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[Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica)]
[Nomenclature] Li Shizhen stated: "Zao" refers to aquatic plants with textures, as clean as if bathed, hence the name.

[Collected Explanations] Su Song stated: Zao grows in water and is found everywhere. The Book of Songs (Shijing) says, "Where to gather zao? In the ponds, in the running puddles," referring to this. Lu Ji's annotation states that zao grows at the bottom of water and has two types: one type has leaves like *Elsholtzia splendens* (Jisu), stems like chopsticks, and is four to five chi long; the other type has leaves like *Artemisia argyi* (Penghao), stems like hairpin shafts, called Juzao. Both types are edible. After boiling to remove the fishy odor, they can be steamed with rice or flour paste as vegetables, very smooth and delicious. People in Jing and Yang regions used them as grain during famines.

Chen Cangqi stated: Mazao grows in water, resembling connected horse teeth.

Li Shizhen stated: There are two types of zao, abundant in water. Shuizao has leaves two to three cun long, opposite each other, which is Mazao; Juzao has fine thread-like leaves resembling fish gills, growing segment by segment, which is Shuiyun, commonly known as Saicao, also called Niuyi Yun. The Erya states: "[Character], it is Niuza." Guo Pu annotated: "Fine leaves fluffy, lovely like silk, each segment several cun long, the longer ones having twenty to thirty segments, this is Yun." Both are edible, but for medicinal use, Zao is superior. The Zuo Zhuan mentions "Ping, Fan, Yun, Zao" as vegetables, referring to these.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, extremely cold, slippery, non-toxic.

[Indications] Treats sudden fever and heat dysentery, relieves thirst, taken as juice after crushing. For children's erysipelas (Chi Bai You Zhen) and fiery hot sores, apply crushed paste externally (Chen Cangqi).

[Enlightenment] Sun Simiao stated: Among all things in the world, none are colder than Zao vegetable. For those suffering from heat-toxin swelling and erysipelas (Dan Du), take channel zao vegetable, cut and crush it for application. Apply a thickness of three fen, change when dry; its efficacy is unparalleled.

(Shennong Bencao Jing, Middle Grade)
[Nomenclature] [Character] (pronounced 'dan', from Erya, recorded as [Character] in Mingyi Bielu), Luoshou (Benjing), Hairaluo (Erya Zhu)

[Collected Explanations] Mingyi Bielu states: Haizao grows in the pools and marshes of the East Sea, harvested on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, and dried.

Tao Hongjing stated: It grows on islands, black like messy hair but slightly larger, leaves generally resembling zao leaves.

Chen Cangqi stated: There are two types: Maweizao grows in shallow water, fine like short horse tails, black, and must be soaked to remove saltiness before use; Dayezao grows in deep seas and Silla (ancient Korea), leaves like water algae but larger. Seafarers tie ropes around their waists and dive to harvest it. After May, large fish may cause injury, so harvesting should cease. The Erya states: "Lun resembles Lun, Zu resembles Zu, found in the East Sea," referring precisely to these two algae.

Su Song stated: This is simply water algae growing in the sea, now produced in Dengzhou and Laizhou. Tao Hongjing cited Erya's Lun and Zu to annotate Kunbu, stating Kunbu resembles Zu, while Qingtai and Zicai resemble Lun; whereas Chen Cangqi considered Lun and Zu as two separate algae. Tao's view seems closer to the truth.

Li Shizhen stated: Haizao is harvested in coastal areas, also traded as sea vegetables under specific names across regions.

[Processing] [Physician Name] stated: When using, it must be steamed together with raw black soybeans and Zi Bei Tian Kui during the Fu hour, then dried for use.

Li Shizhen stated: Modern practitioners merely wash away the saltiness and bake dry for use.

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, salty, cold, non-toxic.

Li Quan stated: Salty, slightly toxic.

Zhang Yuansu stated: Incompatible with Gancao (Licorice Root).

Li Shizhen stated: According to Li Dongyuan, in the Sanzhong Kuijian Tang (Decoction to Disperse Swelling and Soften Hardness) treating Luoli and Madao, both Haizao and Gancao are used. This is because diseases involving hard accumulations cannot be quickly resolved by mild medicines; one must utilize the principle of mutual antagonism to achieve success.

[Indications] Treats Yingliu (goiter) and qi stagnation, dissipates hard painful lumps under the neck, treats abscesses, masses, and hard qi sensations, rumbling sounds in the abdomen, and eliminates twelve types of edema (Benjing). Treats sudden accumulation in the skin, tumor qi with heat, promotes urination (Bielu). Ward off evil spirits, treat急促 qi with chest fullness, sensation of qi sinking, testicular swelling, and remove幽幽 sounds in the abdomen (Zhen Quan). Treat Ben Tun Qi (running piglet qi), Xianggangjiao (foot disease/gout), water qi edema, retained food not digesting, and phlegm obstruction in the five diaphragms...

[Enlightenment] Zhang Yuansu stated: Haizao has strong flavors, is purely yin, and sinks. It treats Yingliu, Madao, and other sores that are hard and un-ulcerated. The Classic states: "Salty softens hardness." When Ying qi does not flow smoothly, external edema occurs. Treating with appropriate meridian-guiding herbs ensures resolution of swelling.

Cheng Wuji stated: Salty flavor induces vomiting and purging. Thus, the salinity of Haizao is used to drain water qi.

Meng Shen stated: Haizao promotes male virility and eliminates male [disease], suitable for regular consumption. Southerners eat it often; northerners imitating this suffer increased illnesses, making it unsuitable for them.

Li Shizhen stated: Haizao's salty nature moistens and directs downward, while its cold nature drains heat and guides water out. Therefore, it eliminates hard accumulations like Yingliu, tubercles, and Yin Ju, and removes damp-heat from edema, Xianggangjiao, retained fluids, and phlegm qi, allowing pathogenic factors to exit via urine.

[Attached Prescriptions] Two old prescriptions, two new prescriptions.
Haizao Wine, treats Ying Qi. Use one jin of Haizao, place in a silk bag, soak in two sheng of clear wine. Soak for two days in spring/summer, three days in autumn/winter. Take two he per dose, three times daily. When wine is finished, prepare again. Dry the residue, powder it, take one Fang Cun Bi per dose, three times daily. Cure within two doses (Zhou Hou Fang).
Early stage Ying Qi: One liang of Haizao, two liang of Huanglian, powdered. Lick and swallow occasionally. First, avoid rich foods (Danxi Formula). Neck Luoli, shaped like plums or dates. Continuously administer the aforementioned Haizao Wine to resolve it (Zhou Hou Fang).
Snake-pattern Luoli: Occurring at the junction of head and neck. Haizao vegetable (stir-fried with buckwheat flour) and Bai Jiangcan (silkworm, stir-fried) equal parts, powdered. Mix with water from soaked white plum to form pills...