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(From *Bencao Gangmu* / Compendium of Materia Medica)
[Names] Chouhao (Stinking Mugwort)
[Collected Explanations] Ming (Meng Shen, Tang Dynasty physician) said: Chouhao is also known as Caohao.
Shizhen (Li Shizhen) said: Xianghao (Fragrant Mugwort) and Chouhao can both be collectively named Caohao. This mugwort resembles Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), but this variety has a green color with a pale yellow tint, and its odor is pungent and foul. The kind that people harvest to cover sauces, yellow wine, and yeast starters is this one.
Leaves
[Properties and Flavors] Pungent, Bitter, Cool, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Pediatric wind-cold induced convulsions and fever (Shizhen).
Seeds
[Properties and Flavors] Pungent, Cool, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Treats consumptive disease (Lao), directs Qi downward, opens the appetite, stops night sweats, and eliminates pathogenic qi and demonic toxins (Ming).

(From *Shennong Bencao Jing* / Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, Upper Grade)
[Names] Fan (from *Erya*), Youhu (from *Erya*), Louhao (from *Shiliao*), [Character pronounced "Shang"].
Shizhen said: Baihao (White Mugwort) exists in two varieties: aquatic and terrestrial. *Erya* collectively calls them "Fan" because they propagate easily. Guo Pu's commentary on *Erya* states: "Fan is Paohao." This refers to the currently terrestrial Ai Hao (Artemisiae Argyi Herba), which has a pungent, irritating odor and is not pleasant. Xu Shen's *Shuowen Jiezi* states: "Fan is called Youhu." This refers to the currently aquatic Louhao, which has a pungent, fragrant, and delicious aroma. *Erya* states: "The variant of Fan becomes Hao in autumn." This generally refers to both aquatic and terrestrial types, meaning that while they have different names in spring, once they mature in autumn, they are all called Hao. "Lai," "Xiao," and [Character] are all common names for old Hao, symbolizing the肃杀 (solemn/killing) energy of autumn.
[Collected Explanations] *Bielu* (Mingyi Bielu) states: Baihao grows in the mountains, rivers, and marshes of Zhongshan, harvested in the second lunar month.
Hongjing (Tao Hongjing) said: There are many types of Hao, yet in common parlance, none are heard to be called Baihao. Since physicians do not use it, no one recognizes it anymore.
Gong (Su Gong) said: *Erya* records: "Fan is Paohao, which is Baihao, found everywhere. Its leaves resemble fine Artemisia argyi, covered with white hairs making it rough and coarse, thicker than Qinghao."
Yi (Chen Cangqi) said: Penghao can be made into pickles. Thus, the commentary on the *Classic of Poetry* says: "Using beans and Fan-pickles as offerings." Lu Ji's commentary on the *Classic of Poetry* states: "Any white Artemisia is called Paohao. Currently, Baihao sprouts before other grasses; it is fragrant, delicious, and edible, suitable for both raw consumption and steaming."
Song (Su Song) said: Ancient people considered this herb for pickles. Nowadays, people only eat Louhao and no longer eat this. Some suspect that Baihao is Louhao, but Meng Shen's *Shiliao* lists Louhao separately with different descriptions, clearly indicating they are two distinct substances, revealing the differences in food items between ancient and modern times. Furthermore, in Jiezhou today, Baihao is treated as Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba); its seedlings and leaves are similar, but using it for medicinal purposes is likely inadvisable.
Shizhen said: Baihao is found everywhere, in aquatic and terrestrial varieties. The Baihao used in Materia Medica likely refers to the aquatic variety, hence it says "grows in the mountains, rivers, and marshes of Zhongshan," rather than "valleys or flatlands." The two varieties look similar, but the terrestrial one is pungent and irritating, lacking the fragrance and delicacy of the aquatic one. The *Classic of Poetry* says: "The deer call out 'you you', eating the Ping in the wild." Ping refers to the terrestrial Paohao, commonly called Ai Hao. Among the nine antidotal herbs eaten by deer, Baihao is one. The *Classic of Poetry* says: "Where to gather Fan? In the marsh, by the water." The *Zuo Zhuan* states: "Ping, Fan, Yunzao, and other vegetables can be offered to spirits and presented to kings and dukes." These all refer to aquatic Baihao. Therefore, the Baihao in the Materia Medica is undoubtedly Louhao. Zheng Qiao's *Tongzhi* claims Ping is Louhao, which is incorrect. Deer are mountain beasts, while Lou is aquatic mugwort. Lu Ji's commentary on the *Classic of Poetry* claims Ping is Niuhao (Cow-tail Mugwort), which is also incorrect. Niuhao is green, not white, with slender leaves growing straight up, resembling a cow's tail. Louhao grows in ponds and marshes, sprouting in the second lunar month. Its leaves resemble tender Artemisia argyi but are finely divided, green on top and white underneath. Its stems are either red or white, and its roots are white and crisp. Harvesting its roots and stems, it can be eaten raw, pickled, or dried; it is an excellent vegetable. The *Da Zhao* by Jing Cha says: "Wu-style sour Hao and Lou are neither thin nor thick." This describes Wu people's skill in preparing sour flavors, boiling Louhao into a relish that is neither too watery nor too thick, yet sweet and delicious; this precisely refers to the aquatic variety.
Seedlings and Roots
[Properties and Flavors] Sweet, Neutral, Non-toxic. Simiao (Sun Simiao) said: Pungent, Neutral.
Shizhen said: Can induce sores and scabies.
[Indications] Pathogenic qi in the five Zang organs, wind-cold-dampness bi syndrome, tonifies the middle and supplements Qi, promotes hair growth and darkens it, treats a sensation of heart hanging empty, and addresses poor appetite with constant hunger. Long-term consumption lightens the body, clarifies the ears and eyes, and prevents aging (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Growing in water, marinated in vinegar and eaten as pickles, it is very beneficial to humans; crushed juice taken internally removes heat-induced jaundice and heart pain; dried and powdered, taken orally on an empty stomach with rice water, it treats sudden summer water diarrhea; burned to ash, leached with water, and decocted, it treats strangury disorders (Meng Shen). Benefits the diaphragm, opens the appetite, and detoxifies pufferfish poison.
[Elucidation] Hongjing said: The Seven-Bird Powder used by those practicing dietary therapy states: "White rabbits eat Baihao to become immortal, following the same method as Anxi."
Shizhen said: *Shennong Bencao Jing* lists Baihao in the Upper Grade, possessing efficacy without toxicity, yet contemporary physicians do not know how to use it. Could it be that they lack the secret of proper consumption?
[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription.
For malignant sores and leprosy, where any malignant disease covers the whole body and sores appear on the face and eyes, it can be taken: Use ten bundles of White Ai Hao, sized like a sheng (unit of volume), boil to extract the juice, add yeast and rice according to the wine-making method, wait until fermentation is complete, and take a small amount gradually (*Shenshi Fang*).
Seeds
[Properties and Flavors] Missing
[Indications] Demonic qi. Grind into powder, take with wine, effective (Meng Shen).