（《别录》上品）
【释名】时珍曰∶按∶王安石《字说》云∶芥者，界也。发汗散气，界我者也。王祯《农
书》云∶其气味辛烈，菜中之介然者，食之有刚介之象，故字从介。
【集解】弘景曰∶芥似菘而有毛，味辣，可生食及作菹。其子可以藏冬瓜。又有莨（音
郎），作菹甚辣。
恭曰∶芥有三种∶叶大子粗者，叶可食，子入药用；叶小子细者，叶不堪食，子但作齑
；又有白芥子，粗大白色，如白粱米，甚辛美，从西戎来。
颂曰∶芥处处有之。有青芥，似菘，有毛，味极辣。紫芥，茎叶纯紫可爱，作齑最美。
有白芥，见本条。其余南芥、旋芥、花芥、石芥之类，皆菜茹之美者，不能悉录。大抵南土
多芥。相传岭南无芜菁，有人携种至彼种之，皆变作芥，地气使然耳。
时珍曰∶芥有数种∶青芥，又名刺芥，似白菘，有柔毛。有大芥，亦名皱叶芥，大叶皱
纹，色尤深绿，味更辛辣。二芥宜入药用。有马芥，叶如青芥。有花芥，叶多缺刻，如萝卜
英。有紫芥，茎叶皆紫如苏。有石芥，低小。皆以八、九月下种。冬月食者，俗呼腊菜；春
月食者，俗呼春菜；四月食者，谓之夏芥。芥心嫩苔，谓之芥蓝，瀹食脆美。其花三月开，
黄色四出。结荚一、二寸。子大如苏子，而色紫味辛，研末泡过为芥酱，以侑肉食，辛香可
爱。《岭南异物志》云∶南土芥高五、六尺，子大如鸡子。此又芥之异者也。
茎叶
【气味】辛，温，无毒。
诜曰∶煮食动气与风，生食发丹石，不可多食。大叶者良，细叶有毛者害人。
宁原曰∶有疮疡、痔疾、便血者忌之。
思邈曰∶同兔肉食，成恶邪病。同鲫鱼食，发水肿。
【主治】归鼻，除肾经邪气，利九窃，明耳目，安中。久食温中（《别录》）。止咳嗽上
气，除冷气（《日华》）。主咳逆下气，去头面风（孟诜）。通肺豁痰，利膈开胃（时珍）。
【发明】时珍曰∶芥性辛热而散，故能通肺开胃，利气豁痰。久食则积温成热，辛散太
盛，耗人真元，肝木受病，昏人眼目，发人疮痔，而《别录》谓其能明耳目者，盖知暂时之
快，而不知积久之害也。《素问》云∶辛走气，气病无多食辛。多食辛则筋急而爪枯。此类
是矣。陆佃云∶望梅生津，食芥堕泪，五液之自外至也。慕而涎垂，愧而汗出，五液之自内
生也。
【附方】新四。
牙龈肿烂，出臭水者∶芥菜秆烧存性，研末，频敷之，即愈。
飞丝入目∶青菜汁点之如神。（《摘玄方》）。
漆疮搔痒∶芥菜煎汤，洗之。（《千金方》）。
痔疮肿痛∶芥叶捣饼，频坐之。（谈野翁《经效方》）。
子
【气味】辛，热，无毒。
时珍曰∶多食昏目动火，泄气伤精。
【主治】归鼻，去一切邪恶疰气，喉痹（弘景）。疰
气发无常处，及射工毒，丸服之，或捣末醋和涂之，随手有验（苏恭）。
治风毒肿及麻痹，醋研敷之。扑损瘀血，腰痛肾冷，和生姜研涂贴之。又治心痛，酒调
服之（《日华》）。研末作酱食，香美，通利五脏（孟诜）。研末水调，涂顶囟，止衄血（吴瑞）。
温中散寒，豁痰利窍，治胃寒吐食，肺寒咳嗽，风冷气痛，口噤唇紧，消散痈肿瘀血（时珍）。
【发明】时珍曰∶芥子，功与菜同。其味辛，其气散，故能利九窍，通经络，治口噤、
耳聋、鼻衄之证，消瘀血、痈肿、痛痹之邪。其性热而温中，故又能利气豁痰，治嗽止
吐，主心腹诸痛。白芥子辛烈更甚，治病尤良。见后本条。
【附方】旧八，新十六。
感寒无汗∶水调芥子末填脐内，以热物隔衣熨之，取汗出妙。（杨起《简便单方》）。
身体麻木∶芥菜子末，醋调涂之。（《济生秘览》）。
中风口噤，舌本缩者∶用芥菜子一升研，入醋二升，煎一升，敷颔颊下，效。（《圣惠方》）。
小儿唇紧∶用马芥子捣汁曝浓，揩破，频涂之。（崔氏《纂要方》）。
喉痹肿痛∶芥子末，水和敷喉下，干即易之。又用辣芥子研末，醋调取汁，点入喉内。
待喉内鸣，却用陈麻骨烧烟吸入，立愈。（并《圣惠方》）。
耳卒聋闭∶芥子末，人乳汁和，以绵裹塞之。（《外台秘要》）。
雀目不见∶真紫芥菜子，炒黑为末，用羊肝一具，分作八服。每用芥末三钱，捻肝上，
笋箨裹定，煮熟冷食，以汁送下。（《圣济总录》）。
目中翳膜∶芥子一粒，轻手 入眼中。少顷，以井华水、鸡子清洗之。（《总录》）。
眉毛不生∶芥菜子、半夏等分，为末，生姜自然汁调搽，数次即生。（孙氏《集效方》）。
鬼疰劳气∶芥子三升，研末，绢袋盛，入三斗酒中七日，温服，一日三次。（《广济方》）。
热痰烦运∶方见白芥。
霍乱吐泻∶芥子捣细，水和敷脐上。（《圣济总录》）。
反胃吐食∶芥子末，酒服方寸匕，日三服。（《千金方》）。
上气呕吐∶芥子末，蜜丸梧子大，井华水寅时下七丸，申时再服。（《千金方》）。
脐下绞痛∶方同上。
腰脊胀痛∶芥子末调酒，贴之立效。（《摘玄方》）。
走注风毒作痛∶用小芥子末，和鸡子白涂之。（《圣惠》）。
一切痈肿∶猪胆汁和芥子末贴之，日三上。猪脂亦可。（《千金翼》）。
痈肿热毒∶家芥子末同柏叶捣涂，无不愈者，大验。得山芥更妙。（《千金翼》）。
热毒瘰 ∶小芥子末，醋和贴之。看消即止，恐损肉。（《肘后》）。五种 疾∶芥子末，
以水、蜜和敷，干即易之。（《广济方》）。
射工中人有疮∶用芥子末和苦酒浓涂之。半日痛即止。（《千金方》）。
妇人经闭不行，至一年者，脐腹痛，腰腿沉重，寒热往来∶用芥子二两，为末。每服二
钱，热酒食前服。（《仁存方》）。
阴证伤寒，腹痛厥逆∶芥菜子研末，水调贴脐上。（《生生编》）
[Classified as Superior Grade in *Bie Lu*]
**Explanation of Names:** Li Shizhen said: According to Wang Anshi's *Zi Shuo*: "Jie" (Mustard) means "boundary." It induces sweating and disperses qi, acting as a boundary for me. Wang Zhen in his *Nong Shu* stated: Its odor is pungent and fierce; among vegetables, it possesses a distinct, firm character. Eating it symbolizes firmness and integrity, hence the character contains "Jie" (firm/integrity).
**Collection of Explanations:** Tao Hongjing said: Mustard resembles Song Cai (Chinese Cabbage) but has hairs; its taste is spicy and can be eaten raw or pickled. Its seeds can be used to preserve winter melons. There is also Lang (pronounced 'Lang'), which makes very spicy pickles.
Su Gong said: There are three types of mustard: One with large leaves and coarse seeds, whose leaves are edible and seeds are medicinal; one with small leaves and fine seeds, whose leaves are inedible and seeds are only used for making minced condiments; and white mustard seed, which is coarse, white, resembling white sorghum grains, extremely pungent and delicious, originating from the Western Regions.
Su Song said: Mustard grows everywhere. There is green mustard, resembling Chinese cabbage, hairy, and extremely spicy. Purple mustard, with stems and leaves entirely purple, is lovely and makes the best pickles. White mustard is described in this entry. Others such as Southern mustard, spinning mustard, flowering mustard, and stone mustard are all delicious vegetables and cannot be fully recorded. Generally, the southern regions produce more mustard. It is said that Lingnan originally had no turnips (Wujing); when someone brought seeds there to plant, they all turned into mustard, due to the local climate and soil.
Li Shizhen said: There are several varieties of mustard: Green mustard, also called thorny mustard, resembles white Chinese cabbage and has soft hairs. Large mustard, also called wrinkled-leaf mustard, has large wrinkled leaves, deep green color, and a spicier taste. These two varieties are suitable for medicinal use. Horse mustard has leaves like green mustard. Flowering mustard has leaves with many lobes, resembling radish greens. Purple mustard has stems and leaves purple like perilla. Stone mustard is low-growing. All are sown in August and September. Those eaten in winter are commonly called "La Cai" (Winter Vegetable); those eaten in spring are called "Chun Cai" (Spring Vegetable); those eaten in April are called "Xia Jie" (Summer Mustard). The tender shoots of the mustard heart are called "Jie Lan," which is crisp and delicious when boiled. Its flowers bloom in March, yellow with four petals. Pods are one to two inches long. Seeds are as large as perilla seeds but purple and spicy; ground into powder and soaked, they make mustard sauce, excellent for accompanying meat, with a pleasant pungent aroma. *Lingnan Yiwu Zhi* states: In the south, mustard grows five to six feet high, and seeds are as large as chicken eggs. This is another variant of mustard.
**Stems and Leaves**
**Properties and Flavor:** Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
Meng Shen said: Cooked consumption moves qi and generates wind; raw consumption triggers Dan Shi (mineral drug) toxicity; do not eat in excess. Large-leaved varieties are good; fine-leaved and hairy varieties are harmful.
Ning Yuan said: Contraindicated for those with sores, ulcers, hemorrhoids, or bloody stools.
Sun Simiao said: Consuming with rabbit meat causes evil pathogenic diseases. Consuming with crucian carp induces edema.
**Indications:** Enters the Nose Meridian, expels pathogenic factors from the Kidney Meridian, unblocks the nine orifices, brightens eyes and improves hearing, and harmonizes the Middle Jiao. Long-term consumption warms the Middle Jiao (*Bie Lu*). Stops cough and rebellious qi, dispels cold qi (*Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao*). Treats rebellious cough and descending qi, removes wind from the head and face (Meng Shen). Unblocks the Lungs, resolves phlegm, benefits the diaphragm, and opens the appetite (Li Shizhen).
**Elucidation:** Li Shizhen said: Mustard is pungent, hot, and dispersing, thus it can unblock the Lungs, open the stomach, benefit qi, and resolve phlegm. Long-term consumption accumulates warmth into heat; excessive pungent dispersion depletes the body's true yuan qi, causing Liver Wood pathology, dimming the eyes, and triggering sores and hemorrhoids. When *Bie Lu* claims it brightens the eyes, it likely refers to temporary relief without recognizing the long-term harm. *Su Wen* states: Pungent flavors move qi; those with qi disorders should not consume much pungent food. Excessive pungent consumption leads to tendon stiffness and brittle nails. This category exemplifies this. Lu Fuan said: Thinking of plums generates saliva; eating mustard brings tears; these are fluids generated from external stimuli. Admiration causes salivation; shame causes sweating; these are fluids generated internally.
**Attached Prescriptions:** Four new prescriptions.
Gum swelling and ulceration with foul discharge: Burn mustard stalks until carbonized (preserving nature), grind into powder, and apply frequently until healed.
Flying silk entering the eye: Drip fresh vegetable juice into the eye; effect is miraculous. (*Zhai Xuan Fang*).
Lacquer dermatitis itching: Wash with decoction of mustard greens. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Hemorrhoid swelling and pain: Mash mustard leaves into cakes and sit on them frequently. (Tan Ye Weng *Jing Xiao Fang*).
**Seeds**
**Properties and Flavor:** Pungent, hot, non-toxic.
Li Shizhen said: Excessive consumption dims vision, generates fire, leaks qi, and damages essence.
**Indications:** Enters the Nose Meridian, removes all evil Zhu Qi (contagious miasma) and Hou Bi (throat obstruction) (Tao Hongjing). Zhu Qi attacks unpredictably, along with She Gong poison; taken as pills or applied as powder mixed with vinegar, it works immediately (Su Gong).
Treats wind-toxin swelling and numbness; apply paste made by grinding with vinegar. Treats traumatic blood stasis, lower back pain, and kidney cold; mix with ginger, grind, and apply. Also treats heart pain; take with wine (*Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao*). Grind into powder to make sauce; it is fragrant and delicious, benefiting the five zang organs (Meng Shen). Mix powder with water and apply to the anterior fontanelle to stop epistaxis (Wu Rui).
Warms the middle, disperses cold, resolves phlegm, and unblocks orifices; treats stomach-cold vomiting, lung-cold cough, wind-cold painful obstruction, lockjaw, and tight lips; dissipates carbuncles and blood stasis (Li Shizhen).
**Elucidation:** Li Shizhen said: Mustard seeds have the same efficacy as mustard greens. Their pungent flavor and dispersing nature allow them to benefit the nine orifices, unblock meridians, treat lockjaw, deafness, and epistaxis, and eliminate blood stasis, carbuncles, and painful obstruction. Their hot nature warms the middle, allowing them to benefit qi, resolve phlegm, treat cough and vomiting, and manage various abdominal pains. White mustard seed is even more pungent and potent, making it particularly effective for disease treatment. See the specific entry below.
**Attached Prescriptions:** Eight old prescriptions, sixteen new prescriptions.
Cold invasion with no sweat: Fill the umbilicus with mustard seed powder mixed with water, then apply heat through clothing to induce sweating. Excellent result. (Yang Qi *Jian Bian Dan Fang*).
Body numbness: Apply mustard seed powder mixed with vinegar. (*Ji Sheng Mi Lan*).
Stroke with lockjaw and retracted tongue: Grind one sheng of mustard seeds, add two sheng of vinegar, boil down to one sheng, and apply to the submandibular area. Effective. (*Sheng Hui Fang*).
Infant tight lips: Crush horse mustard seeds, extract juice, concentrate by drying, rub onto broken skin, and apply frequently. (Cui Shi *Zuan Yao Fang*).
Throat obstruction with swelling and pain: Apply mustard seed powder mixed with water under the throat; change when dry. Alternatively, grind spicy mustard seeds, extract juice with vinegar, and drip into the throat. Wait for rattling in the throat, then inhale smoke from burnt hemp stalks; immediate cure. (Both *Sheng Hui Fang*).
Sudden deafness and blockage: Mix mustard seed powder with human breast milk, wrap in cotton, and insert into the ear. (*Wai Tai Mi Yao*).
Night blindness: Roast true purple mustard seeds until black, grind to powder. Take one sheep liver, divide into eight doses. For each dose, mix three qian of mustard powder onto the liver, wrap in bamboo husks, cook thoroughly, eat cold, and swallow with the juice. (*Sheng Ji Zong Lu*).
Corneal opacity/membrane in eyes: Gently place one mustard seed into the eye. After a short while, wash with well water and egg white. (*Zong Lu*).
Eyebrow hair loss: Mix equal parts mustard seeds and Pinellia ternata, grind to powder, mix with fresh ginger juice, and apply. Hair will grow after several applications. (Sun Shi *Ji Xiao Fang*).
Gui Zhu (ghostly transmission) and consumptive qi: Grind three sheng of mustard seeds, place in a silk bag, soak in three dou of wine for seven days, take warm, three times a day. (*Guang Ji Fang*).
Hot phlegm with dizziness: See prescription under White Mustard.
Colic with vomiting and diarrhea: Grind mustard seeds finely, mix with water, and apply to the umbilicus. (*Sheng Ji Zong Lu*).
Regurgitation and vomiting: Take one fang cun bi (measure) of mustard seed powder with wine, three times a day. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Rebellious qi and vomiting: Make pills the size of wu zi (wu berry) using mustard seed powder and honey. Take seven pills at Yin hour (3-5 AM) with well water, and repeat at Shen hour (3-5 PM). (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Cramping pain below the umbilicus: Same prescription as above.
Lower back and spine distending pain: Mix mustard seed powder with wine and apply; immediate effect. (*Zhai Xuan Fang*).
Wandering wind-toxin pain: Apply small mustard seed powder mixed with egg white. (*Sheng Hui*).
All carbuncles and swellings: Mix pig bile with mustard seed powder and apply; apply three times daily. Pig fat can also be used. (*Qian Jin Yi*).
Carbuncle swelling with heat toxin: Mash home-grown mustard seeds with cypress leaves and apply; universally curative, highly effective. Using mountain mustard is even better. (*Qian Jin Yi*).
Heat toxin scrofula: Apply small mustard seed powder mixed with vinegar. Stop when resolved to avoid damaging flesh. (*Zhou Hou Fang*). Five types of [scrofula/sores]: Apply mustard seed powder mixed with water and honey; change when dry. (*Guang Ji Fang*).
Sores from She Gong (poisonous arrow frog) bite: Apply thick mixture of mustard seed powder and vinegar (ku jiu). Pain stops within half a day. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Women with amenorrhea for one year, accompanied by umbilical abdominal pain, heavy waist and legs, and alternating chills and fever: Grind two liang of mustard seeds to powder. Take two qian before meals with hot wine. (*Ren Cun Fang*).
Yin syndrome cold damage with abdominal pain and cold extremities: Grind mustard seeds to powder, mix with water, and apply to the umbilicus. (*Sheng Sheng Bian*)