大小蓟皆相似，花如髻。但大蓟高三二尺，叶皱。小蓟高一尺许，叶不皱，以此为
异。小蓟，山野人取为蔬，甚适用。虽有微芒，亦不能害人。
艾叶干捣，筛去青滓，取白。入石硫黄，为硫黄艾，灸家用。得米粉少许，可捣为末
，入服食药。入硫黄别有法。
陟厘，今人治为苔脯堪啖，京城市者甚多。然治渴疾，仍须禁食盐。余方家亦罕用。
绿叶如黄蜀葵，花似拗霜甚雅，形如至小者初开单叶蜀葵。有檀心，色如牡丹姚黄蕊
，则蜀葵也。唐刘梦得还京云∶唯菟葵燕麦，动摇春风者是也。
今人只呼为茴香，治膀胱冷气及肿痛。亦调和胃气。《唐本》注∶“似老胡荽”，
此误矣。胡荽叶如蛇床， 香徒有叶之名，但散如丝发，特异诸草。枝上时有大青虫，形如
蚕，治小肠气甚良。
郁金不香。今人将染妇人衣最鲜明，然不奈日炙。染成衣，则微有郁金之气。
对草豆蔻言之。去壳，只用肉，肉油色者佳。枯白，味薄，瘦虚者下等。亦善下气
，多服则泄气，得中则和来其气。
茅香花白。根如茅，但明洁而长。皆可作浴汤，同 本尤佳。仍入印香中，合香附子
用。
青黛乃蓝为之。有一妇人患脐下腹上、下连二阴遍满生湿疮，状如马瓜疮，他处并无
，热痒而痛，大小便涩，出黄汁，食亦减，身面微肿。医作恶疮治，用鳗鲡鱼、松脂、黄丹
之类。药涂上，疮愈热，痛愈甚。治不对，故如此。问之，此人嗜酒，贪啖，喜鱼蟹发风等
物。令急用温水洗拭去膏药，寻以马齿苋四两，烂研细，入青黛一两，再研匀，涂疮上，即
时热减，痛痒皆去。仍服八政散，日三服，分败客热。每涂药，得一时久。药已干燥，又再
涂新湿药。凡如此，及日减三分之一，五日减三分之二，自此二十日愈。既愈而问曰∶此疮
何缘至此？曰∶中、下焦蓄风热毒瓦斯，若不出，当作肠痈内痔，仍常须禁酒及发风物。然不
能禁酒，后果然患内痔。
Both Da Ji (Cirsii Japonici Herba) and Xiao Ji (Cirsii Setosae Herba) are similar in appearance, with flowers resembling hair buns. The difference lies in that Da Ji grows two to three chi tall with wrinkled leaves, whereas Xiao Ji grows about one chi tall with smooth leaves. Xiao Ji is harvested by people in the mountains and countryside as a vegetable and is very practical. Although it has slight thorns, it does not harm humans.
Dried Ai Ye (Artemisiae Argyi Folium) is pounded and sifted to remove green dregs, retaining only the white part. When mixed with Shi Liu Huang (Stibnite), it becomes Liu Huang Ai (Sulfur Mugwort Moxa), used by moxibustion practitioners. Adding a small amount of rice flour allows it to be pounded into powder for oral or external use. There is a separate method for incorporating sulfur.
Zhi Li (a type of edible moss/turf) is now processed into dried turf slices that are edible; many are sold in the markets of the capital. However, when treating thirst-related diseases, salt intake must still be prohibited. It is rarely used in my medical formulas.
The green leaves resemble those of Huang Shu Kui (Yellow Hollyhock), and the flowers are elegant like Ao Shuang (twisted frost). The shape resembles the smallest single-leaf Shu Kui just opening. It has a sandalwood-colored center, and the color resembles the stamen of the Yao Huang peony; this is Shu Kui (Hollyhock). Liu Mengde of the Tang Dynasty said upon returning to the capital: "Only Tu Kui (Abutilon) and Yan Mai (Oats) swaying in the spring wind are what I mean."
Bai Yao (White Medicine) is currently used as a medicine to treat lung heat in horses and is effective.
People nowadays only call it Hui Xiang (Fennel/Foeniculum Vulgare), used to treat cold qi in the bladder and swelling/pain. It also harmonizes stomach qi. The commentary in *Tang Ben Cao* states: "Resembles old Hu Sui (Coriander)," which is an error. Hu Sui leaves resemble She Chuang Zi (Cnidium Fruit); its fragrance is merely nominal for its leaves, dispersing like silk hairs, distinct from other herbs. Large green caterpillars resembling silkworms sometimes appear on the branches; these are excellent for treating Xiao Chang Qi (Intestinal Hernia/Colic).
Yu Jin (Curcuma Longa Rhizome) has no fragrance. Nowadays, people use it to dye women's clothing, producing the most vivid colors, but it cannot withstand sun exposure. Dyed clothes have a faint Yu Jin scent.
Regarding Cao Dou Kou (Grass Cardamom): Remove the shell and use only the flesh; oily flesh is superior. Dry, white, thin-flavored, and shriveled flesh is inferior grade. It is also good at directing qi downward; excessive consumption depletes qi, while moderate use harmonizes its qi.
Mao Xiang (Agarwood/Musk-like herb) has white flowers. Its roots resemble thatch grass but are bright, clean, and long. All parts can be used for bathing decoctions; using them together with Ben Cao (Roots) is particularly good. They are also included in Yin Xiang (Incense) and used in combination with Xiang Fu Zi (Cyperi Rhizoma).
Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis) is made from Lan Cao (Indigo Plant). A woman suffered from wet sores covering the area below the navel, extending down through the lower abdomen and both yin organs, resembling horse melon sores, with no such lesions elsewhere. The sores were hot, itchy, and painful, accompanied by difficult urination and defecation, yellow discharge, reduced appetite, and slight swelling of the body and face. The physician treated it as a malignant sore, applying medicines such as Man Li Yu (Eel), Song Zhi (Pine Resin), and Huang Dan (Red Lead). After application, the sores became hotter and more painful. This was due to incorrect treatment. Upon inquiry, it was found that she loved alcohol, overate, and enjoyed fish, crab, and other "wind-inducing" foods. She was instructed to immediately wash off the plaster with warm water, then pound four liang of Ma Chi Xian (Portulaca Oleracea Herb) finely, mix with one liang of Qing Dai, grind evenly, and apply to the sores. Heat decreased instantly, and pain and itching ceased. She continued taking Ba Zheng San (Eight-Regulation Powder) three times daily to dissipate pathogenic heat. Each application was kept for about one shichen (two hours). Once the medicine dried, fresh wet medicine was reapplied. Following this regimen, the condition improved by one-third daily, and by two-thirds after five days. Complete healing occurred within twenty days. After recovery, she asked, "What caused this sore?" The answer was: "Accumulated wind-heat toxic qi in the middle and lower jiao. If not expelled, it would lead to intestinal abscesses or internal hemorrhoids. One must strictly avoid alcohol and wind-inducing foods. However, since she could not abstain from alcohol, she subsequently developed internal hemorrhoids."