\r络石\ph118.bmp\r,生泰山川谷,或石山之阴,或高山岩上,或生木间,今在处有
之。宫寺及人家亭圃山
石间,种以为饰。叶圆如细橘正青,冬夏不凋。其茎蔓延,茎节着处,即生根须,包络石上
,
以此得名。花白子黑。正月采,或云六月、七月采茎叶,日干。以石上生者良。其在木上者
,随木性而移。薜荔、木莲、地锦、石血皆其类也。薜荔与此极相似,但茎叶粗大如藤状,
近人用其叶,治背痈,干末服之,下利即愈。木莲更大,如络石,其实若莲房,能壮阳道,
尤胜。地锦,叶如鸭掌,蔓着地上,随节有根,亦缘木、石上。石血极与络石相类,但叶头
尖而赤耳。
\r黄 \ph119.bmp\r,生蜀郡山谷,白水汉中,今河东、陕西州郡多有之。根长二、
三尺以来。独茎,作丛
生,枝秆去地二、三寸;其叶扶疏作羊齿状,又如蒺藜苗;七月中开黄紫花;其实作荚子,
长寸许。八月中采根用。其皮折之如绵,谓之绵黄 。然有数种,有白水 ,有赤水 ,有
木,功用并同,而力不及白水 。木 ,短而理横。今人多以苜蓿根假作黄 ,折皮亦似
绵,颇能乱真。但苜蓿根坚而脆,黄 至柔韧,皮微黄褐色,肉中白色,此为异耳。唐·许
裔宗,初仕陈为新蔡王外兵参军,时柳太后感风不能言,脉沉而口噤,裔宗曰∶既不能下药
,宜汤气熏之,药入腠理,周时可瘥。乃造黄 防风汤数斛,置于床下,气如烟雾,其夕便
得语。药力熏蒸,其效如此,因附着之。使善医者,知所取法焉。
Luo Shi (Trachelospermi Caulis), grows in the valleys of Mount Tai, or on the shady side of rocky mountains, or on high mountain rocks, or among trees; it is now found everywhere. It is planted between rocks in temples, monasteries, and private pavilions/gardens for decoration. The leaves are round like those of small citrus fruits, bright green, and do not wither in winter or summer. Its stems creep and spread; where the stem nodes touch the ground, rootlets emerge, wrapping around stones, hence its name. The flowers are white, and the fruits are black. Harvested in the first lunar month; some say the stems and leaves are harvested in the sixth or seventh months and dried in the sun. Those growing on rocks are considered superior. Those growing on trees move along with the host tree's characteristics. Bixi (Fici Caricae Fructus), Muliang (likely a local variant or related species), Dijin (Parietaria diffusa), and Shixue (likely Sedum or similar) are all of the same category. Bixi is very similar to Luo Shi, but its stems and leaves are coarse and vine-like. Recently, people use its leaves to treat back carbuncles; taken as a dry powder, it cures diarrhea immediately. Mulian is larger, resembling Luo Shi, with fruits resembling lotus pods; it strongly tonifies the Yang pathway and is especially superior. Dijin has leaves shaped like duck feet, vines lying on the ground, rooting at nodes, and also climbing on trees and rocks. Shixue is extremely similar to Luo Shi, except that the leaf tips are pointed and red.
Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), grows in the valleys of Shu Commandery, Baishui, and Hanzhong; it is now abundant in Hedong and various prefectures of Shaanxi. The roots are two to three chi long. It has a single stem, growing in clumps, with branches and stalks two to three cun above the ground; the leaves are sparse and fern-like, resembling the seedlings of Tribulus; in the seventh lunar month, it opens yellow-purple flowers; the fruit is a pod about one cun long. The roots are harvested in the eighth lunar month for use. When broken, the bark resembles cotton, referred to as "Mian Huang Qin" (Cotton-like Scutellaria Root). However, there are several varieties: those from Baishui soil, Chishui soil, and those growing on wood. Their therapeutic effects are the same, but the potency is inferior to those from Baishui soil. The woody variety is short with transverse grain. Nowadays, many people use Medicago sativa roots to fake Huang Qin; the broken bark also resembles cotton, easily confusing the authentic product. However, Medicago sativa roots are hard and brittle, whereas Huang Qin is extremely flexible and tough; the bark is slightly yellow-brown, and the flesh is white; this is the distinguishing feature. Xu Yizong of the Tang Dynasty initially served as External Military Staff Officer for Prince Xincai in the Chen Dynasty. At that time, Empress Dowager Liu suffered from wind-pathogen causing aphasia, with a deep pulse and locked jaw. Yizong said, "Since oral medication cannot be administered, it is appropriate to fumigate with decoction vapor; the medicine will enter the couli (skin and interstices), and recovery can be expected within one shichen (two hours)." He prepared several hu (a unit of volume) of Huang Qin Fangfeng Decoction, placed it under the bed, so that the vapor filled the air like smoke. That evening, she was able to speak. Such was the efficacy of medicinal fumigation; thus, this case was recorded. May skilled physicians learn from this method.