味苦，酸（《御览》作辛）。主寒（《御览》作伤寒）湿痿痹，四肢拘挛，膝痛不可屈伸，
逐血气，伤热火烂，堕胎。久服，轻身、耐老（《御览》作能老）。一名百倍，生川谷。
《吴普》曰∶牛膝，神农∶甘；一经∶酸；黄帝、扁鹊∶甘；李氏，温。雷公∶酸，无
毒。生河内或临邛。叶如夏蓝；茎本赤。二月、八月采（《御览》）。
《名医》曰∶生河内及临朐。二月、八月、十月采根，阴干。
案∶《广雅》云∶牛茎，牛膝也；陶弘景云∶其茎有节，似膝，故以为名也。膝，当为
膝。
味辛，微温。主明目益精，除水气。久服轻身，茎主瘾疹痒，可作浴汤。一名益母，一
名益明，一名大札。生池泽。
《名医》曰∶一名贞蔚，生海滨，五月采。
案∶《说文》云∶ ，萑也。《广雅》云∶益母，充蔚也。《尔雅》云∶萑， 。郭璞
云∶今茺蔚也。《毛诗》云∶中谷有 。《传》云∶ ， 也。陆玑云∶旧说及魏博士济阴
周元明，皆云 是也。《韩诗》及三苍说，悉云益母，故曾子见益母而感。刘歆曰∶ ，
臭秽。臭秽，即茺蔚也。旧作茺，非。
味甘，平。主中风暴热，不能动摇，跌筋结肉，诸不足。久服，去面黑 ，好颜色、润
泽，轻身、不老。生山谷。
《吴普》曰∶女萎，一名葳蕤，一名玉马，一名地节，一名虫蝉，一名乌萎，一名荧，
一名玉竹，神农∶苦；一经∶甘；桐君、雷公、扁鹊∶甘，无毒；黄帝∶辛。生太山山谷。
叶青黄相值，如姜。二月、七月采。治中风暴热。久服，轻身（《御览》）。一名左眄。久服
，轻身、耐老（同上）。
《名医》曰∶一名荧，一名地节，一名玉竹，一名马熏，生太山及邱陵，立春后采，阴
干。
案∶《尔雅》云∶荧，委萎；郭璞云∶药草也，叶似竹，大者如箭，竿，有节，叶狭而
长
录》有萎蕤，而为用正同，疑女萎即葳蕤也，惟名异耳；陈藏器云∶《魏志·樊阿传》∶青
粘，一名黄芝，一名地节。此即葳蕤。
[Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix)]
Bitter, sour (in *Taiping Yulan* it is recorded as pungent). It primarily treats cold-dampness bi-syndrome (painful obstruction due to cold and damp) leading to flaccidity, spasticity of the four limbs, knee pain with inability to flex or extend, expels blood stasis and qi stagnation, treats skin ulceration caused by heat-fire injury, and induces abortion. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging (in *Taiping Yulan* it is recorded as "can delay aging"). Also known as Bai Bei. Grows in mountains and valleys.
*Wu Pu* records: Niu Xi; Shennong states it is sweet; Li Shi states it is sour; Huangdi and Bian Que state it is sweet; Li Shi states it is warm. Lei Gong states it is sour and non-toxic. Grows in Henei or Linqiong regions. Leaves resemble *Xia Lan*; stems are reddish at the base. Harvested in the second and eighth months (recorded in *Taiping Yulan*).
*Names of Famous Physicians* records: Grows in Henei and Linqu. Roots are harvested in the second, eighth, and tenth months, and dried in the shade.
Commentary: *Guangya* states: "Niu Jing" refers to Niu Xi; Tao Hongjing states: "Its stem has nodes resembling knees, hence the name." The character "Xi" should be written correctly as 膝.
[Chong Wei Zi (Leonuri Fructus)]
Pungent, slightly warm. It primarily benefits vision and essence, and eliminates water retention. Long-term consumption lightens the body. The stem treats urticaria (nettle rash) and itching, and can be used to prepare bathing decoctions. Also known as Yi Mu, also known as Yi Ming, also known as Da Zha. Grows in ponds and marshes.
*Names of Famous Physicians* records: Also known as Zhen Wei, grows by the sea, harvested in the fifth month.
Commentary: *Shuowen Jiezi* states: [Character], is Huan grass. *Guangya* states: Yi Mu is Chong Wei. *Erya* states: Huan is [Character]. Guo Pu states: It is now called Chong Wei. *Mao Shi* states: In the valley there is [Character]. The Commentary states: [Character] is [Character]. Lu Ji states: Old theories and Zhou Yuanming, a Hanlin Scholar from Jiyin during the Wei dynasty, all agree this is the plant. *Han Shi* and the *San Cang* texts all refer to it as Yi Mu, which is why Zengzi was moved upon seeing Yi Mu. Liu Xin states: [Character] has an offensive odor. An offensive odor refers to Chong Wei. The old form "Chong" is incorrect.
[Nu Wei (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma)]
Sweet, neutral. It primarily treats sudden heat caused by wind-stroke, immobility, muscle knots from trauma, and various deficiencies. Long-term consumption removes facial dark spots, improves complexion and luster, lightens the body, and delays aging. Grows in mountain valleys.
*Wu Pu* records: Nu Wei, also known as Wei Rui, also known as Yu Ma, also known as Di Jie, also known as Chong Chan, also known as Wu Wei, also known as Ying, also known as Yu Zhu. Shennong states it is bitter; Li Shi states it is sweet; Tong Jun, Lei Gong, and Bian Que state it is sweet and non-toxic; Huangdi states it is pungent. Grows in Tai Mountain valleys. Leaves are green and yellow intermixed, resembling ginger. Harvested in the second and seventh months. Treats sudden heat from wind-stroke. Long-term consumption lightens the body (recorded in *Taiping Yulan*). Also known as Zuo Mian. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging (ibid.).
*Names of Famous Physicians* records: Also known as Ying, also known as Di Jie, also known as Yu Zhu, also known as Ma Xun, grows in Tai Mountain and hilly areas, harvested after the Beginning of Spring, and dried in the shade.
Commentary: *Erya* states: Ying is Wei Wei; Guo Pu states: It is a medicinal herb, leaves resemble bamboo, large ones like arrow shafts, have nodes, leaves are narrow and long. *Bencao Jing Ji Zhu* contains Wei Rui, with identical usage, suspecting that Nu Wei is Wei Rui, differing only in name; Chen Cangqi states: In *Records of the Three Kingdoms · Biography of Fan A*: Qing Zhan, also known as Huang Zhi, also known as Di Jie. This is Wei Rui.