辛温，无毒。粗而色深紫者真，细而色淡者假。
发明 诸香皆燥，惟苏子独润，为虚劳咳嗽之专药。性能下气，故胸膈不利者宜之，与
橘红同为除喘定嗽、消痰顺气之良剂。但性主疏泄，气虚久漱，阴虚喘逆，脾虚便滑者，皆
不可用。
一名鸡苏
辛温，无毒。子名荏子。
《本经》下气杀谷，除饮食，辟口臭，去邪毒，辟恶气。
发明 水苏即苏之野生，色青者其气芳香，故《本经》所主一皆胃病，专取芳香正气之
义。《局方》用治血病者，取以解散血中之气也。气散则血亦散矣。
辛平，无毒。苏产者良。去梗用。
发明 薄荷辛凉，上升入肝肺二经。辛能发散，专于消风散热。凉能清利，故治咳嗽失
音、头痛头风，眼目口齿诸病。利咽喉，去舌苔，小儿惊热，及瘰 疮疥为要药。其性浮而
上升，为药中春升之令，能开郁散气，故逍遥散用之。然所用不过二三分，以其辛香伐气；
多服久服令人虚冷，瘦弱人多服动消渴病，阴虚发热、咳嗽自汗者勿施。
黄者苦甘平，白者苦辛平，皆无毒。野生者名苦薏，可捣涂痈肿疔毒，服之伤人脑
。
《本经》主诸风头眩肿痛，目欲脱泪出，皮肤死肌，恶风湿痹，久服利血气，轻身耐老
，延年。
发明 菊得金水之精英，补水以制火，益金以平木，为去风热之要药。故《本经》专主
头目风热诸病，取其味甘气清，有补阴养目之功。盖益金则肝木平而风自息，补水则心火制
而热自除矣。其治恶风湿痹者，以其能清利血脉之邪，而痹湿得以开泄也。又黄者入金水阴
分，白者入金水阳分，紫者入妇人血分。观《金匮》侯氏黑散，《千金》秦艽散，俱用菊花
为君，时珍所谓治诸头目，其旨深矣。近有一种从番舶来六月开花，但有正黄而无间色，岂
特黄州独瓣为异哉。
[Perilla Fructus]
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. The authentic ones are coarse and deep purple in color, while the fake ones are slender and pale in color.
[Invention/Commentary] All aromatic herbs tend to be drying, but Perilla Fructus is uniquely moistening, making it a specific medicine for deficiency-consumption cough. Its nature directs Qi downward, so it is suitable for those with chest and diaphragm discomfort. Combined with Exocarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chenpi), it serves as an excellent remedy for relieving asthma, stopping cough, resolving phlegm, and smoothing Qi. However, since its nature primarily promotes dispersion and leakage, it should not be used for those with chronic cough due to Qi deficiency, wheezing and reversal due to Yin deficiency, or loose stools due to Spleen deficiency.
[Mentha Water Plant / Waterside Mint]
Also known as Ji Su.
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. The seed is called Ren Zi.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* records that it directs Qi downward, aids digestion of grains, removes food stagnation, eliminates bad breath, expels evil toxins, and wards off foul odors.
[Invention/Commentary] Mentha Water Plant is the wild variety of Perilla. Those with green color have an aromatic fragrance; thus, all conditions treated in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* relate to Stomach diseases, specifically utilizing its meaning of using aromatic substances to rectify Qi. In the *Ju Fang* (Prescriptions of the Bureau), it is used to treat blood disorders to resolve Qi stagnation within the blood. When Qi disperses, blood also disperses.
[Mentha Haplocalyx / Peppermint]
Pungent, neutral, non-toxic. Those produced in Su region are superior. Use the leaves after removing the stems.
[Invention/Commentary] Mentha Haplocalyx is pungent and cool, ascending into the Liver and Lung meridians. Pungency allows for dispersion, specializing in eliminating wind and clearing heat. Coolness provides clarity and benefit, treating conditions such as cough with loss of voice, headache, cephalalgia due to wind, and various eye, mouth, and dental diseases. It benefits the throat, removes tongue coating, and is a key herb for pediatric convulsive fever, as well as scrofula, sores, and scabies. Its nature is floating and ascending, acting as the "spring-like ascending" directive among herbs, capable of opening depression and dispersing Qi; hence, it is used in Xiaoyao San. However, the dosage is limited to 2-3 fen because its pungent aroma depletes Qi; excessive or long-term use leads to deficiency-cold. Thin individuals taking too much may trigger Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst syndrome). It should not be administered to those with Yin-deficiency fever, cough, or spontaneous sweating.
[Dendranthema Indicum / Chrysanthemum]
Yellow varieties are bitter, sweet, and neutral; white varieties are bitter, pungent, and neutral; both are non-toxic. Wild varieties are called Ku Yi, which can be crushed and applied topically for carbuncles and furuncles, but internal administration damages the brain.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats various head winds causing dizziness and swelling, eyes feeling like they will fall out with tearing, dead skin tissue, aversion to wind-damp bi-syndrome. Long-term use promotes blood and Qi circulation, lightens the body, enhances longevity, and extends life.
[Invention/Commentary] Dendranthema Indicum absorbs the essence of Metal (Lung) and Water (Kidney). By nourishing Water, it controls Fire (Heart); by benefiting Metal, it pacifies Wood (Liver). It is a crucial herb for dispelling wind-heat. Thus, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* specifically treats head and eye wind-heat conditions, leveraging its sweet taste and clear aroma to nourish Yin and benefit the eyes. Nourishing Metal pacifies Liver Wood, so wind naturally subsides; nourishing Water controls Heart Fire, so heat naturally clears. Its treatment of aversion to wind-damp bi-syndrome works by clearing and draining pathogens from the blood vessels, allowing dampness in bi-syndrome to dissipate. Furthermore, yellow chrysanthemum enters the Yin aspects of Metal and Water, white enters the Yang aspects, and purple enters the Blood aspect of women. Observing Hou's Black Powder in *Jin Gui Yao Lue* and Qin Jiao Powder in *Qian Jin Fang*, both use Dendranthema Indicum as the sovereign herb. Li Shizhen's statement on treating various head and eye conditions reveals profound intent. Recently, a variety arrived via foreign ships, blooming in June, possessing only pure yellow without mixed colors. Is it merely unique like the single-petaled chrysanthemum from Huangzhou?