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Non-toxic, plant growth.

Kucai (Bitter Vegetable) (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*): Mainly treats evil qi in the five zang organs, anorexia, gastric obstruction; long-term consumption calms the mind, benefits qi, enhances hearing and vision, reduces sleep needs, lightens the body, and promotes longevity.
(The above red text is from *Shennong Bencao Jing*) Intestinal heat accumulation, internal heat with thirst, malignant sores; withstands hunger and cold, maintains robust spirit, prevents aging. (The above black text is recorded by famous physicians of later generations). [Names]: Tuchao, Youdong, Jintu, Xuan. [Seedlings]: (*Yanyi* states) The leaves of Kucai resemble those of bitter lettuce but are narrower and paler green; breaking them exudes white juice, which is often used to treat warts, causing them to fall off naturally. It resembles wild chrysanthemum, blooming successively in spring, summer, and autumn, found everywhere. In northern roadsides, it withers only in winter; growing in the south, it remains evergreen through winter and summer. This is what the *Monthly Ordinances* refers to as "Kucai xiu" (Kucai flourishing) after the Xiaoman solar term. There is another type of bitter vegetable with a bitter taste and cold nature, possessing slight toxicity; its crushed leaves applied externally treat pediatric "shanpi" (a pediatric condition), while its decoction ingested removes sudden heat, jaundice, and constipation. However, its leaves closely resemble those of *Solanum nigrum* (Longkui), but Longkui seeds lack a shell, whereas this bitter vegetable's seeds have a shell, round like a leather cap or pearl, also called "Xiao Kudan". [Origin]: (*Tujing* states) Grows in valleys, hills, and roadsides of Yizhou. (Authentic origin) Shuchuan. [Season]: (Growth) Spring seedlings. (Harvest) March 3rd. [Storage] Dried in shade. [Medicinal Part] Stems and leaves. [Texture] Leaves similar to bitter lettuce but narrow. [Color] Green. [Taste] Bitter. [Nature] Cold, with draining properties. [Qi/Taste] Strong aroma, belongs to Yin. [Odor] Fishy. [Main Action] Clears intestinal heat, expels evil qi. [Treatment] (Efficacy) (*Yanyi* states) Flowers remove middle-jiao heat and calm the mind.

Non-toxic, attached leaves, plant growth.

Renzi (Perilla Seed) mainly treats cough and rebellious qi, directs qi downward, warms the middle, and nourishes the body. ○ Leaves have a warm nature, mainly regulate the middle jiao and eliminate foul odors (recorded by famous physicians). [Name] Ren. [Seedlings]: (Tao Hongjing says) Ren resembles Su (Perilla frutescens), tall and robust, white in color, not very fragrant. Its seeds, when ground and mixed with rice to make porridge, are very nutritious, direct qi downward, and provide tonification. People in the east call it "Yu" (sound like fish) because it resembles the character "Su" but without the "grain" radical. Pressing its seeds yields oil, which, when refined, becomes the oil for oil-paper and lacquer mixing. It is also used for fasting practices (Dugu), named Chongyou. (*Tang Bencao Zhu* states) People often eat Ren leaves raw; its seeds are less commonly used than Su seeds. In Jiangdong, Perilla seeds are used for oil; in northern lands, hemp seeds are used for oil. Both oils can be used for dyeing materials; if used for mixing lacquer, Perilla oil is stronger. (Xiao Bing says) There is also Da Ren (Large Perilla), resembling wild Perilla, tall and robust, with leaves twice the size of small Perilla, inedible. People collect its seeds for oiling silk and fabrics, same as hemp seeds. Xiao Ren (Small Perilla) pods are harvested when seeds are nearly ripe for eating, very fragrant; Da Ren leaves are inedible. [Origin]: (*Tang Bencao Zhu* states) Produced in Jiangdong, now widely produced in the north. [Season]: (Growth) Spring seedlings. (Harvest) September. [Storage] Dried in shade. [Medicinal Part] Seeds and leaves. [Texture] Similar to Su, tall, robust, and white. [Color] White. [Taste] Pungent. [Nature] Warm. [Qi/Taste] Strong aroma, belongs to Yang. [Odor] Slightly fragrant. [Treatment] (Efficacy) (*Tang Bencao Zhu* states) Leaves, when crushed and applied, treat insect bites and male genital swelling. (Ri Hua Zi says) Leaves regulate qi, moisten lungs and heart, promote skin growth, resolve retained food, stop upper-rebellious qi and cough, eliminate fox odor, and apply to snake bites. ○ Seeds direct qi downward and stop cough. (*Shiliao* states) Seeds stop cough and rebellious qi, relieve thirst and moisten lungs when eaten raw. (Tonification) (Ri Hua Zi says) Seeds tonify the middle, benefit qi, unblock blood vessels, and fill essence. Can be steamed, sun-dried, husked, and eaten as rice, or used for fasting. [Combined Treatment] Seeds ground and mixed with various grains to make porridge, very nutritious, directing qi downward and providing tonification. ○ Fresh leaves crushed and mixed with vinegar applied externally for male genital swelling; women may insert cotton-wrapped leaves internally, changing every three to four times until healed. ○ Crushed leaves mixed with lard applied thinly for viper bites. [Contraindications] Oil pressed from seeds slightly disperses qi in small amounts; excessive consumption causes chest oppression.