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Non-toxic. Vining growth habit.

Yue Gua (Winter Melon variety / *Cucumis melo* var.): Primarily benefits the intestines and stomach, relieves thirst and irritability. It should not be consumed in excess, as it may disturb Qi, trigger various sores, cause weakness and difficulty walking, and is detrimental to children. It should not be eaten after recovery from epidemic febrile diseases (Tianxing Bing). Furthermore, it must not be consumed with cow's milk or cheese, nor on an empty stomach, as this induces heart pain. (Recorded by Famous Physicians) [Seedling] According to records: Yue Gua is sown in the second lunar month, sends out seedlings in the third month that creep along the ground, blooms pale yellow flowers in the fifth month. The leaves are green, large, with slight prickles; fruits form under the leaves, resembling sweet melons (*Cucumis melo*), round and white. Named Yue Gua because it originates from the Yue region. [Origin] Produced in Hangzhou and Yuezhou; now found everywhere. [Season] (Growth) Spring seedlings. (Harvest) Summer collection. [Part Used] Flesh. [Texture] Similar to sweet melon but white. [Color] White. [Flavor] Sweet. [Nature] Cold. [Qi Property] Thin Qi, Yin within Yang. [Odor] Fragrant. [Indications] Promotes urination, clears irritability and heat. [Treatment] (Chen Cangqi stated) Venting excessive heat. [Combined Treatments] Small Yue Guas pickled in wine lees and burnt to ash can be applied to perioral sores and hot sores of the penis. ○ Yue Gua cooked with rice into a gruel or pickle, long-term consumption benefits the intestines and stomach. [Contraindications] Children should not consume cold Yue Gua in summer, as it often causes persistent pain below the umbilicus due to accumulation; also contraindicated after recovery from epidemic febrile diseases. [Detoxification] Resolves alcohol toxicity.

Non-toxic. Clumping growth habit.

Jie (Mustard): Enters the Nose Meridian. Primarily eliminates pathogenic Qi from the Kidney, unblocks the Nine Orifices, clarifies the eyes and ears, and stabilizes the Middle Jiao. Long-term consumption warms the Middle. (Recorded by Famous Physicians) [Names] Qing Jie (Green Mustard), Nan Jie (Southern Mustard), Hua Jie (Flowering Mustard), Zi Jie (Purple Mustard), Xuan Jie (Swirling Mustard), Shi Jie (Stone Mustard). [Seedling] (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica states) Mustard resembles Chinese cabbage (*Brassica pekinensis*) but has hairs and tastes extremely pungent; this is Qing Jie. There are many varieties of mustard seeds, such as Zi Jie with pure purple stems and leaves, often made into relishes for its excellent taste. Others include Nan Jie, Xuan Jie, Hua Jie, and Shi Jie, all delicious vegetables not required for medicinal use, thus not fully recorded. (Tang Bencao Note states) Leaves that are large and coarse are edible; seeds are used medicinally and are very effective when applied topically to treat malignant wandering pathogens (E Zhu). Leaves that are small and fine are inedible; their seeds are only suitable for making relishes. [Origin] (Illustrated Classic states) Found everywhere. [Authentic Origin] Shu Zhou. [Season] (Growth) Sown in spring. (Harvest) Seeds collected in summer. [Processing] Sun-dried. [Part Used] Stems, leaves, and seeds. [Texture] Resembles Chinese cabbage but hairy. (Seeds) Resemble... [Treatment] (Ri Huazi stated) Mustard eliminates pathogenic Qi, stops coughs, and treats cold Qi disorders. (Shiliao stated) Treats rebellious Qi and cough, clarifies vision, removes head wind. (Bencao Jing Jiuzhu states) Ma Jie Zi (Horse Mustard Seed) treats tight lips in infants; crush and extract juice, first wipe until lip blood appears, then apply, seven times daily. Ma Jie is Ci Jie (Prickly Mustard). [Combined Treatments] Crush seeds into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply to Spider Poison (She Gong Du) and unpredictable manifestations of wandering pathogens. ○ Mix with vinegar, grind, and apply to wind-toxin swelling and numbness. ○ Mix with ginger, warm, and apply to traumatic bruised blood, lower back pain, and kidney cold. ○ Take with wine and vinegar to stop heart pain. ○ Mix with egg white and apply to wandering pathogen wind-toxin pain. ○ One sheng of seeds, three sheng of vinegar, decoct to obtain one sheng; treat women with wind-stroke causing locked jaw and retracted tongue base; apply under the jaw and cheeks for immediate effect. ○ Crush, mix with human milk, wrap in cotton, insert into ear to treat deafness. ○ Crush, mix with water and honey, apply pulp to upper and lower throat; change when dry; treats five types of throat obstruction (Hou Bi), no formula surpasses this. [Contraindications] Boiled mustard disturbs Qi; raw mustard triggers Dan Shi toxicity. Leaves should not be eaten in excess; fine-leaved hairy varieties are lethal. [Dietary Taboo] Consuming with rabbit meat generates malignant sores.