\r决明子\ph131.bmp\r,生龙门川泽,今处处有之。人家园圃所莳。夏初生苗,高三、
四尺许,根带紫色;
叶似苜蓿而大;七月有花,黄白色;其子作穗,如青绿豆而锐。十月十日采,阴干百日。按
《尔雅》∶ , 。释曰∶药草,决明也。郭璞注云∶叶黄锐,赤华,实如山茱萸。关
西谓之 ,与此种颇不类。又有一种马蹄决明,叶如茳芏,于形似马蹄,故得此名。又萋
蒿子亦谓之草决明,未知孰为入药者。然今医家但用子,如绿豆者。其石决明,是蚌蛤类,
当在虫兽部中。
\r芎 \ph132.bmp\r,生武功山谷斜谷西岭。蘼芜,芎 苗也。生雍州川泽及冤句,
今关陕、蜀川、江东山
中
亦有之,而以蜀川者为胜。其苗四、五月间生。叶似芹、胡荽、蛇床辈,作丛而茎细。《淮
南子》所谓夫乱人者,若芎 之与 本,蛇床之与蘼芜是也。其叶倍香,或莳于园庭,则芬
馨满径。江东、蜀川人采其叶作饮香,云可以已泄泻。七、八月开白花。根坚瘦,黄黑色。
三月、四月采,曝干。一云∶九月、十月采为佳。三月、四月非时也。关中所出者,俗呼为
京芎,并通用惟贵。形块重实,作雀脑状者,谓之雀脑芎,此最有力也。蘼芜一名蕲(古芹
字,巨斤切),古方单用芎 含咀,以主口齿疾。近世,或蜜和作指大丸,欲寝服之,治风
痰殊佳。
Juemingzi (Cassiae Semen), grows in the marshes of Longmen River, and is now found everywhere. It is cultivated in household gardens. In early summer, seedlings emerge, reaching a height of about three to four chi, with purple-tinged roots; the leaves resemble those of alfalfa but are larger; flowers appear in July, yellowish-white in color; the seeds grow in spikes, resembling green mung beans but sharper. Harvested on the 10th day of the tenth lunar month, dried in shade for one hundred days. According to *Erya*: "[Text missing], medicinal herb." The explanation states: Medicinal herb, which is Juemingzi. Guo Pu's annotation says: "Leaves are yellow and pointed, red flowers, fruits resemble Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu)." In Guanxi, it is called "[Text missing]," which differs significantly from this variety. There is another variety called Mahui Juemingzi (Horseshoe Cassia), whose leaves resemble Agropyron cristatum (Jiangdu) and are shaped like horseshoes, hence the name. Additionally, Qihaozi (Seeds of Artemisia argyi) is also referred to as Caojuemingzi (Grass Cassia), but it is uncertain which one is used for medicinal purposes. However, current physicians only use the seeds that resemble mung beans. As for Shijueming (Haliotidis Concha), it belongs to the bivalve mollusk category and should be classified in the Animal and Mineral section.
Xiongxiong (Ligusticum sinense Rhizome), grows in the western ridge of Xigu Valley in Wugong Mountain. Miwu is the seedling of Xiongxiong. It grows in the marshes of Yongzhou and Yuanju, and is now also found in the mountains of Guan-Shaanxi, Shuchuan, and Jiangdong, with those from Shuchuan being considered superior. Its seedlings emerge in April and May. The leaves resemble those of celery, coriander, and Cnidium monnieri (Shechuangzi), growing in clumps with slender stems. *Huainanzi* states: "Things that confuse people are like Xiongxiong versus Gaoben (Ligusticum chuanxiong), or Shechuangzi versus Miwu." Its leaves have a doubled fragrance; if planted in courtyards, the fragrance fills the paths. People in Jiangdong and Shuchuan harvest its leaves to make aromatic drinks, claiming they can stop diarrhea. White flowers bloom in July and August. The root is hard, thin, and yellowish-black. Harvested in March and April, then sun-dried. Another view holds: Harvesting in September and October is best; March and April are not the appropriate times. Those produced in Guanzhong are commonly known as Jingxiong (Capital Ligusticum), widely used and highly valued. Those that are heavy, solid, and shaped like sparrow brains are called Que nao xiong (Sparrow Brain Ligusticum), which has the strongest efficacy. Miwu is also named Qi (an ancient character for Qin, pronounced ju jin). In ancient prescriptions, Xiongxiong was used alone, chewed and held in the mouth, to treat dental diseases. In recent times, some mix it with honey to form pills the size of fingers, taken before sleep, which is particularly effective for treating wind-phlegm.