\r艾叶\ph197.bmp\r,旧不着所出州土,但云生田野,今处处有之,以复道者为佳。
云此种灸百病尤胜。初
春布地生苗,茎类蒿,而叶背白,以苗短者为佳。三月三日、五月五日采叶,曝干,经陈久
方可用。俗间亦生捣叶取汁饮,止心腹恶气。古方亦用熟艾拓金疮。又中风掣痛,不仁不随
。并以干艾斛许,揉团之,内瓦甑中,并下塞诸孔,独留一目,以痛处着甑目下,烧艾一时
,久知矣。又治癞,取于艾随多少,以浸曲酿酒如常法,饮之,觉痹即瘥。近世亦有单服艾
者,或用蒸木瓜丸之,或作汤空腹饮之,甚补虚羸,然亦有毒,其毒发,则热气冲上,狂躁
不能禁,至攻眼有疮出血者,诚不可妄服也。
\r水萍\ph198.bmp\r,生雷泽池泽,今处处溪涧水中皆有之。此是水中大萍,叶圆,
阔寸许,叶下有一点如
水沫,一名 菜,《尔雅》谓之 。其大者曰苹是也。周南诗云∶于以采苹。陆机云∶水中
浮萍粗大者,谓之苹。季春始生,可糁蒸,以为茹。又可用苦酒
淹,以按酒,三月采,曝干。苏恭云∶此有三种∶大者曰苹;中者荇菜,即下凫葵是也;小
者水上浮萍,即沟渠间生者是也。大苹,今医方鲜用。浮萍,俗医用治时行热病,亦堪发汗
,甚有功。其方用浮萍草一两,四月十五日者,麻黄去节根,桂心,附子炮裂去脐皮,各半
两,四物捣细,筛,每服二钱,以水一中盏,入生姜半分,煎
至六分,不计时候,和滓热服,汗出乃瘥。又治恶疾遍身疮者,取水中浮萍浓煮汁,渍浴半
日,多效,此方甚奇古也。
Daji Gen (Radix Cirsii Japonici), its content is documented under the entry for Xiaoji Gen (Radix Cirsii Japonici).
Ai Ye (Folium Artemisiae Argyi), ancient texts do not specify its place of origin, only stating that it grows in fields. It is now found everywhere, and those described as "fudao" (growing densely/luxuriantly) are considered superior. It is said that moxibustion with this type of Ai Ye is particularly effective for treating various diseases. In early spring, shoots emerge close to the ground; the stems resemble mugwort (Artemisia species), but the leaf backs are white, and those with shorter shoots are preferred. Leaves should be harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, sun-dried, and used only after aging for a long period. Folk practice also involves crushing fresh leaves to extract juice for drinking, which can stop evil qi in the heart and abdomen. Ancient prescriptions also use cooked Ai Ye to apply to golden wounds (traumas caused by metal weapons). For treating wind-stroke characterized by pulling pain, numbness, and immobility, take a large amount (approximately one hu) of dry Ai Ye, roll it into a ball, place it in a clay steamer (zeng), seal all holes except one, position the painful area under the opening, burn the Ai Ye for one shichen (two hours), and continue this practice over time. To treat leprosy-like diseases, take an appropriate amount of dry Ai Ye, soak it in yeast to brew wine according to standard methods, and drink it; if a sensation of bi-syndrome relief is felt, the condition improves. In recent times, some people consume Ai Ye alone, either steamed with papaya pills or decocted and drunk on an empty stomach. It greatly tonifies deficiency and emaciation, yet it possesses toxicity. When toxicity manifests, hot qi rushes upward, causing uncontrollable mania and restlessness, potentially attacking the eyes to cause sores and bleeding. Therefore, it must not be taken recklessly.
Shui Ping (Herba Lemnae), originally growing in the ponds and marshes of Lei Ze, is now found in streams and ditches everywhere. This is a large variety of aquatic duckweed, with round leaves about one cun wide, and a foam-like spot underneath each leaf. It is also known as Xing Cai (Nymphaea tetragona), referred to as Fen in the *Erya*. The larger ones are called Ping. The *Book of Songs* (Zhou Nan) states: "Where to gather Ping?" Lu Ji stated: "The coarse floating plants in water are called Ping." They begin to grow in late spring and can be mixed with flour and steamed as a vegetable. They can also be pickled in vinegar as an accompaniment to wine. Harvested in March and sun-dried. Su Gong stated there are three types: the largest is Ping; the medium-sized is Xing Cai (also known as Fu Kui); the smallest is Shui Shang Fu Ping (floating duckweed), which grows in ditches. Large Ping is rarely used in modern medical prescriptions. Floating duckweed (Fu Ping) is commonly used by folk physicians to treat epidemic febrile diseases and is effective in inducing sweating. One prescription uses one liang of Fu Ping herb (harvested on the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month), half a liang of Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) with nodes and roots removed, half a liang of Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), and half a liang of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) processed by cracking and removing the umbilical skin. These four ingredients are finely pounded and sifted. Take two qian per dose, add one zhong of water and half a fen of fresh ginger, decoct until six parts remain, and drink hot with the dregs at any time. Recovery occurs when sweat appears. Another method treats severe diseases with widespread sores by taking concentrated decoction of aquatic floating duckweed and bathing in it for half a day, which is often effective. This prescription is quite unique and ancient.