（音芹。《唐本草》）
【释名】牛蕲（《尔雅》）、胡芹（《通志》）、野茴香（《纲目》）。
时珍曰∶凡物大者多以马名，此草似芹而大故也。俗称野茴香，以其气味子形微似也。
《金光明经》三十二品香药，谓之叶婆你。
【集解】恭曰∶马蕲生水泽旁。苗似鬼针、 菜等，嫩时可食。
花青白色。子黄黑色，似防风子，调食味用之，香似橘皮而无苦味。
保升曰∶花若芹花，子如防风子而扁大。《尔雅》云∶茭，牛蕲也。孙炎释云∶似芹而
叶细锐，可食菜也。一名茭，一名马蕲子，入药用。
时珍曰∶马蕲与芹同类而异种，处处卑湿地有之。三、四月生苗，一本丛生如蒿，白
毛蒙茸，嫩时可茹。叶似水芹而微小，似芎 叶而色深。五、六月开碎花，攒簇如蛇床
及莳萝花，青白色。结实亦似莳萝子，但色黑而重尔。其根白色，长者尺许，气亦香而坚硬，
不可食。苏恭所谓鬼针，即鬼钗草也。方茎丫叶，子似钗脚，着人衣如针。与此稍异。
苗
【气味】甘、辛，温，无毒。
【主治】益脾胃，利胸膈，去冷气，作茹食（时珍）。
子
【气味】甘、辛，温，无毒。
【主治】心腹胀满，开胃下气消食，调味用之（《唐本》）。炒研醋服，治卒心痛，令人
得睡（孟诜）。温中暖脾，治反胃（时珍）。
【附方】新一。
慢脾惊风∶马芹子、丁香、白僵蚕等分，为末。每服一钱，炙橘皮煎汤下。名醒脾散。
（《普济方》）
(Phonetically pronounced as "Qin". Cited from *Tang Bencao* [Compendium of Materia Medica of the Tang Dynasty].)
[Names] Niuqi (Cow Parsnip, cited from *Erya*), Huqin (Hu Parsnip, cited from *Tongzhi*), Yehuixiang (Wild Fennel, cited from *Bencao Gangmu*).
Li Shizhen states: Generally, items that are large in size are often named with the character "Ma" (Horse). This herb resembles Celery (*Apium graveolens*) but is larger, hence the name. It is commonly known as Wild Fennel because its odor, seeds, and form are slightly similar to Fennel (*Foeniculum vulgare*).
In Chapter 32 of the *Jin Guangming Jing* [Sutra of Golden Light], among the aromatic medicinal substances, it is referred to as "Yepo Ni."
[Collection and Explanation] Su Gong says: Maqi grows beside water marshes. The seedlings resemble *Bidens pilosa* (Ghost Needle Grass) and *Brassica rapa* var. *parachinensis* (Feng Cai), and can be eaten when tender.
The flowers are bluish-white. The seeds are yellowish-black, resembling those of Saposhnikovia Root (*Fangfeng*), and when used for seasoning, they have an aroma similar to Tangerine Peel (*Chenpi*) but without bitterness.
Bao Sheng says: The flowers resemble Celery flowers, and the seeds are like those of Saposhnikovia Root but flatter and larger. *Erya* states: "Jiao is Niuqi." Sun Yan explains: "It resembles Celery but has fine and sharp leaves; it is an edible vegetable." It is also called Jiao or Maqi Zi, and is used in medicine.
Li Shizhen says: Maqi belongs to the same family as Celery but is a different species. It is found in low-lying and damp places everywhere. In March and April, shoots emerge; one plant grows in clusters like Mugwort (*Artemisia argyi*), covered with white downy hairs, and is edible when tender. The leaves resemble Water Celery (*Oenanthe javanica*) but are smaller, and resemble Ligusticum Wallichii (*Xiongqiong*) leaves but are darker in color. In May and June, small flowers bloom, clustered together like Snakebed Flowers (*Cnidium monnieri*) or Dill (*Anethum graveolens*) flowers, appearing bluish-white. The fruits also resemble Dill seeds, but are blacker and heavier. Its root is white, up to a chi (approx. 33 cm) long, fragrant in odor and hard in texture, and inedible. The "Guizhen" mentioned by Su Gong refers to Guichai Cao (Ghost Hairgrass). It has square stems and branched leaves, with seeds resembling hairpin feet that stick to clothing like needles. This differs slightly from Maqi.
[Odor and Taste] Sweet, Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Benefits the Spleen and Stomach, unblocks the chest and diaphragm, dispels cold qi, and is consumed as a vegetable (Li Shizhen).
Seeds
[Odor and Taste] Sweet, Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats abdominal distension and fullness, opens the stomach, directs Qi downward, aids digestion, and is used for seasoning (*Tang Bencao*). When stir-fried, ground, and taken with vinegar, it treats sudden heart pain and induces sleep (Meng Shen). Warms the middle and warms the Spleen, treating regurgitation (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] One new prescription.
Slow Spleen Wind Stroke: Maqi Zi (Seeds of Maqi), Dingxiang (Clove), Baijiangcan (White Silkworm) in equal parts, powdered. Take one qian (approx. 3-5 g) per dose, washed down with decoction made from roasted Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel). Named Xingpi San (Spleen-Awakening Powder) (*Puji Fang*).