【气味】
甘寒无毒。
【主治】
劳伤虚羸。补中益气。除瘀血血闭寒热。利小便。下五淋。除客热在肠胃。止渴坚
筋。妇人崩中。久服利人。主妇人月经不匀。通血脉淋沥。止吐衄诸血。伤寒哕逆。肺热喘
急。水肿黄胆。解酒毒。但茅根甘能除伏热。利小便。故能止诸血哕逆喘急消渴。治黄胆水
肿。乃良物也。世人因微而忽之。惟事苦寒之剂。致伤冲和之气。乌足知此哉。
（一名草金羚。此药始出田野人牵牛谢药。故以名之。近人隐其名为黑丑。白者为白
丑。盖以丑属牛也。）
【气味】
苦寒有毒。
【主治】
下气疗脚满水肿。除风毒。利小便。治 癖气块。利大小便。除虚肿。落胎。治腰
痛下冷脓泻蛊毒药。并一切气壅滞。和山茱萸服去水病。除气分湿热三焦壅结。逐痰消饮。
通大肠气秘风秘。杀虫。达命门。牵牛乃感南方热火之化以生。若病湿极盛。湿气不得施化
。致大小便不通。则宜用之。令湿去而气得周流可也。今人不问有湿无湿及湿之极与否。但
遇伤食或有热症。即用牵牛克伐之药。暗蚀人之元气而不知耶。嗟夫。
【苗花】【气味】
甘凉无毒（萱属水性。下走阴分。）
【主治】
煮食治小便赤涩。身体烦热。除酒疸。消食利湿热。作菹利胸膈。安五脏。令好欢
乐无忧。轻身明目。
【根】【主治】
沙淋。下水气。酒疸黄色遍身者捣汁服。大热衄血。研汁一大盏。和生姜汁
半盏细呷之。吹乳乳痈肿痛。 酒服。以滓封之。
[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, cold, non-toxic.
[Indications]
Treats emaciation and weakness caused by overexertion and injury. Tonifies the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), benefits Qi, and strengthens energy. Eliminates blood stasis, blood obstruction, and alternating chills and fever. Promotes urination. Treats the five types of strangury (Shi Lin/Stone Strangury, Sha Lin/Sand Strangury, Gao Lin/Pasty Strangury, Leng Lin/Cold Strangury, Re Lin/Heat Strangury). Clears pathogenic heat in the stomach and intestines. Relieves thirst and consolidates tendons. Treats metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (uterine bleeding) in women. Long-term consumption is beneficial to the body. Mainly treats irregular menstruation in women. Unblocks blood vessels and treats dribbling strangury. Stops various types of bleeding such as hematemesis (vomiting blood) and epistaxis (nosebleed). Treats hiccups caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage syndrome). Treats panting and urgency due to lung heat. Treats edema and jaundice. Resolves alcohol toxicity. Since Mugen (Imperatae Rhizoma) is sweet, it can clear latent heat and promote urination; therefore, it can stop various bleedings, hiccups, panting, and xiaoke (wasting-thirst syndrome), and treat jaundice and edema. It is indeed a fine herb. People neglect it because its action is mild, relying only on bitter-cold agents, thereby damaging the harmonious Qi (vital harmony) of the body. How could they know this?
(Also known as Cao Jin Ling. This herb was first found in fields where people would lead oxen to thank for its medicinal efficacy, hence the name. In recent times, people obscure its name as Hei Chou (Black Ox); white ones are called Bai Chou (White Ox), likely because 'Chou' corresponds to the Ox in the Earthly Branches.)
[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, cold, toxic.
[Indications]
Descends Qi and treats fullness and edema in the legs. Eliminates wind toxicity. Promotes urination. Treats Pi Qi masses (abdominal masses). Promotes both large and small bowel movements. Eliminates deficiency-type swelling. Induces abortion. Treats lower back pain, cold pus discharge from the lower jiao, diarrhea, and gu poison (parasitic or toxic poisoning). Treats all types of Qi stagnation and obstruction. Taken with Cornus Officinalis Fructus (Shanzhuyu), it removes water retention diseases. Clears damp-heat in the Qi level and congestion in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner). Drives out phlegm and eliminates fluid retention. Treats constipation due to Qi stagnation and wind in the large intestine. Kills parasites. Reaches the Mingmen (Gate of Life). Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitidis Semen) is born from absorbing the transformation of southern hot fire. If dampness is extremely abundant and cannot be transformed and distributed, leading to obstruction of urination and defecation, it is suitable to use this herb to remove dampness so that Qi can circulate freely. Nowadays, people do not inquire whether there is dampness or the degree of dampness; whenever they encounter food stagnation or heat syndromes, they immediately use Qian Niu, a harsh purgative, secretly eroding the person's Yuan Qi (Original Qi) without realizing it. Alas!
[Seedlings and Flowers][Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, cool, non-toxic. (Daylily belongs to Water nature, and its action descends into the Yin levels.)
[Indications]
Boiled and eaten, it treats dark and scanty urine with dysuria. Relieves bodily restlessness and heat. Eliminates Jiu Dan (alcoholic jaundice). Promotes digestion and clears damp-heat. When made into pickles, it benefits the chest and diaphragm. Calms the Five Zang organs. Makes one joyful and free from worry. Lightens the body and improves vision.
[Root][Indications]
Treats Sha Lin (sand strangury). Descends water qi. For alcoholic jaundice with yellowing of the whole body, crush and take the juice. For severe heat causing epistaxis, grind to obtain one large cup of juice, mix with half a cup of fresh ginger juice, and sip slowly. Treats ruili (milk accumulation) and breast abscess with swelling and pain. Take with wine, and apply the dregs externally to the affected area.