（《别录》中品）
【校正】自果部移入此。
【释名】土芝（《别录》）、蹲鸱。
时珍曰∶按∶徐铉注《说文》云∶芋犹吁也。大叶实根，骇吁人也。吁音芋，疑
怪
貌。又《史记》∶卓氏云∶岷山之下，沃野，下有蹲鸱，至死不饥。注云∶芋也。盖芋魁之
状，若鸱之蹲坐故也。芋魁，《东汉书》作芋渠。渠、魁义同。
【集解】弘景曰∶芋，钱塘最多。生则有毒，味 不可食。种芋三年，不采则成 芋。
又别有野芋，名老芋，形叶相似如一，根并杀人。
恭曰∶芋有六种∶青芋、紫芋、真芋、白芋、连禅芋、野芋也。其类虽多，苗并相似。
茎高尺余，叶大如扇，似荷叶而长，根类薯蓣而圆。其青芋多子，细长而毒多，初煮须
灰汁，更易水煮熟，乃堪食尔。白芋、真芋、连禅、紫芋，并毒少，正可煮啖之，兼肉作羹
甚佳。蹲鸱之饶，盖谓此也。野芋大毒，不可啖之。关陕诸芋遍有，山南、江左惟有青、白、
紫三芋而已。
颂曰∶今处处有之，闽、蜀、淮、楚尤多植之。种类虽多，大抵性效相近。蜀川出者，
形圆而大，状若蹲鸱，谓之芋魁。彼人种以当粮食而度饥年。江西、闽中出者，形长而大。
其细者如卵，生于魁旁，食之尤美。凡食芋并须栽莳者。其野芋有大毒，不可食。
宗 曰∶江、浙、二川者最大而长。京洛者差圆小，然味佳，他处不及也。当心出苗者
为芋头，四边附之而生者为芋子，八、九月以后掘食之。
时珍曰∶芋属虽多，有水、旱二种∶旱芋山地可种，水芋水田莳之。叶皆相似，但水芋
味胜。茎亦可食。芋不开花，时或七、八月间有开者，抽茎生花黄色，旁有一长萼护之，如
半边莲花之状也。按∶郭义恭《广志》云∶芋凡十四种∶君子芋，魁大如斗；赤 芋，即连
禅芋，魁大子少；白果芋，魁大子繁，亩收百斛；青边芋、旁巨芋、车毂芋三种，并魁大子
少，叶长丈余；长味芋，味美，茎亦可食；鸡子芋，色黄；九面芋，大而不美；青芋、曹芋、
象芋，皆不可食，惟茎可作菹；旱芋，九月熟；蔓芋，缘枝生，大者如二、三升也。
芋子
【气味】辛，平，滑，有小毒。
大明曰∶冷。
弘景曰∶生则有毒，味 不可食。性滑下石，服饵家所忌。
恭曰∶多食动宿冷。
宗 曰∶多食难克化，滞气困脾。
【主治】宽肠胃，充肌肤，滑中（《别录》）。冷啖，疗烦热，止渴（苏恭）。令人肥白，
开胃通肠闭。产妇食之，破血；饮汁，止血渴（藏器）。破宿血，去死肌。和鱼煮食，甚下
气，调中补虚（大明）。
【发明】诜曰∶芋，白色者无味，紫色者破气。煮汁啖之，止渴。十月后晒干收之，冬
月食不发病，他时月不可食。又和鲫鱼、鳢鱼作 良。久食，令人虚劳无力。又煮汁洗腻衣，
白如玉也。
大明曰∶芋以姜同煮过，换水再煮，方可食之。
【附方】旧二，新二。
腹中癖气∶生芋子一斤压破，酒五斤渍二七日。空腹每饮一升，神良。（韦宙《独行方》）。
身上浮风∶芋煮汁浴之。慎风半日。（孟诜《食疗》）。
疮冒风邪肿痛∶用白芋烧灰敷之。干即易。（《千金方》）。
头上软疖∶用大芋捣敷之，即干。（《简便方》）。
叶、茎
【气味】辛，冷，滑，无毒。
【主治】除烦止泻，疗妊妇心烦迷闷，胎动不安。又盐研，敷蛇虫咬，并痈肿毒痛，
及毒箭（大明）。
梗∶擦蜂螫尤良（宗 ）。汁∶涂蜘蛛伤（时珍）。
【发明】慎微曰∶沈括《笔谈》云∶处士刘易隐居王屋山，见一蜘蛛为蜂所螫，坠地，
腹鼓欲裂，徐行入草，啮破芋梗，以疮就啮处磨之，良久腹消如故。自后用治蜂螫有验，由
此。
【附方】新一。
黄水疮∶芋苗晒干，烧存性研搽。（邵真人《经验方》）。
【附录】野芋
弘景曰∶野芋形叶与芋相似，芋种三年不采成 芋（音吕），并能杀人。误食之烦闷垂
死者，惟以土浆及粪汁、大豆汁饮之，则活矣。
藏器曰∶野芋生溪涧侧，非人所种者，根、叶相似。又有天荷，亦相似而大。
时珍曰∶小者为野芋，大者为天荷，俗名海芋。详见草部毒草类。野芋根辛冷，有大毒
。醋摩敷虫疮恶癣。其叶捣涂毒肿。初起无名者即消，亦治蜂、虿螫，涂之良。
(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Bencao Jing Jizhu* / *Supplement to the Materia Medica*)
[Correction] Transferred from the Fruit Section to this section.
[Names] Earth Ginseng (from *Bencao Jing Jizhu*), Squatting Owl.
Li Shizhen said: According to Xu Xuan's annotation on *Shuowen Jiezi*: "Yu" (Colocasia esculenta) is homophonous with "Xu" (an exclamation of surprise). The large leaves and substantial root cause people to be startled and amazed. "Xu" sounds like "Yu," implying a look of doubt or strangeness. Furthermore, according to *Records of the Grand Historian*: Zhuo Shi said, "Beneath Mount Min lies fertile land, where 'Squatting Owls' grow underground, ensuring one does not starve until death." The annotation states: This refers to Colocasia. Presumably, because the shape of the corm resembles an owl squatting. The term "Yukui" (Corm), written as "Yuqu" in *Book of Later Han*, has identical meanings for "Qu" and "Kui."
[Collection of Explanations] Tao Hongjing said: Colocasia is most abundant in Qiantang. Raw it is toxic, bitter, and inedible. If planted Colocasia is not harvested for three years, it becomes wild Colocasia. There is also a wild variety named Lao Yu (Old Colocasia); its form and leaves are similar to cultivated varieties, but its root is equally toxic and lethal.
Su Gong said: There are six types of Colocasia: Qing Yu (Green), Zi Yu (Purple), Zhen Yu (True), Bai Yu (White), Lian Chan Yu, and Ye Yu (Wild). Although numerous in type, their shoots and leaves are similar. The stem grows over a chi high; leaves are fan-sized, resembling lotus leaves but longer; roots resemble Dioscorea opposita and are round. Among these, Qing Yu produces many tubers, which are slender and highly toxic; initial boiling requires lye water, followed by multiple water changes and thorough cooking before consumption. Bai Yu, Zhen Yu, Lian Chan Yu, and Zi Yu have less toxicity and can be boiled and eaten directly; making soup with meat is excellent. The abundance referred to as "Squatting Owls" pertains to these. Wild Colocasia is highly toxic and inedible. Colocasia is widespread in Guanzhong and Shaanxi, whereas in Shannan and Jiangzuo, only Green, White, and Purple varieties exist.
Su Song said: It is now found everywhere, particularly abundant in Fujian, Sichuan, Huai River, and Chu regions. Though种类繁多, their properties and effects are largely similar. Those from Sichuan are round and large, shaped like a squatting owl, called Yukui. Locals cultivate it as a staple food to survive famine years. Those from Jiangxi and Fujian are long and large. Smaller ones, egg-shaped, grow beside the main corm and are especially delicious. All edible Colocasia must be cultivated. Wild Colocasia is highly toxic and inedible.
Chen Cheng said: Varieties in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and the Two Rivers regions are largest and longest. Those from the capital Luoyang are slightly rounder and smaller but tastier, unmatched elsewhere. Shoots emerging from the center are called Yutou (Main Corm); those attached to the sides are Yuzi (Tubers). They should be dug up and eaten after August and September.
Li Shizhen said: Although there are many types, they are divided into aquatic (Shui Yu) and terrestrial (Han Yu): Terrestrial Colocasia is planted in mountain soil, while aquatic Colocasia is planted in paddy fields. Leaves are similar, but aquatic varieties taste better. Stems are also edible. Colocasia generally does not flower, but occasionally blooms in July or August, sending up a stem with yellow flowers protected by a long spathe, resembling half a lotus flower. According to Guo Yigong's *Guang Zhi*: There are fourteen types: Junzi Yu (Gentleman's), corm large as a dou; Chi Yu (Red), i.e., Lian Chan Yu, large corm with few tubers; Baiguo Yu (White Fruit), large corm with abundant tubers, yielding hundred hu per mu; Qingbian Yu, Pangju Yu, Chegu Yu, all with large corms and few tubers, leaves over one zhang long; Changwei Yu, tasty, stem edible; Jizi Yu (Chicken Egg), yellow; Jiumian Yu, large but unpalatable; Qing Yu, Cao Yu, Xiang Yu, all inedible, stems only for pickling; Han Yu (Terrestrial), ripe in September; Manyu (Vining), grows along branches, large ones two to three sheng in volume.
Yuzi (Tubers)
[Flavor and Nature] Acrid, neutral, slippery, slightly toxic.
Meng Shen said: Cold.
Tao Hongjing said: Raw it is toxic, bitter, and inedible. Its nature is slippery and descending, capable of causing stones; it is avoided by those practicing alchemical elixirs.
Su Gong said: Excessive consumption triggers latent cold pathogens.
Chen Cheng said: Excessive consumption is hard to digest, stagnates Qi, and burdens the Spleen.
[Indications] Relaxes the stomach and intestines, nourishes the skin and flesh, lubricates the bowels (*Bencao Jing Jizhu*). Eaten cold, it treats irritability and heat, quenches thirst (Su Gong). Makes the body plump and fair, opens the appetite, and relieves intestinal obstruction. For postpartum women, it invigorates blood circulation; drinking the juice stops bleeding and quenching thirst (Zang Qi). Breaks down old blood stasis, removes necrotic tissue. Boiled with fish, it strongly directs Qi downward, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, and tonifies deficiency (Meng Shen).
[Elucidation] Meng Shen said: White Colocasia is flavorless; Purple breaks Qi. Drinking the decoction quenches thirst. Dried after the tenth month and stored, it can be eaten in winter without causing disease; it should not be eaten in other months. Also, cooked with Crucian carp or snakehead fish, it is excellent. Long-term consumption causes weakness and fatigue. The decoction can also wash greasy clothes, leaving them white as jade.
Meng Shen said: Colocasia must be boiled with ginger, then the water changed and boiled again before consumption.
[Prescriptions] Two old prescriptions, two new prescriptions.
Abdominal masses (Pi Qi): Crush one jin of raw Yuzi, soak in five jin of wine for seven days and nights. Drink one sheng on an empty stomach; highly effective. (Wei Zhou, *Duxing Fang*).
Floating wind on the body (Skin edema/itching): Bathe in the decoction of boiled Colocasia. Avoid wind exposure for half a day. (Meng Shen, *Shiliao*).
Sores swollen and painful due to wind pathogen: Apply ash made from burning white Colocasia to the lesion. Change when dry. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Soft carbuncle on the head: Mash a large Colocasia and apply topically; it dries immediately. (*Jianbian Fang*).
Leaves and Stems
[Flavor and Nature] Acrid, cold, slippery, non-toxic.
[Indications] Clears irritability and stops diarrhea; treats irritability and oppression in pregnant women, and restless fetus. Also, ground with salt and applied, it treats snake and insect bites, as well as sores, swelling, toxic pain, and poison arrow wounds (Meng Shen).
Stem: Particularly effective for rubbing bee stings (Chen Cheng). Juice: Applied to spider bites (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Shen Wei said: Shen Kuo's *Brush Talks* records: Scholar Liu Yi, residing in Wangwu Mountain, saw a spider bitten by a bee, falling to the ground with its abdomen distended as if bursting. It slowly crawled into grass, bit open a Colocasia stem, and rubbed the wound against the bitten area. After a long time, the abdominal swelling subsided to normal. Since then, this method has proven effective for bee stings.
[Prescription] One new prescription.
Yellow water sore: Dry Colocasia seedlings, burn until charred but retaining essence, grind into powder, and apply externally. (Daoist Master Shao, *Jingyan Fang*).
[Appendix] Wild Colocasia
Tao Hongjing said: Wild Colocasia resembles cultivated Colocasia in form and leaves. Cultivated Colocasia left unharvested for three years turns into "Lu Yu" (sound: Lü), both of which are lethal. If mistakenly ingested, causing severe oppression and near-death, survival depends on drinking earth slurry, fecal juice, or soybean juice.
Zang Qi said: Wild Colocasia grows by streams and is not cultivated; its roots and leaves resemble cultivated varieties. There is also Tian He, which is similar but larger.
Li Shizhen said: The small ones are Wild Colocasia; the large ones are Tian He, commonly known as Hai Yu (Alocasia macrorrhizos). See the Toxic Herbs category in the Grass Section. Wild Colocasia root is acrid and cold, with high toxicity. Rubbed with vinegar and applied, it treats insect sores and severe tinea. Its leaves, mashed and applied, treat toxic swellings. Early-stage unnamed swellings disappear; it also effectively treats bee and scorpion stings when applied topically.