味甘、咸，寒，无毒。主治风寒湿痹，乳难，消水，养五脏，益气力，肥健。补虚损五
劳，除五脏痞满，起阴气，止泄精、消渴、淋沥，逐膀胱三焦停水。久服耳目聪明，不饥，
延年，轻身，面生光，能行水上。扁鹊云∶多服病患眼。一名水泻，一名及泻，一名芒芋，
一名鹄泻。生汝南池泽。五月、六月、八月采根，阴干。畏海蛤、文蛤。叶，味咸，无毒。
主大风，乳汁不出，产难，强阴气。久服轻身。五月采。实，味甘，无毒。主风痹，消渴，
益肾气，强阴，补不足，除邪湿。久服面生光，令人无子。九月采。
汝南郡属豫州。今近道亦有，不堪用。惟用汉中、南郑、青、代，形大而长，尾间必有
两歧为好。此物易朽蠹，常须密藏之。叶狭长，丛生诸浅水中。《仙经》服食断谷皆用之。
亦云身轻，能步行水上。（《大观》卷六，《政和》一六二页）
味甘，温、平，无毒。主治伤中，补虚羸，除寒热邪气，补中，益气力，长肌肉。主头
面游风，风头目眩，下气，止腰痛，补虚劳羸瘦，充五脏，除烦热，强阴。久服耳目聪明，
轻身，不饥，延年。一名山芋，秦楚名玉延，郑越名土薯。生嵩山山谷。二月、八月采根，
曝干。（紫芝为之使，恶甘遂。）
今近道处处有，东山、南江皆多掘取食之以充粮。南康间最大而美，服食亦用之。（《大
观》卷六，《政和》一六○页）
Alisma Rhizome (Zexie, 泽泻): Sweet and salty in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. It treats wind-cold-damp bi syndrome (painful obstruction caused by invasion of wind, cold, and damp pathogens into meridians and joints), difficulty in lactation (poor or absent milk secretion), promotes diuresis (elimination of retained body fluids), nourishes the five zang organs, tonifies qi and strengthens physical strength, and makes the body robust and healthy. It supplements deficiency and damage from the five types of labor (five kinds of overstrain: prolonged viewing damages blood, prolonged lying down damages qi, prolonged sitting damages flesh, prolonged standing damages bones, prolonged walking damages tendons), removes fullness and stagnation in the five zang organs, stimulates yin qi (kidney yin energy), stops seminal emission (treatment of nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea), treats xiao ke (wasting-thirst syndrome characterized by excessive thirst and urination), and relieves strangury (dribbling urine). It expels stagnant water from the bladder and san jiao (triple burner). Long-term consumption makes ears and eyes clear and bright, prevents hunger, prolongs life, lightens the body, gives luster to the face, and enables one to walk on water. Bian Que said: Excessive consumption causes eye diseases in patients. Also known as Shuixie, Jixie, Mangyu, and Hexie. Grows in ponds and marshes of Runan. The roots are harvested in May, June, and August, and dried in the shade. It is incompatible with Haige (Seashell) and Wen Ge (Clam Shell). The leaves are salty in flavor and non-toxic. They treat severe wind conditions (severe wind-pathogen diseases such as leprosy or severe pruritic skin rashes), absence of milk secretion, dystocia (difficult childbirth), and strengthen yin qi. Long-term use lightens the body. Harvested in May. The fruits are sweet in flavor and non-toxic. They treat wind-bi, wasting-thirst, benefit kidney qi, strengthen yin, supplement deficiencies, and eliminate pathogenic dampness. Long-term consumption gives luster to the face but may cause infertility. Harvested in September.
Runan Commandery belongs to Yuzhou Province. Currently, it is also produced in nearby areas, but the quality is unsatisfactory. Only Alisma from Hanzhong, Nanzheng, Qingzhou, and Daizhou, which are large and long in shape with a bifurcated tail, are considered superior. This material is prone to rotting and insect damage and must be stored tightly sealed. The leaves are narrow and long, growing in clusters in various shallow waters. The "Immortal Classics" for fasting (bigu, grain avoidance) all use it. It is also said to lighten the body and enable walking on water. (From *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 6; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 162)
Dioscorea Rhizome (Shuyu, 薯蓣): Sweet in flavor, warm and neutral in nature, non-toxic. It treats middle-jiao injury (damage to the spleen and stomach), supplements deficiency and emaciation, eliminates pathogenic cold-heat, tonifies the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), benefits qi and strengthens strength, and promotes muscle growth. It treats wandering wind on the head and face (wind-pathogen disorders causing migratory symptoms on the head and face), dizziness due to wind attacking the head, directs rebellious qi downward, stops lower back pain, supplements deficiency and emaciation from chronic fatigue, fills the five zang organs, clears vexing heat, and strengthens yin. Long-term consumption makes ears and eyes clear and bright, lightens the body, prevents hunger, and prolongs life. Also known as Shanyu, Yuyan in the Qin-Chu region, and Tushu in the Zheng-Yue region. Grows in the valleys of Mount Song. The roots are harvested in February and August, and sun-dried. (Zizhi [Ganoderma] acts as its assistant herb; it is antagonistic to Gansui.)
Currently, it is found everywhere in nearby areas. Dongshan and Nanjiang regions dig up large quantities for food to serve as grain. Those from Nankang are the largest and most delicious, and are also used for fasting/tonic purposes. (From *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 6; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 160)