（《唐本草》）
【释名】弘景曰∶叶上有三白点，俗因以名。又见下。
【集解】恭曰∶三白草生池泽畔，高尺许。叶似水荭，亦似蕺，又似菝 。
叶上有三黑点，非白也。古人秘之，隐黑为白尔。根如芹根，黄白色而粗大。
藏器曰∶此草初生无白，入夏叶端半白如粉。农人候之莳田，三叶白则草便秀，故谓之
三白。若云三黑点，苏未识矣。其叶如薯蓣，亦不似水荭。
保升曰∶今出襄州，二月、八月采根用。
时珍曰∶三白草生田泽畔，三月生苗，高二、三尺。茎如蓼，叶如商陆及青葙。四月
其颠三叶面上，三次变作白色，余叶仍青不变。俗云∶一叶白，食小麦；二叶白，食梅杏；
三叶白，食黍子。五月开花成穗，如蓼花状，而色白微香。结细实。根长白虚软，有节须，
状如泥菖蒲根。《造化指南》云∶五月采花及根，可制雄黄。苏恭言似水荭，有三黑点者，
乃马蓼，非三白也。藏器所说虽是，但叶亦不似薯蓣。
【气味】甘、辛，寒，有小毒。
【主治】水肿香港脚，利大小便，消痰破癖，除积聚，消疔肿（《唐本》）。
捣绞汁服，令人吐逆，除疟及胸膈热痰，小儿痞满（藏器）。根∶疗香港脚风毒胫肿，捣
酒服，亦甚有验。又煎汤，洗癣疮（时珍）。
（《拾遗》）
【集解】藏器曰∶生湿地，如蓼大，茎赤花白。东土亦有之。
【气味】辛，平，无毒。
【主治】诸虫如蚕类咬人，恐毒入腹，煮服之。亦捣敷诸疮（藏器）。
(From *Tang Bencao*)
[Names] Tao Hongjing stated: There are three white spots on the leaves, hence the common name. It is also mentioned below.
[Collection and Explanation] Su Gong said: Saururus chinensis grows by the banks of ponds and marshes, reaching a height of about one chi. The leaves resemble those of Persicaria hydropiper (Shuihong), Polygonum bistorta (Ji), and Smilax glabra (Baqia). The leaves have three black spots, not white. This was kept secret by ancient people, hiding the black color to call it white. The roots resemble those of Apium graveolens (Celery), being yellowish-white and thick.
Lu Zangqi said: This herb has no white color when initially growing; by summer, half of the leaf tips turn white like powder. Farmers observe this for transplanting rice; when three leaves turn white, the plant begins to bolt, hence the name "Three Whites." If one speaks of three black spots, that indicates Su Gong failed to identify it correctly. Its leaves resemble Dioscorea opposita (Shanyao) and do not resemble Persicaria hydropiper.
Zheng Baosheng said: It is currently produced in Xiangzhou, and the roots are harvested in February and August.
Li Shizhen said: Saururus chinensis grows by fields and marshes. Seedlings emerge in March, growing two to three chi tall. The stems resemble those of Polygonaceae plants, and the leaves resemble those of Phytolacca acinosa (Shanglu) and Celosia argentea (Qingxiang). In April, the upper surfaces of the three terminal leaves turn white three times, while the remaining leaves stay green. Folklore says: When one leaf is white, eat wheat; when two leaves are white, eat plums and apricots; when three leaves are white, eat millet. Flowers appear in May, forming spikes resembling those of Polygonaceae, white in color with a slight fragrance. It bears small seeds. The roots are long, white, spongy, jointed, and fibrous, resembling the roots of Acorus tatarinowii (Nijchangpu). *Zaohua Zhinan* states: Harvest flowers and roots in May to process Realgar. Su Gong's description of something resembling Persicaria hydropiper with three black spots refers to Polygonum orientale (Maliao), not Saururus chinensis. Although Lu Zangqi's account is largely correct, the leaves do not resemble those of Dioscorea opposita.
[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, pungent, cold, slightly toxic.
[Indications] Edema, gouty arthritis (Hongjiao), promoting urination and defecation, resolving phlegm, breaking blood stasis, eliminating accumulations, and treating carbuncles and sores (*Tang Bencao*). Crushed juice taken orally induces vomiting, expels malaria and heat-phlegm from the chest and diaphragm, and treats pediatric abdominal masses (Lu Zangqi). Roots: Treat leg swelling caused by wind-toxin in gouty arthritis; crush and take with wine, which is very effective. Decoction used externally washes tinea corporis (Li Shizhen).
(From *Xinyi Bencao Shiyi*)
[Collection and Explanation] Lu Zangqi said: Grows in wetlands, large like Polygonaceae plants, with red stems and white flowers. Also found in the eastern regions.
[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] For bites from various insects such as silkworms, fearing toxin entry into the abdomen, boil and ingest. Can also be crushed and applied topically to various sores (Lu Zangqi).