味苦，寒。主心腹邪气，五疸，补中益气，利九窍，通水道。一名紫丹，一名紫芙（《御
览》引云∶一名地血。《大观本》无文）。生川谷。
《吴普》曰∶紫草节赤。二月花。（《御览》）。
《名医》曰∶生砀山及楚地。三月采根，阴干。
案∶《说文》云∶茈，草也；藐，茈草也， 草也，可以染留黄。《广雅》云∶茈 ，茈
草也。《山海经》云∶劳山多
茈草。郭璞云∶一名紫 ，中染紫也。《尔雅》云∶藐，茈草。郭璞云∶可以染紫。
味苦，平。主暴热火创、赤气，疥瘙，疸痔，马鞍热气。一名鹿肠。生川谷。
《名医》曰∶一名鹿首，一名马草，一名泽败，生江夏，八月采根，曝干。
案∶《范子计然》云∶败酱，出三辅。陶弘景云∶气如败酱，故以为名。
味苦，寒。主头风，黄胆，咳逆，淋沥，女子阴中肿痛，湿痹死肌，不可屈伸、起止、
行步。生川谷。
《名医》曰∶生上谷及冤句。四月、五月采根，阴干。
案∶陶弘景云∶俗呼为白羊藓，气息正似羊膻，或名白膻。
味酸，平。主热烦满，定志益气，利水道。产难，吞其实立产。一名醋酱。生川泽。
《吴普》曰∶酸酱，一名酢酱（《御览》）。
《名医》曰∶生荆楚及人家田园中。五月采，阴干。
案∶《尔雅》云∶ ，寒酱。郭璞云∶今酸酱草，江东呼曰苦 。
Lithospermi Radix (Zicao, 紫草): Bitter in taste, cold in nature. It governs pathogenic factors in the heart and abdomen, five types of jaundice (Wu Dan, 五疸), tonifies the middle jiao and supplements qi, benefits the nine orifices, and unblocks water passages. Also known as Zidan (Purple Cinnabar) and Zifu (Purple Hibiscus). [Taiping Yulan] cites it as also known as Dixue (Earth Blood). The Daguan edition lacks this text. Grows in rivers and valleys.
Wu Pu states: The nodes of Zicao are red. Flowers in the second lunar month. [Taiping Yulan].
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Dangshan and Chu regions. Roots are harvested in the third lunar month and dried in the shade.
Commentary: Shuowen Jiezi states: Zi is a grass; Miao is Zi grass, which can be used to dye yellow. Guangya states: Zi is Zi grass. Shanhaijing states: Mount Lao has much Zi grass. Guo Pu states: Also named Zicao, used for dyeing purple. Erya states: Miao is Zi grass. Guo Pu states: Can be used to dye purple.
Patriniae Herba (Baijiang, 败酱): Bitter in taste, neutral in nature. It governs sudden heat-induced burns/wounds, redness and heat sensation, scabies with itching, jaundice, hemorrhoids, and heat-dampness from saddle friction. Also known as Luchang. Grows in rivers and valleys.
Mingyi Bielu states: Also known as Lushou, Macao, and Zebei. Grows in Jiangxia. Roots are harvested in the eighth lunar month and sun-dried.
Commentary: Fanzi Jiran states: Baijiang originates from the Sanchu region. Tao Hongjing states: Its odor resembles spoiled sauce, hence the name.
Dictamni Cortex (Baixianpi, 白鲜): Bitter in taste, cold in nature. It governs head wind disorders, jaundice, cough with rebellious qi, stranguria with dribbling, swelling and pain in the female genitalia, damp-bi causing necrotic skin unable to flex/extend or walk normally. Grows in rivers and valleys.
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Shanggu and Yuanju. Roots are harvested in the fourth and fifth lunar months and dried in the shade.
Commentary: Tao Hongjing states: Commonly called Baiyangxian, its odor strongly resembles mutton fat/grease, or is called Baishan.
Vinegar Fermented Soybean Paste (Suanjiang, 酸酱): Sour in taste, neutral in nature. It governs heat-induced vexation and fullness, calms the mind and supplements qi, benefits water passages. For difficult labor, swallowing the fruit leads to immediate delivery. Also known as Cujiang. Grows in rivers and marshes.
Wu Pu states: Suanjiang is also known as Zuojiang. [Taiping Yulan].
Mingyi Bielu states: Grows in Jingchu and household gardens. Harvested in the fifth lunar month and dried in the shade.
Commentary: Erya states: Suanjiang is Hanjiang. Guo Pu states: The current Suanjiang grass is called Kujiang in the Jiangdong region.