（《拾遗》）
【校正】自草部移入此。
【集解】藏器曰∶红莲花、白莲花，生西国，胡人将来也。
时珍曰∶此不知即莲花否？而功与莲同，以类相从，姑移入此。
【气味】甘，平，无毒。
【主治】久服，令人好颜色，变白却老（藏器）。
（音妓。《别录》上品）
【释名】菱（《别录》）、水栗（风俗通）
时珍曰∶其叶支散，故字从支。其角棱峭，故谓之菱，而俗呼为菱角也。昔人多不分别，
惟伍安贫《武陵记》以三角、四角者为芰，两角者为菱。《左传》屈到嗜芰，即此物也。《尔
雅》谓之厥 （音眉）。又许慎《说文》云∶菱，楚谓之芰，秦谓之 。杨氏《丹铅录》
以
芰为鸡头，引《离骚》缉芰荷以为衣，言菱叶不可缉衣，皆误矣。案∶《尔雅》 乃决明
之名，非厥 也。又《埤雅》芰荷乃藕上出水生花之茎，非鸡头也。与菱同名异物。许、杨
二氏失于详考
【集解】弘景曰∶芰实，庐、江间最多，皆取火燔以为米充粮，
颂曰∶菱，处处有之。叶浮水上，花黄白色，花落而实生，渐向水中乃熟。实有二种∶
一种四角，一种两角。两角中又有嫩皮而紫色者，谓之浮菱，食之尤美。江淮及山东人曝其
实以为米，代粮。
时珍曰∶芰菱有湖泺处则有之。菱落泥中，最易生发。有野菱、家菱，皆三月生蔓延引。
叶浮水上，扁而有尖，光面如镜。叶下之茎有股如虾股，一茎一叶，两两相差，如蝶翅状。
五、六月开小白花，背日而生，昼合宵炕，随月转移。其实有数种∶或三角、四角，或两角
、无角。野菱自生湖中，叶、实俱小。其角硬直刺人，其色嫩青老黑。嫩时剥食甘美，老则
蒸煮食之。野人曝干，剁米为饭为粥，为糕为果，皆可代粮。其茎亦可曝收，和米作饭，以
度荒歉，盖泽农有利之物也。家菱种于陂塘，叶、实俱大，角软而脆，亦有两角弯卷如弓形
者，其色有青、有红、有紫，嫩时剥食，皮脆肉美，盖佳果也。老则壳黑而硬，坠入江中，
谓之乌菱。冬月取之，风干为果，生、熟皆佳。夏月以粪水浇其叶，则实更肥美。按段成式
《酉阳杂俎》云∶苏州折腰菱，多两角。荆州郢城菱，三角无刺，可以按莎。汉武帝昆明池
有浮根菱，亦曰青水菱，叶没水下，根出水上。或云∶玄都有鸡翔菱，碧色，状如鸡飞，仙
人凫伯子常食之。
【气味】甘，平，无毒。
诜曰∶生食，性冷利。多食，伤人脏腑，损阳气，痿茎，生蛲虫。水族中此物最不治病。
若过食腹胀者，可暖姜酒服之即消，亦可含吴茱萸咽津。
时珍曰∶《仇池笔记》言∶菱花开背日，芡花开向日，故菱寒而芡暖。《别录》言芰实性
平，岂
【主治】安中补五脏，不饥轻身（《别录》）。蒸曝，和蜜饵之，断谷长生（弘景）。解丹
石毒（苏颂）。鲜者，
捣烂澄粉食，补中延年（ 仙）。
芰花
【气味】涩。
【主治】入染须发方（时珍）。
乌菱壳
【主治】入染须发方，亦止泄痢（时珍）。
(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])
[Correction] Transferred from the Grass section to this section.
[Collected Explanations] Zang Qi said: Red lotus and white lotus grow in Western Regions countries; they were brought by Hu people.
Shizhen said: It is unknown if this is indeed the lotus? But its efficacy is the same as that of the lotus. Following the principle of classification by similarity, it is tentatively placed here.
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Long-term consumption makes one's complexion beautiful, whitens the skin, and delays aging (Zang Qi).
(Pronounced "ji". Listed as Upper Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Classic of the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica])
[Names] Ling (Jiao) (*Shennong Bencao Jing*), Water Chestnut (*Fengsu Tong*)
Shizhen said: Its leaves branch out and spread, hence the character contains "zhi" (branch). Its angles are sharp and rugged, hence called "ling", and commonly referred to as "lingjiao" (water caltrop). Ancients often did not distinguish them carefully. Only Wu Anpin in *Wuling Ji* [Records of Wuling] stated that those with three or four angles are "ji", while those with two angles are "ling". In *Zuo Zhuan* [The Commentary of Zuo], Qu Dao's fondness for "ji" refers to this plant. *Erya* [Ancient Dictionary] calls it "Jue" (pronounced "mei"). Furthermore, Xu Shen in *Shuowen Jiezi* [Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters] stated: "Ling" is called "ji" in Chu, and " " in Qin. Yang Shi in *Danqian Lu* [Records of Danqian] identified "ji" as Euryale seed (Qian Shi), citing *Li Sao* [Encountering Sorrow] where it says "gathering ji and lotus leaves to make clothes," claiming ling leaves cannot be used for weaving clothes; these are all errors. Examination shows: The character in *Erya* is actually the name for Cassia Seed (Jueming Zi), not "Jue ". Moreover, *Piya* [Further Elegance] states that "jihe" refers to the stem emerging from above the water on the lotus root to bear flowers, not Euryale seed. They share the same name but are different things. Xu Shen and Yang Shi failed in detailed examination.
[Collected Explanations] Hongjing said: Jiao Shi (Water Caltrop seeds) are most abundant in the Lu and Jiang areas; people roast them over fire to use as rice for sustenance.
Song said: Ling grows everywhere. Leaves float on water, flowers are yellowish-white; after flowers fall, fruits form and gradually submerge into water to ripen. There are two types of fruits: one with four angles, one with two angles. Among the two-angled ones, there are those with tender purple skins, called "Fuling" (Floating Ling), which taste especially delicious. People in Jianghuai and Shandong dry the fruits to use as rice, substituting for grain.
Shizhen said: Jiao and Ling are found in places with lakes and marshes. When Ling falls into the mud, it sprouts very easily. There are wild Ling and cultivated Ling, both spreading in March. Leaves float on water, flat with pointed tips, smooth as a mirror. The stems under the leaves resemble shrimp legs; each stem bears one leaf, alternating pairwise, resembling butterfly wings. Small white flowers bloom in May and June, facing away from the sun, closing during the day and opening at night, shifting with the moon. The fruits vary: some have three or four angles, some two, some none. Wild Ling grows naturally in lakes; both leaves and fruits are small. Its angles are hard and straight, piercing humans; color is tender green when young and black when old. When young, peeled and eaten raw, it is sweet and delicious; when old, it is steamed or boiled. Locals dry them, pound them into grains to make rice, porridge, cakes, or snacks, all serving as grain substitutes. The stems can also be dried and stored, cooked with rice to survive famines; thus, it is a beneficial crop for wetland agriculture. Cultivated Ling is planted in ponds; leaves and fruits are larger, angles are soft and brittle, some two-angled and curved like a bow. Colors include green, red, and purple. When young, peeled and eaten, the skin is crisp and flesh delicious, making it a fine fruit. When old, shells turn black and hard, falling into rivers, called "Wuling" (Black Ling). Harvested in winter, dried by wind into snacks, good raw or cooked. Watering leaves with manure water in summer makes fruits fatter and tastier. According to Duan Chengshi's *Youyang Zazu* [Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang]: Suzhou's "Zheyao Ling" (Bent-Waist Ling) mostly has two angles. Jingzhou Yingcheng Ling has three angles without thorns, allowing one to press down sedge. Emperor Wu of Han's Kunming Pool had "Fugen Ling" (Floating-Root Ling), also called "Qingshui Ling"; leaves submerge underwater while roots emerge above. Some say: Xuan has "Jixiang Ling" (Chicken-Flying Ling), green in color, shaped like flying chickens; Immortal Fu Bozi often ate it.
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Shen said: Raw consumption has a cold and purgative nature. Overconsumption damages viscera, depletes Yang Qi, causes impotence, and generates Ascaris lumbricoides (Roundworm). Among aquatic foods, this item is least medicinal. If excessive consumption causes abdominal distension, taking warm ginger wine can resolve it; alternatively, holding Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu) and swallowing saliva helps.
Shizhen said: *Choulu Biji* [Notes from Choulu] states: Ling flowers face away from the sun, while Qian Shi flowers face the sun; thus, Ling is cold and Qian Shi is warm. *Shennong Bencao Jing* states Jiao Shi is neutral; could it be...
[Indications] Calms the Middle Jiao, tonifies the Five Viscera, prevents hunger, lightens the body (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Steamed and dried, mixed with honey as an edible paste, it stops grain intake and promotes longevity (Hongjing). Resolves Dan Shi toxicity (Su Song). Fresh ones, pounded and clarified into starch for eating, tonify the Middle Jiao and prolong life (Immortal ).
Jiao Hua (Ling Flower)
[Flavor and Properties] Astringent.
[Indications] Used in formulas for dyeing beard and hair (Shizhen).
Wuling Ke (Black Ling Shell)
[Indications] Used in formulas for dyeing beard and hair; also stops diarrhea and dysentery (Shizhen).