即巢菜。宣、祛风热。
辛平。利五脏。明耳目。去热风。止热疟。(唐德宗贞元广利方、煮汁服。)明耳目。活
血平
胃。长食不厌。甚益人。令人轻健。俗名花草。(苏东坡云∶菜之美者、蜀乡之巢、故人巢
元修嗜之、因谓之巢菜、又谓之元修菜、煮食蒸食、作菜作馅、俱佳。)
花草子。活血明目。(易简方、为末、甘草汤服二钱、日三服。)今药肆中。以此伪充沙
苑蒺
藜。(此物辛利、沙苑蒺藜涩固、其性大不相同。)
通、泻热解毒。
甘寒滑。治消渴热痹热疽。逐水。解百药毒并蛊毒。下气止呕。(和鲫鱼作羹食。)疗诸
肿毒
并诸疮。(保生余录、治一切痈疽、春夏用茎、秋冬用子、就于根侧寻取、捣烂敷之、未成
即消、已成即毒散、用叶亦可、保幼大全、治头上恶疮、以黄泥包豆豉、煨熟取出为末、以
菜油调敷之。)一名马蹄草。生吴越地湖泽中。( 本作 、贾思勰齐民要术云∶ 性纯而
易生、种以深浅为候、水深则茎肥而叶少、水浅则茎瘦而叶多、其性遂水而滑、故谓之 菜
、并水葵露葵之名、形似马蹄、三月至八月、味甜体软可口、乃菜中之最美者也、九月至十
月渐粗硬、则名葵 、或名猪 、言可饲猪也。)
即秃菜。通、祛风。
苦寒。治产后风秘。(捣汁二三匙、入水半盏煎之、空腹温服。)头风白屑。(宋太宗圣
惠方
、羊蹄草根杵、同羊胆汁涂之、永除。)喉痹不语。(羊蹄独根者、勿见风日及妇人、以三年
醋、研如泥、生布拭喉外令赤、涂之。)头上白秃。(方同上。丹溪曰∶羊蹄根属水、是血
分药。)能制三黄、砒石、丹砂、水银。
This is *Vicia sativa* (Chao Cai). It has the effects of dispersing and expelling wind-heat.
Pungent, neutral in nature. It benefits the five zang organs, clarifies the eyes and ears, removes wind-heat, and stops hot malaria. (Recorded in Guangli Fang during the Zhenyuan era of Emperor Dezong of Tang: boil to extract juice and take orally.) It clarifies the eyes and ears, invigorates blood, harmonizes the stomach, prevents food aversion, greatly benefits the human body, and makes one feel light and agile. Commonly known as Hua Cao. (Su Dongpo said: Among delicious vegetables, Chao Cai from Shu hometown is the best. My old friend Chao Yuanxiu loved it, hence called Chao Cai, also known as Yuanxiu Cai. Boiled or steamed, used as a vegetable or filling, both are excellent.)
Hua Cao Zi (Seeds of *Vicia sativa*). Invigorates blood and brightens the eyes. (Recorded in Yijian Fang: grind into powder, take 2 qian with Licorice Decoction, three times daily.) Currently, some pharmacies use this herb to falsely pass off as *Astragali Complanati Semen* (Shayuan Jili). (This herb is pungent and draining, whereas *Astragali Complanati Semen* is astringent and consolidating; their natures are vastly different.)
It has the effects of unblocking, purging heat, and resolving toxicity.
Sweet, cold, and slippery in nature. It treats xiao ke (wasting-thirst), re-bi (hot bi-syndrome), re ju (hot carbuncle), expels water retention, resolves various drug poisons and gu poison, directs qi downward, and stops vomiting. (Cooked with crucian carp as soup.) Treats various swelling toxins and sores. (Recorded in Baosheng Yulu: treat all kinds of yong ju (carbuncles and ulcers); use stems in spring and summer, seeds in autumn and winter; find them near the roots, crush and apply externally; if not suppurated, it dissipates immediately; if suppurated, the toxin disperses; leaves can also be used. Recorded in Baoyou Daquan: treat malignant sores on the head; wrap fermented soybean paste in yellow mud, bake until cooked, remove and grind into powder, mix with rapeseed oil for application.) Also known as Ma Ti Cao. Grows in lakes and marshes in the Wu-Yue region. (Originally written as "Xing". Jia Sixie's *Qimin Yaoshu* states: Its nature is pure and easy to grow; planting depth depends on water level—deep water yields thick stems and few leaves, shallow water yields thin stems and many leaves. Its nature follows water and is slippery, hence called Xing Cai, also known as Shui Kui and Lu Kui. Shape resembles a horse's hoof. From March to August, it is sweet-tasting and soft-textured, considered the most beautiful among vegetables. From September to October, it becomes coarse and hard, then called Kui Xing or Zhu Xing, meaning it can be used to feed pigs.)
This is Tu Cai. It has the effects of unblocking and expelling wind.
Bitter, cold in nature. Treats postpartum wind constipation. (Crush to extract juice, take 2-3 spoons, add half cup of water, decoct, and take warm on an empty stomach.) Treats tou feng (head wind) with white dandruff/scaling. (Recorded in Shenghui Fang of Emperor Taizong of Song: crush root of *Rumex japonicus* (Yangti), mix with sheep bile, apply externally to permanently remove.) Treats hou bi (throat obstruction) with aphonia. (Select single-root *Rumex japonicus*, avoid exposure to wind/sun and women. Grind with three-year-old vinegar into a paste. Use raw cloth to wipe the outside of the throat until red, then apply.) Treats tou shang bai tu (white alopecia capitis on the head). (Same method as above. Zhu Danxi said: Yangti root belongs to Water and is a medicine for the Blood aspect.) It can restrain/moderate San Huang (Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix Scutellariae, Radix Gentianae), Pi Shi (Arsenic Trioxide), Dan Sha (Cinnabar), and Shui Yin (Mercury).