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Baijie (White Mustard Seed)
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature. Non-toxic. Originally cultivated from the Western Regions (Xirong), it is white and crisp, very delicious when eaten as a vegetable. It can repel cold qi and stabilize the five zang organs. The seeds are slightly coarser than other mustard seeds, white in color, resembling sorghum grains. They are excellent at expelling zhushi qi (a chronic consumptive disease caused by external pathogens) and most effective in warding off evil spirits. Ground with vinegar and applied externally, it treats shegong (ancient term for water toxins or skin diseases caused by insects such as Paederus); decocted liquid eliminates tanpi (痞块 formed by phlegm-fluid retention). For痞块 formed by prolonged malaria steaming, this herb must be applied externally to remove them; for phlegm-saliva in the subcutaneous tissue and intermuscular spaces, it must be used to guide their discharge. Therefore, in the Sanzi Yangqin Tang (Three Seeds Decoction to Nourish the Elderly) formula, radish seed is added to digest food, perilla seed to calm asthma, and this herb (white mustard seed) to eliminate phlegm. All these methods precisely address the diseases of the elderly. Qingjie (Green Mustard) is extremely pungent, resembling songcai (Chinese cabbage) but hairy. The fine-leaved variety is lethal, while the large-leaved variety is superior. Raw consumption triggers danshi fa du (heat toxicity triggered by mineral drug ingestion); cooked consumption disturges ge qi (diaphragmatic qi) and wind qi. Eating it together with rabbit meat easily induces severe sores, which is also effective for treatment. It was recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) to unblock orifices, brighten eyes and ears; warm the middle jiao, enter the nose meridian, dispel pathogenic factors, and stop coughing. The seeds are small and green, making fragrant sauce. For traumatic injuries with blood stasis and cold pain, grind fresh ginger and apply topically. For numbness, wind toxicity, swelling, and pain, mix with strong vinegar and apply externally. Mixed with wine, even before swallowing, heart and spleen pain stops completely. There are also Zijie (Purple Mustard), Huajie (Flowering Mustard), and Shijie (Stone Mustard), with many varieties; however, when harvested for culinary use, they are no longer distinguished.

Laifu Gen (Radish Root)
Pungent and sweet in flavor, warm in nature. Belongs to Earth, possessing properties of Metal and Water. Non-toxic. Cultivated everywhere in commanderies and provinces across the north and south. Also known as Luobo (Radish), harvested in winter. The root can be eaten raw, while the leaves must be cooked. It counteracts the toxicity of white flour and tofu; it is contraindicated to consume simultaneously with Heshouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix) and Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix). If mistakenly violated, hair and beard will turn white. Crushed raw juice, mixed with ink and swallowed; stops hematemesis (vomiting blood), removing blood very swiftly. Yan Yi (Bencao Yan Yi) states: The mechanism for treating thirst is likely due to its abundant sweet flavor and slight pungency. The seeds can arrest wheezing and coughing, descending qi with power truly like overturning walls and breaking through barriers. Grinded with water and taken orally, it immediately vomits out wind-phlegm; ground with vinegar and applied externally, it instantly eliminates toxic swellings. Wujing (Turnip) grows all over the ground, with lush leaves, also called Manqing; the two names coexist. It is completely different from Laifu, do not mistake the fake for the real. Mostly planted in the Hezhou region, it can prepare for famine years. In the past, when Zhuge Liang campaigned and set up camps, he often ordered soldiers to plant it, claiming six benefits, which are detailed in historical records. To this day, in the Three Shu regions of Sichuan and Jiangling, it is called Zhuge Cai (Zhuge Vegetable). It is suitable for frequent consumption, easily leading to robustness and fatness. Benefits qi and unblocks the middle jiao. The seeds mainly treat jaundice and promote diuresis, also treating huoluan (cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea), eliminating distension. Removes blinding of the eyes (qingmang), eliminates zhengjia and jijuzhi (abdominal masses and accumulations). Steamed nine times and sun-dried nine times to make powder, taking it allows one to cease grain eating (bigu) and achieve longevity. Finely ground and added into facial cream, it removes wrinkles and restores moisture; pressed oil mixed into face paste, it turns dark complexion bright. For spider bites, crush into powder and take with wine to eliminate toxin. However, excessive consumption causes abdominal fullness.