\r谷精草\ph289.bmp\r,旧不载所出州土,今处处有之。春生于谷田中,叶秆俱青,
根花并白色。二月、三
月内采花用,一名戴星草,以其叶细,花白而小圆似星,故以名尔。又有一种,茎梗差长有
节,根微赤,出秦陇间。古方稀用。今口齿药多使之。
\r天南星\ph290.bmp\r,《本经》不载所出州土,云生平泽,今处处有之。二月生苗,
似荷梗;茎高一尺以
来;叶如 ,两枝相抱;五月开花似蛇头,黄色,七月结子作穗似石榴子,红色;根似芋
而圆。二月、八月采根,亦与 根相类,人多误采。茎斑花紫,是 。一说天南星如本
草所说,即虎掌也。小者名由跋,后人采用,乃别立一名尔。今天南星大者四边皆有子,采
时尽削去之。又陈藏器云∶半夏高一、二尺,由跋高一、二寸,此正误相反言也。今由跋苗
高一、二尺,茎似 而无斑,根如鸡卵。半夏高一、二寸,亦有盈尺者,根如小指正圆也
。江南吴中,又有白 ,亦日鬼芋根,都似天南星,生下平泽极多,皆杂采以为天南星,
了不可辨,市中所收,往往是也。但天南星小,柔腻肌细,炮之易裂,差可辨尔。古方多用
虎掌,不言天南星。天南星近出唐世,中风痰毒方中多用之。《续传信方》治风痛,用天南
星、踯躅花,并生时同捣,罗作饼子,甑上蒸四、五过,以稀葛囊盛之。候要,即取焙捣为
末,蒸饼,丸如梧桐子,温酒下三丸。腰脚骨痛,空心服;手臂痛,食后服,大良。
Valerianella locusta (Gujingcao), the old materia medica did not record its place of origin, but it is now found everywhere. It grows in rice fields in spring; both leaves and stems are green, while roots and flowers are white. The flowers should be harvested in February or March for medicinal use. It is also known as Daixingcao (Star-wearing Grass) because its leaves are slender, and its small, round, white flowers resemble stars. Another variety has slightly longer, jointed stems and reddish roots, originating from the Qin and Long regions. It was rarely used in ancient prescriptions but is commonly used in modern dental medicines.
Arisaema consanguineum (Tiannanxing), *Shennong Bencao Jing* did not record its place of origin, stating only that it grows in marshes and flatlands, where it is now found everywhere. Sprouts emerge in February, resembling lotus stems; the stem is about one chi tall. Leaves resemble those of Colocasia esculenta (Taro), with two leaflets embracing each other. Flowers appear in May, shaped like a snake's head and yellow in color. Berries form in July on spikes, resembling pomegranate seeds and red in color. The root resembles taro but is round. Roots are harvested in February and August. They are similar to the roots of Pinellia ternata (Banxia), leading to frequent misidentification by collectors. Varieties with spotted stems and purple flowers belong to a different species. Some argue that if Arisraema matches the description in the materia medica, it is actually Rhizoma Typhonii (Huzhang). Smaller specimens are called Youba; later practitioners adopted this term, establishing it as a separate name. Currently, larger Arisaema rhizomes have tubers all around their periphery, which are removed during harvesting. Chen Cangqi stated: "Pinellia is one or two chi tall, while Youba is one or two cun tall," which is factually reversed. In reality, Youba seedlings are one or two chi tall, with stems resembling taro stems but without spots, and roots the size of chicken eggs. Pinellia is typically one or two cun tall, though some reach one chi, with roots perfectly round like a little finger. In the Wu region of Jiangnan, there is also Bai [Yi/Fuzi], also called Guiyu gen (Ghost Taro Root), which resembles Arisaema. These grow abundantly in low-lying marshes and are often mixed and collected as Arisaema, making them indistinguishable. The products sold in markets are often these substitutes. However, true Arisaema is smaller, soft and greasy with fine texture, and cracks easily when processed, allowing for slight differentiation. Ancient prescriptions mostly used Rhizoma Typhonii (Huzhang) and did not mention Arisaema. Arisaema came into common use during the Tang Dynasty and is frequently used in prescriptions for wind-stroke and phlegm-toxicity. The *Xu Chuanxin Fang* treats wind-pain using Arisaema and Rhododendron molle flowers (Zhi Zhu Hua). Both are crushed fresh together, sifted, and formed into cakes. These cakes are steamed four or five times over a steamer, then stored in thin kudzu cloth bags. When needed, they are taken out, dried, powdered, mixed with steamed dough pills, and formed into pills the size of sophora seeds. Three pills are taken with warm wine. For waist and leg bone pain, take on an empty stomach; for arm pain, take after meals. This treatment is highly effective.