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It is generated from willow catkins falling into water. Initially, only a single leaf floats on the surface. After one night, nine more leaves sprout. Fine root-like filaments appear beneath the leaves, which constitute its roots.

The flavor is pungent and the nature is cold. It primarily treats sudden-onset fever with pruritus, heat-toxin, wind-heat, manic delirium due to heat, swelling and toxicity. It induces sweating in epidemic febrile diseases and treats rheumatic numbness/paralysis and Hong Kong foot (podagra/swelling of the feet).

Crush and extract the juice for administration.

The medicinal property is light and floating.

It grows luxuriantly.

It thrives through the nourishment of water.

Use *Zi Bei Fu Ping* (Purple-backed Duckweed).

It promotes diuresis. Use dried duckweed.

Roast half an *liang* of purple-backed duckweed and two-and-a-half *qian* of processed *Huang Qin* (Scutellariae Radix).

Mix equal parts, grind into fine powder, and form pills using human milk, sized like wu-tong seeds.

Boil *Niu Bang Zi* (Arctii Fructus) in wine, dry, and stir-fry; use one *liang* each.

[Discussion] Willow catkins fall into water and transform into duckweed. They inherit the vigorous qi of cold-water and ride the emerging mechanism of spring-wood. Thus, their growth is easy, and their proliferation is abundant. Based on its flavor, it corresponds to... yin [qi] in humans.

Miao stated: Those with deficient exterior qi presenting with spontaneous sweating should not use it.

[Processing] Purple-backed varieties are superior for medicinal use. Those that are green on both surfaces are unusable. Harvest in the seventh lunar month, select cleanly, spread on bamboo sieves, and place a basin of water underneath to reflect light.

This refers to seaweed. There are two types growing in the sea. *Ma Wei Zao* (Sargassum) grows in shallow water, resembling short horse tails, thin and black. *Da Ye Zao* (Alaria esculenta or similar large-leaf species) grows in deep water, with leaves larger than typical seaweed. Coastal people tie ropes around their waists, dive to harvest them, and sell them as marine vegetables over long distances.

The flavor is bitter and salty, and the nature is cold. The aroma and taste are strong. It belongs to pure yin and sinks. It is incompatible with *Gan Cao* (Licorice Root). It treats goiter and nodular qi accumulation, dissipates hard painful lumps under the neck, abscesses, masses, hardness of qi, and testicular swelling.

Consuming it in moderation is beneficial.

It is inherently incompatible with *Gan Cao*.

Seaweed Wine: Take one portion of seaweed... drink until finished, then prepare again. Dry the dregs.

[Discussion] Seaweed dissipates nodules and breaks hardness, primarily because it can penetrate the qi within yin. The qi of extreme yin emerges from water transformation. Therefore, the *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* records its ability to reduce twelve types of edema.

It transforms dampness.

[Processing] Wash away the salty taste and roast until dry before use.

Also known as *Lun Bu*. Those produced in Dengzhou and Laizhou are twisted into rope-like shapes. Those from Fujian and Zhejiang have large leaves resembling vegetables (as noted by Li Shizhen).

The flavor is salty and sour, the nature is cold and slippery. It directs qi downward. It treats twelve types of edema and goiter with nodular qi accumulation. (For goiters hard as stone, this herb alone cannot remove them). It treats sores and genital swelling. It promotes urination and reduces facial edema. Long-term consumption leads to weight loss. *Kun Bu* (Laminariae Thallus) treats bladder qi stagnation. Take one *jin* of Korean *Kun Bu*, soak overnight in rice wash water, wash to remove saltiness, boil in one *hu* of water until cooked, cut into pieces, add a handful of chopped scallion whites, cook until extremely soft, then mix with salt, vinegar, ginger powder, tangerine peel, and Sichuan pepper powder. Consume while eating millet or japonica rice. It strongly directs qi downward and has no dietary restrictions. Seaweed may also be used following the same method.

[Processing] Boil in flowing water from the east for half a day, remove saltiness, and roast until dry.

[General Discussion] Cold moistens and descends; salty softens hardness. Specifically selecting seaweed and *Kun Bu* utilizes their nature of floating and sinking with water, moving from top to bottom, to achieve the flow of dampness and dissipation...

Miao stated: Those with dampness in the spleen/stomach should not take these two herbs.