\r马鞭草\ph266.bmp\r,旧不载所出州土,今衡山、庐山、江淮州郡皆有之。春生苗,
似野狼牙,亦类益母而
茎圆,高三、二尺,抽三、四穗子。七月、八月采苗叶,日干用。味甘、苦,微寒,有小毒
。或云子亦通用。古方多用之。葛氏治卒大腹水病,用马鞭草、鼠尾草各十斤,水一石,煮
取五斗,去滓,再煎,令稠浓,以粉和丸。一服二、三大豆许,加四、五豆,神良。
\r苎根\ph267.bmp\r,旧不载所出州土,今闽、蜀、江、浙多有之。其皮可以绩布。
苗高七、八尺;叶如楮
叶,面青背白,有短毛;夏秋间着细穗青花;其根黄白而轻虚。二月、八月采。又有一种
山苎,亦相似。谨按陆机《草木疏》云∶苎一科数十茎,宿根在地中,至春自生,不须栽种
。荆、扬间岁三刈,官令诸园种之,岁再刈,便剥取其皮,以竹刮其表,浓处自脱,得里如
筋者煮之用缉。今江、浙、闽中尚复如此。孕妇胎损方所须。又主白丹,浓煮水浴之,日三
、四,瘥。韦宙疗痈疽发背,初觉未成脓者,以苎根、叶捣傅上,日夜数易之,肿消则差矣
。
\r菰根\ph268.bmp\r,旧不着所出州土,今江湖陂泽中皆有之,即江南人呼为茭草者。
生水中,叶如蒲、苇
辈,刈以秣马甚肥。春亦生笋甜美,堪啖,即菰菜也,又谓之茭白。其岁久者,中心生白台
如小儿臂,谓之菰手。今人作菰首、非也。《尔雅》所谓蘧蔬。注云∶似土菌,生菰草中,
正谓此也。故南方人至今谓菌为菰,亦缘此义也。其台中有黑者,谓之茭郁。其根亦如芦根
,冷利更甚。二浙下泽处,菰草最多。其根相结而生,久则并上浮于水上,彼人谓之菰葑。
刈去其叶,便可耕莳。其苗有茎梗者,谓之菰蒋草。至秋结实,乃雕胡米也。古人以为美馔
,今饥岁人犹采以当粮。《西京杂记》云∶汉太液池边,皆是雕胡、紫箨、绿节,蒲丛之类
。菰之有米者,长安人谓为雕胡。葭芦之米,解叶者紫箨。菰之有首者,谓之绿节是也。然
则雕胡诸米,今皆不贯。大抵菰之种类皆极冷,不可过食,甚不益人。惟服金石人相宜耳。
Mabiancao (Verbena officinalis), not recorded in ancient texts regarding its origin, is now found in Hengshan, Lushan, and various prefectures of Jianghuai. Seedlings emerge in spring, resembling wild wolf's teeth, similar to Motherwort (Yimucao) but with round stems, growing three to two chi high, producing three or four spikes. The seedlings and leaves are harvested in July and August, dried in the sun for use. It tastes sweet and bitter, is slightly cold in nature, and has slight toxicity. Some say the seeds can also be used universally. Ancient prescriptions often employ this herb. Ge Shi treats sudden onset of massive abdominal water accumulation by using ten jin each of Mabiancao and Salvia miltiorrhiza root (Shuweicao), boiled in one dan of water until five dou remain. The dregs are removed, and it is further decocted until thick and concentrated, then mixed with flour to form pills. Each dose consists of two or three soybean-sized pellets, gradually increased to four or five, which is highly effective.
Zhugen (Broussonetia papyrifera root), not recorded in ancient texts regarding its origin, is abundant in Fujian, Shu, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, etc. Its bark can be processed into cloth. The seedlings grow seven to eight chi high; leaves resemble paper mulberry leaves, green on the front and white on the back, covered with short hairs; thin spikes with blue flowers appear between summer and autumn; the roots are yellowish-white and light/hollow. Harvested in February and August. There is also a variety called Shan Zhu, which is similar. According to Lu Ji's "Caomu Shu": Broussonetia papyrifera has dozens of stems per clump, with perennial roots underground that sprout naturally in spring without need for planting. Between Jing and Yang regions, it is harvested three times a year; official orders mandated garden cultivation, harvesting twice a year, peeling the bark, scraping the surface with bamboo to remove the thick outer layer, obtaining the inner fibrous part like sinew, boiling it for suturing. This practice remains common in Jiangzhe and Fujin today. It is required in formulas for fetal demise during pregnancy. Additionally, it treats Bai Dan (a type of skin disease); decocting it strongly for bathing, three to four times daily, leads to recovery. Wei Zhou treated carbuncles and sores on the back; when detected early before suppuration, he applied mashed Zhugen and leaves topically, changing frequently day and night until swelling subsided and healing occurred.
Gugen (Zizania latifolia root), not recorded in ancient texts regarding its origin, is found in lakes, rivers, ponds, and marshes, known as Jiao Cao in Jiangnan. It grows in water, leaves resembling cattail or reeds, cut for feeding horses makes them fat. In spring, tender shoots emerge, sweet and edible, known as Gucai or Jiaobai. In older plants, a white central structure resembling a child's arm forms, called Goushou. What people call Goushou today is incorrect. The "Erya" mentions Qushu, annotated as resembling earth mushrooms growing among Zizania grass, referring precisely to this. Hence, southerners still call mushrooms "Gu," deriving from this meaning. Those with black centers are called Jiaoyu. Its root resembles Reed rhizome (Lugen), being colder and more purgative. In low-lying areas of Liangzhe, Zizania grass is most abundant. Their roots grow intertwined, eventually floating together on the water surface, locally called Guofeng. After removing leaves, the land can be cultivated. Seedlings with stems are called Gujiang Cao. In autumn, they produce seeds, namely Diaohu Rice. Ancients considered it a delicacy; even in famine years, people collect it as food. "Xijing Zaji" states: By the Taiye Pool in Han Chang'an, there were Diaohu, Zituo, and Lüjie, belonging to cattail-like plants. Zizania with grain is called Diaohu by Chang'an people. Phragmites rice with husks is Zituo. Zizania with heads is called Lüjie. However, these types of rice are no longer commonly distinguished. Generally, all varieties of Zizania are extremely cold and should not be overconsumed, as they are detrimental to health. They are only suitable for those taking mineral drugs (Jinshi).