味甘平。入手足太阴厥阴经。功专益气轻身。久服不饥。坚筋骨。能步行。可为
饭食。
味酸涩平。入手足太阴阳明经。功专疗饥。作饭食不饥。无异粳米。
味甘寒。入手足阳明经。功专去热。利肠胃。益气力。久食忘饥。一名守气生。
味甘平。入手足太阴阳明经。功专补虚羸损乏。温肠胃。止呕逆。久食健人。轻
身不饥。
味甘苦微寒。入手足太阴阳明经。功专益气宣脾。曹植曾有芳菰精稗之称。金疮出
血不已。捣敷或研末掺之即止。甚验。
味甘淡。入足阳明经。功专去寒湿筋挛。得麻黄杏仁治风湿周痹。得郁李仁治水
肿喘急。以猪肺蘸末服。治肺痿肺痈。咳吐脓血。多食薏仁。令人健饭。大便燥结。因寒筋
急勿用。其力缓。必须倍于他药。炒研。
味涩平酸。入足少阴经。功专止泻。得乌梅治久嗽不止。得陈皮乌梅治热痢便血
。泻痢初起及风寒作嗽忌用。一名丽春花。凡使壳洗去蒂及筋膜。取薄皮醋炒或蜜炒。得醋
乌梅陈皮良。
味酸涩。入手足太阴阳明少阴经。功专涩精固肠。得木香黄连。治久痢不止。此
即婴粟花之浆。俗作鸦片烟。贻害无穷。御米即其子。甘寒润燥。煮粥食治反胃。加人参良
。
味甘寒。色黑。入手足少阴厥阴经。功专补肾镇心明目。得牯牛胆治肝虚目暗。
得天花粉治肾虚消渴。得独活治产后中风。捣涂一切肿毒。煮食利大便。紧小者入药更佳。
盐水煮食。尤能补肾。畏五参龙胆猪肉。忌浓朴。得诸胆汁石蜜牡蛎杏仁前胡良。卒然中风
不语。大豆煮汁煎稠如饴含之。并饮汁治喉痹。
(Black Soybean) Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Its function is specifically to tonify Qi and lighten the body. Long-term consumption prevents hunger. It strengthens bones and muscles, enabling agile walking, and can be used as a staple food.
Sour and astringent in flavor, neutral in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Its function is specifically to alleviate hunger. When consumed as a staple food, it prevents hunger, with no difference from Jingsmi (Rice).
Sweet in flavor, cold in nature. Enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Its function is specifically to clear heat. It promotes bowel movement and digestion. It tonifies Qi and strength. Long-term consumption alleviates hunger. Also known as "Shouqi Sheng" (Qi-Keeping Raw Material).
Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Its function is specifically to tonify deficiency and emaciation. It warms the stomach and intestines and stops vomiting. Long-term consumption enhances health, lightens the body, and prevents hunger.
Sweet and bitter in flavor, slightly cold in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Its function is specifically to tonify Qi and disperse Spleen stagnation. Cao Zhi once praised it as "Fanggu Jingbai" (referring to high-quality rice and barnyard millet). For traumatic bleeding that does not stop, applying crushed herb externally or sprinkling powdered herb on the wound stops bleeding immediately; the effect is very effective.
Sweet and bland in flavor. Enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Its function is specifically to dispel cold-dampness causing tendon spasms. Combined with Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, Ephedra), it treats Wind-Damp Bi syndrome affecting all joints. Combined with Yuliren (Prunus Lasiocardi Fructus, Prunus Seed), it treats edema and wheezing urgency. Taking the powder dipped in pig lung treats Feiwei (Lung Atrophy) and Fei Yong (Lung Abscess), characterized by coughing up pus and blood. Frequent consumption of Yiren (Coicis Semen, Coix Seed) improves appetite. It should not be used for dry stool due to cold-induced tendon tension. Its action is mild; the dosage must be double that of other herbs. Stir-fry and grind before use.
Astringent, neutral, and sour in flavor. Enters the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Its function is specifically to stop diarrhea. Combined with Wumei (Mume Fructus, Mume Fruit), it treats chronic cough. Combined with Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Tangerine Peel) and Wumei, it treats dysentery with bloody stools. It is contraindicated for initial stages of diarrhea/dysentery and cough caused by Wind-Cold. Also known as Lichun Hua (Spring Flower). When preparing, remove the shell, wash away the stem and fascia, take the thin skin, and stir-fry with vinegar or honey. It works well when combined with vinegar, Wumei, and Chenpi.
Sour and astringent in flavor. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Its function is specifically to astringe essence and consolidate the intestines. Combined with Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix, Aucklandia Root) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, Coptis Rhizome), it treats chronic dysentery that does not stop. This refers to the sap of the Poppy flower, commonly known as Opium, which causes endless harm. Yumi (Poppy Seed) is its seed. Sweet and cold in nature, it moistens dryness. Boiling it into porridge treats retroflexion/vomiting; adding Renshen (Ginseng Radix, Ginseng) is beneficial.
Sweet and cold in nature. Black in color. Enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Its function is specifically to tonify the Kidney, calm the Heart, and improve vision. Combined with Guniu Dan (Bovis Calculus, Bovine Gallstone/Bile), it treats liver deficiency causing dim vision. Combined with Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix, Trichosanthes Root), it treats Kidney deficiency causing Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst). Combined with Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, Angelica Pubescens Root), it treats postpartum Wind-stroke. Crushed and applied topically, it treats all kinds of swelling and toxicity. Boiled and eaten, it promotes bowel movements. Those with tight, small seeds are better for medicinal use. Boiled with salt water and eaten, it particularly tonifies the Kidney. It is incompatible with Wu Shen (Five Ginsengs: Ren Shen, Dan Shen, Sha Shen, Xuan Shen, Ku Shen), Longdan (Gentianae Radix, Gentian Root), and pork. It is contraindicated with Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, Magnolia Bark). It works well when combined with various animal bile, Shimii (Sugarcane Sugar, Rock Sugar), Muli (Ostrea Concha, Oyster Shell), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, Apricot Seed), and Qianhu (Peucedani Radix, Peucedanum Root). For sudden stroke with inability to speak, boil soybeans, reduce the juice to a thick paste like malt syrup, hold in the mouth, and drink the juice to treat Hou Bi (Throat Obstruction).