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(Song Dynasty *Jiayu Bencao*)
[Names] Penghao.
Li Shizhen said: Its shape and qi are the same as Penghao, hence the name.
[Collection of Explanations] Su Song said: The Bencao texts do not record its shape, so later generations could not recognize it.
Li Shizhen said: Tonghao is sown in August and September, and its fleshy stems are harvested for food in winter and spring. Its flowers and leaves are slightly similar to Baihao (Artemisia lavandulaefolia), with a pungent and sweet taste, emitting an aroma of mugwort.
It begins to bolt in April, growing over two chi tall. It opens deep yellow flowers, resembling single-petal chrysanthemums. One flower produces nearly a hundred seeds clustered into a ball, similar to seeds of Di Song (Viola philippica) or Ku Mai (Sonchus oleraceus), and is very easy to flourish. This vegetable has existed since ancient times; Sun Simiao recorded it in the vegetable category of *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold). It was only added to Bencao texts during the Song Dynasty's *Jiayu Bencao*. It is now a commonly eaten vegetable. However, Wang Ji failed to recognize it yet dared to revise the text arbitrarily, which is truly laughable and sigh-worthy.
[Taste and Properties] Sweet, pungent, neutral nature, non-toxic.
Yu Xi said: Eating too much triggers wind pathogen, disturbs the heart-mind, and causes qi fullness.
[Indications] Calms the heart-mind, nourishes spleen and stomach, resolves phlegm-fluids. Benefits intestines and stomach (Sun Simiao).

(Song Dynasty *Jiayu Bencao*)
[Names] Li Shizhen said: The veins on the leaves of this Artemisia are crooked, hence the name.
[Collection of Explanations] Chen Cangqi said: The roots and stems of Xiehao resemble Qinghao (Artemisia annua) but are finer and softer.
Li Shizhen said: Seedlings emerge in March and April. Leaves resemble Qinghao, are pale in color, and odorless. Both roots and leaves are edible.
[Taste and Properties] Pungent, warm/neutral nature, non-toxic.
Meng Xian said: Raw consumption mildly triggers wind; making it into soup is good. Do not eat with Yansui (Coriander), as it causes foul-smelling sweat.
[Indications] Treats foul, rotten, and evil qi in the chest and diaphragm; benefits intestines and stomach; unblocks blood vessels; supplements deficient qi (Meng Xian).
When cooked and eaten with soy sauce and vinegar, it treats anorexia caused by evil qi affecting the five zang organs; treats diseases of the spleen, stomach, and intestines; excessive thirst and internal heat; and sudden malignant sores (*Shiyi Xinjing*).

(Song Dynasty *Jiayu Bencao*)
[Names] Xiangsui (*Haiyao Bencao Shiyi*), Hucai (*Waitai Mi Yao*), Yansui.
Li Shizhen said: The character "Sui" is written as "䔧" in Xu Shen’s *Shuowen Jiezi*, described as belonging to the ginger family, capable of imparting fragrance to the mouth. Its stems are soft, leaves fine, and roots hairy, appearing lush. Zhang Qian brought seeds back from his mission to the Western Regions, hence the name Huisui (Hu Coriander). Now commonly called Yansui; "Yan" describes the spreading appearance of stems and leaves. Writing it as the "Yan" in Yuanhua (Daphne genkwa) is incorrect.
Chen Cangqi said: Shi Le avoided the taboo word "Hu", so people in Bingzhou and Fenzhou called Huisui Xiangsui.
[Collection of Explanations] Li Shizhen said: Huisui is planted everywhere. Sowing in August is best, especially on the last day of the lunar month. Initially, it has soft round stems and leaves with floral divisions, and soft white roots. Harvested in winter and spring, it is fragrant, delicious, and can be pickled. It is one of the Five Strong Smells in Daoism. After Start of Summer, it opens small clustered flowers like celery flowers, pale purple. Seeds are collected in May, resembling hemp seeds, also pungent and fragrant. Note: Jia Sixie’s *Qimin Yaoshu* states: Those sown in June and July can be eaten throughout winter. Those sprouted in water and planted in spring are only for minor consumption. Wang Zhen’s *Nongshu* states: Among vegetables, both seeds and leaves of Huisui are usable, edible raw or cooked, greatly benefiting the world. It should be planted in fertile soil.
[Correction of Errors] Li Pengfei said: Huisui is Qiaozhi. Wu Rui said: Huisui is commonly called Wanyizi, with roots and seedlings like garlic. Li Shizhen said: Qiaozhi is Wanyizi, which is actually Xiebai (Allium macrostemon). Both Li and Wu incorrectly classified them as Huisui.
Roots and Leaves
[Taste and Properties] Pungent, warm, slightly toxic. Meng Xian said: Neutral/slightly cold, non-toxic. Can be eaten with raw vegetables. This is a strong-smelling vegetable that damages spirit. Hua Tuo said: Those with fox odor, halitosis, tooth decay, tinea pedis, and traumatic wounds must not eat it, as it will worsen the condition.
Chen Cangqi said: Long-term consumption causes forgetfulness. Roots trigger chronic diseases. Do not eat with Xiehao, as it causes difficult-to-cure foul sweat.
Li Shizhen said: When taking any tonifying medicines or medicines containing Baizhu (Atractylodes rhizome) or Mudanpi (Moutan cortex), one must not eat this. It inhibits the action of Shizhongru (Stalactite).
[Indications] Promotes digestion, treats diseases of the five zang organs, supplements deficiency, benefits large and small intestines, unblocks lower abdominal qi, draws out heat from four limbs, stops headache, treats measles and smallpox that fail to erupt; spraying with wine causes immediate eruption. Unblocks heart orifices (*Jiayu Bencao*). Strengthens sinews and vessels, promotes appetite. Treats intestinal wind; wrapping in hot bread and eating is excellent (Meng Xian). Eaten with various vegetables, its fragrance improves appetite, repels Feishi (flying corpse disease), Guizhu (ghost possession), and gu poison (Wu Rui). Repels fish and meat toxins (Ning Yuan).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Huisui is pungent, warm, aromatic, and penetrating. Internally it connects to the heart and spleen; externally it reaches the four limbs. It can repel all abnormal qi. Therefore, for measles and smallpox that do not erupt smoothly, it can induce eruption. All sores belong to heart fire; Ying-blood is internally controlled by the spleen. The qi of the heart and spleen flows freely when encountering aromatics but becomes obstructed by foul odors. Note: Yang Shiying’s *Zhizhi Fang* states: For slow-erupting rashes, Huisui wine should be sprayed to repel evil qi. Hanging it around beds and curtains repels sweat odor, fox odor, menstrual blood, and licentious qi. It is indispensable against all filth. If children are weak, or during cold weather, this is most suitable. However, if children are robust, or during warm spring/summer when yang qi is abundant, adding wine yeast exacerbates the pathogen. Fire adds to fire, causing intense stomach heat and accumulation of toxic blood, leading to black depression (blackening of lesions). Caution is required.
[Attached Prescriptions] Five old, four new.
Rashes/pox not erupting well: Use 2 liang of Huisui (chopped), pour two large cups of boiling wine over it, cover tightly to prevent gas escape. Wait until cool, remove dregs, and gently gargle/spray, covering from neck/back to feet. Avoid head and face (*Jingyan Houfang*).
Heat qi stagnation, recurring for years: 8 liang of Huisui, harvested on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, dried in shade. Boil in 7 sheng of water to reduce to 1.5 sheng, remove dregs, and take in divided doses. Continue if not cured. Leaves in spring/summer, roots/stems in autumn/winter (*Bixiao Fang*).
Red carbuncle in children: Apply juice of Huisui (Tan Shi Fang).
Black spots on face: Wash daily with decoction of Yansui (*Xiaoshuo*).
Postpartum agalactia: Decoction of dried Huisui is effective (*Jingyan Fang*).
Urinary retention: 2 liang of Huisui, one handful of Kuigen (Abelmoschus manihot root). Boil 2 sheng of water to 1 sheng, add 1 liang of Huashi (Talcum) powder, take in 3-4 divided doses (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Rectal prolapse: Cut 1 sheng of Huisui, burn to smoke, fumigate anus to reduce prolapse (*Zimu Milu*).
Resolving gu poison: Half sheng of juice from crushed Huisui roots, mixed with wine, taken orally, yields miraculous results (*Bixiao Fang*).
Snake/insect bites: Equal parts Huisui seedlings andhekoujiao (Amomum kravanh), pounded and applied (*Qianjin Fang*).
Seeds
[Taste and Properties] Pungent, sour, neutral nature, non-toxic. Use after stir-frying.
[Indications] Promotes digestion and appetite (Sun Simiao). Treats gu poison, five types of hemorrhoids, and poisoning from eating meat; boil juice and take cold for vomiting/bloody diarrhea. Fry in oil and apply to infant alopecia areata (Chen Cangqi). Induces measles/pox, kills fishy odor (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] Four old, three new.
Poisoning from various meats, continuous vomiting/bloody diarrhea, sallow complexion: Boil 1 sheng of Huisui seeds until cracked, take half sheng of cold juice once day and night to stop symptoms (*Shiliao Bencao*).
Intestinal wind with bloody stool: Mix Huisui seeds with raw vegetables, wrap in hot bread, and eat (ibid.).
Dysentery and bloody diarrhea: 1 he of Huisui seeds, stir-fried and powdered. Take 2 qian per dose. For red dysentery, take with sugar water; for white dysentery, with ginger soup; for bloody diarrhea, with plain water, twice daily (*Pujifang*).
Painful five hemorrhoids: Stir-fried Huisui seeds, powdered. Take 2 qian per dose with warm wine on an empty stomach. Effective after several doses (*Haishang Xianfang*).
Hemorrhoid fistula and rectal prolapse: 1 sheng Huisui seeds, 1 sheng millet bran, a little Ruxiang (Frankincense); burn in a narrow-necked bottle to fumigate (*Rumen Shiqin*).
Protruding rectum/intestine: In autumn/winter, pound Huisui seeds, boil in vinegar, and apply warm compress; very effective (Meng Xian *Shiliao Bencao*).
Toothache: 5 sheng of Hucai seeds (i.e., Huisui seeds), boil in 5 sheng of water to obtain 1 sheng, use for gargling (*Waitai Miyao*).