\r金星草\ph302.bmp\r,生关陕、川蜀及潭、婺诸州皆有之。又名金钏草。味苦,性
寒,无毒。叶青,多生
背阴石上净处,或竹箐中少日色处,或生大木下及背阴,多年瓦屋上。初生深绿色,叶长一
、二尺,至深冬背上生黄星点子,两两相对,色如金,因以为名;无花实,凌冬叶不凋;其
根盘屈如竹根而细,折之有筋,如猪鬃。五月和根采之,风干。解硫黄及丹石毒,治发背痈
肿结核,用叶半斤,和根锉,以酒五升,银器中煎取二升,五更初顿服,丹石毒悉下,又捣
末,冷水服方寸匕,及涂发背疮上亦效。彼人用之,往往皆验。根又主生毛发,槌碎浸油涂
头良。南人多用此草末,以水一升,煎取半,更入酒半升,再煎数沸,温服,取下毒黑汁。
未下,再服。但是疮毒,皆可服之。然性至冷,服后下利,须补治乃平复,老年不可辄服。
\r木贼\ph303.bmp\r,生秦陇同华间。味微苦,无毒。主明目,疗风,止痢。所生山
谷近水地有之。独茎苗
如箭 ,无叶;长一、二尺青色,经冬不枯,寸寸有节。采无时。今医用之最多,甚治肠
痔多年不瘥,下血不止方,木贼、枳壳各二两,干姜一两,大黄一分,四味并锉,一处于铫
子内炒黑色存三分性,捣罗,温粟米饮调,食前服二钱匕,甚效。
Jinxingcao (Jinxingcao, *Lysimachia clethroides*), found in Guan-Shaan, Chuan-Shu, and various prefectures such as Tanzhou and Wuzhou. Also known as Jinchuancao (Jinchuancao). Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. Leaves are green, often growing in clean places on shaded rocks, or in bamboo thickets with little sunlight, under large trees in shaded areas, or even on roofs of old tiled houses. Initially deep green, leaves are one to two chi long; by late winter, yellow star-like spots appear on the back of the leaves, facing each other in pairs, golden in color, hence the name; it has no flowers or fruits, and leaves do not withter in winter; its roots are coiled like bamboo roots but finer, breaking with fibrous strands resembling pig bristles. Harvested with roots in May and air-dried. Resolves toxicity from sulfur and Dan Shi (mineral pills), treats Fa Bei (carbuncle on the back) abscesses, swelling, and nodules. Use half a jin of leaves, chopped together with roots, decocted in five sheng of wine in a silver vessel until two sheng remain. Take all at once in the early hours of the fifth watch (3-5 AM); Dan Shi toxicity will be expelled. Alternatively, grind into powder, take one cun bi (a square-inch measure) with cold water, or apply topically to Fa Bei sores; both methods are effective. Locals use it frequently with good results. The root also promotes hair growth; crushed and soaked in oil for application to the head is beneficial. People in the south often use this herb's powder: decoct one sheng of water with the powder until reduced by half, add half a sheng of wine, boil briefly again, and take warm to expel black toxic fluid. If not expelled, take another dose. It can be taken for any type of sore toxicity. However, its nature is extremely cold; if diarrhea occurs after ingestion, tonification and regulation are required for recovery. Elderly people should not take it casually.
Mu Zei (Equiseti Herba), found between Qin-Long, Tong, and Hua regions. Slightly bitter in taste, non-toxic. Primarily brightens the eyes, treats wind pathogens, and stops dysentery. Grows in valleys near water sources. Single stem resembles an arrow shaft, leafless; one to two chi long, green, does not wither in winter, segmented node by node. Can be harvested at any time. Currently used most frequently by physicians. Particularly effective for chronic intestinal hemorrhoids that have not healed for years, accompanied by continuous bleeding. Formula: Mu Zei (Equiseti Herba) and Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus) 2 liang each, Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 1 liang, Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 1 fen. Chop all four ingredients, stir-fry in a yao (earthenware pot) until blackened but retaining one-third of their original properties, grind and sieve. Mix with warm millet drink, take 2 qian bi before meals. Very effective.