\r蒺藜子\ph116.bmp\r,生冯翊平泽,或道旁。七月、八月采实,曝干。又冬采。黄
白色,类军家铁蒺藜。
此《诗》所谓墙有茨者。郭璞注《尔雅》云∶布地蔓生,细叶,子有三角,刺人是也。又一
种白蒺藜,今生同州沙苑,牧马草地最多,而近道亦有之。绿叶细蔓,绵布沙上;七月开花
,黄紫色,如豌豆花而小;九月结实,作荚子,便可采。其实味甘而微腥,褐绿色,与蚕种
子相类而差大。又与马 子酷相类,但马 子微大,不堪入药,须细辨之。今人多用。然
古方云蒺藜子,皆用有刺者,治风明目最良。神仙方亦有单饵蒺藜,云不问黑白,但取坚实
者,舂去刺用。兼主痔漏、阴汗及妇人发乳、带下。葛洪治卒中五尸,捣蒺藜子,蜜丸,服
如胡豆二枚,日三,愈。
\r防风\ph117.bmp\r,生沙苑川泽及邯郸上蔡,今京东、淮、浙州郡皆有之。根土黄
色,与蜀葵根相类。茎
叶俱青绿色,茎深而叶淡,似青蒿而短小,初时嫩紫,作菜茹,极爽口。五月开细白花,中
心攒聚,作大房,似莳萝花。实似胡荽而大。二月、十月采根,曝干。关中生者,三月、六
月采。然轻虚不及齐州者良。又有石防风,出河中府,根如蒿根而黄,叶青,花白。五月开
花
,六月采根,曝干。亦疗头风眩痛。又宋亳间及江东出一种防风,其苗初春便生,嫩时红紫
色,彼人以作菜茹,味甚佳。然云动风气。《本经》云∶叶主中风热汗出,与此相反,恐别
是一种耳。
Tribuli Fructus (Jili Zi, Tribulus terrestris fruit), grows in the plains and marshes of Fengyi, or by the roadside. The fruits are harvested in July and August and dried in the sun. They can also be harvested in winter. The color is yellowish-white, resembling the iron caltrops used by the military.
This refers to what is mentioned in the *Classic of Poetry* (*Shijing*) as "thorns on the wall." Guo Pu, in his commentary on the *Erya*, stated: "It creeps along the ground, has fine leaves, and its fruits have three angles that pierce people," which describes this plant. There is another variety known as White Tribulus, currently found in Shanyuan, Tongzhou, where it is most abundant in pastures for horses, and also near roads. It has green leaves and slender vines that spread over the sand; it flowers in July with small yellow-purple blossoms similar to pea flowers but smaller; it bears fruit in September in pods, which can then be collected. The fruit tastes sweet with a slight fishy odor, is brownish-green, resembles silkworm eggs but is slightly larger. It is also very similar to the seeds of *Iris lactea* (Ma Lan Zi), but the latter are slightly larger and unsuitable for medicinal use, requiring careful distinction. Currently, people mostly use this variety. However, ancient prescriptions referring to Tribuli Fructus specifically used the thorny variety, which is best for treating wind pathogens and improving vision. Immortal formulas also record single-herb consumption of Tribulus, stating that regardless of color, one should select firm fruits, pound them to remove spines, and use them. It also treats hemorrhoids with fistulas, sweating in the genital area, women's breast diseases, and leukorrhea. Ge Hong treated sudden onset of the "Five Corpse" stroke syndrome by pounding Tribuli Fructus, forming pills with honey, taking two pills the size of broad beans three times a day, resulting in recovery.
Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng, Saposhnikovia divaricata root), grows in the rivers and marshes of Shanyuan and Shangcai, Handan. It is now distributed in prefectures across Jingdong, Huai, and Zhe regions. The root is earth-yellow in color, resembling the root of *Malva verticillata* (Shukui). The stems and leaves are blue-green; the stem is darker while the leaf is lighter. It resembles *Artemisia annua* (Qinghao) but is shorter and smaller. When young, it is purplish and edible as a vegetable, tasting very refreshing. It blooms in May with small white flowers clustered in large heads, resembling dill flowers. The fruit resembles coriander but is larger. The roots are harvested in February and October and dried in the sun. In Guanzhong, they are harvested in March and June. However, those that are light and hollow are not as good as those from Qizhou. There is also Stone Fangfeng, produced in Hezhong Prefecture. Its root resembles mugwort root and is yellow, with green leaves and white flowers. It blooms in May, and the roots are harvested in June and dried. It also treats cephalalgia due to wind and vertigo pain. Additionally, in the Songbo region and Jiangdong, there is a variety of Fangfeng whose seedlings emerge early in spring. When tender, they are reddish-purple, and locals eat them as vegetables because they taste excellent. However, it is said to stir up wind pathogens. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states that its leaves treat wind-stroke with hot sweating, which contradicts the above description, suggesting it might be a different species.