Library

[Background Information]
Book: Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)
Author: Li Shizhen
Dynasty: Ming Dynasty, 6th Year of Wanli
Chapter: Turnip (Wujing)
Category: Materia Medica

(Listed as Superior Grade in *Bie Lu*)
[Names] Man Jing (*Xin Ben Cao*), Jiu Ying Song (*Shi Liao*), Zhuge Cai.
Chen Cangqi stated: Wujing is called Man Jing by people in the North. Currently, in Bingzhou, Fenzhou, and the Heshuo region, people roast and eat its roots, calling it "Wugen," which remains an alias for Wujing. Wujing is a common name throughout the North and South. Those planted in the northern frontier and Hexi regions are named Jiuying Man Jing, also called Jiuying Song. Its roots and leaves grow large but taste poor, so people use it as military rations.
Liu Yuxi stated: *Erya* records: "Xu is Feng." The *Classic of Poetry · Gu Feng* says: "Gather Feng and Fei." Mao Chang's annotation states: "Feng is Xu." Sun Yan said: "Xu is also named Feng Cong." The annotation to *Book of Rites · Fang Ji* states: "Feng is Man Jing." It is called Feng between the states of Chen and Song.
Lu Ji stated: "Feng is Wujing." People in Youzhou call it Jie. Guo Pu stated: "Feng Wu resembles Rumex (Yangti), with fine leaves and an acidic taste suitable for eating." Yang Xiong's *Fangyan* states: "Feng, Rao, is Man Jing."
It is called Feng in Chen and Chu, Rao in Qi and Lu, Wujing in Guanxi, and Da Jie in the regions of Zhao and Wei. Therefore, Feng, Xu, Wujing, Man Jing, Feng Wu, Rao, and Jie are seven names for one substance.
Li Shizhen stated: According to Sun Yan: "Feng and Man Jing refer to the seedlings." This explanation is very logical. Zhang Yuxi interpreted Man Jing using Feng Wu, while Chen Cangqi believed Feng Wu was Rumex; Chen's view should be preferred. See details under Rumex in the Herb section. Liu Yuxi's *Jiahua Lu* records: When Zhuge Liang stationed his troops, he ordered soldiers to plant only Man Jing because: First, shoots can be eaten raw when just emerging; Second, leaves can be boiled and eaten when expanded; Third, if residing long-term, they grow naturally; Fourth, discarding them causes no loss; Fifth, they are easy to find and gather upon return; Sixth, roots are edible in winter. Compared to other vegetables, its benefits are extensive. To this day, people in Shu call it Zhuge Cai, as do those in Jiangling. Additionally, Zhu Fu's *Ximan Congxiao* records that the Miao, Liao, Yao, and Lao regions produce Ma Wang Cai, which tastes astringent and has many thorns; this is Zhuge Cai. Legend has it it was left behind by Ma Yin, hence the name. Mongols call its root "Shajimuer."

[Ji Jie / Collection and Explanation] Tao Hongjing stated: *Bie Lu* lists Wujing and Lufu (Radish) in the same entry. Lufu is the current Wen Song (a type of Chinese cabbage); its root is edible, but leaves are not. Wujing roots are thinner than Wen Song, and leaves resemble Song vegetables; they are delicious, and only this variety is grown in Western Sichuan. Its seeds are very similar to Wen Song seeds, but folk prescriptions do not use them; only those practicing dietary therapy refine and consume them, without mentioning Lufu seeds, suggesting they are unused. Common people steam the roots or make pickles, which merely have a slight smoky odor.
Su Gong stated: Wujing is called Man Jing in the North; roots, leaves, and seeds are all of the Song family, completely different from Lufu, with distinct properties and uses. Tao claimed Wujing resembles Lufu and Lufu leaves are inedible; this is because these two substances were not produced in the Jiangbiao region, leading to a loss of truth. Song seeds are black; Man Jing seeds are purple-red, similar in size. Lufu seeds are yellow-red, several times larger, and not round.
Ma Zhi stated: Man Jing stems are shorter and finer than Lufu, with larger leaves growing continuously above ground, dense, broad, short, fat, and red in color.
Su Song stated: Wujing is found both North and South, especially abundant in the North. Available year-round: spring shoots, summer hearts (also called Taizi), autumn stems, winter roots. Heshuo grows much of it to prepare for famine years. Among vegetables, none is more beneficial. Seeds are harvested in late summer and autumn.
Kou Zongshi stated: Man Jing withers in summer. At this time, vegetable gardens replant, called Jimao Cai. Eating the heart occurs in spring. Among all vegetables, it is beneficial without harm, contributing to society. Remaining harvests collect seeds for oil, which burns brightly for lamps and is consumed by Westerners. Those from Hedong and Taiyuan have exceptionally large roots, unmatched elsewhere. Also produced in the Tuyuhun region of Western Tibet.
Li Fang stated: Leaves are Man Jing, roots are Lufu.
Li Shizhen stated: *Bie Lu* listing Wujing and Lufu together caused speculation. Some considered them one substance, others entirely different, some saying Radish in the South and Man Jing in the North, lacking definite views. Now examining: their roots, leaves, flowers, and seeds differ; they are not one category. Man Jing belongs to the Brassica/Jie genus; roots are long and white, taste pungent-bitter and short-lived, stems thick, leaves large, dense, and broad; early summer shoots bolts, opens yellow flowers spreading like mustard, pods like mustard, seeds uniform and round, resembling mustard seeds but purple-red. Lufu belongs to the Brassica/Song genus; roots round, sometimes long, red or white; taste pungent-sweet and lasting; leaves not very large and rough, some with flower leaves; early summer shoots bolts, opens pale purple flowers; pods worm-like, belly big tail sharp; seeds like Fenugreek, uneven and not round, yellow-red. Distinguishing thus makes it clear. Man Jing planted in June has large roots but insect-eaten leaves; planted in August has beautiful leaves but small roots; only those planted early July have good roots and leaves. For sale, pure Jiuying is planted; Jiuying has large roots and short flavor, excellent when peeled for pickles. People in Yanjing pickle them in jars, called Biweng Cai.

Roots and Leaves
[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, Warm, Non-toxic. Li Shizhen stated: Pungent, Sweet, Bitter.
Kou Zongshi stated: Excessive consumption moves Qi.

[Indications] Benefits the five zang organs, lightens the body and augments Qi, suitable for long-term consumption (*Bie Lu*).
Regular consumption unblocks the middle jiao, making one fat and healthy (Su Song). Digests food, directs Qi downward, treats cough, stops thirst, removes cold pain in the heart and abdomen, and treats heat-toxin wind swelling, breast abscess, and chills/fever associated with妒乳 (nursing issues) (Meng Shen).

[Invention/Fa Ming] Meng Shen stated: Jiuying Song originates from Hexi, with large leaves and coarse, long roots. Delicious when eaten with mutton; regular consumption prevents disease onset. In winter, made into pickles or soup, it digests retained food, directs Qi downward, and treats cough. Various scholars debated its cold nature, while *Bencao* states it is warm, which may be an error.

[Attached Prescriptions] Seven old, seven new.
Preventing Epidemic Diseases: On a Gengzi day after Start of Spring, warm Man Jing juice, and the whole family drinks it, unlimited amount, avoiding epidemics for a year (*Shenxian Jiaozi Fa*).
Nosebleed: Zhuge Cai, fresh crushed juice drunk (*Shibian Liangfang*).
Severe Intoxication, Bedridden for Days: Man Jing vegetable, cooked with a little rice, strained, and drunk chilled (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Dispelling Alcohol Odor: Dry Man Jing roots, fourteen pieces, steamed three times, powdered. Taken with water after drinking alcohol, eliminates odor (*Qianjin Fang*).
All Swellings and Toxicities: Sun Simiao's Dietary Taboo: Fresh Man Jing root, one handful, mixed with a little salt flower, crushed and applied, changed three times daily. *Zhouhou Fang*: Use Man Jing leaves not contaminated by water, burned to ash, mixed with lard from the twelfth lunar month, applied.
Carbuncle with Root: Pierce with a large needle to make a hole, shave Man Jing root to needle thickness, dip in iron rust, insert into hole. Then crush equal parts Man Jing root and iron rust, apply. Change when pus appears; root will emerge quickly, curing immediately. Avoid greasy, raw/cold, five pungents, sticky/smooth, and stale foods (*Zhouhou*).
Breast Abscess with Chills/Fever: Man Jing root and leaves, remove soil, do not wash with water, mix with salt, crush and apply. Change when hot; cures within 3-5 times. Winter use only root. This prescription saved over ten people. Avoid wind (*Libing Shouji*).
Women's Nursing Issues (Du Ru): Fresh Man Jing root crushed, mixed with salt, vinegar, and fermented grain water juice for washing, 5-6 times effective. Alternatively, crush and mix with egg white for application (*Shiliao*).
Yin Swelling like a Bean Bag: Fresh Man Jing root crushed and applied, treating what others cannot (*Jiliao Fang*).
Smallpox/Rash: Man Jing root crushed for juice, puncture rash, grind and apply. Within one meal time, root emerges (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Dog Bite Wound Recurrence: Man Jing root crushed for juice, taken orally, effective (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Childhood Bald Scalp: Wujing leaves burned to ash, mixed with fat for application (*Qianjin Fang*).
Flying Thread in Eye: Man Jing vegetable rubbed soft, wrapped in cloth, drip 2-3 drops of juice, thread exits (*Puji Fang*).

Seeds
[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, Pungent, Neutral, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Brightens eyes (*Bie Lu*). Treats jaundice, promotes urination. Decocted juice treats masses and accumulations. Small amounts treat cholera with abdominal distension. Powder treats dim vision. Oil added to face cream removes dark spots and wrinkles (Su Gong). Mixed with oil for spider bites (Chen Cangqi). Pressed oil applied to head changes garlic hair (Meng Shen). Taken in pills, makes one fat and healthy, especially suitable for women (Xiao Bing).

[Invention/Fa Ming] Chen Cangqi stated: *Xian Jing* says: Man Jing seeds, nine steams and nine sun-dries, powdered for long-term use, enables fasting and longevity. For spider bites, fearing toxin entry, take powder with wine, or mix with oil for application. No spiders exist in Man Jing gardens, indicating mutual aversion.
Li Shizhen stated: Man Jing seeds can ascend or descend, induce sweating or vomiting, purgation or diuresis, and brighten eyes and detoxify; its merit is great, yet rarely used by the world. Why? Seeds collected early summer, fried, pressed for oil, identical in color to sesame oil after refining, consumed by Westerners. Burns brightly for lamps, but smoke harms eyes. Zu Ting of Northern Wei was imprisoned in a cellar and blinded by Wujing seed oil lamp, referring to this.

[Attached Prescriptions] Twelve old, ten new.
Brighten Eyes and Augment Qi: One sheng Wujing seeds, nine sheng water, boil until juice exhausted, dry. Repeat three times, powder. Take one fangcun bi with water, three times daily. Can also mix with water and cook porridge (*Waitai Mi Yao*).
Regular Use for Vision and Plumpness: Three sheng Wujing seeds, three sheng vinegar, boil dry, powder. Take one fangcun bi with well water at dawn, three times daily, no restrictions. *Baopuzi* says: Consuming one dou allows night vision (*Qianjin Fang*).
Congenital Blindness with Cataracts (Pupil Intact): Nine out of ten heal. Six sheng Man Jing seeds, steam thoroughly, remove from steamer, pour hot water from pot over them, dry, repeat three times, powder. Take one fangcun bi with clear wine before meals, twice daily (*Haishang Fang*).
Deficiency Consumption with Dim Vision: Same method as above (*Puji Fang*).
Tonify Liver and Brighten Eyes: One jin washed Wujing seeds, two jin Huangjing, mix, nine steams nine dries, powder. Take two qian on empty stomach with rice drink, twice daily. Another formula: Two sheng Man Jing seeds, one sheng Cassiae Semen, mix, boil dry with five sheng wine, powder. Take two qian with warm water, twice daily (*Shenghui Fang*).
Wind Evil Attacking Eyes, Blurred Vision, Liver Qi Deficiency: Four liang Man Jing seeds (burn black in porcelain jar until silent), two liang Snake Slough (burn to ash), powder. Take half qian after meals with wine, three times daily (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Dietary Fasting: Harvest ripe Wujing seeds, boil water three times until bitterness gone, dry and powder. Take two qian with warm water, three times daily. Long-term use enables fasting (*Tujing Bencao*).
Yellow Sweat Staining Clothes, Yellow Snot/Saliva: Man Jing seed powder, one spoon with well water at dawn, twice daily.
Increase to two spoons until effective. Soak silk in urine nightly, check daily; turns white then cured, within five sheng total (*Waitai Mi Yao*).
Golden Jaundice, Yellow Eyes, Red Urine: Raw Man Jing seed powder, one fangcun bi with cooked water, three times daily (*Sun Simiao Shiji*).
Acute Jaundice/Internal Jaundice, Abdominal Blockage: Man Jing seed powder, water-pressed juice, taken. Expect sneezing, yellow water from nose, and diarrhea for cure. Seed oil, one cup per dose better (*Bencao Shiyi*).
Heat Jaundice with Constipation: Wujing seed powder, water-pressed juice, taken. Soon expels all evil matter, sand, stones, grass, hair (*Shiliao Bencao*).
Obstruction of Bowel/Bladder, Severe Distension: One he of Man Jing seed oil, taken on empty stomach, unblocks. Sweating after unblocking is normal (*Shenghui Fang*).
Abdominal Distension: One dahe Man Jing seeds, clean and crush, one sheng water, grind, filter one zhan juice, take once. Soon self-purgation, vomiting, or sweating cures (*Waitai Mi Yao*).
Cholera Pain/Distension: Wujing seeds, water decoction, drunk (*Binhu Jifang*).
Pregnancy Dysuria: Wujing seed powder, one fangcun bi with water, twice daily (*Zimu Milu*).
Wind Rash Entering Abdomen, Stiff Body, Dry/Hard Tongue: Three liang Man Jing seeds, powder. One qian with warm wine (*Shenghui Fang*).
Phlegmon with Fever, Affecting Hands/Feet/Shoulders/Back, Rice-like Nodules, White Color, Oozing Fluid, Recurrent Fever: Cooked Wujing seeds crushed, wrapped in silk, roll over affected area, day and night without stopping (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Bone Abscess Not Healing: Recurring, bone protruding from hole. Wujing seeds crushed and applied, wrapped in silk, changed daily (*Qianjin Fang*).
Childhood Bald Scalp: Man Jing seed powder, mixed with vinegar, applied. Three times daily (*Qianjin Fang*).
Eyebrow Loss: Four liang Man Jing seeds. Fried and ground, mixed with vinegar, applied (*Shenghui Fang*).
Facial Moles/Spots: Man Jing seed powder, mixed into face fat, applied nightly. Also removes facial wrinkles (*Shenghui Fang*).

Flowers
[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, Neutral, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Deficiency consumption with dim vision. Long-term use enables longevity and reading at night. Harvest flowers on March 3rd, shade-dry, powder. Take two qian on empty stomach with well water (Shen Wei).