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(Registered as a Superior Grade herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica])
[Correction] Merged into the entries for "Kuju" (Bitter Lettuce) and "Kutu" (Bitter Tea) in the *Jiayou Bencao* [Materia Medica of the Jiayou Era].
[Names] Tutu (pronounced 'tu'. From *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Kuju (From *Jiayou Bencao*), Kutu (From *Bencao Gangmu*), Youdong (From *Mingyi Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians]), Bianju (From *Riyong Bencao*), Laoguancai (Stork's Bill, From *Jiu Huang Bencao* [Materia Medica for Famine Relief]), Tianxiangcai.
Li Shizhen says: This plant is named "Kutu" due to its bitter taste. Because it survives through winter and spring, it is called "Youdong" (Wandering Winter). Xu Shen's *Shuowen Jiezi* states that "Ju" is written as [character variant]. People in Wu call it "Ku", the meaning of which is unclear. The *Jiayou Bencao* records that people in Lingnan and Wu cultivate Ju for food, calling it "Kuju", yet it redundantly lists both "Kuju" and "Kutu". I have now merged them.
[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Bitter vegetable grows in the valleys, hills, and by roadsides of Yizhou. It does not die during winter. Harvest on the third day of the third lunar month and dry in the shade.
*Tongjun Yaolu* states: Bitter vegetable sprouts in March, with spreading branches. In June, flowers emerge from the leaf axils; the stem is straight, and the flowers are yellow. In August, the fruits turn black; after the fruits fall, the roots regenerate, remaining green in winter.
Su Gong says: *Erya* states: "Tu is bitter vegetable." *Yitong Guayan Xuantu* states: Bitter vegetable grows in late autumn, endures winter and spring, and matures in summer. Alias Youdong. Leaves are similar to bitter lettuce but finer; when broken, white juice exudes; flowers are yellow like chrysanthemums; found everywhere. This description is slightly consistent with Tongjun's. "Ku" is commonly called bitter vegetable, but it is not this "Tu". Bao Sheng says: Flowers in spring, fruits in summer; flowers reappear in autumn without fruiting, remaining evergreen through winter.
Zong Ying says: This refers to the "bitter vegetable showing its form" mentioned in the *Liji Yue Ling* [Book of Rites: Monthly Ordinances] after the Xiaoman solar term in April. It is found in all directions; those in the north wither in winter, while those in the south remain evergreen. Leaves are narrower than bitter lettuce, pale green. When broken, white latex exudes, tasting bitter. Flowers resemble wild chrysanthemums, blooming successively in spring, summer, and autumn.
Li Shizhen says: Bitter vegetable is the same as Kutu; home-grown varieties are called Kuju, but they are one substance. Sprouts appear in early spring, with red-stemmed and white-stemmed varieties. The stems are hollow and brittle, exuding white juice when broken. Leaves resemble radish leaves but are greenish-blue; upper leaves clasp the stem, tip leaves resemble a stork's beak, each leaf forked, standing erect like pierced leaves. Yellow flowers bloom, resembling newly opened wild chrysanthemums. One flower produces a cluster of seeds, resembling Corchorus capsularis seeds or Herba Pedicularis, contracting after flowering; seeds have white downy hairs, dispersing with the wind, rooting wherever they land.
Shiliang says: Do not harvest when silkworm moths emerge, lest the moths become rotten. Silk farmers also avoid eating it. However, if wild lettuce is twisted five or six times, its taste becomes sweet and smooth, surpassing home-grown Kutu.
[Correction of Errors] Tao Hongjing says: Bitter vegetable is suspected to be tea (Ming). Tea, also known as Tu, does not wither in winter; brewing it as a drink causes insomnia.
Su Gong says: The *Classic of Poetry* says: "Who says Tu is bitter?" This is an alias for bitter vegetable. Tao Hongjing claimed Tu is Ming, and Ming belongs to the woody category. According to *Erya · Shi Cao*: "Tu is bitter vegetable," pronounced 'tu'. *Shi Mu*: "[Character], is bitter Tu," pronounced 'chi xia qie'. These two substances are entirely different and cannot be compared; Tao's statement is erroneous.
[Taste and Properties] Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
Zhang Ji (Zhang Zhongjing) says: Wild lettuce should not be eaten with honey, as it causes internal hemorrhoids.
Li Shizhen says: Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should not consume it.
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats evil qi in the five zang organs, anorexia (yan ye fan, meaning latent), and gastric bi (stomach obstruction). Long-term consumption calms the mind, benefits qi, enhances hearing and vision, reduces sleep needs, lightens the body, and delays aging (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats intestinal heat, thirst, internal diseases, and malignant sores. Long-term consumption enables endurance of hunger and cold, maintains high energy, and prevents aging (*Mingyi Bielu*). Regulates the twelve meridians, treats post-dysentery gastric irritability and rebellion. Long-term consumption strengthens the body; beneficial even in extreme cold (*Jiayou Bencao*). Juice drunk internally removes yellow discoloration of the face, eyes, and under the tongue. White juice applied externally draws out roots of ding swellings (carbuncles). Dropped on abscesses, causes immediate suppuration (Chen Cangqi). Applied to warts, causes them to fall off naturally (*Yanyi*). Applied to snake bites (Meng Da/Ming Da). Brightens the eyes, treats various types of dysentery (Wang Ji). Treats blood lin [dysuria with blood] and hemorrhoidal bleeding (Li Shizhen).
[Innovation and Elucidation] Zong Ying says: Kuju juice applied to carbuncles is highly effective. Green shoots dried in the shade can be powdered in winter and applied with water.
Li Shizhen says: According to *Dongtian Baosheng Lu*: During the three months of summer, consuming bitter Tu benefits the heart, harmonizes blood, and promotes qi circulation. Additionally, Lu Wenliang's *Shuyuan Zaji* states: For patients with hemorrhoids, bitter lettuce is suitable, whether fresh or dried. Boil until soft and mushy, place the broth in a vessel, position a board horizontally across it, and sit over the steam. Fumigate first, then wash. Stop when cool. Wash several times daily; repeated use is effective.
[Attached Prescriptions] Six new prescriptions.
Blood Lin and Hematuria: A handful of bitter Tu leaves, decocted with half wine and half water, taken orally (*Zisheng Jing*).
Irregular Blood Vessels: Dried bitter Tu leaves powdered. Take 2 qian, washed down with warm wine (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*).
Sore Throat and Swelling: Half a cup of juice from wild bitter Tu, mixed with half a cup of juice extracted from Juncus effusus (rush pith) soaked in hot water, taken uniformly (*Puji Fang*).
Opposite-Side Malignant Sore: One cup of juice from wild bitter Tu pounded, mixed with one spoonful of ginger juice and wine, taken orally; residue applied externally. Heals in one or two applications (Tang Yao, *Jingyan Fang*).
Poison from Sand Leeches: Sand leeches live in water; humans bathing may have them attach and burrow into the skin. Initially, the skin turns red like a small bean, millet, or grain; rubbing causes pain like a needle prick. After three days, fever and toxic sores appear; if entering the bone, it is fatal. Common in Lingnan: Scrape the area with bamboo leaves, apply bitter vegetable juice for best results (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Hornet Stings: Apply bitter Tu juice; effective (*Zhixuan Fang*).
Roots
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats bloody and non-bloody dysentery and bone-steaming tidal fever, decocted and taken orally (*Jiayou Bencao*).
Treats blood lin, promotes urination (Li Shizhen).
Flowers and Seeds
[Taste and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Clears internal heat, calms the spirit (Zong Ying). Jaundice: Two qian of finely ground flowers and seeds, decocted in water, taken twice daily; effective (Wang Ying).