\r使君子\ph225.bmp\r,生交、广等州,今岭南州郡皆有之,生山野中及水岸。其叶
青,如两指头,长二寸
;其茎作藤如手指;三月生,花淡红色,久乃深红,有五瓣;七、八月结子如拇指,长一寸
许,大类栀子,而有五棱;其壳青黑色,内有仁白色。七月采实。
\r红蓝花\ph226.bmp\r,即红花也,生梁汉及西域,今处处有之,人家场圃所种,冬
而布子于熟地,至春生
苗,夏乃有花。下作球汇多刺,花蕊出球上,圃人承露采之,采已夏出,至尽而罢。球中结
实,白颗如小豆大。其花曝干,以染真红及作燕脂,主产后病为胜。其实亦同叶,颇似蓝,
故有蓝名,又名黄蓝。《博物志》云∶张骞所得也。张仲景治六十二种风,兼腹内血气刺痛
,用红花一大两,分为四分,以酒一大升煎强半,顿服之,不止再服。又一方用红蓝子一升
,捣碎,以无灰酒一大升八合,拌了,曝令干,重捣筛,蜜丸如桐子大,空腹酒下四十丸。
《正元广利方》治女子中风,血热烦渴者,以红蓝子五大合,微熬,捣碎,旦日取半大匙,
以水一升,煎取七合,去滓,细细咽之。又崔元亮《海上方》治喉痹壅塞不通者,取红蓝花
捣绞取汁一小升,服之,以瘥为度。如冬月无湿花,可浸干者浓绞取汁如前,服之,极验。
但咽喉塞服之,皆瘥。亦疗妇人产运绝者。
*Quisqualis indica* (Shi Jun Zi), grows in Jiaozhou, Guangzhou, and other regions; currently found throughout the prefectures of Lingnan, growing in mountains, wilds, and along water banks. Its leaves are green, about the size of two fingers combined, approximately two *cun* long; its stem is vine-like, as thick as a finger; it flowers in the third lunar month with pale red petals that deepen to dark red over time, having five petals; fruits appear in the seventh and eighth lunar months, resembling the thumb in shape, about one *cun* long, similar in general appearance to *Gardeniae Fructus* (Gardenia fruit) but with five ridges; the shell is dark greenish-black, containing white kernels inside. The fruits are harvested in the seventh lunar month.
*Safflower* (Hong Lan Hua), also known as Hong Hua, originally grew in Lianghan and the Western Regions; now cultivated everywhere, often planted by households in fields and gardens. Seeds are sown in prepared soil during winter, sprouting in spring, and flowering in summer. The lower part forms a spiny, ball-shaped receptacle, with flower stamens emerging from the top. Gardeners harvest them while catching dew; harvesting continues through summer until exhausted. Inside the receptacle, seeds form, white and small bean-sized. When dried, the flowers are used to dye true red and make rouge (*Yan Zhi*), being particularly effective for treating postpartum conditions. The fruit resembles the leaf, looking somewhat like *Isatidis Folium* (Indigo leaf), hence the name "Lan" (Blue), also called Huang Lan (Yellow Blue). *Bowuzhi* states: this was brought back by Zhang Qian. Zhang Zhongjing treated sixty-two types of wind diseases, combined with stabbing pain in the abdomen due to qi and blood stagnation, using one *liang* of Safflower, divided into four portions, decocted in one *sheng* of wine until half remained, taken at once; if symptoms persist, administer again. Another prescription uses one *sheng* of Safflower seeds, crushed, mixed with one *sheng* eight *he* of unadulterated wine, dried, pounded again, sieved, and formed into pills the size of *Cocculus Orbiculatus* seeds (*Tong Zi*) with honey; take forty pills on an empty stomach with wine. *Zhengyuan Guanglifang* treats women with wind-stroke, blood-heat, and irritability/thirst, using five *he* of Safflower seeds, lightly roasted, crushed; the next morning, take half a large spoonful, decocted in one *sheng* of water until seven *he* remain, strain, and swallow slowly. Additionally, Cui Yuanliang’s *Haishang Fang* treats throat obstruction (*Hou Bi*) with blockage, taking fresh Safflower, crushing and squeezing out one *sheng* of juice to drink, continuing until cured. If fresh wet flowers are unavailable in winter, steep dried flowers, squeeze out concentrated juice as before, which is highly effective. For any throat blockage, administration leads to recovery. It also treats women suffering from dystocia (*Chan Yun*) with collapse.