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(Recorded in the Superior Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** Li Shizhen states: According to Lu Dian's *Piya*, the stems and leaves of Amaranthus are tall, prominent, and easily visible; hence its character contains the radical "Jian" (see), which is a phono-semantic compound indicating meaning.

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Amaranthus seed, also known as Mo Shi, is the same for Fine Amaranthus. It grows in the marshes and fields of Huaiyang. The leaves resemble Isatis leaves. Harvested in the eleventh month.

Li Dangzhi states: Amaranthus seed is simply Amaranth vegetable.

Tao Hongjing states: Amaranthus seed should be White Amaranthus. This is why it is said that Fine Amaranthus is the same, as its leaves resemble Isatis leaves. Fine Amaranthus is also called Bran Amaranthus; it is superior for consumption but has a cold and purgative nature. It matures only after frost, hence the instruction to harvest in the eleventh month. There is also Red Amaranthus, with entirely purple stems, which is inedible. Ma Xian (Purslane) is a different species, growing prostrate on the ground, with extremely minute seeds; commonly called Purslane, it is likely not Amaranthus seed.

Su Gong states: Red Amaranthus, also known as Kui (pronounced like "Kui"). The *Classic* states Amaranthus seed is also named Mo Shi; I suspect the character "Mo" is an error.

Zheng Baosheng states: There are six types of Amaranthus: Red, White, Human, Purple, Five-Colored, and Horse Amaranthus. Only the seeds of Human and White Amaranthus can be used medicinally. Red Amaranthus tastes pungent and has other functions.

Su Song states: Human Amaranthus and White Amaranthus are both very cold; they are also called Bran Amaranthus, Hu Amaranthus, or Fine Amaranthus, essentially being the same thing. The larger ones are called White Amaranthus, and the smaller ones Human Amaranthus. Their seeds mature only after frost, becoming small and black. Purple Amaranthus has purple stems and leaves throughout; people in Wu use it to dye fingernails. Among all Amaranthus varieties, only this one is non-toxic and not cold. Red Amaranthus is also called Flower Amaranthus, with deep red stems and leaves; the roots and stems can be pickled and taste delicious, with a pungent flavor. Five-Colored Amaranthus is now rare. Fine Amaranthus is commonly called Wild Amaranthus; pigs like to eat it, so it is also called Pig Amaranthus.

Li Shizhen states: Amaranthus is sown in March. After June, it is unfit for eating. When old, it shoots up stems as tall as a person, producing fine flowers that form spikes. The seeds within the spikes are flat, smooth, and black, indistinguishable from Celosia seeds or Celosia cristata seeds; harvested in September. Fine Amaranthus is Wild Amaranthus; northerners call it Bran Amaranthus. It has soft stems and fine leaves, sets seed immediately upon growth, and tastes better than cultivated Amaranthus. Commonly, Celosia seedlings are called Cock's Comb Amaranthus and are also edible. See the Herb section.

Vegetable

**[Flavor and Nature]** Sweet, cold and purgative, non-toxic. Su Gong states: Red Amaranthus: Pungent, cold.

Ding states: Amaranthus moves Qi, causing irritability and fullness; it damages the abdomen with cold. It must not be eaten with turtle meat, as it generates Turtle Syndrome. Furthermore, if turtle meat cut into bean-sized pieces is wrapped in Amaranth vegetable and placed in a pit covered with soil, overnight it will all transform into small turtles.

Ji states: This claim has been tested repeatedly without verification.

**[Therapeutic Actions]** White Amaranthus: Tonifies Qi and eliminates heat, opens the nine orifices (Meng Shen). Red Amaranthus: Treats bloody dysentery, She Gong (archer bug), and Sha Shi (sand louse) (Su Gong). Purple Amaranthus: Kills insect toxins, treats Qi-type dysentery (Zang Qi). All Six Amaranthus: Promote urination and defecation, treat early-stage dysentery, and induce abortion (Li Shizhen).

**[Innovation/Commentary]** Tao Hongjing states: Human Amaranthus and Fine Amaranthus are both cold and purgative. Red Amaranthus treats bloody discharge but is inedible. Amaranth vegetable is rarely used in prescriptions, appearing occasionally in fasting regimens.

Su Song states: Red Amaranthus is slightly cold, thus treating blood dysentery; Purple Amaranthus is not cold and, being non-toxic among Amaranthus varieties, treats Qi-type dysentery.

Meng Shen states: On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, collect Amaranth vegetable and Purslane, grind them into fine powder, take equal parts, and allow pregnant women to consume regularly to facilitate childbirth.

Zhu Zhenheng states: Red Amaranthus enters the Blood level and moves vigorously; thus, taken together with Purslane, it can abort the fetus. Alternatively, boiling and eating it facilitates childbirth.

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Two old, five new.

Dysentery after childbirth, with red and white discharge: Take a handful of Purple Amaranth vegetable, chop and boil to extract juice, add three he of glutinous rice, cook into porridge, and eat for immediate recovery. (*Shouqin Yanglao Shu*).

Tight lips in infants: Red Amaranthus, crush and extract juice to wash the area; effective. (*Shenghui Fang*).

Itching from lac poisoning: Boil Amaranth vegetable in water and wash.

Centipede bite: Rub with Ash Amaranthus leaves to stop pain immediately. (Tan Yeweng's Prescription).

Wasp/Hornet sting: Rub with Wild Amaranthus.

Bites from various snakes: Crush Purple Amaranthus, drink one sheng of juice, and apply the dregs to the wound. (*Jiyan Fang*).

Injury by She Gong (Archers Bug), presenting like Taiyang disease with chills and fever, with sores developing in one specific area, differing from usual cases: Crush Red Amaranthus with stems and leaves, drink one sheng of juice, taken twice daily. (*Jiyan Fang*).

Amaranthus Seed

**[Flavor and Nature]** Sweet, cold, non-toxic.

**[Therapeutic Actions]** Blindness (Qing Mang), brightens eyes and eliminates pathogenic factors, promotes urination and defecation, removes chills and fever. Long-term use strengthens Qi and vitality, prevents hunger, and lightens the body (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats leukoma (white opacity), kills roundworms (*Mingyi Bielu*). Benefits essence (Daming). Liver wind with exogenous heat, visual floaters and dark spots (Li Shizhen).

**[Innovation/Commentary]** Li Shizhen states: Amaranthus seed and Celosia seed are of the same genus but different species; thus, their efficacy in treating eye diseases is similar. **[Attached Prescription]** One new. Promotes urination and defecation: Grind Amaranthus seed into powder, half liang per dose, divided into two servings, taken with fresh well water. (*Shenghui Fang*).

Root

**[Therapeutic Actions]** Cold pain in the genital region; if entering the abdomen, causes swelling and fatal distension. Crush and apply externally (Li Shizhen). **[Attached Prescription]** One new.

Toothache: Dry Amaranthus root, burn until carbonized (retain nature), grind into powder, and rub on teeth. Then rinse mouth with decoction of Lantern Root (Physalis alkekengi root). (Sun's *Jixiao Fang*).