(音惭。《拾遗》)
【集解】藏器曰∶錾菜生江南阴地,似益母,方茎对节,白花。
时珍曰∶此即益母之白花者,乃《尔雅》所谓 是也。其紫花者,《尔雅》所谓KT 是
也。 、KT 皆同一音,乃一物二种。故此条亦主血病,与益母功同。郭璞独指白花者为
益母,昝殷谓白花者非益母,皆欠详审。嫩苗可食,故谓之菜。寇宗 言茺蔚嫩苗可煮食,
正合此也。
苗
【气味】辛,平,无毒。
【主治】破血,产后腹痛,煮汁服(藏器)。
(薇,音眉。《本经》上品)
【释名】糜衔(《本经》)、鹿衔(《唐本》)、吴风草(《唐本》)、无心(《吴普》)、无
颠(《吴普》)、承膏(《别录》)、承肌(《吴普》)。
恭曰∶南人谓之吴风草。一名鹿衔草,言鹿有疾,衔此草即瘥也。
时珍曰∶据苏说,则薇衔、糜衔当作麋衔也。鹿、麋一类也。按郦道元《水经注》云∶
魏兴锡山多生薇衔草,有风不偃,无风独摇。则吴风亦当作无风,乃通。
藏器曰∶一名无心草,非草之无心者,方药少用。
【集解】《别录》曰∶薇衔生汉中川泽及冤句、邯郸。七月采茎叶,阴干。
恭曰∶此草丛生,似茺蔚及白头翁,其叶有毛,赤茎。又有大、小二种∶楚人谓大者为
大吴风草,小者为小吴风草。
保升曰∶叶似茺蔚,丛生有毛,其花黄色,其根赤黑色。
茎叶
【气味】苦,平,无毒。《别录》曰∶微寒。
之才曰∶得秦皮良。
【主治】风湿痹,历节痛,惊痫吐舌,悸气贼风,鼠 痈肿(《本经》)。暴症,逐水,
疗痿蹶。久服轻身明目(《别录》)。妇人服之,绝产无子(藏器)。煎水,洗瘭疽、甲疽、恶
疮(时珍,出《外科精义》)。
【发明】时珍曰∶麋衔乃《素问》所用治风病自汗药,而后世不知用之,诚缺略也。《素
问》∶黄帝曰∶有病身热懈惰,汗出如浴,恶风少气,此为何病?岐伯曰∶病名酒风。治之
以
泽泻、术各三、五分,麋衔五分,合以三指撮为后饭。后饭者,先服药也。
【附方】新二。
年深恶疮∶无心草根、钓苓根、野狼毒、白丁香各五钱,麝香一字,为末掺之。又方∶无
心
小儿破伤风病,拘急口噤∶没心草半两,白附子(炮)二钱半,为末。每服一字,薄荷
酒灌下。(《圣济录》)
【附录】无心草(宋《图经》) 颂曰∶生秦州及商州,凤翔各县皆出之。三月开花,
五
月结实,六、七月采根苗,阴干用。性温,无毒。主积血,逐气块,益筋节,补虚损,润颜
色,疗 泄腹痛。
时珍曰∶麋衔一名无心草,此草功用与之相近,其图形亦相近,恐即一物也,故附之俟
访考焉。鼠耳草,亦名无心,与此不同。
(Pronounced "can". From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])
【Jijie (Collected Explanations)】
Zang Qi stated: Zancai grows in the shady places of Jiangnan. It resembles Yimucao (Leonurus japonicus), has a square stem with opposite nodes, and bears white flowers.
Li Shizhen stated: This is the white-flowered variety of Yimucao (Leonurus japonicus), which corresponds to what is called "Can" in *Erya*. The purple-flowered variety corresponds to "KT" (character missing/variant) in *Erya*. Both names share the same pronunciation and represent two varieties of the same plant. Therefore, this entry also treats blood disorders, with efficacy identical to Yimucao (Leonurus japonicus). Guo Pu alone identified the white-flowered one as Yimucao (Leonurus japonicus), while Zan Yin claimed the white-flowered one was not Yimucao (Leonurus japonicus); both lacked detailed and rigorous examination. The tender shoots are edible, hence it is called "Cai" (vegetable). Kou Zongshi stated that the tender shoots of Chongwei (Leonurus japonicus) can be boiled for food, which aligns perfectly with this description.
【Miao (Shoots)】
【Qiwēi (Odor and Flavor)】Acrid, neutral, non-toxic.
【Zhuzhi (Main Indications)】Breaks blood stasis, treats postpartum abdominal pain; decocted in water and taken orally (recorded by Zang Qi).
(Wei, pronounced "mei". Listed in the Superior Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
【Shiming (Names)】
Mixian (*Shennong Bencao Jing*), Luxian (*Tang Bencao* [Tang Dynasty Supplement to Materia Medica]), Wufengcao (*Tang Bencao*), Wuxin (*Wu Pu Bencao* [Wu Pu's Materia Medica]), Wudian (*Wu Pu Bencao*), Chenggao (*Mingyi Bie Lu* [Record of Famous Physicians]), Chengji (*Wu Pu Bencao*).
Su Gong stated: People in the south call it Wufengcao. It is also known as Luxiancao (Deer-Grasping Grass), saying that when a deer is ill, grasping this grass in its mouth leads to recovery.
Li Shizhen stated: According to Su Song's explanation, Weixian and Mixian should be written as Mixian. Deer and Elk belong to the same category. According to Li Daoyuan's *Shuijing Zhu* [Commentary on the Water Classic]: "Weixing Xishan produces abundant Weixiancao; it does not bend in the wind, but sways alone when there is no wind." Thus, "Wufeng" should also be read as "Wufeng" (No Wind), which makes sense.
Zang Qi stated: Also named Wuxincao (Heartless Grass), not because the grass lacks a heart, but because it is rarely used in prescriptions.
【Jijie (Collected Explanations)】
*Mingyi Bie Lu* states: Weixian grows in the rivers and marshes of Hanzhong, as well as in Yuanju and Handan. The stems and leaves are harvested in the seventh month and dried in the shade.
Su Gong stated: This herb grows in clumps, resembling Chongwei (Leonurus japonicus) and Baitouweng (Pulsatilla chinensis). Its leaves are hairy, and its stem is red. There are two varieties, large and small: People in Chu call the large one Dawufengcao (Large Wu Wind Grass) and the small one Xiaowufengcao (Small Wu Wind Grass).
Bao Sheng stated: The leaves resemble those of Chongwei (Leonurus japonicus), growing in clumps with hairs. The flowers are yellow, and the roots are reddish-black.
【Jingye (Stems and Leaves)】
【Qiwēi (Odor and Flavor)】Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bie Lu* states: Slightly cold.
Xu Zhicai stated: Works well when combined with Qinpi (Phellodendri Cortex).
【Zhuzhi (Main Indications)】Rheumatic bi-syndrome, Lijietong (pain moving through joints), epilepsy with tongue protrusion, palpitations and erratic qi, Zeifeng (thief-wind/sudden pathogenic wind), Shulou yongzhong (scrofula and carbuncles/swellings) (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Baozheng (acute accumulation/masses), drives out water, treats Wei jue (flaccidity and inability to walk). Long-term use lightens the body and brightens the eyes (*Mingyi Bie Lu*). Women who take it will become sterile and have no children (recorded by Zang Qi). Decocted in water and washed externally, it treats Biaojü, Jiaju, and evil sores (recorded by Li Shizhen, from *Waike Jingyi* [Essentials of Surgery]).
【Faming (Elucidation)】
Li Shizhen stated: Mixian is the herb used in *Suwen* [Basic Questions of the Yellow Emperor] to treat wind disease with spontaneous sweating, yet later generations did not know to use it, which is indeed an omission. *Suwen*: The Yellow Emperor said: "There is a person with body heat, lethargy, profuse sweating like bathing, aversion to wind, and shortness of breath. What disease is this?" Qibo replied: "The disease is named Jiufeng (Alcohol Wind). Treat it with Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) each 3-5 fen, and Mixian 5 fen. Mix them and take three finger-pinches as medicine taken after meals. 'After meals' means taking the medicine before eating."
【Fufang (Attached Prescriptions)】 Two new prescriptions.
Chronic evil sores: Wuxincao root, Diaoling root, Yelangdu (Nolanae Radix or similar toxic root), Baixiangding (Stercus Columbae) each 5 qian, Moshe (Moschus) one zi. Grind into powder and apply externally. Another method:
Pediatric tetanus with spasms and trismus: Mixincao half liang, Baifuzi (prepared) 2.5 qian. Grind into powder. Take one zi per dose, administered with Bohejiu (Mint wine) (from *Shengji Zonglu* [General Records of the Sage's Relief]).
【Fulu (Appendix)】
Wuxincao (*Tujing Bencao* [Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica], Song Dynasty)
Su Song stated: Grows in Qinzhou and Shangzhou, produced in all counties of Fengxiang. Flowers in the third month, fruits in the fifth month. Roots and shoots are harvested in the sixth and seventh months and dried in the shade. Nature is warm, non-toxic. Treats accumulated blood, drives out qi masses, benefits sinews and joints, tonifies deficiency and damage, moistens complexion, treats diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Li Shizhen stated: Mixian is also named Wuxincao. This herb's functions are similar to Mixian, and its morphology is also similar; it is likely the same substance. Therefore, it is appended here pending further investigation. Shuercao (Mouse-Ear Grass) is also named Wuxin, but it is different from this one.