。实重
累者为良。用之取中仁。今小儿病蛔虫,取根煮汁糜食之甚香,而云蛔虫大效。
味甘、咸,寒,无毒。主气癃,止痛,利水道小便,除湿痹。男子伤中,女子
淋沥,不欲食,养肺,强阴,益精,令人有子,明目疗赤痛。久服轻身耐老。叶及根,味甘
、寒。主金疮,止血,衄鼻,瘀血,血瘕,下血,小便赤,止烦下气,除小虫。一名当道,
一名 苡,一名虾蟆衣,一名牛遗,一名胜舄。生真定平泽丘陵阪道中。五月五日采,
阴干。
人家及路旁甚多,其叶捣取汁服,疗泄精甚验。子性冷利,《仙经》亦服饵之,令人身
轻,能跳越岸谷,不老而长生
也。《韩诗》乃言 苡是木,似李,食其实,宜子孙,此为谬矣。
〔谨案〕今出开州者为最。
味辛,微温,无毒。主明目,目痛,泪出,除痹,补五脏,益精光。疗心腹腰痛。久服
轻身不老。一名 菥,一名
大蕺,一名马辛,一名大荠。生咸阳川泽及道旁。四月、五月
采,曝干。
得荆实、细辛良,恶干姜、苦参。今处处有之,人乃言是大荠子,俗用甚稀。
〔谨案〕《尔雅》云∶是大荠,然验
其味甘而不辛也。
Coix Seed (Yiyiren): Sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats tendon spasms and contractures, inability to flex or extend joints, wind-damp bi syndrome, and rebellious qi. It eliminates pathogenic factors from the bones and muscles causing numbness, promotes gastrointestinal function, reduces edema, and stimulates appetite. Long-term consumption lightens the body and tonifies qi. Its root expels three types of intestinal parasites. Also known as Jie Li, Wu, Qi Shi, and Gan. It grows in Pingze of Zhending and in fields. The fruits are harvested in August, while the roots can be harvested at any time. Zhending County belongs to Changshan Commandery; it is found everywhere along the roads, often growing near residences. Coix seeds from Jiaozhi are the largest, locally called "Gan Zhu." Ma Yuan collected large quantities to bring back, and slanderers claimed they were pearls. Seeds that are heavy and layered are considered superior. For use, the central kernel is taken. Currently, for children suffering from ascariasis (roundworm infection), boiling the root into a juice and mixing it with porridge is very fragrant and highly effective against roundworms.
Plantago Seed (Cheqianzi): Sweet and salty in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats urinary retention (qi long), relieves pain, promotes diuresis and urination, and dispels damp-bi. It treats internal injury in men, dysuria in women, loss of appetite, nourishes the lungs, strengthens yin, benefits essence, aids conception, brightens the eyes, and treats redness and pain. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging. Its leaves and roots are sweet in taste and cold in nature. They treat traumatic injuries, stop bleeding, treat epistaxis, blood stasis, abdominal masses (xue jia), hematochezia/melena, dark urine, relieve thirst and lower rebellious qi, and eliminate small parasites. Also known as Dang Dao, [missing character] Yi, Xama Yi, Niu Yi, and Sheng Xi. It grows in Pingze, hills, and roadsides of Zhending. Harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, dried in the shade. It is abundant near houses and roadsides. Crushing the leaves to extract juice and drinking it is very effective for treating seminal emission. Plantago seed has a cold and purgative nature; the *Immortal Classic* also records its ingestion, claiming it makes the body light, enables one to jump across riverbanks and valleys, prevents aging, and ensures longevity. The *Han Shi* claims that Coix is a tree resembling a plum tree, and eating its fruit benefits descendants, which is erroneous. [Note]: Those produced in Kaizhou are currently the best.
Chenopodium Seed (Xixing): Pungent in taste, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. It primarily brightens the eyes, treats eye pain and tearing, dispels bi syndrome, tonifies the five zang organs, and enhances spirit and luster. It treats heart and abdominal pain and lower back pain. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging. Also known as [missing character] Xi, Da Ji, Ma Xin, and Da Qi. It grows in the rivers and marshes of Xianyang and along roadsides. Harvested in April and May, sun-dried. It pairs well with Vitex Fruit (Jingshi) and Asarum Root (Xixin), but is incompatible with Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) and Sophora Root (Kushen). It is now found everywhere, yet people claim it is the seed of Shepherd's Purse (Da Qi), and it is rarely used in folk practice. [Note]: The *Erya* states it is Shepherd's Purse, but verification shows its taste is sweet rather than pungent.