\r预知子\ph298.bmp\r,旧不载所出州土,今淮、蜀、汉、黔、壁诸州有之。作蔓生,
依大木上;叶绿,有
三角,面深背浅;七月、八月有实作房,初生青,至熟深红色;每房有子五、七枚,如皂荚
子,斑褐色,光润如飞蛾。旧说取二枚缀衣领上,遇蛊毒物,则侧侧有声,当便知之,故有
此名。今蜀人极贵重,云亦难得。采无时。其根味苦,性极冷,其效愈于子。山民目为圣无
忧。冬月采阴干。石臼内捣,下筛。凡中蛊毒,则水煎三钱匕,温服,立已。
\r萱草\ph299.bmp\r,俗谓之鹿葱,处处田野有之。味甘无毒。主安五脏,利心志,
令人好欢乐无忧,轻身
明目。五月采花,八月采根用。今人多采其嫩苗及花,跗作菹,云利胸鬲,甚佳。
\r胡芦巴\ph300.bmp\r,生广州,或云种出海南诸蕃,盖其国芦菔子也。舶客将种莳
于岭外亦生,然不及蕃
中来者真好。春生苗,夏结子,作荚,至秋采之。今医方治元脏虚冷气为最要。然《本经》
不着,唐以前方亦不见者,盖是出甚近也。与附子、茴香、硫黄、桃仁尤相宜,兼治膀胱冷
气。
\r海金沙\ph301.bmp\r,生黔中山谷,湖南亦有。初生作小株,高一、二尺。七月采
得,日中暴,令干;以
纸衬,击取其沙,落纸上,旋暴旋击,沙尽乃止。主通利小肠,亦入伤寒狂热药。今医治小
便不通,脐下满闷方,海金沙一两,蜡面茶半两,二味捣,碾令细,每服三钱,煎生姜甘草
汤调下服,无时未通,再服。
Zhi Zhi Zi (Akebia Fruit), not recorded in old texts regarding its place of origin, is now found in Huai, Shu, Han, Qian, and Bi prefectures. It grows as a vine, clinging to large trees; the leaves are green and triangular, with a dark surface and a light back; fruits appear in July and August, resembling pods, initially green, turning deep red when ripe; each pod contains five to seven seeds, similar to Gleditsia sinensis seed, spotted brown, smooth and lustrous like a moth. Old theories state that taking two seeds and pinning them to the collar allows one to know if one encounters poison (Gu Du) by the "ce ce" sound they make, hence the name. People in Shu highly value it, claiming it is rare. It can be harvested at any time. Its root tastes bitter and is extremely cold in nature, with efficacy superior to the fruit. Mountain people call it Sheng Wu You. Harvested in winter and dried in the shade. Pounded in a stone mortar and sifted. For poisoning by Gu, decoct three qian bi in water, take warm, and it will cure immediately.
Xuan Cao (Daylily), commonly known as Lu Cong, grows in fields everywhere. It is sweet in taste and non-toxic. It primarily soothes the Five Viscera, benefits the mind and spirit, makes one joyful and carefree, lightens the body, and improves vision. Flowers are harvested in May, roots in August. Nowadays, people often harvest its tender shoots and flowers, preparing them as pickles, which is said to be very good for the chest and diaphragm.
Hu Lu Ba (Fenugreek), produced in Guangzhou, some say the seeds originated from foreign countries in Hainan, likely being Radish seeds there. Merchants who bring ships plant them outside the Lingnan region and they also grow, but not as good as those from foreign lands. Sprouts emerge in spring, seeds form in summer in pods, harvested in autumn. In current medical prescriptions, it is most important for treating deficiency-cold qi of the Yuan Zang (Primordial Viscera). However, it is not mentioned in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, nor seen in pre-Tang formulas, suggesting it appeared quite recently. It pairs particularly well with Fuzi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata), Huixiang (Foeniculi Fructus), Liuhuang (Sulfur), and Taoren (Persicae Semen), and also treats cold qi of the Bladder.
Hai Jin Sha (Lygodium Spores), grows in valleys in Qianzhong, and also in Hunan. Initially growing as small plants, one to two chi high. Harvested in July, sun-dried until dry; placed on paper, beaten to collect the spores falling onto the paper, beating while drying until all spores are collected. It primarily promotes urination and unblocks the Small Intestine, and is also used in medicines for severe fever due to Shanghan (Cold Damage). Currently, doctors use it in formulas for urinary retention and fullness/stuffiness below the umbilicus: Hai Jin Sha 1 liang, La Mian Cha (Wax-face Tea) 0.5 liang, these two ingredients pounded and ground fine, take 3 qian per dose, mixed with Ginger and Licorice Decoction, taken at any time; if urination does not resume, take again.