味甘,微寒,无毒。主治筋急拘挛,不可屈伸,风湿痹,下气。除筋骨邪气不仁,利肠
胃,消水肿,令人能食。久服轻身益气。其根∶下三虫。一名解蠡,一名屋 ,一名起实,
一名 。生真定平泽及田野。八月采实,采根无时。
(真定县属常山郡。近道处处有,多生人家。交趾者子最大,彼土呼为 珠。马援大取
将还,人谗以为真珠也。实重累者为良。用之取中人,今小儿病蛔虫,取根煮汁糜食之甚香,
而去蛔虫大效。)(《大观》卷六,《政和》一六一页)
味甘、咸,寒,无毒。主治气癃,止痛,利水道小便,除湿痹。男子伤中,女子淋沥,
不欲食,养肺,强阴,益精,令人有子,明目,治赤痛。久服轻身,耐老。叶及根,味甘、
寒。主金疮,止血,衄鼻,瘀血,血瘕,下血,小便赤,止烦,下气,除小虫。一名当道,
一名 ,一名虾蟆衣,一名牛遗,一名胜舄。生真定平泽丘陵阪道中。五月五日采
人家及路边甚多,其叶捣取汁服,治泄精甚验。子性冷利,《仙经》亦服饵之,令人身轻,
能跳越岸谷,不老而长生也。《韩诗》乃言 是木,似李,食其实,宜子孙,此
为
味苦、辛、甘,平,无毒。主治妇人阴中肿痛,男子阴痿湿痒,除痹气,利关节,癫痫,
恶疮。温中下气,令妇人子脏热,男子阴强。久服轻身,好颜色,令人有子。一名蛇粟,一
名蛇米,一名虺床,一名思益,一名绳毒,一名枣棘,一名蔷蘼。生临淄川谷及田野,五月
采实,阴干。(恶牡丹、巴豆、贝母。)
近道田野墟落间甚多。花、叶正似蘼芜。(《大观》卷七,《政和》一八六页)
Coix Seed (Yiyiren): Sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats tendon spasms and contractures, inability to flex or extend joints, wind-damp bi-syndrome (painful obstruction due to wind and dampness), and rebellious qi. It eliminates pathogenic factors from the sinews and bones causing numbness and insensitivity, promotes the free flow of the intestines and stomach, reduces edema, and stimulates appetite. Long-term consumption lightens the body and benefits qi. Its root: expels three types of parasites. Also known as Jielie, Wuyi, Qishi, and others. Grows in the flat marshes and fields of Zhending Commandery. Harvest the seeds in August; harvest the root at any time. (Zhending County belongs to Changshan Commandery. It is found everywhere along nearby roads, often growing near dwellings. The Coix seeds from Jiaozhi are the largest, locally called "Pearl." Ma Yuan collected large quantities to bring back, and slanderers claimed they were real pearls. Seeds that are heavy and layered are considered superior. For use, take the middle part. Currently, for children with ascariasis, boiling the root into a juice and mixing it with porridge is very fragrant and highly effective in expelling roundworms.) (Da Guan Bencao Vol. 6, Zhenghe Bencao p. 161)
Plantago Seed (Cheqianzi): Sweet and salty in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats strangury (difficulty and pain in urination), relieves pain, promotes diuresis and urination, and dispels wind-damp bi-syndrome. For men with internal injury, women with dribbling urine, loss of appetite, it nourishes the lungs, strengthens yin, benefits essence, facilitates conception, brightens the eyes, and treats redness and pain in the eyes. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging. The leaves and roots: sweet in taste, cold in nature. They treat traumatic injuries from metal weapons, stop bleeding, treat epistaxis (nosebleed), blood stasis, abdominal masses (blood zhang), lower bleeding, dark/red urine, relieve irritability, descend qi, and eliminate small parasites. Also known as Dangdao, Xiama Yi (Toad's Clothing), Niuyi, and Shengxi. Grows in the flat marshes, hills, and roadsides of Zhending Commandery. Harvest on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is abundant near houses and roadsides. Crushing the leaves to extract juice and drinking it is very effective for treating seminal emission. The seed has a cold and purgative nature; the Immortal Canon also lists it as an ingested substance, claiming it makes the body light, enables leaping over banks and valleys, prevents aging, and grants longevity. The Han Shi Waizhuan states it is a tree resembling a plum tree, and eating its fruit benefits descendants; this is incorrect.
Cnidium Fruit (Shechuangzi): Bitter, pungent, and sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats swelling and pain in the female vulva, male impotence with damp itching, dispels bi-qi (pathogenic qi causing obstruction), promotes joint mobility, treats epilepsy, and malignant sores. It warms the middle jiao, descends qi, warms the uterus in women, and enhances penile erection in men. Long-term consumption lightens the body, improves complexion, and facilitates conception. Also known as She Su, She Mi, Huichuang, Siyi, Shengdu, Zao Ji, and Qiangmi. Grows in the valleys and fields of Linzi. Harvest the fruits in May and dry them in the shade. (Avoid using with Peony Root, Croton Seed, and Fritillaria Bulb.) It is very common in nearby fields and villages. The flowers and leaves resemble Ligusticum wallichii (Miwu). (Da Guan Bencao Vol. 7, Zhenghe Bencao p. 186)