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(Song Dynasty *Jiayou Bencao*)

[Names] Shiju (Stone Lettuce) (*Bencao Gangmu*); Shengcai (Raw Vegetable).
Li Shizhen stated: Baiju (White Lettuce), Kuju (Bitter Lettuce), and Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) are all unsuitable for boiling or cooking. They are best eaten raw, with the juice removed, and mixed with salt and vinegar. All can be referred to as "Shengcai" (Raw Vegetable), but since Baiju (White Lettuce) is slightly superior in taste, it alone holds this specific name. Wang Zhen's *Nongshu* (*Agricultural Treatise*) calls it Shiju (Stone Lettuce). Lu Ji's commentary on the *Classic of Poetry* states that in Qingzhou it is called Qi. It can be eaten raw or steamed as a vegetable.

[Collected Explanations] Su Gong (referenced here as Cangqi) said: Baiju (White Lettuce) resembles Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce), with white hairs on its leaves.
Li Shizhen said: It grows everywhere. It resembles Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) but has whiter leaves; when broken, it exudes a white sap. Sowing is done in the first and second lunar months. Yellow flowers bloom in the fourth month, similar to Kuju (Bitter Lettuce), and the seeds formed are also identical. Re-sowing can occur in the eighth and tenth lunar months. Hence, the proverb says: "The garden never lacks raw vegetables." According to *Shilei Hebi*: There are several types of Ju (Lettuce/Bittercress): those that are white are Baiju (White Lettuce); those that are purple are Zijuj (Purple Lettuce); those that are bitter are Kuju (Bitter Lettuce).

[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic.
Chen Bing noted: Neutral in temperature. For those suffering from cold qi, eating it causes abdominal coldness, though it does not harm the body due to its bitterness. It should not be consumed postpartum, as it induces coldness in the middle jiao and causes pain in the small intestine.
Sun Simiao stated: It should not be eaten with dairy products, as it may generate parasites.

[Therapeutic Actions] Tonifies sinews and bones, benefits the five zang organs, opens stagnation of qi in the chest and diaphragm, unblocks meridians, regulates spleen qi, whitens teeth, enhances mental clarity, and reduces sleepiness. It can be cooked and eaten (Meng Shen). Resolves heat toxins and alcohol toxins, stops thirst (Xiaoke), and promotes urination and bowel movements (Ning Yuan).

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription.
Fish-umbilical sore (a type of carbuncle/abscess): The head is white and swollen, unbearable pain: First, puncture the head and surrounding area with a needle. Apply juice extracted from Baiju (White Lettuce) into the hole. Excellent result. (*Waitai Miyao*)

(Tang Dynasty *Shiliao Bencao*)

[Names] Wocai (Lettuce Vegetable); Qianjincai (Thousand-Gold Vegetable).
Li Shizhen said: According to Peng Cheng's *Moke Huixi*: Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) came from the Western Regions, hence the name.

[Collected Explanations] Su Gong (referenced here as Cangqi) said: Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) comes in white and purple varieties. The purple variety is used for alchemical processing and medicinal purposes.
Li Shizhen said: Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) is sown in the first and second lunar months and thrives in fertile soil. The leaves resemble Baiju (White Lettuce) but are pointed and slightly greener; when broken, a sticky white sap appears. In the fourth month, it bolts, reaching three to four chi in height. Peeled and eaten raw, it tastes like cucumber. Pickling is also good. People in Jiangdong salt-dry and compress it for preservation as a specialty, calling it Wasun (Celtuce stem). The flowers and seeds are the same as Baiju (White Lettuce).

[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, Cold, Slightly toxic.
Li Pengfei stated: Long-term consumption blurs vision. Those with cold conditions should avoid eating it.
Li Shizhen said: According to Peng Cheng: Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) is toxic; hundred insects dare not approach it. If snakes or vipers touch it, their eyes become blind and they cannot see objects. If humans ingest its toxin, ginger juice can detoxify it.
Su Gong said: Purple Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) is toxic and is used for alchemical processing.
*Dangan Jingyuan* states: When planted with sulfur, Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) produces sand-like structures used to refine Cinnabar. It also states: Purple Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) mixed with earth forms vessels that, when fired, become hard as copper.

[Therapeutic Actions] Benefits the five zang organs, unblocks meridians, opens the chest and diaphragm. Its efficacy is the same as Baiju (White Lettuce) (Su Gong).
Regulates qi, strengthens sinews and bones, removes bad breath, whitens teeth, and brightens the eyes (Ning Yuan). Promotes lactation, facilitates urination, kills parasites, and resolves snake venom (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, five new prescriptions.
Blocked lactation: Decoct Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) vegetable in wine and drink. (*Haishang Fang*).
Urinary retention: Crush Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) vegetable and apply to the umbilicus. Urination will resume immediately. (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*).
Hematuria: Same as above, very effective. (*Yang Shi Fang*).
Sand-mite water toxicity: Crush Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) vegetable and apply the juice topically. Good result. (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Centipede entering the ear: Take one part dried Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) leaves and one part Realgar, grind into powder, make pills the size of a jujube pit using paste. Dip in raw oil and insert into the ear to draw out the insect. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Hundred insects entering the ear: Crush Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) and drip the juice in; the insects will exit naturally. (*Shengji Zonglu*).

[Seeds]
For medicinal use, stir-fry before application.

[Therapeutic Actions] Promotes lactation, facilitates urination, treats scrotal swelling, hemorrhoids with bleeding, and pain from trauma (Li Shizhen).

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, six new prescriptions.
Absent lactation: Thirty seeds of Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce), finely ground and taken with wine. Another method: One he of Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) seeds, three qian of raw Licorice root, half he each of glutinous rice and japonica rice. Cook into porridge and consume frequently.
Urinary retention: Crush Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) seeds into a cake and apply to the center of the umbilicus. Urination resumes immediately. (*Haishang Xian Fang*).
Kidney yellow resembling gold (Jaundice): One he of Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) seeds. Finely ground. With one cup of water, decoct until reduced to half a cup and take. (*Waitai Miyao*).
Scrotal swelling: One he of Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) seeds, crushed to powder. With one cup of water, boil five times, warm and drink.
Sprain-induced lower back pain, Chentong Wan (Pain-Chasing Pill): Use three liang of white Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) seeds (stir-fried), a pinch of white millet (stir-fried), half liang each of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Sour Plum flesh. Grind into powder, form pills the size of quail eggs with refined honey. Chew one pill per dose, wash down with hot wine. (*Yuji Wei Yi*).
Absence of facial hair, or lack of growth on acne scars: First scrape the skin gently with a bamboo knife. Then frequently rub with a mixture of powdered Woju (Lettuce/Celtuce) seeds and Monkey Sun Ginger (*Husun Jiang*). (*Zhai Xuan Fang*).