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[Shennong Bencao Jing (Bie Lu)] classified as Lower Grade.
It grows with the current, enabling the water-dampness of the Twelve Meridians to flow away smoothly.
【Flavor and Nature】 Salty, Cold, Slippery, Non-toxic.
【Indications】 Mainly treats twelve types of edema, Ying tumors (goiter and other neck masses), accumulations and collections (abdominal masses), and sores caused by qi stagnation.
【Verification】 Says: Produced in the South Sea, as well as in Goryeo and Silla. It grows with the current, about the size of a hand, resembling thin cloth, purple-red in color. When dried and rubbed, it resembles ropes; it is soft and tough, and edible. Processing: For every jin of Kelp, use ten steamer bamboo mats, chop them together finely, and boil them in east-flowing water from Si hour to Hai hour, waiting for the salty flavor to be removed, then sun-dry.
【Commentary】 Says: Kelp (Kunbu) is the type of Seaweed (Zao) that is long like silk cords, hence also named Lunbu. Its flavor and functions are no different from Seaweed. The slight difference lies in depth...

[Shennong Bencao Jing (Bie Lu)] classified as Lower Grade.
Looking alone at the Rongmu plant growing in the north, who recognizes that it came southward with the ancient emperor? If one says the ministers were courteous at that time, the Qingming Festival would not have opened today. Turning to steal hearing and sight to serve as the basis for hearing and sight.
【Flavor and Nature】 Sweet, Sour, Neutral, Non-toxic.
【Indications】 Mainly treats Bi cold syndrome, alternating chills and fever, stops wheezing and coughing, treats deafness, and brightens the eyes.
【Verification】 Says: Shuer (Mouse Ear) is also known as Rongmu, Huanghao, Xiangmao, Miqu, Wuxincao, Mianxutou, and Qucaocao. It grows naturally in fertile fields on plains. In the second lunar month, shoots emerge, over a chi high, with thick stems and dense leaves, soft as cotton, covered with white hairs on both surfaces, fluffy like mouse ears. Crushed into juice and mixed with honey into powder, it is fragrant, beautiful, and palatable, called Longshe powder, used to suppress seasonal epidemics. People in the north also use it during the Cold Food Festival, with efficacy surpassing that of White Cogon Grass. Emperor Gaozong of Song wrote in a poem: "When Rongmu first sprouts, recognize Qingming." In the third lunar month, it forms spikes with small, fragmented flowers, yellow-green like yeast, which can dye clothes; even if worn out, they remain fresh. The Monthly Ordinances state that Yiqu has the color of yellow cloth. In the fourth lunar month, it produces seeds like millet, called Miqu by people in Chu. Processing: Collect shoots and leaves for shade-drying; flowers and fruits are also usable; Winter Flower (Kuandonghua) serves as its guiding herb.
【Commentary】 Says: Among the Twelve Earthly Branches, Rat is associated with suspicion and stealing hearing/sight; when leaving the burrow, it often hesitates, hence those who hold two minds are called "Shoushu" (hesitant). The ear is the external indicator of the Lung and the orifice of the Kidney. Therefore, it mainly treats deafness caused by the Kidney failing to govern the orifices, blindness caused by essence failing to penetrate the pupil, Bi cold caused by obstruction, wheezing and coughing caused by the Lung moving first, and alternating chills and fever caused by what follows generation. Generally, "Shi Dong" (Is Moving) refers to Qi disease occurring first; "Suo Sheng" (Is Generated) refers to Blood disease occurring later. The Lung is high, symbolizing Heaven; the Kidney is low, symbolizing Water. Like holding two ends, the severity fluctuates. This is not only due to morphological similarity but also because their functions are comparable.
(First comes Shi Dong, where Shi Dong means Qi is diseased first. Later comes Suo Sheng, where Suo Sheng means Blood is diseased later. The Lung is high, symbolizing Heaven; the Kidney is low, symbolizing Water, between...)