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Yi Prefecture Turmeric (Jianghuang)
Li Prefecture Turmeric (Jianghuang)

Pungent in flavor, warm in nature. Non-toxic. *Tu Jing* records: This is the rhizome of old ginger planted for more than three years. It is mostly produced in Jiangxi and Huguang (Jiangxi Province, Hubei and Hunan Provinces), and also in Shuchuan. Its color is yellower than Curcuma aromatica (Yujin), and its shape is slightly larger than that of Curcuma aromatica. In terms of therapeutic efficacy, it is more potent than Curcuma aromatica. It breaks blood stasis and promotes immediate flow, and descends Qi most rapidly. It treats stagnation of Qi in the heart and abdomen, as well as abdominal distension caused by accumulation of pathogenic Qi from zhu-wu (vampire disease/possession); it treats postpartum blood attacking the heart, and pain caused by blood stasis from traumatic injuries. It further dissipates carbuncles and swellings, and unblocks menstruation.

Commentary by Mo: Curcuma aromatica (Yujin) and Turmeric (Jianghuang) are actually not the same species. Curcuma aromatica is bitter and cold in flavor, red in color, and shaped like a cicada's belly—round in the middle and pointed at both ends. Turmeric is pungent and warm in flavor, yellow in color, and shaped like a ginger melon—round and large. The yield of Curcuma aromatica is minimal, while that of Turmeric is often abundant. Currently, merchants only select the abundant ones to deceive people, claiming they were originally one substance, designating the thicker ones as Turmeric and the thinner ones as Curcuma aromatica. However, things in the world vary in size; how can their names be changed simply because their shapes differ? Such talk is only suitable for the unintelligent. If this were true, Curcuma aromatica would also be easily obtained, so why substitute it with camellia flowers?

Mugwort Leaf (Ai Ye)

Bitter in flavor, cold when raw and warm when cooked. It belongs to Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. It grows in fields everywhere; those that have been trodden upon repeatedly are considered best. It sprouts close to the ground in early spring and resembles mugwort weeds (Caohao) in appearance. However, the underside of its leaves is white, and it emits a faint fragrance when the wind blows. It is mostly harvested at dawn on the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu). Some hang it on doors to ward off epidemics, while some store it at home to prevent diseases. For decoction and oral administration, fresh leaves are preferred as their Qi ascends; for moxibustion, aged leaves are preferred as their Qi descends. When crushed and added to Siwu Decoction (Four Substances Decoction), it calms the fetus and stops leukorrhea and abdominal pain; when juiced and mixed into Sisheng Yin (Four Raw Drinks), it stops hematemesis, epistaxis, and blood in sputum. Ai Fu Wan (Mugwort and Cyperi Rhizoma Pills, made by mixing powdered Mugwort Leaf and Cyperi Rhizoma with vinegar paste), opens stagnation, regulates menstruation, warms the uterus, and facilitates early conception. Jiang Ai Wan (Ginger and Mugwort Pills, made by mixing powdered Mugwort Leaf and dried Ginger with honey), dispels cold Qi, removes foul Qi, and prevents lingering chronic illness. Mixed with finely ground Realgar (Xionghuang) and fumigated locally, it is miraculously effective for damp-bi syndrome and scabies/tinea; mixed with wax slices and Chebulae Fructus (Hezi) and fumigated, it shows special merit for chills and fever with acute pain after dysentery, and for leukorrhea. Formed into moxa cones for acupuncture points of all meridians without error, drilling holes to extract wind-dampness toxins is particularly verified. Indeed, taking it as medicine can induce pregnancy. It assists the Water Organ (Kidney) to strengthen Yang, warms the waist and knees, and improves vision. Additionally, there is a plant called Jiuniu Cao (Nine Ox Grass), produced in the mountains of Junzhou (belonging to Huguang). Its leaves are round and long, white on the back with awns, and its stem stands alone about two chi tall. Its fragrance resembles Mugwort, and it is also harvested during Duanwu. It treats various types of wind-lao (chronic wasting-fever) and stops body-wide pain.

Commentary by Mo: Regarding Mugwort Leaf, *Ben Jing* and various annotations state that it grows in fields, resembles mugwort weeds, and those trodden upon are best, without restricting it to specific regions. Secular society instead calls it wild mugwort and despises it as extremely cheap. Approaching the Dragon Boat Festival, it is merely harvested and hung on doors to ward off epidemics. Regarding its treatment of diseases, people seek out the single-stemmed, round-leaved, white-backed, and awned varieties produced in Qizhou, calling them the essence of Mugwort. If available, they buy them regardless of price. Officials in that region also collect this variety. When sent to the Two Capitals, it is wrapped in thick paper to show its preciousness. Its reputation spreads far, known throughout the four quarters. Now, examining its shape, Jiuniu Cao is indeed this plant. Most people do not recognize it and call it Mugwort. The classics explicitly note: although the aroma is like Mugwort, it is actually not the Mugwort species. Physicians use it as moxa cones to treat wind-dampness bi-pain, labor-heat, and accumulations. Those who have achieved efficacy do so only because its pungent and penetrating nature can open and unblock orifices. To claim it completely surpasses true Mugwort is unlikely. Generally, human nature values what is distant and despises what is near. Clinging to customs and being inflexible, even with the text of *Ben Jing* and annotations from various schools, who has ever looked closely to distinguish truth from falsehood? Alas! How lamentable! How lamentable!