陶隐居既云∶今人皆盆盛养之于屋上,即知是草药。又言广州城外有一株,云可三四围
,呼为慎火木。既曰云,即非亲见也。盖是传闻,亦非误耳,乃陶之轻听也。然极易种,但
折生枝置土中,频浇溉,旬日便下根,浓研取汁,涂火心疮,甚验。干为末,水调,扫游风
、赤肿、 热者。
蒲黄处处有,即蒲槌中黄粉也。今京师谓槌为蒲棒。初得黄,细罗,取萼别贮,以备
他用。将蒲黄水调为膏,擘为块,人多食之,以解心脏虚热。小儿尤嗜。涉月则燥,色味皆
淡,须蜜水和。然不可多食,令人自利,不益极虚人。
诸家之说异同,是曾未的识,故无定论。叶不香,惟花香。今江陵、鼎、澧州山谷之
间颇有,山外平田即无。多生阴地,生于幽谷,益可验矣。叶如麦门冬而阔且韧,长及一、
二
尺,四时常青,花黄,中间叶上有细紫点。有春芳者,为春兰,色深;秋芳者为秋兰,色淡
。秋兰稍难得,二兰移植小槛中,置座上,花开时满室尽香,与他花香又别。唐白乐天有种
兰不种艾之诗,正为此兰矣。今未见用者。《本经》苏注∶“八月花白。”此即泽兰也。
张仲景治伤寒热甚发黄者,身面悉黄,用之极效。又一僧因伤寒后发汗不彻,有留
热,身面皆黄,多热,期年不愈。医作食黄治之,治不对,病不去。问之,食不减。寻与此
药,服五日,病减三分之一,十日减三分之二,二十日病悉去。方用山茵陈、山栀子各三分
,秦艽、升麻各四钱,末之。每用三钱,水四合,煎及二合,去滓,食后温服,以知为度。
然此药以茵陈蒿为本,故书之。
Tao Hongjing stated: "Nowadays, people grow it in pots on rooftops," from which we know it is a herbal medicine. He also mentioned that outside Guangzhou city there was one plant, said to be three or four *wei* (a unit of circumference) thick, called *Shenhuo Mu* (Fire-Preventing Tree). Since he used the word "said," it indicates he did not see it with his own eyes. This was likely hearsay; it was not necessarily an error, but rather Tao's credulity. However, it is very easy to propagate; simply break off a fresh branch and place it in the soil, watering frequently. Roots will emerge within ten days. When ground thickly to extract the juice, applying it to fire burns is highly effective. Dried and powdered, mixed with water, it can be applied to treat migratory wind rashes, redness and swelling, and heat conditions.
Puhuang (Corydalis Rhizoma / Typhae Pollen - *Note: Context implies Typha pollen based on description*) is found everywhere; it is the yellow powder from the cattail spadix. In the capital today, the spadix is called "cattail stick." The freshly obtained yellow powder should be sifted through a fine sieve, and the calyxes separated and stored for other uses. Puhuang mixed with water into a paste, broken into pieces, is consumed by many to relieve deficiency-heat of the Heart. Children especially enjoy it. After a month, it dries out, and its color and flavor become faint; honey water must be added to restore it. However, it should not be eaten in excess, as it causes spontaneous diarrhea and offers no benefit to those who are extremely deficient.
The similarities and differences among various schools' theories arise because they have not accurately identified the plant, hence there is no definitive conclusion. Its leaves are not fragrant, only its flowers are. It is abundant in the valleys of Jiangling, Dingzhou, and Lizhou, but absent in the flat fields outside the mountains. It grows mostly in shady places, deep in valleys, which confirms this. The leaves resemble *Mendong* (Ophiopogonis Radix) but are broader and tougher, reaching one or two chi in length, evergreen throughout the year, with yellow flowers and small purple spots on the central leaves. Those flowering in spring are called Spring Orchid (*Chunlan*), with darker color; those flowering in autumn are Autumn Orchid (*Qiulan*), with lighter color. Autumn Orchids are slightly harder to obtain. Transplanting these two orchids into small pots and placing them on tables or seats fills the room with fragrance when blooming, distinct from other floral scents. Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi wrote a poem titled "Planting Orchids, Not Mugwort," referring precisely to this orchid. It is currently unused in clinical practice. Su Song's commentary on the *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: "Flowers are white in August." This refers to *Zelan* (Lycopus Herba).
Zhang Zhongjing used Yinchen Hao (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) with great efficacy for treating jaundice caused by severe heat in Shanghan (Cold Damage) syndrome, where the whole body and face turn yellow. Another monk, after suffering from Shanghan, had incomplete sweating, leading to lingering heat. His entire body and face turned yellow with significant fever, lasting a year without cure. Physicians treated him for dietary stagnation-induced jaundice, but the treatment was inappropriate and the disease persisted. Upon inquiry, it was found that his diet had not decreased. Subsequently, this herb was administered. After five days, the illness reduced by one-third; after ten days, by two-thirds; and after twenty days, the illness completely resolved. The prescription consisted of Shan Yinchen (Mountain Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) and Shanzhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), each 3 fen, Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix) and Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), each 4 qian, all powdered. Each dose used 3 qian, boiled in 4 he of water until reduced to 2 he, strained, and taken warm after meals, stopping when improvement is noted. However, since this remedy is fundamentally based on Yinchen Hao, it is recorded here.