味辛温。主咳逆头痛脑动。百节拘挛。风湿痹痛死肌。久服明目。利九窍。轻身延年
。一名小辛。生山谷。
华阴五沃。小辛少辛。纤根独立双叶非伦。椒聊含馥。葵影交新。杜衡貌似。划伪核真。
名医曰。生华阴山谷。管子。五沃之土。群药生少辛。马融赋。蹉纤根。李当之曰。细
辛一
根
一叶相连。雷 论。双叶者。服之害人。晋书传。非卿伦也。梦溪笔谈。嚼之习习如椒。寇
宗曰。叶如葵。赤黑色。骆宾王序。披玉叶以交新。苏颂曰。今人多以杜衡为之。唐书传
赞。划伪以真。
味甘平。主伤中。除痹下气。补五脏。虚劳羸瘦。强阴。久服浓肠胃。轻身延年。一
名林兰。生山谷。
幽谷熏风。敷芬布畅。整插金钗。攒丛翠障。林窃兰名。节如竹状。润说千年。神恬津
藏。
诗。出于幽谷。柳公权联句。熏风自南来。苏颂曰。五月生苗。张协赋。和风穆以布畅。
百
卉蔚而敷芬。刘绮诗。整插补余空。李时珍曰。蜀人呼为金钗花。江淹赋。攒丛石径。苏轼
诗。乱山横翠障。苏恭曰。石斛如竹节间生叶。李时珍曰。俗称为千年润。元 诗。神恬津
藏满。
味辛微温。主大风邪气。阴痿不起。强筋骨。安五脏。补中增志益气。生山谷。
森森戟列。巴峡蜀天。连珠的 。三蔓葱芊。秋风敛实。冬日扬鲜。山 着白。假紫夤
缘。
李白诗。列戟何森森。沈 期诗。西南出巴峡。杜甫诗。蜀天常夜雨。苏恭曰。根如连
珠。
俗名三蔓草。经冬不枯。司马相如传。的 江靡。颜延之诗。积翠亦葱芊。苏颂曰。至秋结
实。潘尼赋。收华敛实。顾恺之赋。含馨扬鲜。苏颂曰。山 根色白。土人以醋煮之色紫。
杂巴戟。唐书传。李泌着白者。山人也。唐书纪。假紫及绯。孟浩然诗。沙岸晓夤缘。
[Xixin / Asari Radix et Rhizoma]
Taste: Acrid (Xin). Nature: Warm.
Indications: Mainly treats cough with qi rebellion, headache, and throbbing sensations in the head. Treats spasms and contractures of all joints. Treats bi-syndrome caused by wind-dampness and dead muscle tissue (referring to muscle atrophy or necrosis). Long-term use brightens the eyes, benefits the nine orifices, lightens the body, and prolongs life.
Aliases: Xiao Xin (Little Acrid).
Habitat: Grows in mountain valleys.
Literature & Commentary:
In the fertile soil of Huayin, Xiao Xin is scarce. Its root is slender and independent, with two leaves connected, a form unique and not like others. Its fragrance is rich like Sichuan pepper (Zhuo Liao Han Fu), and its leaves are fresh and interlaced like sunflower leaves (Kui Ying Jiao Xin). It resembles Du Heng (Duheng) in appearance; one must distinguish the false from the true.
Famous physicians state it grows in the valleys of Mount Hua. The *Guanzi* records that in the five fertile soils of Huayin, various herbs grow, including Shao Xin (a name for Xixin). Ma Rong's fu describes its "slender roots" (Cuo Xian Gen). Li Dangzhi states that Xixin has one root connected to one leaf. Lei Xiao in his treatise warns that if it has double leaves, consuming it harms people. The *Book of Jin* mentions "not of your kind" (Fei Qing Lun Ye), implying its uniqueness. *Dream Pool Essays* records that chewing it feels numbing like Sichuan pepper. Kou Zongshi states the leaves resemble sunflower leaves and are reddish-black. Luo Binwang's preface mentions "draping jade leaves to exchange for newness". Su Song notes that nowadays many use Du Heng to substitute for Xixin. The *Book of Tang* commentary mentions "distinguishing the false from the true".
[Shihu / Dendrobii Caulis]
Taste: Sweet (Gan). Nature: Neutral (Ping).
Indications: Mainly treats internal injury, removes bi-syndrome, directs rebellious qi downward, tonifies the Five Viscera. Treats deficiency exhaustion leading to emaciation and weakness. Strengthens Yin. Long-term use thickens the stomach and intestines, lightens the body, and prolongs life.
Aliases: Lin Lan (Forest Orchid).
Habitat: Grows in mountain valleys.
Literature & Commentary:
In deep valleys, warm winds blow, spreading fragrance smoothly. The stems stand upright like inserted gold hairpins, clustering together like green barriers. The name "Lin Lan" was borrowed by the Lin family. The nodes resemble bamboo. It is said to have moisturizing effects lasting a thousand years, calming the spirit and storing fluids.
The *Classic of Poetry* mentions "coming out of the deep valley". Liu Gongquan's linked verse says "warm wind comes from the south". Su Song states it sprouts in May. Zhang Xie's fu describes "gentle winds spreading smoothly, hundred flowers blooming fragrant". Liu Qi's poem mentions "inserting whole [stems] to fill emptiness". Li Shizhen states people in Shu call it "Gold Hairpin Flower". Jiang Yan's fu mentions "clustering on stone paths". Su Shi's poem mentions "disordered mountains forming green barriers". Su Gong states the leaves grow between bamboo-like nodes. Li Shizhen adds it is commonly called "Thousand-Year Moistener". Yuan dynasty poetry mentions "spirit calm, fluids stored full".
[Bajitian / Morindae Officinalis Radix]
Taste: Acrid (Xin). Nature: Slightly Warm.
Indications: Mainly treats severe pathogenic wind-evil, impotence (failure to erect), strengthens sinews and bones, calms the Five Viscera, tonifies the Middle Jiao, increases willpower, and benefits Qi. Grows in mountain valleys.
Literature & Commentary:
Lush and dense like rows of halberds, under the skies of Ba Gorge and Shu. The roots resemble strings of pearls, with three vines lush and verdant. Autumn winds gather the fruits, winter days keep them fresh. The mountain roots are white, intertwined with false purple vines.
Li Bai's poem asks: "How dense are the rows of halberds?" Shen Quanqi's poem mentions: "Coming southwest from Ba Gorge." Du Fu's poem mentions: "Shu sky often rains at night." Su Gong states the roots resemble connected pearls. Common name: San Man Cao (Three-Vine Grass). It does not wither through winter. Sima Xiangru's biography mentions "bright and flowing along the river". Yan Yanzhi's poem mentions "accumulated greenery is also lush". Su Song states it bears fruit in autumn. Pan Ni's fu mentions "gathering flowers and gathering fruits". Gu Kaizhi's fu mentions "containing fragrance and displaying freshness". Su Song states the mountain roots are white; locals boil them in vinegar to turn them purple. They are sometimes mixed with Bajitian. The *Book of Tang* biography mentions Li Mi wearing white, identifying him as a mountain dweller. The *Book of Tang* annals mention "fake purple and crimson". Meng Haoran's poem mentions "morning twilight clinging to the sandy shore".