蘼芜,文具芎 条下。
\r续断\ph133.bmp\r,生常山山谷,今陕西、河中、兴元府、舒、越、晋州亦有之。
三月以后生苗,秆四棱
,似苎麻;叶亦类之,两两相对而生;四月开花,红白色,似益母花;根如大蓟,赤黄色。
七月、八月采。谨按《范汪方》云∶续断即是马蓟,与小
蓟菜相似,但大于小蓟耳。叶似旁翁菜而小浓,两边有刺,刺人。其花紫色,与今越州者相
类。而市之货者,亦有数种,少能辨其粗良。医人用之,但以节节断、皮黄皱者为真。
\r云实\ph134.bmp\r,生河间川谷。高五、六尺,叶如槐而狭长,枝上有刺。苗名臭
草,又名羊石子草。花
黄
白色,实若麻子大,黄黑色,俗名马豆。十月采,曝干用。今三月、四月采苗;五月、六月
采实,实过时即枯落。治疟药中多用之。
\r徐长卿\ph135.bmp\r,生泰山山岩谷及陇西,今淄、齐、淮、泗间亦有之。三月生
青苗;叶似小桑,两两
相当,而有光润;七、八月着子,似萝摩而小;九月苗黄,十月而枯,根黄色,似细辛微粗
长,有臊气。三月、四月采,一名别仙踪。
\r杜若\ph136.bmp\r,生武陵川泽及冤句,今江湖多有之。叶似姜,花赤色,根似高
良姜而小辛味。子如豆
蔻。二月、八月采根,曝干用。谨按此草,一名杜蘅。而中品自有杜蘅条。杜蘅,《尔雅》
所谓土卤者也。杜若,《广雅》所谓楚衡者也。其类自别,然古人多相杂引用。《九歌》云
∶采芳洲兮杜若。又《离骚》云∶杂杜蘅与芳芷。王逸辈皆不分别,但云香草也。古方或用
,而今人罕使,故亦少有识之者。
Miqiu (Angelica sinensis var. tangii), has been recorded in detail under the entry for Xiongqi (Ligusticum chuanxiong).
Xuduan (Dipsacus asper), grows in the valleys of Changshan. It is now also found in Shaanxi, Hezhong, Xingyuan Prefecture, Shuzhou, Yuezhou, and Jinzhou. Seedlings emerge after March; the stems are quadrangular, resembling Boehmeria nivea (ramie); the leaves are similar, growing opposite each other; flowers bloom in April, reddish-white in color, resembling those of Leonurus japonicus (motherwort); the roots resemble Cirsium japonicum (Japanese thistle), with a reddish-yellow hue. Harvested in July and August. According to the *Fang Wang Fang* (Prescriptions of Fang Wang): Xuduan is actually Ma Ji (Cirsium setosum), which resembles Xiao Ji (Cirsium setosum var. integrifolium), but is larger. The leaves resemble Pao Weng Cai (possibly *Sonchus* species) but are smaller and thicker, with spines on both sides that prick humans. Its flowers are purple, similar to those produced in Yuezhou currently. However, the medicinal materials sold in markets come in several varieties, few of whom can distinguish their quality. Physicians use it, identifying authentic material by its segmented joints and wrinkled, yellowish bark.
Yunshi (Caesalpinia decapetala), grows in the river valleys of Hejian. It reaches a height of five or six chi. The leaves are like those of Sophora japonica (Chinese pagoda tree) but narrower and longer, with thorns on the branches. The seedling is named Chou Cao (Stinking Grass), also known as Yang Shi Zi Cao. The flowers are yellowish-white; the fruits are the size of sesame seeds, yellowish-black, commonly known as Ma Dou (Horse Beans). Harvested in October and dried in the sun for use. Currently, seedlings are harvested in March and April; fruits are harvested in May and June, falling off and withering if left past season. It is frequently used in prescriptions for treating malaria.
Xu Changqing (Cynanchum auriculatum), grows in the rocky valleys of Mount Tai and Longxi. It is now also found between Zizhou, Qizhou, the Huai River, and the Si River. Green seedlings emerge in March; the leaves resemble small mulberry leaves, growing opposite each other, with a glossy sheen; fruits appear in July and August, resembling Metaplexis japonica (milk vine) but smaller; the seedlings turn yellow in September and wither in October. The roots are yellowish, resembling Asarum heterotropoides (wild ginger) but slightly thicker and longer, with a fishy odor. Harvested in March and April, also known as Bie Xian Zong.
Du Ruo (Pollia japonica), grows in the wetlands of Wuling and Yuanju. It is now abundant in the Jianghu region. The leaves resemble ginger; the flowers are reddish; the root resembles Alpinia officinarum (Galangal) but has a milder pungent taste. The seeds resemble Amomum tsao-ko (Tsao-ko). The roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun for use. Note: This herb is also known as Du Heng. There is already an entry for Du Heng in the Middle Grade herbs. Du Heng is referred to as Tu Lu in the *Erya*. Du Ruo is referred to as Chu Heng in the *Guangya*. Their categories are distinct, yet ancients often confused and cited them interchangeably. The *Nine Songs* states: "Gathering fragrant islets, O Du Ruo." And the *Li Sao* states: "Mixing Du Heng with fragrant angelica." Wang Yi and others did not distinguish between them, merely calling them fragrant herbs. Ancient prescriptions sometimes used it, but modern practitioners rarely do, so few people recognize it today.