（音戢。《别录》下品）
【释名】菹菜（恭）、鱼腥草。
时珍曰∶蕺字，段公路《北户录》作蕊，音戢。秦人谓之菹子。菹、蕺音相近也。其叶
腥气，故俗呼为鱼腥草。
【集解】恭曰∶蕺菜生湿地山谷阴处，亦能蔓生。叶似荞麦而肥，茎紫赤色。山南、江
左人好生食之。关中谓之菹菜。
保升曰∶茎、叶俱紫，赤英，有臭气。
时珍曰∶案∶赵叔文《医方》云∶鱼腥草即紫蕺。叶似荇，其状三角，一边红，一边青。
可以养猪。又有五蕺（即五毒草），花、叶相似，但根似狗脊。
见草部。
叶
【气味】辛，微温，有小毒。
《别录》曰∶多食，令人气喘。
弘景曰∶俗传食蕺不利人脚，恐由闭气故也。今小儿食之，便觉脚痛。
诜曰∶小儿食之，三岁不行。久食，发虚弱，损阳气，消精髓。
思邈曰∶素有香港脚人食之，一世不愈。
【主治】蠼 尿疮（《别录》）。淡竹筒内煨熟，捣敷恶疮、白秃（大明）。散热毒痈肿，
疮痔脱肛，断 疾，解 毒（时珍）。
【附方】旧一，新七。
背疮热肿∶蕺菜捣汁涂之，留孔以泄热毒，冷即易之。（《经验方》）。
痔疮肿痛∶鱼腥草一握，煎汤熏洗，仍以草挹痔即愈。一方∶洗后以枯矾入片脑少许，
敷之。（《救急方》）。疔疮作痛∶鱼腥草捣烂敷之。痛一、二时，不可去草，痛后一、二日
即愈。徽人所传方也。（陆氏《积德堂方》）小儿脱肛∶鱼腥草擂如泥，先以朴硝水洗过，用
芭蕉叶托住药坐之，自入也。（《永类方》）虫牙作痛∶鱼腥草、花椒、菜子油等分，捣匀，
入泥少许，和作小丸如豆大。随牙左右塞耳内，两边轮换，不可一齐用，恐闭耳气。塞一日
夜，取看有细虫为效。（《简便方》）断截疟疾∶紫蕺一握。捣烂绢包，周身摩擦，得睡有汗
即愈。临发前一时作之。（《救急易方》）恶蛇虫伤∶鱼腥草、皱面草、槐树叶、草决明，一
处杵烂，敷之甚效。（同上）
(Ji [Zi, sound "ji"]. Listed in the Lower Grade of *Bie Lu*.)
[Names] Zu Cai (Tao Hongjing's note), Yuxingcao (Houttuynia).
Li Shizhen says: The character "Ji" is written as "Rui" in Duan Gonglu's *Buhu Lu*, pronounced "ji". People in Qin call it "Zu Zi". "Zu" and "Ji" have similar pronunciations. Its leaves have a fishy odor, hence the common name "Yuxingcao" (Fishy Smell Grass).
[Collection of Explanations] Tao Hongjing says: Ji Cai grows in wetlands and shady places in valleys, and can also grow as a vine. The leaves resemble buckwheat leaves but are fatter, and the stem is purple-red. People in Shannan and Jiangzuo like to eat it raw. In Guanzhong, it is called "Zu Cai".
Su Baosheng says: Both stems and leaves are purple, flowers are red, and it has an offensive odor.
Li Shizhen says: According to Zhao Shuwen's *Yi Fang*: Yuxingcao is exactly Zijí (Purple Houttuynia). The leaves resemble *Nymphoides peltata* (Xing), triangular in shape, red on one side and green on the other. It can be used to feed pigs. There is also a type called "Wu Ji" (i.e., Wudu Cao/Five Poison Grass), with similar flowers and leaves, but the root resembles *Polypodi Rhizoma* (Gouji). See Herb Section.
Leaves
[Properties and Flavor] Acrid, slightly warm, slightly toxic.
*Bie Lu* says: Excessive consumption causes asthma/wheezing.
Tao Hongjing says: Folk tradition holds that eating Ji Cai is detrimental to the feet, likely due to obstructing Qi. Now, children who eat it feel foot pain.
Chen Cangqi says: Children who eat it cannot walk for three years. Long-term consumption leads to physical weakness, damages Yang Qi, and depletes essence and marrow.
Sun Simiao says: Those who already suffer from Hongxiangjiao (Hongxiangjiao, referring to podagra or lower limb edema/athlete's foot) will not recover for a lifetime if they eat it.
[Indications] Qu Gulu Niao Chuang (Qu Gulu Niao Sores) (*Bie Lu*). Roasted inside a bamboo tube, mashed and applied to treat malignant sores and white tinea capitis (Meng Shen). Clears heat and resolves toxicity, treats carbuncles and swellings, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, interrupts malaria, and detoxifies (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, seven new prescriptions.
Back sore with hot swelling: Mash Yuxingcao into juice and apply. Leave holes to vent heat and toxins; change when cool. (*Jingyan Fang*).
Hemorrhoids with swelling and pain: Take a handful of Yuxingcao, decoct in water for fumigation and washing. Still use the herb to wipe the hemorrhoids until healed. Another method: After washing, apply dried alum mixed with a little Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum) to the area. (*Jiuji Fang*).
Carbuncle sore with pain: Mash Yuxingcao and apply. Do not remove the herb within one to two shichen (2-4 hours) of pain; it heals within one to two days after pain subsides. This is a formula passed down in Huizhou. (Lu Shi's *Jide Tang Fang*).
Pediatric rectal prolapse: Mash Yuxingcao into paste. Wash the anus with Poxiao (Natrii Sulfas) water first, then sit on the herb paste supported by a banana leaf; the prolapsed rectum will retract naturally. (*Yonglei Fang*).
Toothache caused by worms: Equal parts Yuxingcao, Huajiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium), and Caiziyou (Rapeseed Oil). Mash evenly, add a little mud, and mix into small pills the size of beans. Insert into the ear on the side corresponding to the painful tooth, alternating sides. Do not use both ears simultaneously to avoid blocking ear Qi. Insert for one day and night; check for fine worms upon removal as efficacy. (*Jianbian Fang*).
Interrupting malaria: Take a handful of Zijí. Mash, wrap in silk cloth, and rub over the whole body. Recovery occurs with sleep and sweating. Perform this one hour before the attack. (*Jiuji Yi Fang*).
Malignant snake or insect bites: Mash Yuxingcao, Zhoumiancao, Huaishuye (Sophorae Leaf), and Caojueming (Cassiae Semen) together and apply. Very effective. (Same source)