（别录下品）
【气味】甘温，无毒。
【主治】主女子赤白沃，安胎，止吐血鼻衄，令人肥健。
【核】曰∶生山谷，即虎蓟也。二月生苗，高二三尺，叶皱，中心出花，其花如髻。
小蓟
（别录下品）
【气味】甘温，无毒。
【主治】主养精保血。
【核】曰∶生平泽，处处有之，即猫蓟也，俗名青刺蓟。二月生苗，仅一二寸，作菜甚
美。四月发高尺余而多刺，中心出花如髻，亦如红兰花，色青紫，与大蓟根苗相似，但不若
大蓟之肥大耳。
【气味】辛温，无毒。
【主治】主产后血晕，口噤，腹内恶血不尽，绞痛，胎死腹中，酒煎服。主蛊毒。多用
破留血，少用养新血。（开宝）
【核】曰∶出汉、梁，及西域。今人家圃种矣。冬月雨后，布子于熟地，至春生苗，脆
嫩可食。二月作叶色青绿，形如小蓟。五月开花，色深红，形如大蓟。花下作 ，汇生多刺，
花
而美。修治，捣揉片刻，入水再揉，用布袋绞去黄汁，又捣，更以酸粟米泔，淘绞令干，用
青蒿覆一宿，阴干收之。
同类也，而功用别；此非别中异，乃同中异耳。
【气味】甘平，无毒。
【主治】主心忧郁积，气闷不散，活血。久服令人心喜，治惊悸。
【核】曰∶出西番，回回国，天花国。即番红花也。元时入食馔用。张骞得种即此，今
地性异，则形质亦异矣。
【 】曰∶大蓟与续断同类，续断生西川，大蓟生南地，形质功用，因方土而有差别。
西方金位，入通于肺，肺主气，续主益气，以续经脉筋骨，脏真高于肺，以行营卫阴阳也。
南方火位，入通于心，心藏血，蓟主益血，以续经脉肉理，脏真通于心，心藏血脉之气也。
顾续有继义，致新推陈；蓟有解义，推陈致新。小蓟与大蓟同种，小主益精保血，功惟致新。
红兰花兼气与血，推陈致新，气主嘘之，血主濡之故尔。洎夫蓝偏通心脏，以续营气，致新
推陈，故主心忧郁积，气闷不散，以及惊悸，久服令人心喜。
(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Mingyi Bielu*)
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats leukorrhea (vaginal discharge) with blood or white fluid in women, calms the fetus, stops hematemesis (vomiting blood) and epistaxis (nosebleed), and makes the person fat and strong.
[Verification] Says: Grows in mountain valleys; it is also known as Tiger Thistle (*Cirsium japonicum*). In the second lunar month, shoots emerge, growing two to three chi tall, with wrinkled leaves. Flowers emerge from the center, resembling a hair bun.
Small Thistle (*Xiaoji*)
(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Mingyi Bielu*)
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily nourishes essence and preserves blood.
[Verification] Says: Grows in plains and marshes, found everywhere; it is also known as Cat Thistle, commonly called Green Spiny Thistle. In the second lunar month, shoots emerge, only one or two cun high, very delicious as a vegetable. In the fourth lunar month, it grows over a chi tall and becomes spiny. Flowers emerge from the center like a hair bun, similar to Safflower flowers, with a bluish-purple color. Its roots and seedlings resemble those of Large Thistle, but are not as plump and large.
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats postpartum syncope due to blood loss, trismus (lockjaw), incomplete expulsion of lochia (discharge after childbirth) causing colic, and fetal death in utero; taken with wine decoction. Treats gu poison. Used in large doses to break up stagnant blood; used in small doses to nourish new blood. (From *Kaibao Bencao*)
[Verification] Says: Originates from the Han and Liang regions, as well as the Western Regions. It is now cultivated in household gardens. After rain in winter, seeds are sown on prepared soil; shoots emerge in spring, tender and edible. Leaves appear in the second lunar month, green in color and shaped like Small Thistle. Flowers bloom in the fifth lunar month, deep red in color and shaped like Large Thistle. Fruits form beneath the flowers, clustered and spiny, with beautiful blooms. Processing: Pound and rub briefly, knead in water, squeeze out yellow juice using a cloth bag, pound again, wash and squeeze dry with sour millet bran water, cover with Qinghao (*Artemisia annua*) for one night, then dry in shade for storage.
They belong to the same category but have different functions; this is not a difference between categories, but a difference within the same category.
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats depression and accumulation in the heart, stagnant qi that does not dissipate, and invigorates blood. Long-term use brings joy to the heart and treats palpitations and fright.
[Verification] Says: Originates from Xifan, Huiguo, and Tianhua countries. It is Safflower (*Carthamus tinctorius* / Saffron). During the Yuan Dynasty, it was used in cuisine. The seeds obtained by Zhang Qian were these; however, due to differences in local environments, their forms and qualities differ now.
[Verification] Says: Large Thistle and Dipsacus (*Xuduan*) are of the same category. Dipsacus grows in Western Sichuan, while Large Thistle grows in the South. Their forms, qualities, and functions vary according to geography. The West corresponds to the Metal element, connecting to the Lung; the Lung governs Qi. Dipsacus primarily tonifies Qi to reconnect meridians, tendons, and bones; the Zhen Qi of the organs is superior to the Lung, facilitating the circulation of Ying and Wei Qi and Yin-Yang. The South corresponds to the Fire element, connecting to the Heart; the Heart stores Blood. Thistle primarily benefits Blood to reconnect meridians and muscle tissue; the Zhen Qi of the organs connects to the Heart, as the Heart stores the Qi of blood vessels. Furthermore, "Xu" implies succession, pushing out the old to bring forth the new; "Ji" implies dissolving, pushing out the old to achieve the new. Small Thistle and Large Thistle are of the same species; Small Thistle primarily nourishes essence and preserves blood, its function lying solely in bringing forth the new. Safflower addresses both Qi and Blood, pushing out the old to bring forth the new, because Qi governs dispersal and Blood governs moistening. As for Indigo (*Lan*), it specifically unblocks the Heart, reconnecting Ying Qi, achieving the new by pushing out the old; thus, it primarily treats depression and accumulation in the heart, stagnant qi that does not dissipate, and palpitations/fright. Long-term use brings joy to the heart.