（《唐本草》）
【校正】并入《图经》、老鸦眼睛草。
【释名】苦葵（《图经》）、苦菜（《唐本》）、
天泡草（《纲目》）、老鸦酸浆草（《纲目
时珍曰∶龙葵，言其性滑如葵也。苦以菜味名，茄以叶形名；天泡、老鸦眼睛皆以子形
名也。与酸浆相类，故加老鸦以
物异也。
【集解】弘景曰∶益州有苦菜，乃是苦 。恭曰∶苦 ，即龙葵也，俗亦名苦菜，
非荼也。龙葵所在有之，关河间谓之苦菜，叶圆花白，子若牛李子，生青熟黑，但堪煮
食，不任生啖。
颂曰∶龙葵近处亦稀，惟北方有之，北人谓之苦葵。叶圆似排风而无毛，花白色，子亦
似排风子，生青熟黑，其赤者名赤珠，亦可入药。又曰∶老鸦眼睛草，生江湖间。叶如茄子
叶，故名天茄子。或云∶即漆姑草也。漆姑即蜀羊泉，已见《本经》草部。人亦不能决识之。
时珍曰∶龙葵、龙珠，一类二种也，皆处处有之。四月生苗，嫩时可食，柔滑。渐
高二、三尺，茎大如箸，似灯笼草而无毛。叶似茄叶而小。五月以后，开小白花，五出黄蕊。
结子正圆，大如五味子，上有小蒂，数颗同缀，其味酸。中有细子，亦如茄子之子。但生青
熟黑者为龙葵；生青熟赤者为龙珠，功用亦相仿佛，不甚辽远。苏颂《图经》菜部既注
龙葵，复于外类重出老鸦眼睛草，盖不知其即一物也。又谓老鸦眼睛是蜀羊泉，误矣。蜀羊
泉叶似菊，开紫花，子类枸杞，详见草部本条。杨慎《丹铅录》，谓龙葵即吴葵，反指本草
为误，引《素问》、《千金》四月吴葵华为证。盖不知《千金方》言吴葵即蜀葵，已自明白矣。
今并正之。
苗
【气味】苦、微甘，滑，寒，无毒。
【主治】食之解劳少睡，去虚热肿（《唐本》）。治风，补益男子元气，妇人败血（苏颂）。
消热散血，压丹石毒宜食之（时珍）。
【附方】旧一。
去热少睡∶龙葵菜同米，煮作羹粥食之。（《食医心镜》）
茎、叶、根
【气味】同苗。
【主治】捣烂和土，敷疔肿火丹疮，良（孟诜）。疗痈疽肿毒，跌扑伤损，消肿散血（时
珍）。根与木通、胡荽煎汤服，通利小便（苏颂）。
【附方】旧四，新九。
通利小便∶方见上。
从高坠下欲死者∶取老鸦眼睛草茎叶捣汁服，以渣敷患处。（《唐瑶经验方》）
火焰丹肿∶老鸦眼睛草叶，入醋细研敷之，能消赤肿。（苏颂《图经本草》）
痈肿无头∶龙葵茎叶捣敷。（《经验方》）
发背痈疽成疮者∶苏颂《图经》云∶用龙葵一两（为末），麝香一分。研匀，涂之甚善。
《
诸疮恶肿∶老鸦眼睛草擂酒服，以渣敷之。（《普济方》）
疔肿毒疮，黑色 肿者，乃服丹石毒也；赤色者，肉面毒也∶用龙葵根一握（洗切），
乳
香末、黄连三两，杏仁六十枚，和捣作饼，浓如三钱，依疮大小敷之，觉痒即换去。痒不可
忍，切勿搔动。候炊久，疮中似石榴子戢戢然，乃去药。时时以甘草汤温洗，洗后以蜡贴之。
终身不得食羊血。如无龙葵，以蔓荆根代之。（《圣济总录》）
天泡湿疮∶龙葵苗叶捣敷之。
吐血不止∶天茄子苗半两，人参二钱半，为末。每服二钱，新汲水下。（《圣济总录》）
辟除蚤虱∶天茄叶铺于席下，次日尽死。
多年恶疮∶天茄叶贴之，或为末贴。（《救急良方》）
产后肠出不收∶老鸦酸浆草一把，水煎，先熏后洗，收乃止。（《救急方》）子（七月采
之）
【主治】疔肿（《唐本》）。明目轻身甚良（甄权）。治风，益男子元气，妇人败血（苏颂）。
(From *Tang Bencao*)
[Correction] This entry is merged with those in *Tujing* and "Laoya Yanjing Cao" (Old Crow's Eye Grass).
[Names] Ku Kui (*Tujing*), Ku Cai (*Tangben*), Tianpao Cao (*Bencao Gangmu*), Laoya Suanjiang Cao (*Bencao Gangmu*).
Li Shizhen said: Longkui is named so because its nature is slippery like Kuis (Malva verticillata). It is named "Ku" (Bitter) due to its taste, and "Qie" (Eggplant) due to the shape of its leaves; "Tianpao" and "Laoya Yanjing" are both named after the shape of its fruits. It is similar to Suanjiang (Physalis alkekengi), hence the addition of "Laoya" to distinguish them as different species.
[Collection of Explanations] Tao Hongjing said: In Yizhou, there is a bitter vegetable called Ku Cai, which is actually Ku [Longkui]. Su Gong said: Ku [Longkui] is indeed Longkui, also commonly known as Ku Cai, but it is not Tu (Tea). Longkui grows everywhere; in the Guan region and along the Yellow River, it is called Ku Cai. Its leaves are round, flowers white, and fruits resemble cow plums; they are green when raw and black when ripe. They can only be boiled for consumption and are not suitable for raw eating.
Su Song said: Longkui is rare in nearby areas and exists mainly in the north, where northerners call it Ku Kui. The leaves are round like Paifeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) but hairless; the flowers are white, and the fruits resemble those of Paifeng, turning from green to black. The red variety is named Chizhu (Red Pearl) and can also be used as medicine. He further stated: Laoya Yanjing Cao grows near rivers and lakes. Its leaves resemble eggplant leaves, hence the name Tian Qiezi (Heavenly Eggplant). Some claim it is Qigu Cao (Phytolacca acinosa). Qigu is Shuyangquan, already recorded in the Herbal section of *Shennong Bencao Jing*. People often fail to identify it correctly.
Li Shizhen said: Longkui and Longzhu are one genus with two species, found everywhere. Seedlings emerge in April, tender enough to eat, feeling soft and slippery. They grow two or three chi high, stems as thick as chopsticks, resembling Denglong Cao (Lantern Grass) but hairless. Leaves resemble eggplant leaves but are smaller. After May, small white flowers bloom with five yellow stamens. The fruits are perfectly round, the size of Wuweizi (Schisandra chinensis), with small calyxes at the top, clustered together, and sour in taste. Inside are fine seeds, similar to eggplant seeds. Those that turn black when ripe are Longkui; those that turn red when ripe are Longzhu. Their functions are similar, with little difference. Su Song’s *Tujing* listed Longkui in the Vegetable section and repeated Laoya Yanjing Cao in the External Category, likely unaware they are the same plant. He also incorrectly identified Laoya Yanjing as Shuyangquan. Shuyangquan has chrysanthemum-like leaves, purple flowers, and fruits resembling Gouqi (Lycium barbarum); see the Herbal section for details. Yang Shen’s *Danqian Lu* claimed Longkui is Wukai, wrongly accusing the Materia Medica of error by citing *Suwen* and *Qianjin Fang* regarding Wukai blooming in April. However, *Qianjin Fang* clearly states Wukai is Shukui (Hibiscus mutabilis). This is now corrected.
Seedlings
[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, slightly sweet, slippery, cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Consumption alleviates fatigue and reduces sleepiness, dispels deficiency heat and swelling (*Tangben*). Treats wind disorders, tonifies male Yuan Qi (vital energy), and treats female blood stasis (*Su Song*). Clears heat, disperses blood stasis, and suppresses Dan Shi toxicity; suitable for dietary use (*Li Shizhen*).
[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription.
To remove heat and reduce sleepiness: Cook Longkui vegetables with rice into a porridge and consume (*Shiyi Xinjing*).
Stems, Leaves, Roots
[Properties and Flavor] Same as seedlings.
[Indications] Pounded and mixed with earth, applied externally for Ding Zhong (carbuncles), Huodanchuang (erysipelas), effective (*Meng Shen*). Treats yongju (abscesses) and toxic swellings, traumatic injuries, reduces swelling and disperses blood stasis (*Li Shizhen*). Decoction of roots with Mutong (Akebia quinata stem) and Huyu (Coriander sativum) promotes urination (*Su Song*).
[Attached Prescriptions] Four old prescriptions, nine new prescriptions.
Promote urination: See above.
Falling from height, near death: Take juice of Laoya Yanjing Cao stems and leaves orally, apply residue to the affected area (*Tang Yao Jingyan Fang*).
Flame erysipelas: Grind Laoya Yanjing Cao leaves with vinegar finely and apply to reduce redness and swelling (*Su Song Tujing Bencao*).
Abscess without head: Pound Longkui stems and leaves and apply (*Jingyan Fang*).
Back carbuncle abscess formed: Su Song’s *Tujing* states: Use 1 liang of Longkui (powdered) and 1 fen of Muxiang (Musk). Grind uniformly and apply for best results.
Various malignant swellings: Take Laoya Yanjing Cao pounded in wine orally, apply residue externally (*Pujifang*).
Ding toxic sores, black swelling indicates Dan Shi toxicity; red swelling indicates flesh toxin: Use one handful of washed and chopped Longkui root, 3 liang of Xiangru powder (Frankincense) and Huanglian (Coptis chinensis), 60 Xingren (Apricot seeds). Pound together into cakes, thickness equivalent to 3 qian. Apply according to sore size. Replace when itching occurs. If unbearable, do not scratch. After sufficient time, when the sore resembles pomegranate seeds protruding, remove the medicine. Wash frequently with warm Licorice decoction, then seal with wax. Avoid sheep blood for life. If Longkui is unavailable, substitute with Manjing Gen (Vitex rotundifolia root) (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Tianpao damp sores: Pound Longkui seedlings and leaves and apply.
Unceasing hematemesis: Half liang of Tian Qiezi seedlings, 2.5 qian of Renshen (Ginseng), powdered. Take 2 qian per dose with fresh water (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Repel fleas and lice: Lay Tian Qie leaves under mats; all die by the next day.
Chronic malignant sores: Apply Tian Qie leaves or powder (*Jiuji Liangfang*).
Postpartum uterine/intestinal prolapse: Decoct one bunch of Laoya Suanjiang Cao in water. Fumigate first, then wash until retracted (*Jiuji Fang*).
Fruits (Harvest in July)
[Indications] Treats ding zhong (carbuncles) (*Tangben*). Improves vision and lightens the body effectively (*Zhen Quan*). Treats wind disorders, tonifies male Yuan Qi, and treats female blood stasis (*Su Song*).