（《本经》上品）
【释名】其根藕（《尔雅》），其实莲（同上），其茎叶荷。
韩保升曰∶藕生水中，其叶名荷。按∶《尔雅》云∶荷，芙蕖。其茎茄，其叶 ，其本
，其华菡萏，其实莲，其根藕，其中 ， 中薏。邢 注云∶芙蕖，总名也，别名芙蓉，
江东人呼为荷。菡萏，莲花也。 ，莲实也。薏， 中青心也。郭璞注云∶ ，乃茎下白
在泥中者。莲，乃房也； ，乃子也；薏，乃中心苦薏也。江东人呼荷花为芙蓉，北人以藕
为荷，亦以莲为荷，蜀人以藕为茄，此皆习俗传误也。陆机《诗疏》云∶其茎为荷。其花未
发为菡萏，已发为芙蕖。其实莲，莲之皮青里白。其子
分，为苦薏也。
时珍曰∶《尔雅》以荷为根名，韩氏以荷为叶名，陆机以荷为茎名。按∶茎乃负叶者也，
有负荷之义，当从陆说。 乃嫩 ，如竹之行鞭者。节生二茎，一为叶，一为花，尽处乃生
藕，为花、叶、根、实之本。显仁藏用，功成不居，可谓退藏于密矣，故谓之 。花叶常偶
生，不偶不生，故根曰藕。或云藕善耕泥，故字从耦，耦者耕也。茄音加，加于 上也。
音遐，远于密也。菡萏，函合未发之意。芙蓉，敷布容艳之意。莲者连也，花实相连而出也。
者的也，子在房中点点如的也。的乃凡物点注之名。薏，犹意也，含苦在内也。古诗云∶
食子心无弃，苦心生意存是矣。
【集解】《别录》曰∶藕实茎生汝南池泽。八月采。
当之曰∶所在池泽皆有，豫章、汝南者良。苗高五、六尺，叶团青大如扇，其花赤，子
黑如羊矢。
时珍曰∶莲藕，荆、扬、豫、益诸处湖泽陂池皆有之。以莲子种者生迟，藕芽种者最易
发。其芽穿泥成白 ，即 也。长者至丈余，五、六月嫩时，没水取之，可作蔬茹，俗呼藕
丝菜。节生二茎∶一为藕荷，其叶贴水，其下旁行生藕也；一为芰荷，其叶出水，其旁茎生
花也。其叶清明后生。六、七月开花，花有红、白、粉红三色。花心有黄须，蕊长寸余，须
内即莲也。花褪连房成 ， 在房如蜂子在窠之状。六、七月采嫩者，生食脆美。至秋房枯
子黑，其坚如石，谓之石莲子。八、九月收之，斫去黑壳，货之四方，谓之莲肉。冬月至春
掘藕食之，藕白有孔有丝，大者如肱臂，长六、七尺，凡五、六节。大抵野生及红花者，莲
多藕劣；种植及白花者，莲少藕佳也。其花白者香，红者艳，千叶者不结实。别有合欢（并
头者），有夜舒荷（夜布昼卷）、睡莲（花夜入水）、金莲（花黄）、碧莲（花碧）、绣莲（花
如绣），皆是异种，故不述。《相感志》云∶荷梗塞穴鼠自
莲实
【释名】藕实（《本经》）、 （《尔雅》）、 （音吸，同上）、石莲子（《别录》）、
经》）、泽芝（《古今注》）。
【修治】弘景曰∶藕实即莲子，八、九月采黑坚如石者，干捣破之。
颂曰∶其 至秋黑而沉水，为石莲子，可磨为饭食。
时珍曰∶石莲剁去黑壳，谓之莲肉。以水浸去赤皮、青心，生食甚佳。入药须蒸熟去心，
或晒或焙干用。亦有每一斤，用 猪肚一个盛贮，煮熟捣焙用者。今药肆一种石莲子，状如
土石而味苦，不知何物也？
【气味】甘，
时珍曰∶嫩 性平，石莲性温。得茯苓、山药、白术、枸杞子良。
诜曰∶生食过多，微动冷气胀人。蒸食甚良。大便燥涩者，不可食。
【主治】补中养神，益气力，除百疾。久服，轻身耐老，不饥延年（
不足，伤中气绝，益十二经脉血气（孟诜）。
止渴去热，安心止痢，治腰痛及泄精。多食令人欢喜（大明）。交心肾，浓肠胃，固精
气，强筋骨，补虚损，利耳目，除寒湿，止脾泄久痢，赤白浊，女人带下崩中诸血病（时珍）。
捣
碎和米作粥饭食，轻身益气，令人强健
【发明】时珍曰∶莲产于淤泥而不为泥染；居于水中而不为水没。根茎花实，凡品难同；
清净济用，群美兼得。自 而节节生茎，生叶，生花，生藕；由菡萏而生蕊，生莲，生 ，
生薏。其莲 则始而黄，黄而青，青而绿，绿而黑，中含白肉，内隐青心。石莲坚刚，可历
永久。薏藏生意，藕复萌芽，展转生生，造化不息。故释氏用为引譬，妙理具存；医家取为
服食，百病可却。盖莲之味甘气温而性啬，禀清芳之气，得稼穑之味，乃脾之果也。脾者，
黄宫，所以交媾水、火，会合木、金者也。土为元气之母，母气既和，津液相成，神乃自生，
久视耐老，此其权舆也。昔人治心肾不交，劳伤白浊，有清心莲子饮；补心肾，益精血，有
瑞莲丸，皆得此理。
藏器曰∶经秋正黑，名石莲子，入水必沉，惟煎盐卤能浮之。此物居山海间，经百年不
坏，人得食之，令发黑不老。
诜曰∶诸鸟、猿猴取得不食，藏之石室内，人得三百年者，食之永不老也。又雁食之，
粪于田野山岩之中，不逢阴雨，经久不坏。人得之，每旦空腹食十枚，身轻能登高涉远也。
【附方】旧四，新十。
服食不饥∶诜曰∶石莲肉蒸熟去心，为末，炼蜜丸梧桐子大。日服三十丸。此仙家方也。
清心宁神∶宗 曰∶用莲蓬中干石莲子肉，于砂盆中擦去赤皮，留心，同为末，入龙脑，
点
补中强志，益耳目聪明∶用莲实半两去皮心，研末，水煮熟，以粳米三合作粥，入末搅
匀食。（《圣惠方》）
补虚益损∶水芝丹∶用莲实半升。酒浸二宿，以牙猪肚一个洗净，入莲在内，缝定煮熟，
取出晒干为末，酒煮米糊丸梧桐子大。每服五十
小便频数，下焦真气虚弱者∶用上方，醋糊丸，服。
白浊遗精∶石莲肉、龙骨、益智仁等分。为末。每服二钱，空心米饮下。《普济》∶用莲
肉、白茯苓等分，为末。白汤调服。
心虚赤浊∶莲子六一汤∶用石莲肉六两，炙甘草一两，为末。每服一钱，灯心汤下。（《直
指方》）
久痢禁口∶石莲肉炒为末。每服二钱，陈仓米汤调下，便觉思食，甚妙。加入香连丸，
尤妙。（《丹溪心法》）
脾泄肠滑∶方同上。
哕逆不止∶石莲肉六枚，炒赤黄色，研末。冷熟水半盏和服，便止。（苏颂《图经》）
产后咳逆、呕吐，心忡目晕∶用石莲子两半，白茯苓一两，丁香五钱。为末。每米饮服二钱
。（《良方补遗》）
眼赤作痛∶莲实（去皮研末）一盏，粳米半升，以水煮粥，常食。（《普济方》）
小儿热渴∶莲实二十枚（炒），浮萍二钱半，生姜少许，水煎，分三服。（《圣济总录》）
反胃吐食∶石莲肉为末，入少肉豆寇末，米汤调服之。（《直指方》）
藕
【气味】甘，平，无毒。大明曰∶温。
时珍曰∶《相感志》云∶藕以盐水共食，则不损口；同油炸面米果食，则无渣。煮忌铁
器。
【主治】热渴，散留血，生肌。久服令人心欢（《别录》）。止怒止泄，消食解酒毒，及
病后干渴（藏器）。捣汁服，止闷除烦开胃，治霍乱，破产后血闷，捣膏， 金疮并伤折，
止暴痛。蒸煮食之，大能开胃（大明）。生食，治霍乱后虚渴。蒸食，甚补五脏，实下焦。
同蜜食，令人腹脏肥，不生诸虫，亦可休粮（孟诜）。汁∶解射罔毒、蟹毒（徐之才）。捣浸
澄粉服食
【发明】弘景曰∶根入神仙家。宋时太官作血KT （音勘），庖人削藕皮误落血中，遂
散涣不凝。故医家用以破血多效也。KT 者，血羹也。
诜曰∶产后忌生冷物，独藕不同生冷者，为能破血也。
时珍曰∶白花藕大而孔扁者，生食味甘，煮食不美；红花及野藕，生食味涩，煮蒸则佳。
夫藕生于卑污，而洁白自若。质柔而穿坚，居下而有节。孔窍玲珑，丝纶内隐。生于嫩 ，
而发为茎、叶、花、实，又复生芽，以续生生之脉。四时可食，令人心欢，可谓灵根矣。故
其所主者，皆心脾血分之疾，与莲之功稍不同云。
【附方】旧四，新八。
时气烦渴∶生藕汁一盏，生蜜一合，和匀，细服。（《圣惠》）
伤寒口干∶生藕汁、生地黄汁、童子小便各半盏
霍乱烦渴∶藕汁一钟，姜汁半钟。和匀饮。（《圣济总录》）
霍乱吐利∶生藕，捣汁服。（《圣惠》）
上焦痰热∶藕汁、梨汁各半盏。和服。（《简便》）
产后闷乱，血气上冲，口干腹痛∶《梅师方》∶用生藕汁三升，饮之。庞安时∶用藕汁、
生地黄汁、童子小便等分，煎服。
小便热淋∶生藕汁、生地黄汁、葡萄汁各等分。每服 盏，入蜜温服。
坠马血瘀，积在胸腹，唾血无数者∶干藕根为末。酒服方寸匕，日二次。（《千金方》）
食蟹中毒∶生藕汁饮之。（《圣惠》）
冻脚裂坼∶蒸熟藕，捣烂涂之。
尘芒入目∶大藕洗捣，绵裹，滴汁入目中，即出也。（《普济方》）
藕
【释名】藕丝菜（五、六月嫩时，采为蔬
【气味】甘，平，无毒。
【主治】生食，主霍乱后虚渴烦闷不能食，解酒食毒（苏颂）。
功与藕同（时珍）。解烦毒，下瘀血（汪颖）。
藕节
【气味】涩，平，无毒。
大明曰∶冷。伏硫黄。
【主治】捣汁饮，主吐血不止，及口鼻出血（甄权）。消瘀血，解热毒。产后血闷，和
地黄研汁
【发明】时珍曰∶一男子病血淋，痛胀祈死。予以藕汁调发灰，每服二钱，服三日而血
止痛除。按∶赵 《养 漫笔》云∶宋孝宗患痢，众医不效。高宗偶见一小药肆，召而问之。
其人问得病之由，乃食湖蟹所致。遂诊脉，曰∶此冷痢也。乃用新采藕节捣烂，热酒调下，
数服即愈。高宗大喜，就以捣药金杵臼赐之，人遂称为金杵臼严防御家，可谓不世之遇也。
大抵藕能消瘀血，解热开胃，而又解蟹毒故也。
【附方】新五。
鼻衄不止∶藕节捣汁饮，并滴鼻中。
猝暴吐血∶双荷散∶用藕节、荷蒂各七个，以蜜少许擂烂，用水二钟，煎八分，去滓，
温服。或为末丸服亦可。（《圣惠》）
大便下血∶藕节晒干研末，人参、白蜜煎汤，调服二钱，日二服。（《全幼心鉴》）
遗精白浊，心虚不宁∶金锁玉关丸∶用藕节、莲花须、莲子肉、芡实肉、山药、白茯苓、
白茯神各二两，为末。用金樱子二斤捶碎，以水一斗，熬八分，去滓，再熬成膏，入少面和
药，丸梧桐子大。每服七十丸，米饮下。
鼻渊脑泻∶藕节、芎 ，焙研为末。每服二钱，米饮下。（《普济》）
莲薏（即莲子中青心也）
【释名】苦薏。
【气味】苦，寒，无毒。
藏器曰∶食莲子不去心，令人作吐。
【主治】血渴，产后渴，生研末，米饮服二钱，立愈（士良）。止霍乱（大明）。清心去
热（时珍。出《统旨》）。
【附方】新二。
劳心吐血∶莲子心七个，糯米二十一粒，为末，酒服。此临安张上舍方也。（《是斋百
一方
小便遗精∶莲子心一撮。为末，入辰砂一分。每服一钱，白汤下，日二。（《医林集要》）
莲蕊须
【释名】佛座须（花开时采取，阴干，亦可充果食）。
【气味】甘，涩，温，无毒。
大明曰∶忌地黄、葱、蒜。
【主治】清心通肾，固精气，乌须发，悦颜色，益血，止血崩、吐血（时珍）。
【发明】时珍曰∶莲须本草不收，而《三因》诸方、固真丸、巨胜子丸各补益方中，往
往用之。其功大抵与莲子同也。
【附方】新一。
久近痔漏三十年者，三服除根。用莲花蕊、黑牵牛头末各一两半，当归五钱，为末。每
空心酒服二钱。忌热物。五日见效。（孙氏《集效方》）
莲花
【释名】芙蓉（《古今注》）、芙蕖（同
【气味】苦、甘，温，无毒。忌地黄、葱、蒜。
【主治】镇心益色。驻颜轻身（大明）。
弘景曰∶花入神仙家用，入香尤妙。
【附方】旧二，新二。
服食驻颜∶七月七日采莲花七分，八月八日采根八分，九月九日采实九分，阴干捣筛。
每服方寸匕，温酒调服。（《太清草木方》）
天 湿疮∶荷花贴之。（《简便方》）
难产催生∶莲花一瓣，书人字，吞之，即易产。（《肘后方》）
坠损呕血∶坠跌积血心胃，呕血不止。用干荷花为末，每酒服方寸匕，其效如神。（杨
拱《医方摘要》）
莲房
【释名】莲蓬壳（陈久者良）。
【气味】苦，涩，温，无毒。
【主治】破血（孟诜）。治血胀腹痛，及产后胎衣不下，酒煮服之。水煮服之，解野菌
毒
【发明】时珍曰∶莲房入厥阴血分，消瘀散血，与荷叶同功，亦急则治标之意也。
【附方】新六。
经血不止∶瑞莲散∶用陈莲蓬壳烧存性，研末。每服二钱，热酒下。（《妇人经验方》）
血崩不止，不拘冷热∶用莲蓬壳、荆芥穗各（烧存性）
等分为末。每服二钱，米饮下。（《圣惠方》）
产后血崩∶莲蓬壳五个，香附二两，各烧存性，为末。每服二钱，米饮下，日二。（《妇
人良方》）
漏胎下血∶莲房烧研，面糊丸梧桐子大。每服百丸，汤、酒任下，日二。（《朱氏集验
方》）
[Background Information]
Book: Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)
Author: Li Shizhen
Dynasty: Ming Dynasty, 6th Year of Wanli
Chapter: Lotus Root (Part 1/2)
Category: Materia Medica
(Listed as Superior Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Names] Its root is called Ou (Lotus Rhizome) (*Erya*), its fruit is called Lian (Lotus Seed) (ibid.), and its stems and leaves are called He (Lotus).
Han Baosheng said: Ou grows in water, and its leaves are called He. According to: *Erya* states: He is also known as Fuqu. Its stem is Jia, its leaf is Jia (young reed-like leaf), its root base is Ruo (tender part), its flower is Handan (unopened bud), its fruit is Lian, its root is Ou, its center is Yi (bitter heart), and Yi contains the seed. Xing Bing's commentary says: Fuqu is the general name, alias Furong; people in Jiangdong call it He. Handan refers to the lotus flower. Jia refers to the lotus seed. Yi refers to the green heart within the lotus pod. Guo Pu's commentary says: Ruo refers to the white part under the stem in the mud. Lian refers to the pod; Yi refers to the seed; Yi refers to the bitter center. People in Jiangdong call the lotus flower Furong, northerners call Ou He, and also call Lian He; people in Shu call Ou Jia. These are all errors passed down by custom. Lu Ji's *Mao Shi Caomu Niao Shou Chong Yu Shu* says: Its stem is He. Its unopened flower is Handan, and its opened flower is Fuqu. Its fruit is Lian; Lian has a green skin and white interior. Its seed splits into bitter Yi.
Li Shizhen said: *Erya* uses He for the root name, Han uses He for the leaf name, and Lu Ji uses He for the stem name. According to: The stem bears the leaf, having the meaning of bearing or carrying, so one should follow Lu Ji's view. Ruo is the tender stem, like bamboo shoots. At each node, two stems grow: one for leaves, one for flowers; at the end, Ou grows, which is the origin of flowers, leaves, roots, and fruits. It reveals benevolence while hiding its utility, achieves success without claiming credit, and can be said to retreat into secrecy, hence called Ruo. Flowers and leaves often grow in pairs; if not paired, they do not grow, hence the root is called Ou. Some say Ou excels at plowing mud, hence the character derives from 'Ou' (couple/plowing). Jia sounds like 'Jia', added above Ruo. Jia sounds like 'Xia', far from secrecy. Handan means containing and closing before opening. Furong means spreading beautiful appearance. Lian means connected, as flowers and fruits emerge connected. Di means target point; seeds in the pod are like dots on a target. Di is the name for dotting common objects. Yi is similar to 'Yi' (meaning/intent), containing bitterness inside. Ancient poetry says: Do not discard the heart of the seed eaten; the bitter heart nurtures life, which is this principle.
[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* says: Ou and Lian stems grow in the ponds of Runan. Gathered in August.
Dang Zhi said: They exist in ponds everywhere, but those from Yuzhang and Runan are superior. The seedling is five to six chi high, leaves are round, green, large as fans, flowers are red, seeds are black like sheep dung.
Li Shizhen said: Lotus roots exist in lakes and ponds in Jing, Yang, Yu, and Yi regions. Those planted with seeds grow slowly; those planted with rhizome buds sprout most easily. The bud penetrates the mud to become white Ruo, which is Ruo. Long ones can exceed one zhang. In May and June when tender, dive to collect them; they can be used as vegetables, commonly called Ousi Cai (Lotus Silk Vegetable). Nodes produce two stems: one is Ou He, with leaves贴着 water, growing Ou horizontally below; the other is Ji He, with leaves emerging from water, producing flowers on side stems. Leaves emerge after Qingming. Flowers bloom in June and July, in red, white, and pink colors. The flower heart has yellow stamens, pistils over an inch long, inside which are the seeds. After petals fall, the pod forms; seeds in the pod resemble bees in a hive. Gather tender ones in June and July; raw eating is crisp and delicious. By autumn, pods dry and seeds turn black, hard as stone, called Shilianzi (Stone Lotus Seed). Gather in August and September, remove black shell, sell everywhere, called Lianrou (Lotus Meat). Dig and eat Ou from winter to spring; Ou is white with holes and silk, large ones like arms, six to seven chi long, with five or six nodes. Generally, wild and red-flowered varieties have more seeds but inferior roots; cultivated and white-flowered varieties have fewer seeds but superior roots. White flowers are fragrant, red flowers are colorful, double-petaled ones do not bear fruit. There are also Hehuan (twin-headed), Yeshuhe (opens at night, closes by day), Shuilian (flowers enter water at night), Jinlian (yellow flowers), Bilian (green flowers), Xiulian (flowers like embroidery); these are exotic species, so not detailed. *Xianggan Zhi* says: Plugging rat holes with He geng causes rats to come out... [Text fragment]
[Names] Oushi (*Benjing*), [Character] (*Erya*), [Character] (sound Xi, ibid.), Shilianzi (*Bielu*), [Character] (*Benjing*), Zezhi (*Gujin Zhu*).
[Processing] Tao Hongjing said: Oushi is Lianzi. Gather black, hard-as-stone ones in August and September, dry and crush.
Su Song said: Their fruits turn black and sink in water in autumn, becoming Shilianzi, which can be ground into food.
Li Shizhen said: Shilian crushed to remove black shell is called Lianrou. Soak in water to remove red skin and green heart; good for raw eating. For medicinal use, must be steamed, heart removed, then dried or roasted. Some use one jin of Shilian with one pig stomach, cook until done, crush and roast. Now some pharmacies have a type of Shilian looking like earth/stone and tasting bitter; unknown what it is.
[Taste and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Li Shizhen said: Tender Ruo is neutral; Shilian is warm. Beneficial with Fuling, Shanyao, Baizhu, Gouqizi.
Meng Shen said: Eating too much raw may slightly cause cold qi bloating. Steaming is good. Those with dry, constipated stools should not eat it.
[Indications] Tonifies middle jiao, nourishes spirit, boosts qi and strength, removes hundred diseases. Long-term use makes body light and resistant to aging, prevents hunger and prolongs life (for Yuanqi deficiency, damaging middle qi, benefiting blood and qi of twelve meridians (Meng Shen)). Stops thirst, removes heat, calms heart, stops dysentery, treats lower back pain and seminal emission. Eating more brings joy (Kou Zongshi). Connects Heart and Kidney, thickens intestines and stomach, secures essence and qi, strengthens bones and sinews, tonifies deficiency, benefits ears and eyes, removes cold-dampness, stops spleen diarrhea and chronic dysentery, red and white turbidity, women's leukorrhea and metrorrhagia (Li Shizhen). Crushed and cooked with rice as porridge/lightens body, boosts qi, makes person strong.
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Lotus grows in mud but is not stained; lives in water but is not submerged. Roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits differ from ordinary items; pure and beneficial uses, combining many beauties. From Ruo, nodes generate stems, leaves, flowers, and Ou; from Handan, generate stamens, seeds, pods, and Yi. The seed starts yellow, turns green, then dark green, then black, containing white flesh and hidden green heart. Shilian is firm and can last forever. Yi hides vitality, Ou sprouts again, cycling endlessly, creation never stops. Thus Buddhism uses it as a metaphor, containing profound principles; physicians use it for consumption, curing many diseases. Lotus is sweet in taste, warm in nature, and astringent, inheriting clear and fragrant qi, obtaining the flavor of grain cultivation, thus being the fruit of the Spleen. The Spleen is the central Earth palace, connecting Water and Fire, integrating Wood and Metal. Earth is the mother of Primordial Qi; when mother qi is harmonious, fluids form, spirit arises, leading to longevity. This is the origin. Ancients treated Heart-Kidney non-interaction and labor injury with white turbidity using Qingxin Lianzi Yin; tonifying Heart-Kidney and benefiting essence/blood using Ruilian Wan, both following this logic.
Chen Cangqi said: Turning black in autumn, named Shilianzi, sinks in water, floats only in brine. Living in mountains/seas, lasts centuries undecayed; eating it keeps hair black and prevents aging.
Meng Shen said: Birds and monkeys take it but do not eat, storing it in stone rooms; humans eating 300-year-old ones never age. Geese eat it, excreting feces in fields/rocks; without rain, it lasts long. Humans eating ten empty-stomached every morning gain lightness and endurance.
[Attached Formulas] Four old, ten new.
Consumption without hunger: Meng Shen said: Steam Shilianrou, remove heart, powder, honey pills size of paulownia seeds. Take 30 pills daily. This is an immortal formula.
Clear Heart Calm Spirit: Zongshi said: Use dry Shilianrou from pod, rub off red skin in mortar, keep heart, powder together, add Longnao (Borneol)...
Tonify Middle Strengthen Will, Benefit Ears/Eyes: Use half liang Lianshi, remove skin/heart, powder, boil in water, make congee with three he of Jingmi, mix powder and eat. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Tonify Deficiency Benefit Loss: Shuizhi Dan: Use half sheng Lianshi. Soak in wine for two nights, wash one pig stomach, put Lianshi inside, sew, cook, dry, powder, wine paste pills paulownia size. Take 50...
Frequent urination, weak true qi in lower jiao: Use above formula, vinegar paste pills, take.
White turbidity/Seminal emission: Equal parts Shilianrou, Longgu, Yizhiren. Powder. Take 2 qian, empty stomach with rice drink. *Pujifang*: Equal parts Lianrou, Baifuling, powder. Mix with plain water.
Heart deficiency Red turbidity: Lianzi Liu-Yi Tang: Six liang Shilianrou, one liang Zhi Gancao, powder. Take 1 qian, Dengxin tang. (*Zhizhi Fang*)
Chronic Dysentery Anorexia: Stir-fry Shilianrou to powder. Take 2 qian, Chen Cangmi tang. Feeling appetite returns, very effective. Add Xianglian Wan, especially good. (*Danxi Xinfa*)
Spleen diarrhea Intestinal slip: Formula same as above.
Incessant Hiccups: Six Shilianrou, stir-fry to reddish-yellow, powder. Mix with half zhan cold boiled water, stops immediately. (Su Song *Tujing*)
Postpartum hiccups/vomiting, palpitations/dizziness: Half liang Shilianzi, one liang Baifuling, five qian Dingxiang. Powder. Take 2 qian with rice drink. (*Liangfang Buyi*)
Red painful eyes: One zhan Lianshi (skin removed, powdered), half sheng Jingmi, boil congee, eat often. (*Pujifang*)
Pediatric Heat Thirst: Twenty fried Lianshi, two and a half qian Fuping, little Shengjiang, decoct, divide three doses. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Regurgitation/Vomiting: Shilianrou powder, add little RouDoukou powder, mix with rice drink. (*Zhizhi Fang*)
Lotus Root (Ou)
[Taste and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Kou Zongshi said: Warm.
Li Shizhen said: *Xianggan Zhi* says: Eating Ou with salt water does not hurt mouth; eating with fried dough/rice cakes leaves no residue. Boiling forbids iron vessels.
[Indications] Heat/thirst, disperse retained blood, generate flesh. Long-term use brings joy (*Bielu*). Stop anger/diarrhea, digest food, resolve alcohol toxicity, post-illness dry thirst (Chen Cangqi). Juice stops oppression/irritability, opens appetite, treats Huoluan, postpartum blood stagnation; paste treats metal wounds/fractures, stops acute pain. Steamed/boiled greatly opens appetite (Kou Zongshi). Raw treats post-Huoluan deficiency thirst. Steamed strongly tonifies five zang, solidifies lower jiao. With honey fattens viscera, prevents worms, allows fasting (Meng Shen). Juice resolves She Wang poison/crab poison (Xu Zhicai). Crushed/soaked/starch taken.
[Elucidation] Tao Hongjing said: Roots used by immortals. In Song dynasty, Imperial cooks made Xue Kan (blood pudding); chef accidentally dropped peeled Ou skin into blood, causing it to disperse and not coagulate. Hence physicians use it to break blood effectively. Kan is blood pudding.
Meng Shen said: Postpartum forbids cold/raw, but Ou is different because it breaks blood.
Li Shizhen said: White flower Ou, large and flat holes, sweet raw, poor cooked; Red flower/Wild Ou, astringent raw, good cooked/steamed. Ou grows in filth but remains white. Soft texture but pierces hardness, resides below but has nodes. Porous and delicate, silk hidden inside. Born from tender Ruo, develops into stem/leaf/flower/fruit, regenerates buds to continue life cycle. Edible four seasons, brings joy, truly a spiritual root. Thus its indications focus on Heart-Spleen blood disorders, differing slightly from Lian's efficacy.
[Attached Formulas] Four old, eight new.
Seasonal Heat Thirst: One zhan raw Ou juice, one he raw honey, mix, sip slowly. (*Shenghui*)
Typhoid Dry Mouth: Half zhan raw Ou juice, half zhan raw Dihuang juice, half zhan boy's urine.
Huoluan Irritable Thirst: One zhong Ou juice, half zhong Jiang汁. Mix and drink. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Huoluan Vomiting/Diarrhea: Raw Ou, crush juice, drink. (*Shenghui*)
Upper Jiao Phlegm-Heat: Half zhan Ou juice, half zhan Li juice. Mix and drink. (*Jianbian*)
Postpartum Confusion, Blood/Qi rushing up, dry mouth/abdominal pain: *Meishi Fang*: Three sheng raw Ou juice, drink. Pang Anshi: Equal parts Ou juice, Dihuang juice, boy's urine, decoct and drink.
Hot Strangury: Equal parts raw Ou juice, Dihuang juice, Putao juice. Take half zhan, warm with honey.
Fall Injury Blood Stasis, Accumulated in Chest/Abdomen, Spitting Blood: Powder dry Ou root. Wine pill size of square inch spoon, twice daily. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Crab Poisoning: Drink raw Ou juice. (*Shenghui*)
Frozen Cracked Feet: Steam soft Ou, crush and apply.
Dust in Eye: Wash/crush large Ou, wrap in cotton, drip juice into eye, dust exits. (*Pujifang*)
Lotus Silk (Ousi)
[Names] Ousi Cai (gathered as vegetable in May/June when tender).
[Taste and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Raw: Treats post-Huoluan deficiency thirst/oppression/anorexia, resolves alcohol/food toxicity (Su Song).
Efficacy same as Ou (Li Shizhen). Resolves irritability/toxicity, moves stasis (Wang Ying).
Lotus Node (Oujie)
[Taste and Properties] Astringent, neutral, non-toxic. Kou Zongshi said: Cold. Subdues sulfur.
[Indications] Crush juice: Treats incessant hematemesis, epistaxis (Zhen Quan). Resolve stasis, clear heat toxin. Postpartum blood stagnation, mix with Dihuang juice.
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: A man with bloody stranguria suffered unbearable pain. I used Ou juice mixed with Fa Hui (burnt hair ash), 2 qian per dose, stopped bleeding/pain in three days. Note: Zhao Yushi's *Bin Tui Lu* says: Emperor Xiaozong had dysentery, doctors failed. Gaozong saw a small pharmacy, asked. Learned cause was lake crab consumption. Pulse diagnosis: Cold dysentery. Used fresh Oujie crushed, hot wine, cured in few doses. Gaozong gave gold pestle/mortar, named Jin Chujiu Yan Fangyu family, unprecedented honor. Generally, Ou resolves stasis, clears heat, opens appetite, and resolves crab poison.
[Attached Formulas] Five new.
Epistaxis: Oujie juice drink and drip nose.
Sudden Hematemesis: Shuanghe San: Seven Oujie, seven Heti, rub with little honey, two zhong water, decoct to 80%, strain, warm drink. Or powder/pills. (*Shenghui*)
Hematochezia: Sun-dried Oujie powder, Renshen, Bai Mi decoction, 2 qian, twice daily. (*Quanyou Xinjian*)
Seminal Emission/White Turbidity, Heart Deficiency Restlessness: Jin Suo Yu Guan Wan: Two liang each of Oujie, Lianhua Xu, Lianzirou, Qianshirou, Shanyao, Baifuling, Baifushen. Powder. Two jin Jin Yingzi crushed, one dou water, decoct to 80%, strain, reduce to paste, add little flour and medicine, paulownia pills. Take 70 pills, rice drink.
Coryza/Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: Oujie, Chuanxiong, bake/powder. 2 qian, rice drink. (*Pujifang*)
Lotus Plumule (Lianyi - Green Heart)
[Names] Ku Yi.
[Taste and Properties] Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
Chen Cangqi said: Eating Lian without removing heart causes vomiting.
[Indications] Blood thirst, postpartum thirst, raw powder, rice drink 2 qian, immediate cure (Shiliang). Stop Huoluan (Kou Zongshi). Clear Heart remove heat (Li Shizhen, from *Zongzhi*).
[Attached Formulas] Two new.
Laboring Heart Hematemysis: Seven Lianzixin, twenty-one glutinous rice grains, powder, wine. Lin'an Zhang Shangshe formula. (*Shizhai Baiyi Fang*)
Urinary Enuresis/Seminal Emission: A pinch Lianzixin, powder, add one fen Chen Sha. 1 qian, plain water, twice daily. (*Yilin Jiyao*)
Lotus Stamens (Lianruixu)
[Names] Buddha Seat Whiskers (gathered when blooming, shade dry, edible fruit).
[Taste and Properties] Sweet, astringent, warm, non-toxic. Kou Zongshi said: Avoid Dihuang, Cong, Suan.
[Indications] Clear Heart connect Kidney, secure essence/qi, blacken beard/hair, brighten complexion, benefit blood, stop metrorrhagia/hematemesis (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Lianxu not in Bencao, but used in *San Yin Fang*, Guzhen Wan, Jushengzi Wan etc. Efficacy similar to Lianzi.
[Attached Formulas] One new.
Chronic Fistula 30 years, cured in three doses: One and a half liang each Lianhua Rui, Hei Qianniu head powder, five qian Danggui. Powder. Empty stomach wine 2 qian. Avoid hot food. Effect in five days. (Sun Shi *Jixiao Fang*)
Lotus Flower (Lianhua)
[Names] Furong (*Gujin Zhu*), Fuqu (ibid.).
[Taste and Properties] Bitter, sweet, warm, non-toxic. Avoid Dihuang, Cong, Suan.
[Indications] Calm Heart, benefit complexion. Retain youth, lighten body (Kou Zongshi).
Tao Hongjing said: Flowers used by immortals, excellent for incense.
[Attached Formulas] Two old, two new.
Consumption Retaining Youth: July 7 gather 70% flower, Aug 8 gather 80% root, Sep 9 gather 90% fruit, shade dry/powder. Square inch spoon, warm wine. (*Taiqing Caomu Fang*)
Heavenly Wind Eczema: Apply Lotus flower. (*Jianbian Fang*)
Difficult Labor Induction: One petal, write 'Ren' character, swallow, easy birth. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Trauma Vomiting Blood: Trauma blood accumulation in Heart/Stomach, incessant vomiting. Dry Lotus flower powder, wine square inch spoon, miraculous effect. (Yang Gong *Yifang Yaoyao*)
Lotus Pod (Lianfang)
[Names] Lotus Pod Shell (aged is better).
[Taste and Properties] Bitter, astringent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Break blood (Meng Shen). Treat blood distension/abdominal pain, postpartum retained placenta, wine decoction. Water decoction resolves wild mushroom poison.
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Lianfang enters Jueyin blood level, resolves stasis/scatters blood, same function as Heye, treating acute symptoms first.
[Attached Formulas] Six new.
Menorrhagia: Ruilian San: Burn aged pod shell to retain nature, powder. 2 qian, hot wine. (*Funren Jingyan Fang*)
Metrorrhagia Unrestricted Cold/Heat: Equal parts Pod Shell, Jingjie Sui (burn to retain nature), powder. 2 qian, rice drink. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Postpartum Metrorrhagia: Five Pod Shells, two liang Xiangfu, burn to retain nature, powder. 2 qian, rice drink, twice daily. (*Funren Liangfang*)
Threatened Miscarriage Bleeding: Burn/grind Lianfang, flour paste pills paulownia size. 100 pills, water/wine, twice daily. (*Zhushi Jiyi Fang*)