味甘，温，无毒。主益气，去面 黑色，媚好。其根∶味辛，主治腹中寒热邪气，利小
便。久服不饥，轻身。一名筋根花，一名金沸，一名美草。生豫州平泽。五月采，阴干。
东人呼为山姜，南人呼为美草，根似杜若，亦似高良姜。腹中冷痛，煮服甚效；作丸散
服之，辟谷止饥。近有人从南还，遂用此术与人断谷，皆得半年百日不饥不瘦，但志浅嗜深，
不能久服尔。其叶似姜，花赤色，殊辛美，子状如豆蔻。此旋花之名，即是其花也，今山东
甚多。（《大观》卷七，《政和》一八五页）
味苦，寒，无毒。主解诸毒，杀蛊 疰鬼螫毒。久服头不白，轻身。其叶汁，杀百药毒，
解野狼毒、射罔毒。其茎叶，可以染青。生河内平泽。
此即今染 碧所用者。至解毒，人卒不能得生蓝汁，乃浣 布汁以解之，亦善。以汁涂
五
味苦、酸，平，无毒。主治大热，火疮，身热烦，邪恶气。诸蛊毒，痂 ，寒热风痹，
诸不足。花∶主治女人漏下赤白，轻身，明目。久服通神不老。一名戒火，一名火母，一
名救火，一名据火，一名慎火。生太山川谷。四月四日、七月七日采，阴干。
今人皆盆盛养之于屋上，云以辟火。叶可治金疮，止血，以洗浴小儿，去烦热惊气。广
州城外有一树，云大三、四围，呼为慎火树。江东者，甚细小。方用亦稀。其花入服食。众
药之名，此最为丽。（《大观》卷七，《政和》一八七页）
Convolvulus (Xuanhua): Sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. Primarily benefits qi, removes dark spots on the face, and enhances beauty. Its root: Pungent in taste, primarily treats cold and heat pathogenic factors in the abdomen, and promotes urination. Long-term consumption prevents hunger and lightens the body. Also known as Jingenghua (Sinew Root Flower), Jinfei (Golden Boiling), Meicao (Beautiful Grass). Grows in the plains and marshes of Yuzhou. Harvested in May, dried in the shade. People in the East call it Shanjiang (Mountain Ginger), while people in the South call it Meicao. The root resembles Radix Isatidis (Duruo) and also looks like Rhizoma Galangalis (Gaoliangjiang). For cold pain in the abdomen, boiling and drinking is very effective; taken as pills or powders, it aids in grain avoidance (Bigu) and stops hunger. Recently, someone returning from the South used this method for others to avoid grain, resulting in no hunger or emaciation for half a year to one hundred days. However, due to shallow will and deep desires, they could not persist in long-term use. Its leaves resemble ginger, flowers are red, with a pungent and delicious flavor, and seeds resemble cardamom. The name "Convolvulus" refers specifically to its flower, which is now abundant in Shandong. (Da Guan Ben Cao Vol. 7, Zheng He Ben Cao p.185)
Indigo Fruit (Lanshi): Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily resolves various toxins, kills gu poison, zhu ghost pathogens, and insect/serpent bite venom. Long-term consumption prevents graying of hair and lightens the body. Its leaf juice resolves poisoning from hundreds of herbs, including wild wolf毒 (wild toxic plant) and she wang (aconite-derived poison). Its stems and leaves can be used to dye blue. Grows in the plains and marshes of Henei.
This is the plant currently used for dyeing green/blue. Regarding detoxification, if one suddenly suffers poisoning and cannot obtain fresh indigo juice, using laundry water (cloth-washing juice) to resolve it is also effective. Applying the juice to five...
Sedum (Jingtian): Bitter and sour in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats high fever, fire sores, body heat with restlessness, and evil qi. Various gu poisons, scabs, wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, and various deficiencies. Flowers: Primarily treat leukorrhea (red and white discharge) in women, lighten the body, and improve vision. Long-term consumption enhances spiritual clarity and prevents aging. Also known as Jiehuo (Stop Fire Huomu (Fire Mother), Jiuhuo (Save Fire), Juhuo (Hold Fire), Shenhuo (Careful Fire). Grows in the mountains and valleys of Mount Tai. Harvested on the 4th day of the 4th lunar month and the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, dried in the shade.
Currently, people grow it in pots on rooftops, claiming it wards off fire. Leaves can treat metal wounds, stop bleeding, and bathing children with it removes restlessness and fright. Outside Guangzhou city, there is a tree said to be three or four chi in circumference, called Shenhuoshu (Careful Fire Tree). Those in Jiangdong are very small. It is rarely used in prescriptions. Its flowers are used for dietary therapy. Among all herb names, this one is the most beautiful. (Da Guan Ben Cao Vol. 7, Zheng He Ben Cao p.187)