草豆蔻也,气味极辛,微香。此是对肉豆蔻而名之。若作果,则味不和。不知前人之
意,编入果部有何意义?性温而调散冷气,力甚速。花性热,淹置京师,然味不甚美,微苦
。必为能消酒毒,故为果。花干则色淡紫。
先朝西夏持师子来献,使人兼 葡萄遗州郡,比中国者皆相似。最难干,不干不可收
,仍酸澌不可食。李白所谓“胡人岁献葡萄酒”者是此。疮 不出,食之尽出。多食皆昏人
眼。波斯国所出,大者如鸡卵。
非覆盆也,自别是一种,虽枯败而枝梗不散。今人不见用此。即贾山策中所言者是此
。
覆盆子长条,四、五月红熟。秦州甚多,永兴、华州亦有。及时,山中人采来卖,
其味酸甘,外如荔枝,樱桃许大,软红可爱。失采,则就枝生蛆。益肾脏,缩小便,服之当
覆其溺器,如此取名。食之多热。收时,五六分熟便可采。烈日曝,仍须薄绵蒙之。今人取
汁作煎为果,仍少加蜜,或熬为稀汤,点服,治肺虚寒。采时着水,则不堪煎。
今先青州,次晋州,此二等可晒曝入药,益脾胃为佳。余只可充食用。又云,御枣甘
美轻脆,后众枣熟,以其甘,故多生虫。今人所谓扑落酥者是。又有牙枣,先众枣熟,亦甘
美,但微酸,尖长。此二等只堪啖,不堪收曝。今人将干枣去核,于铛锅中微火缓逼干为末
,量多少,入生姜末为汤,点服,调和胃气。又,将煮枣肉和治脾胃丸药,尤佳。又青州枣
去皮核,焙干为枣圈,达都下,为奇果。
Grass Cardamom (Caodoukou, 草豆蔻) has an extremely pungent odor and flavor, with a faint fragrance. It is named "grass" cardamom in contrast to Nutmeg (Roudoukou, 肉豆蔻). If treated as a fruit, its flavor is not harmonious. I do not understand the intent of predecessors; what is the significance of compiling it into the Fruit Section? Its nature is warm and it disperses cold qi with great speed. The flower's nature is hot; when kept in the capital, although the taste is not particularly good and slightly bitter, it must be classified as a fruit because it can eliminate alcohol toxicity. Dried flowers appear pale purple.
In previous dynasties, Western Xia presented lions as tribute, and envoys also brought grapes to gift to various prefectures, which were similar to those in China. These grapes are the most difficult to dry; if not thoroughly dried, they cannot be stored and become sour and spoiled, making them inedible. This refers to the "Hu people annually presenting wine made from grapes" mentioned by Li Bai. When applied to sores that fail to suppurate, consuming it promotes complete discharge. However, excessive consumption damages vision. Grapes from Persia are large, resembling chicken eggs.
(This description) does not refer to Rubus chingii (Fupenzi, 覆盆子); it is a distinct species. Even when withered and decayed, its branches and stems remain intact. Currently, people do not use this plant. It is the one mentioned in Jia Shan's memorial.
Rubus chingii (Fupenzi, 覆盆子) grows on long vines, turning red and ripe in the fourth and fifth lunar months. It is abundant in Qinzhou Prefecture, and also found in Yongxing and Huazhou. At the proper time, mountain dwellers harvest and sell them. They taste sour and sweet, resemble lychees externally, are about the size of cherries, and have a soft, attractive red color. If harvesting is delayed, maggots will develop within the fruit on the branch. It benefits the Kidneys (Shen, 肾) and reduces urination; after taking it, one should cover the urinal, hence the name. Excessive consumption generates internal heat. Harvest when the fruit is 50-60% ripe. During sun-drying, cover with thin cotton cloth. Currently, people extract the juice to make pastes for confectionery, adding a small amount of honey, or boil them into thin soups to be taken point-wise, treating Lung deficiency-cold (Fei Xu Han, 肺虚寒). If water adheres to the fruit during harvesting, it is unsuitable for making pastes.
Currently, Zao (Jujube, 大枣) from Qingzhou and Jinzhou are the two varieties suitable for sun-drying for medicinal use, being best for benefiting the Spleen and Stomach (Pi Wei, 脾胃). Others are only suitable for dietary consumption. It is said that Imperial Jujubes are sweet, delicious, light, and crisp; however, after other jujubes ripen, due to their sweetness, they easily attract insects. This is what people now call "Pulosu". There are also "Tooth Jujubes," which ripen earlier than others, are also sweet and delicious but slightly sour, with a pointed, elongated shape. These two varieties are only suitable for direct consumption, not for storage and drying. Currently, people remove the pits from dried jujubes, slowly dry them over low heat in a pan until powdered, mix with ginger powder according to quantity, brew into a soup, and take point-wise to harmonize Stomach Qi. Additionally, mixing boiled jujube pulp with pills treating Spleen and Stomach disorders yields excellent results. Furthermore, Qingzhou jujubes are peeled, pitted, baked dry, formed into rings, and transported to the capital, regarded as rare delicacies.