（宋开宝）
【气味】辛大温，无毒。
【主治】主温中，下气，补腰脚，杀腥气，消食，除胃冷，阴疝癖。
【核】曰∶荜茇，番语也。陈藏器本草作毕勃；扶南传作逼拨；大明会与作毕茇；摩伽
陀国作荜拨梨；拂 国作阿梨诃陀；近世作荜拨。不知荜茇名矣。原出波斯国，今岭南特有
之。多生竹林内，二月抽苗作丛，高三四尺茎如箸。叶如蕺，色青形圆，阔二三寸，亦如桑，
面光且浓。三月开花，白色在表。七月结子，如小指大，长二寸许，色青黑，类椹子而长。
根如茈葫，但黑硬耳。九月采实曝干，南人爱其辛芳，取叶生茹之。舶上来者，色臭更胜也。
段成式言；青州防风子，可乱荜茇，但形短耳。修事，去挺用头，醋浸一宿，焙干，刮去皮
粟子令净，否则伤人肺，令人上气也。
【 】曰∶毕者用以掩兔，羽猎赋云∶荷垂天之毕也；茇者走犬，曳其足则茇矣。味大
辛，气大温，故主温中，对待冷阴至坚，下气其验也。杀腥气者， 金气、肺主气，肺臭腥
故也。攻而举之，若网罗之殆尽，盖以功力为名也。
（嫌于无阳者，乃可攻而举之。否则略开一面，庶不至网罗殆尽。）
（宋开宝）
【气味】苦平，无毒。
【主治】主止泄，除睡，强筋，益气力。久服轻身长年，令人不饥，变白却老。
【核】曰∶生嵩高少室，今江左吴楚山中皆有，亦可植之庭除。《图经》名南天烛。古
今诗话云∶即杨桐也。其种似木而类草，故又名南烛草木。男续、后草、猴药、维那木、草
木之王凡六，各从邦域所称，正名则南烛也。本至难长，初生似菘菜，一纪后渐长成株，高
三四尺，亦有盈丈者。茎似蒴 ，枝节微紫，质极柔脆，易于摧折。叶似山矾，光泽圆浓，
冬夏尝青，其味少酢。七月开花结实，生青熟紫，得霜则绛赤如丹，酸美可食也。
先人云∶临水者尤茂，寒食采其叶，渍水染饭，色青而光，能资阳气，大获嘉美。
【 】曰∶具木体用，而曰南烛者，地中有木，南征吉也。烛者庭燎，与贞明不息也。
观主除睡，则得之矣。肝主色，肝色青；筋者肝之合也。故主强筋，变白却老，亦若食气入
胃，散精于肝，淫气于筋也。故久服不饥，益气力，轻身长年。一名男续，一名后草。又不
独培色身之形脏，并可令精气溢泻而有子。一名草木之王，王读旺，谓其偏于升出，各旺百
八十日以成岁，不雕之义见矣。
（服草木之王，气与神通，食青烛之精，命不复殒。岂属寓言，徒供观听。）
(Song Kai Bao)
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, Greatly Warm, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats middle jiao coldness, directs rebellious qi downward, tonifies the waist and knees, eliminates fishy odors, aids digestion, removes stomach cold, and treats yin hernia and fixed masses (Yin Hernia and Pi Masses).
[Analysis] Says: "Bibo" is a transliteration from foreign languages. Chen Zangqi's *Bencao* writes it as "Bi Bo"; *Funan Zhuan* writes it as "Bi Bo"; *Daming Hui* writes it as "Bi Ba"; Mogaduo Country calls it "Bi Bo Li"; Fulin Country calls it "Ali Ke Tuo"; modern times call it "Bi Bo". The origin of the name "Bibo" is unknown. It originally came from Persia, and is now unique to the Lingnan region. It grows mostly within bamboo forests, sprouting in clusters in February, reaching three or four chi in height, with stems like chopsticks. Leaves resemble Houttuynia (Yu Xing Cao), green in color and round in shape, two to three cun wide, also similar to mulberry leaves, smooth and dense on the surface. Flowers bloom in March, white on the surface. Fruits form in July, about the size of a little finger, approximately two cun long, green-black in color, resembling mulberries but longer. Roots resemble Allium macrostemon (Zi Hu), but are blacker and harder. In September, fruits are harvested and sun-dried. Southerners love its pungent fragrance and eat the leaves raw. Those imported by ship have superior color and odor. Duan Chengshi stated that Fangfeng seeds from Qingzhou can be used to counterfeit Bibo, but they are shorter in shape. For processing, remove the stem and use only the head, soak in vinegar overnight, bake dry, scrape off the skin and millet-like granules until clean; otherwise, it damages the lungs and causes qi rebellion upward.
(Song Kai Bao)
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, Neutral, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats diarrhea, eliminates sleepiness, strengthens sinews, and benefits qi and strength. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life, prevents hunger, reverses graying hair, and delays aging.
[Analysis] Says: Grows on Mount Song and Mount Shishi, and is now found in the mountains of Jiangdong, Wu, and Chu regions; it can also be planted in courtyards and steps. *Tu Jing* names it "Nan Tian Zhu". Ancient and modern poetry discussions state it is Yang Tong. Its species resembles trees but is herbaceous, hence also named Nan Zhu Cao Mu. Names such as Nan Xu, Hou Cao, Hou Yao, Wei Na Mu, and King of Grass and Trees vary by region; the correct name is Nan Zhu. It is difficult to grow initially, resembling Chinese cabbage when young, taking twelve years to gradually mature into a plant three to four chi high, some exceeding one zhang. Stems resemble Capsule (Shuo Xiao), branches slightly purple, extremely soft and brittle, easy to break. Leaves resemble Symplocos (Shan Fan), glossy, round, and dense, evergreen in winter and summer, with a slightly sour taste. Flowers and fruits appear in July, green when fresh and purple when ripe, turning crimson like cinnabar after frost, sour and delicious for eating.
My ancestors said: Those growing near water are particularly lush. On Cold Food Festival, leaves are collected, soaked in water to dye rice, resulting in a shiny green color, which boosts yang qi and yields excellent results.
[Commentary] Says: Possessing the properties of wood, it is called Nan Zhu because "wood within the earth signifies auspiciousness in the south." Zhu refers to courtyard torches, symbolizing perpetual brightness. Observing its indication to eliminate sleepiness reveals this principle. The Liver governs color, and its color is green; sinews are the exterior correspondence of the Liver. Thus, it primarily strengthens sinews, reverses graying, and delays aging, similar to how food essence enters the stomach, disperses to the Liver, and nourishes the sinews. Hence, long-term consumption prevents hunger, benefits qi and strength, lightens the body, and prolongs life. Also known as Nan Xu and Hou Cao. It not only nurtures the physical form and zang-fu organs but also allows essence and qi to overflow, facilitating procreation. Known as the King of Grass and Trees; "Wang" is pronounced "Wang" (prosperous), indicating its tendency to ascend and emerge, prospering for 180 days each year, signifying the meaning of non-withering.
(Consuming the King of Grass and Trees aligns qi with spirit; ingesting the essence of green torches ensures life does not perish. Is this merely an allegory for entertainment?)