\r车前子\pj58.bmp\r
味甘、咸,气寒。无毒。山野道途,处处生长。一名牛舌草,又谓虾蟆衣。叶中起
苗,苗上结子。细类葶苈,采择端阳。专入膀胱,兼疗肝脏。通尿管淋沥涩痛,不走精气为
奇;驱风热冲目赤痛,旋去翳膜诚妙。湿痹堪却,生产能催。益精强阴,令人有子。故今种
子方内所制五子衍宗丸,枸杞、菟丝、五味、覆盆,斯亦列其名者,盖由得此说也。根叶捣
生汁饮之,治一切衄痢尿血。亦利水道,堪逐气癃。久服轻身,延年耐老。
\r密州地肤子\pj56.bmp\r
\r蜀州地肤子\pj57.bmp\r
(一名落帚子。) 味苦,气寒。无毒。生于平泽中,苗名铁扫帚。叶如荆芥,子类蚕
沙
。秋末采收,阴干入药。专利水道,去热膀胱。多服益精强阴,久服明目聪耳。浴身却皮
肤瘙痒热疹,洗眼除热暗雀盲涩疼。叶捣绞汁服之,又散诸恶疮毒。泄泻分渗,血痢
兼驱。
\r决明子\pj59.bmp\r
味咸、苦、甘,气平、微寒。无毒。川泽多生,苗高数尺。叶类苜蓿阔大,堪作菜
蔬;子如绿豆锐圆,可入药剂。冬月采曝,捣碎才煎。恶火麻,使蓍实。除肝热尤和肝气,
收目泪且止目疼。诚为明目仙丹,故得决明美誉。仍止鼻衄,水调末急贴脑心;更益寿龄,
蜜为丸空心吞服。治头风须筑枕卧,消肿毒亦调水敷。头痛兼驱,蛇毒可解。
第二卷青葙子款后(谟)按,宜参看。
Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen)
Taste: Sweet, salty. Nature: Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. It grows everywhere in the mountains, wilds, and along roadsides. Also known as Niushucao (Cow-tongue Grass), it is also called Xiamayi (Toad's Clothing). The flower stalk rises from among the leaves, and seeds are formed on top of the stalk. The seeds are small and resemble Tingli (Descurainiae Semen seu Herba). They are harvested during the Duanwu Festival (5th day of the 5th lunar month). It specifically enters the Bladder Meridian and also treats Liver conditions. It promotes urination to treat Lin syndrome (dysuria characterized by frequent, urgent, painful, or difficult urination) with dribbling and astringent pain; preventing the loss of essence is considered its unique efficacy. It dispels wind-heat causing redness and swelling pain in the eyes, and rapidly removes nebula (corneal opacity), which is truly wonderful. It can expel damp-bi (painful obstruction syndrome due to dampness); it can facilitate childbirth. It benefits essence and strengthens Yin, enabling fertility. Therefore, in the current seed-based formula Wuzi Yanzong Wan (Five-Seed Procreation Pill), which contains Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), and Fupenzi (Rubiae Fructus), Cheqianzi is also listed among its ingredients, likely due to this understanding. Crushing the roots and leaves to extract fresh juice for drinking treats various forms of epistaxis, dysentery, and hematuria. It also promotes water passages and can drive out Qi-long (urinary retention due to Qi stagnation). Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life.
Difuzi (Kochiae Fructus) produced in Mizhou
Difuzi (Kochiae Fructus) produced in Shuzhou
(Also known as Luoshuzi.) Taste: Bitter. Nature: Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. It grows in plains and marshes. Its seedling is named Tiesaozhou (Iron Broom). The leaves resemble Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), and the seeds resemble Can Sha (Bombyx Batryticatus). Harvested at the end of autumn, dried in the shade for medicinal use. It specializes in promoting water passages and clearing heat from the Bladder. Frequent consumption benefits essence and strengthens Yin; long-term consumption brightens the eyes and sharpens hearing. Bathing with it eliminates skin pruritus and hot rashes; washing the eyes removes heat-induced dim vision, nyctalopia (night blindness), astringency, and pain. Crushing the leaves and extracting juice for oral administration also dissipates toxins from various malignant sores. For diarrhea, it separates turbidity and promotes leaching; for bloody dysentery, it drives out pathogenic factors.
Juemingzi (Cassiae Semen)
Taste: Salty, bitter, sweet. Nature: Neutral, slightly cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. It grows abundantly in river valleys and marshes. The plant reaches several feet in height. The leaves are broad like Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and can be used as vegetables; the seeds are sharp and round like Mung beans and can be used in prescriptions. Harvested in winter and sun-dried; crushed before decoction. It is incompatible with Huomaren (Hemp Seed) and adverse to Shiren (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Shishi (Astragali Complanati Semen). It clears Liver heat and harmonizes Liver Qi especially well; it stops tearing and relieves eye pain. It is indeed an immortal pill for brightening the eyes, hence the fine reputation of "Jueming" (Deciding Clarity). It also stops epistaxis; applying powder mixed with water urgently to the brain center (Baihui area) is effective. It further adds to longevity; taking honey-pilled pills on an empty stomach is beneficial. Treating Toufeng (head wind/headache) requires sleeping with a built-up pillow; reducing swelling and detoxifying can be done by applying water-mixed paste externally. It drives away headache and resolves snake venom.
Following the entry for Qingxiangzi (Celosiae Semen) in Volume II, Chen Jiamo notes: Reference should be made here.