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[Kucai (Bitter Vegetable)]
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Cold.
Indications: Treats pathogenic factors in the five Zang organs, anorexia (loss of appetite), and gastric obstruction (stomach bi-syndrome). Long-term consumption stabilizes the mind, benefits Qi, enhances sensory acuity and mental clarity, reduces the need for sleep, lightens the body, and delays aging.
Synonyms: Tucha (Bitter Herb), Xuan.
Habitat: Grows in river valleys.

*The Famous Physicians' Record* states: Also known as Youdong (Wandering Winter). It grows alongside mountain paths in Yizhou and does not wither during winter. Harvest on the third day of the third lunar month and dry in the shade.

Textual Research: *Shuowen Jiezi* states: "Tu" refers to bitter vegetable. *Guaya* states: "Youdong" is bitter vegetable. *Erya* states: "Tu" is bitter vegetable; also referred to as Kuchu. Guo Pu commented: The tree is small like Gardenia jasminoides, bears leaves in winter, and can be boiled into soup. Currently, early spring harvests are called "Tu", late harvests are called "Ming" (Tea), and another name is Chan. People in Shu call it bitter vegetable. Tao Hongjing stated: This is indeed what is now called Tea (Ming). Tea is also called Tu, induces wakefulness, withstands winter without shedding leaves, and possesses its own properties. It grows in Yizhou. The annotations in *Xinxiu Bencao* (Tang Edition) refute this, claiming it is incorrect. The pronunciation of "Xuan" is similar to "Chan".

The above items belong to the Superior Grade, category of Vegetables, comprising five species. Classification remains consistent with older catalogs.

One hundred and twenty medicinal substances serve as Minister herbs, primarily used to nourish nature and correspond to human physiology. Whether toxic or non-toxic, their suitability must be carefully considered. For those wishing to suppress disease and tonify debility, reference should be made to the Middle Class texts.

Realgar (Xionghuang), Lithium Sulfide (Shiliuhuang), Orpiment (Cihuang), Mercury (Shuiyin), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), Magnetite (Cishi), Stalactite Water Stone (Ningshuishi), Yangqishi (Yangqi Shi), Konggongnie, Yinnie, Iron Essence (Tiejing), Lizhi (Lishi), Changshi (Chang Shi), Fuqing (Fu Qing) [Above: Minerals/Stones, Middle Grade, 14 species. Old catalog: 16]
Dried Ginger (Ganjiang), Ear Fruit (Ershi), Kudzu Root (Gegen), Trichosanthes Root (Gualougen), Sophora Flavescens Root (Kushen), Angelica Sinensis (Danggui), Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang), Tetrapanacis Medulla (Tongcao), Paeoniae Radix (Shaoyao), Plantaginis Semen (Lishi), Dianthi Herba (Qumai), Scrophulariae Radix (Yuan Shen), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Lilii Bulbus (Baihe), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi), Epimedii Folium (Yinyanghuo), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Cibotii Rhizoma (Gouji), Batrachospermum (Shilongrui), Imperatae Rhizoma (Maogen), Asteris Radix (Ziwan), Arnebiae Radix et Rhizoma (Zicao), Patriniae Herba (Baijiang), Dictamni Cortex (Baixian), Oxytropidis Laburnifoliae Herba (Suanjiang), Codonopsis Radix (Zishen), Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma et Radix (Ben), Pyrospermae Caulis (Shiwei), Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma (Bixie), Cynanchi Atrati Radix (Baiwei), Lemna Minoris Herba (Shuiping), Melongenae Fructus (Wagua), Sanguisorbae Radix (Diyu), Sargassum (Haizao), Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Zelan), Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix (Fangji), Honeysuckle Bud (Kuandonghua), Moutan Cortex (Mudan), Pedicularis Resupinata (Maxianhao), Centella Asiatica (Jixuecao), Polygala Tenuifolia (Nuwan), Polygoni Multiflori Caulis (Wangsun), Caprisolae Fructus (Shuyangquan), Justicia Procumbens (Juechuang), Elsholtzia splendens (Jiasu), Glehniae Radix (Qiaogen) [Above: Herbs, Middle Grade, 49 species. Old catalog: 46]
Morus Alba Root Bark (Sangganbapi), Bamboo Leaves (Zhuye), Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi), Terminalia Chebula Retz. (Wuyu), Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhishi), Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Nongpu), Fraxini Cortex (Qinpi), Glycine Max Seedling (Qinshu), Corni Fructus (Shanzhuyu), Lagerstroemia Indica (Ziwei), Polyporus (Zhuling), Rhamnus Spinosa (Baiji), Dimocarpus Longan (Longyan), Usnea (Songluo), Euonymi Ramulus (Weimao), Albiziae Cortex (Hehuan) [Above: Trees/Woods, Middle Grade, 17 species. Old catalog: Same]
Equus Muscle (Majing), Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum (Lurong), Bovis Cornu (Niujiaosai), Ovis Aries Horn (Yangjiao), Canis Penis (Mugou Yinjing), Antilope Cervicapra Horn (Lingyangjiao), Rhinocerotis Cornu (Xijiao) [Above: Animals, Middle Grade, 7 species. Old catalog: Same]
Urina Hirundinis (Yanniao), Urina Muris (Tianshuniao) [Above: Birds, Middle Grade, 2 species. Old catalog: 3]
Vulpis Skin (Weipi), Vespa Nidus (Lufengfang), Testudo Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia), Portunus Pelagicus (Xie), Cicada Slough (Zuo Chan), Silphidae Larva (Qicao), Sepiae Endoconcha (Wuzeiyu Gu), Bombyx Batryticatus (Baijiangcan), Snake Shell (Sheyu Jia), Gallus Chicken (Chengji), Lumbricus (Huoyu), Geckos (Shilongzi), Tabanus (Mubeng), Musca (Feimeng), Blatta Orientalis (Feilian), Insect General (Chong), Nyctalus (Fuyi) [Above: Insects/Fish, Middle Grade, 17 species. Old catalog: 16]
Prunus Mume Seed (Meishi) [Above: Fruits, Middle Grade, 1 species. Old catalog: Same]
Sojae Seminis Album Germinatum (Dayoung Huangjuan), Adzuki Bean (Chixiaodou), Panicum Miliaceum (Sumi), Setaria Italica (Shumi) [Above: Grains/Cereals, Middle Grade, 3 species. Old catalog: 2]
Polygoni Avicularis Fructus (Liaoshi), Allii Fistulosi Bulb (Congshi), Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus (Xie), Perilla Frutescens Leaf (Shuisu) [Above: Vegetables, Middle Grade, 3 species. Old catalog: Same]