Library

(Recorded in the Upper Grade of Bie Lu)
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats alternating chills and fever, as well as edema. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prolongs life, and increases longevity.
[Analysis] Says: It grows everywhere. The vines twist to the left, covering trees and grass, or fences. The stems are slightly purple, with leaves growing opposite each other at the nodes. The leaves resemble those of Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig) but are green, with coarse hairs. Flowers bloom in March and April, about one cun long, with hanging filaments twice that length. One pedicel bears two flowers, each with two petals, varying in size, resembling half a flower. When initially blooming, the stamens and petals are white; after three days, they gradually turn golden yellow. Old and new flowers intermingle, yellow and white reflecting each other, emitting a subtle fragrance, unchanged by dryness or humidity. The flower is named Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle), Jinchaigu (Gold Hairpin), Laowengxu (Old Man's Beard); the vine is named Yuanyang (Mandarin Duck), Lusi (Egret), Zuochan (Left Twisting), Mitong (Honey Bucket); collectively known as Rendong (Enduring Winter), Tonglingcao (Spiritual Grass). Their functions are identical, forms similar, colors...
[Eulogy]: The vines twist to the left, two pedicels each bearing two flowers with two petals, imitating the generation of Yang from Yin below, representing the Zhen trigram (Thunder). Only by enduring winter can one obtain the virtue of Zhen, thus treating Feishi (Flying Corpse), Dunshi (Escaping Corpse), Fengshi (Wind Corpse), Chenshi (Sinking Corpse), Shizhu (Corpse Transmission). Pathogens that damage my form and zang organs are shaken off and resolved. As for alternating chills and fever, edema, wind-damp bi syndrome, Guiji (Ghost Strike) sores and ulcers, and diseases caused by deviating from the Left Way (Dao), restoration requires reliance on Heaven's bestowal (natural forces). It is said that the Shen mechanism turns without returning; if it returns, it does not turn, thus losing its opportunity. This likely enhances lifespan and strengthens the constitution.

(Recorded in the Upper Grade of Bie Lu)
Jie (Mustard) Stems and Leaves
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily affects the nose, expels pathogenic factors from the Kidney meridian, unblocks the nine orifices, brightens eyes and improves hearing, and stabilizes the Middle Jiao. Long-term consumption warms the Middle Jiao.
Jie Seeds
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily affects the nose, removes all evil qi, Zhu qi (infectious/pestilential qi), and throat obstruction (Houbi).
White Jie Seeds (Baijiezi)
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily induces sweating, treats cold-phlegm in the chest and diaphragm, rebellious Qi, and yellow-red complexion. Ground with vinegar and applied externally to treat Shegong toxicity (firefly larva toxin).
[Analysis] Says: Mustard is widely grown in the South. It is said that Lingnan originally had no Brassica rapa var. parachinensis (Wujing), but locals transplanted Wujing seeds, which all turned into mustard due to the local soil and climate. Now, mustard is also common in the North, and Wujing exists in the South. Sown in August, those thriving in winter are called Dongjie (Winter Mustard), those in spring are Chunjie (Spring Mustard), and those particularly edible in summer are Xiajie (Summer Mustard). The flavor is extremely pungent; ground and mixed into paste, it serves as a vegetable condiment, spicy and refreshing. Baijiezi is slightly plumper, yellowish-white, and when used medicinally or eaten, has a stronger odor. There are many varieties: Qingjie (Green Mustard) resembles Songcai (Chinese Cabbage) but has hairs, is green, also called Cijie (Thorny Mustard), extremely pungent; Dajie (Large Mustard) has large, wrinkled, dark green leaves, even spicier, both used medicinally. Majie (Horse Mustard) has leaves like Qingjie but hairless; Huajie (Flowering Mustard) has lobed leaves resembling Songcai; Zijie (Purple Mustard) has purple stems and leaves like Suzi (Perilla); Shijie (Stone Mustard) has dense, fine, low-growing stems; Xuanjie (Swirling Mustard) has leaves with swirling patterns like Dajie; Nanjie (Southern Mustard) grows 5-6 chi tall, with seeds as large as chicken eggs. Liu Xun's "Yiwuzhi" states: Produced in Lingnan, this variety is abundant, making it a unique type of mustard. Baijie, also called Hujie (Hu Mustard), originally came from Hedong in Taiyuan, and is now found near roads, though few cultivate it. Sown in June-August, edible in winter. In late spring, it bolts to 3-4 chi high, with leaves and flowers branching like Huajie, pale green. The stem is hollow, very brittle; harvest carefully during strong winds and heavy snow to avoid breakage. Blooms yellow flowers in March, fragrant and lovely; pods resemble mustard but are less plump, yellowish-white. Another variety has thick, solid stems and larger seeds; although belonging to the mustard family, its appearance differs significantly, yet it surpasses other mustards in medicinal efficacy. Sun Simiao said: Consumed with rabbit meat, it causes malignant diseases; consumed with crucian carp, it causes edema. Large-leaved varieties are superior; fine-leaved, hairy varieties are harmful rather than beneficial.
[Eulogy]: "Nongshu" states: The flavor is pungent and fierce, the most 'jie' (upright/stubborn) among vegetables. Eating it makes people upright and principled, hence the character 'Jie' derives from 'Jie' (boundary/upright). "Shuowen Jiezi" says: Jie means boundary. It disperses sweat and scatters Qi, establishing boundaries. "Zuo Zhuan" says: Intervening in others' favor. "Chu Ci" laments: The legacy of Jiangjie. Essentially, the human body has layers: skin, flesh, muscle, ribs, chest, abdomen, stomach, each with fixed boundaries. When pathogenic factors enter the meridians and spread diffusely, difficult to separate, the meaning of 'Jie' (boundary) applies. Moreover, eating mustard brings tears, thinking of plum generates saliva; these are the five fluids arising from external stimuli. Shame induces sweat, longing produces saliva; these are the five fluids arising from internal stimuli. Thus, Jie Qi enters the nose, causing tears and mucus to flow. The classics state: Clear Yang ascends to the upper orifices, turbid Yin descends to the lower orifices. Jie achieves both. Its indications address conditions where Yang fails to ascend to the upper orifices, leading to Yin failing to descend to the lower orifices. If Yang lacks boundaries, and I do not establish them, the fields and ditches (boundaries) are lost.
(Intense and clear, following the light's boundary. Firm and piercing, the Qi of various decorations. Making this spring wine, to mediate longevity, the Spirit hears it, granting you...)