味甘，寒，无毒。主治劳伤虚羸，补中益气，除瘀血，血闭，寒热，利小便，下五淋，
除客热在肠胃，止渴，坚筋，妇人崩中。久服利人。其苗∶主下水。一名兰根，一名茹根，
一名地菅，一名地筋，一名兼杜。生楚地山谷田野，六月采根。
此即今白茅菅。《诗》云∶“露彼菅茅”。其根如如渣芹甜美。服食此断谷甚良。世方稀
用，惟治淋及崩中尔。（《大观》卷八，《政和》二○八页）
味甘，平，无毒。主治邪气腹胀，心痛，利大小便，补中益气。除浮肿，胪胀，痞满，
寒热，通身疼痛，及乳难喉痹肿，止涕泪。一名重箱，一名重迈，一名摩罗，一名中逢花，
一名强瞿。生荆州川谷。二月、八月采根，曝干。
近道处处有，根如胡蒜，数十片相累，人亦蒸煮食之。乃言初是蚯蚓相缠结变作之，世
人
味酸，平、寒，无毒。主治热烦满，定志，益气，利水道，产难吞其实，立产，一名醋
浆。生荆楚川泽及人家田园中。五月采，阴干。
处处人家多有，叶亦可食。子作房，房中有子如梅李大，皆黄赤色。小儿食之，能除热，
亦治黄病，多效。（《大观》卷八，《政和》二一一页）
味辛，寒，无毒。主治阴痿，绝伤，茎中痛，利小便，益气力，强志。坚筋骨，消瘰 ，
赤痈，下部有疮洗出虫，丈夫久服，令人无子。一名刚前。生上郡阳山山谷。（薯蓣
服此使人好为阴阳。西川北部有淫羊，一日百遍合，盖食藿所致，故名淫羊藿。（《大观》卷
八，《政和》二○六页）
**Imperatae Rhizoma (Maogen):** Sweet in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. It treats emaciation and weakness caused by labor injuries, tonifies the middle jiao and benefits qi, removes blood stasis, resolves amenorrhea (blood obstruction), alleviates alternating chills and fever, promotes urination, expels the five types of strangury (lithiasis, sand-like, paste-like, bloody, and qi-type strangury), clears exogenous heat from the stomach and intestines, relieves thirst, strengthens tendons and bones, and treats metrorrhagia (profuse uterine bleeding) in women. Long-term consumption is beneficial to the body. Its leaves: treat edema. Also known as Langen, Rugen, Dijian, Dijin, and Jiandu. Grows in the valleys and fields of Chu. The roots are harvested in June. This is the current Bai Mao Jian. The *Book of Songs* states: "Dew on the Jian grass." Its root is sweet like Zhaqin. Consuming this for grain avoidance (Bigu) is very effective. It is rarely used in secular prescriptions, only for treating strangury and metrorrhagia. (*Da Guan Bencao*, Vol. 8; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 208)
**Epimedii Folium (Yinyanghuo):** Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It treats abdominal distension and heart pain caused by pathogenic factors, promotes urination and defecation, tonifies the middle jiao and benefits qi. It eliminates edema, abdominal fullness, stuffiness and distension, alternating chills and fever, whole-body pain, difficulty in lactation, swelling due to throat bi (sore throat/obstruction), and stops runny nose and tears. Also known as Chongxiang, Chongmai, Moluo, Zhongfenghua, and Qiangqu. Grows in the rivers and valleys of Jingzhou. The roots are harvested in February and August and sun-dried. They are found everywhere near roads; the roots resemble garlic bulbs, with dozens of segments connected together, and people also steam and boil them for food. It is said that they were originally earthworms entangled together that transformed into this plant. People...
**Portulacae Herba (Suanjiangcao):** Sour in taste, neutral and cold in nature, non-toxic. It treats heat-induced vexation and fullness, calms the mind, benefits qi, promotes water pathways, and when the fruit is swallowed during difficult labor, delivery occurs immediately. Also known as Cujiang. Grows in the rivers and marshes of Jingchu and in household gardens. Harvested in May and dried in the shade. Commonly found in households; the leaves are edible. The fruit forms a pod containing seeds like plums or medlars, yellowish-red in color. Children eating it can clear heat; it is also effective in treating jaundice. (*Da Guan Bencao*, Vol. 8; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 211)
**Epimedii Folium (Yinyanghuo - continued/different entry):** Pungent in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. It treats impotence, severe injuries (Jueshang), pain in the urethra, promotes urination, benefits qi and strength, and stabilizes willpower. It strengthens tendons and bones, eliminates scrofula (neck lymph node tuberculosis), red carbuncles, washes out worms from sores in the lower body, and long-term consumption by men causes infertility. Also known as Gangqian. Grows in the valleys of Yangshan in Shangjun. (Consumption of Dioscorea with this herb makes one prone to sexual activity. In the northwestern part of Sichuan, there are yin sheep [epimedium goats] that mate a hundred times a day, likely because they eat the huos leaf, hence the name Yinyanghuo.) (*Da Guan Bencao*, Vol. 8; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 206)