（唐本草）
【气味】甘酸平，无毒。
【主治】血痢。针灸疮发，洪血不可止者，敷之立已。汁涂眉发，生速而繁。
【核】曰∶鳢肠，所在有之，南方下湿地尤多。苗似旋复，茎似马苋，叶似杨柳，花细
白，作实似小莲房，色青碧。一种苗梗枯瘦，似小莲花，色正黄，实亦作房，且圆，南人谓
之小莲翘。二种折其苗，并有汁出，须臾遂黑，俗谓之旱莲，又谓之金陵草。
【 】曰∶鳢，玄鳢，体色青玄，俗呼黑鳢。首具七星，随斗指而向之，神转不回之谓
乎。美在肠，形相肖也。盖肠，畅也。通畅胃气，为水谷道，心肺腑，大小肠也。经云∶肝
主色，自入为青，入肾为黑。尔雅翼云∶青出于蓝。月令云∶刈蓝以染重玄，则又玄出于青
矣，为肾之心药肝药，肝之肾药心药，心之肝药肾药也。故鳢肠产南而色玄，则凡毛发须眉，
色变于色者，使之各色其色耳。经云∶肾之合骨也，其荣发也，其主脾也；肺之合皮也，其
荣毛也，其主心也。又为肺之脾药肾药，心药肝药矣。故鳢肠白华在秋，禀庚金之化，色味
乃充，气平味甘，亦即土大舒和之用。又为脾之肾药心药，肝药肺药也。此以五星互呈，故
得形脏敌应，为心肝脾胃，爪生发长，筋转脉摇，弥肤致腠，诚驻形形物耳。若主血痢，正
胃失通畅，致谷道不泌不分。盖鳢至难死，自非连 者比。至主针灸疮发，洪血不止，鳢
肠脉胜而通心，色胜而通肝，则脉有所主，血有所藏，心主肾也，肝主肺也，水火既济矣，
木金互交矣。肤受者捷如影响，况饵食者乎。
[Tang Bencao]
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, sour, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Bloody dysentery. For sores resulting from acupuncture or moxibustion with profuse bleeding that cannot be stopped, applying this externally stops it immediately. Smearing the juice on eyebrows and hair promotes rapid and abundant growth.
[Analysis] It is stated: *Li Chang* (Eclipta prostrata) is found everywhere, especially abundant in low-lying wet areas of the South. The seedling resembles *Inula japonica* (Xuanfu), the stem resembles *Portulaca oleracea* (Maxian), the leaves resemble willow leaves, the flowers are small and white, and the fruit resembles a small lotus pod, colored greenish-blue. There is another variety where the stems are withered and thin, resembling a small lotus flower, with a bright yellow color; its fruit is also pod-like and round. Southerners call it "Xiao Lianqiao". When the seedlings of either variety are broken, juice flows out and turns black shortly thereafter. It is commonly known as "Hanlian" (Dried Lotus), also called "Jinling Cao".
It is said: *Li* refers to Xuanli (Black Snakehead fish), whose body color is dark blue-black, commonly called Heili. The head possesses seven star-like spots, turning towards the direction indicated by the Big Dipper, embodying the concept of divine movement that does not return. Its essence lies in the intestine, due to morphological similarity. "Chang" (Intestine) implies "Chang" (Smooth/Unobstructed). It facilitates the smooth flow of Stomach Qi, serving as the pathway for water and grain, and relates to the Heart, Lung, and Bowel Fu organs, as well as the Large and Small Intestines. The Classics state: The Liver governs colors; entering itself, it is Green; entering the Kidney, it is Black. *Erya Yi* states: Blue comes from Indigo. *Yueling* states: Harvest indigo to dye deep black, implying that Black originates from Green. Thus, it serves as the Heart medicine for the Kidney, the Liver medicine for the Kidney, the Kidney medicine for the Liver, the Heart medicine for the Liver, the Liver medicine for the Heart, and the Kidney medicine for the Heart. Therefore, since *Li Chang* grows in the South and has a dark/black color, for any hair, beard, or eyebrows that have lost their proper color, it restores them to their respective natural hues. The Classics state: The Kidney corresponds to bone, its flourishing aspect is hair, and the Spleen governs it; the Lung corresponds to skin, its flourishing aspect is body hair, and the Heart governs it. It also serves as the Spleen medicine for the Lung, the Kidney medicine for the Lung, the Heart medicine for the Liver. Since *Li Chang* bears white flowers in autumn, it inherits the transformation of Geng Metal, allowing its color and flavor to become full. Its nature is neutral, and its flavor is sweet, representing the expansive and harmonizing function of Earth. It further serves as the Kidney medicine for the Spleen, the Heart medicine for the Spleen, the Lung medicine for the Liver. This mutual presentation of the Five Stars allows it to correspond structurally and organically, benefiting the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Stomach, promoting the growth of nails and hair, the movement of tendons and pulses, and the filling of skin and tightening of interstices. Indeed, it is a substance that preserves form and nourishes the physical body. Regarding its indication for bloody dysentery, this is precisely because the Stomach loses smoothness, causing the pathway of food and drink to fail in separating clear from turbid. The *Li* fish is extremely difficult to kill, unlike simple fish species. As for treating profuse bleeding from acupuncture/moxibustion sores, since *Li Chang*'s pulse energy is superior and connects to the Heart, and its color energy is superior and connects to the Liver, then the vessels have their master, and blood has its storage. Heart and Kidney interact, Liver and Lung interact, Water and Fire are balanced, and Wood and Metal mutually engage. Effects on the skin are swift as shadow and echo, let alone when ingested.