味苦,微寒。主头秃恶创,热气疥,瘙痂,癣虫,疗龋齿。生川谷。
《名医》曰∶一名羊泉,一名饴。生蜀郡。
案∶《广雅》云∶ 姑,艾但鹿何,泽
味咸,寒。主腰脊痛,不得着床,俯仰艰难,除热,可作浴汤。生川谷及田野。
《吴普》曰∶爵床,一名爵卿(《御览》)。
《名医》曰∶生汉中。
案∶别本注云∶今人名为香苏。
味辛,温。主寒热鼠 ,瘰 生创,破结聚气,下瘀血,除湿痹。一名鼠 。生川泽(旧
在菜部,今移)。
《吴普》曰∶假苏,一名鼠实,一名姜芥也(《御览》),名荆芥,叶似落藜而细,蜀
中生啖之(《蜀本》注)。
《名医》曰∶一名姜芥。生汉中。
案∶陶弘景云∶即荆芥也,姜、荆,声讹耳。先居草部中。令人食之,录在菜部中也。
味甘,寒,平(《御览》作味苦,平)。主下热气,益阴精,令人而说好,明目。久服,
轻身、耐老。生平泽(旧在《唐本》退中,今移)。
《吴普》曰∶翘根,神农、雷公∶甘,有毒。三月、八月采,以作蒸,饮酒病患(《御
览》)。
《名医》曰∶生蒿高,二月、八月采。
案∶陶弘景云∶方药不复用,俗无识者。
上草,中品四十九种。旧四十六种。考菜部假苏及《唐本》退中翘根,宜入此。
Shuyangquan (Sheep's Spring Herb): Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature. Primarily treats alopecia capitis (head hair loss), malignant sores, heat-toxin scabies, pruritic crusts, tinea infections caused by parasites, and toothache due to dental caries. Grows in mountain valleys.
*Famous Physicians' Records* states: Also known as Yangquan, also known as Yi. Produced in Shu Commandery.
Note: *Guangya* says: Gu, Aidanluhe, Ze (Note: The original text appears to have omissions or errors; translated literally).
Juechu (Jacquemontia chinensis): Salty in taste, cold in nature. Primarily treats lumbago and spinal pain, inability to lie down, difficulty in bending and stretching, clears heat, and can be used as a medicinal bath decoction. Grows in mountain valleys and fields.
*Wu Pu's Materia Medica* states: Juechu, also known as Jueqing (see *Taiping Yulan*).
*Famous Physicians' Records* states: Produced in Hanzhong.
Note: Other versions annotate: Now commonly called Xiangsu.
Jiasu (Schizonepeta): Pungent in taste, warm in nature. Primarily treats alternating chills and fever, scrofula (lymphatic tuberculosis), lymphadenopathy (swollen neck nodes), and newly formed sores; breaks up qi stagnation and accumulation, moves downward blood stasis, and dispels damp-bi syndrome. Also known as Shushi. Grows in mountain swamps (Previously listed in the Vegetable Section, now moved to the Grass Section).
*Wu Pu's Materia Medica* states: Jiasu, also known as Shushi, also known as Jiangjie (see *Taiping Yulan*), named Jingjie. Leaves resemble those of Luoli but are finer; produced in Shu, eaten raw (see *Shuben* annotation).
*Famous Physicians' Records* states: Also known as Jiangjie. Produced in Hanzhong.
Note: Tao Hongjing says: It is Jingjie; "Jiang" and "Jing" are phonetic corruptions. Previously located in the middle of the Grass Section. Allowing people to eat it, it was recorded in the Vegetable Section.
Qiaogen (Scutellariae Radix / Skullcap Root): Sweet in taste, cold and neutral in nature (*Taiping Yulan* records bitter in taste, neutral in nature). Primarily treats lower jiao heat, nourishes yin essence, improves complexion and voice clarity, and brightens the eyes. Long-term use lightens the body and delays aging. Grows in plains and marshes (Previously listed in *Tang Bencao* Tui Zhong, now moved here).
*Wu Pu's Materia Medica* states: Qiaogen, Shen Nong and Lei Gong consider: Sweet in taste, toxic. Harvested in March and August, used for steaming; patients drinking alcohol should avoid it (see *Taiping Yulan*).
*Famous Physicians' Records* states: Grows in Hao Gao areas, harvested in February and August.
Note: Tao Hongjing says: No longer used in prescriptions; unrecognized by common people.
The above are grass-type herbs, 49 species in the Middle Grade. The old edition had 46 species. Examination shows that Jiasu from the Vegetable Section and Qiaogen from *Tang Bencao* Tui Zhong should be included here.