\r泽兰\ph186.bmp\r,生汝南诸大泽旁,今荆、徐、随、寿、蜀、梧州、河中府皆有
之。根紫黑色,如粟根
;二月生苗,高二、三尺;茎秆青紫色,作四棱;叶生相对,如薄荷,微香;七月开花,带
紫白色,萼通紫色,亦似薄荷花。三月采苗,阴干。荆湖、岭南人家多种之。寿州出者无花
子。此与兰草大抵相类,但兰草生水旁,叶光润,阴小紫,五、六月盛。而泽兰生水泽中,
及下湿地,叶尖,微有毛,不光润,方茎紫节,七月、八月初采,微辛,此为异耳。今妇人
方中最急用也。又有一种马兰,生水泽旁,颇似泽兰,而气臭味辛,亦主破血,补金创,断
下血。陈藏器以为《楚辞》所喻恶草即是也,北人呼为紫菊,以其花似菊也。又有一种山兰
,生山侧,似刘寄奴,叶无桠,不对生,花心微黄赤,亦能破血,皆可用。
\r地榆\ph187.bmp\r,生桐柏及冤句山谷,今处处有之。宿根三月内生,苗初生布地,
茎直,高三、四尺;
对分出叶,叶似榆少狭,细长,作锯齿状,青色;七月开花如椹子,紫黑色;根外黑里红,
似柳根。二月、八月采,曝干。叶不用,山人乏茗时,采此叶作饮亦好,古断下方多用之。
葛氏载徐平疗下血二十年者,取地榆、鼠尾草各三两、水二升,煮半,顿服。不断水渍屋尘
,饮一小杯投之,不过重作乃愈。小儿疳痢,亦单煮汁如饴糖,与服便已。又毒蛇螫人,捣
新根,取汁饮,兼以渍疮良。崔元亮《海上方》,赤白下骨立者,地榆一斤,水三升,煮取
一升半,去滓,再煎如稠饧,绞滤,空腹服三合,日再。
Zelan (Lycopus lucidus var. hirtus), grows beside the large marshes of Runan. It is now found in Jing, Xu, Sui, Shou, Shu, Wuzhou, and Hezhong Prefecture. The root is purple-black, resembling the root of millet; seedlings emerge in the second lunar month, reaching a height of two to three chi; the stem is green-purple and quadrangular; leaves grow opposite each other, resembling Mint (Bohe, 薄荷), with a slight fragrance; flowers bloom in the seventh lunar month, appearing purplish-white, with purple calyxes, also resembling Mint flowers. Seedlings are harvested in the third lunar month and dried in the shade. Households in Jinghu and Lingnan regions often cultivate it. Those from Shouzhou produce no flowers or seeds. This herb is generally similar to Lancao (Agastache rugosa), but Lancao grows by water edges, has smooth and glossy leaves, appears slightly smaller with a purplish tint, and thrives in the fifth and sixth lunar months. In contrast, Zelan grows in marshes and low-lying wetlands, has pointed leaves with slight hairs, lacks glossiness, has square stems with purple nodes, is harvested in early seventh and eighth lunar months, and tastes slightly pungent; these are the differences. It is currently one of the most urgently needed herbs in prescriptions for women. There is also a variety called Malan (Kalimeris indica), which grows beside water marshes, closely resembling Zelan, but has a pungent and slightly foul odor. It also treats blood stasis (breaking blood), aids healing of metallic wounds, and stops lower bleeding. Chen Cangqi believed that the "evil grass" mentioned in Chu Ci refers to this plant; northerners call it Zijü (Purple Chrysanthemum) because its flowers resemble chrysanthemums. Another variety, Shanlan, grows on mountain sides, resembles Liu Jinu (Artemisia annua or related species), has unbranched leaves that do not grow oppositely, and has slightly yellow-red flower centers; it also breaks blood and can be used.
Malan: Textual details are appended under the Zelan entry.
Diyu (Sanguisorba officinalis), grows in the valleys of Tongbai and Yuanju, and is now found everywhere. The perennial root sends up new shoots in the third lunar month; young seedlings spread along the ground, with upright stems reaching three to four chi in height; leaves grow in opposite pairs, resembling Elm leaves but narrower and longer, slender, serrated, and green; flowers bloom in the seventh lunar month, resembling mulberries, dark purple-black; roots are black externally and red internally, resembling Willow roots. Harvested in the second and eighth lunar months and sun-dried. Leaves are not typically used medicinally, but when mountain dwellers lack tea, they harvest these leaves as a beverage, which is also good. Ancient formulas for stopping lower bleeding frequently use this herb. Ge Shi recorded that Xu Ping treated a patient with twenty years of lower bleeding by taking Diyü and Shuweicao (Caryopteris incana) each three liang, with two sheng of water, boiled down to half, taken in one dose. If continuous exposure to water-soaked house dust occurs, drinking a small cup of the infusion mixed with it will cure the condition after a few repetitions. For pediatric ganli (childhood malnutrition with dysentery), boiling the herb alone into a syrup-like consistency and administering it cures the condition. For snakebites, fresh roots are crushed, juice extracted and drunk, and applied to the wound, which is effective. Cui Yuanliang's Haishang Fang prescribes for severe bloody and white dysentery causing emaciation: one jin of Diyü boiled in three sheng of water until reduced to one and a half sheng, strained, then further concentrated into a thick syrup, filtered, and taken three he on an empty stomach, twice daily.