[Cucumber Vegetable] Also known as Huanghua Cai. Sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly cold in nature; promotes the free flow of the intestines and stomach, treats amenorrhea due to obstruction.
[Jiceae] Ancient name: Jicai. Clears heat and dissipates toxicity, reduces carbuncles, resolves sand poison.
[Winter Melon] Sweet, cold, and slippery in nature; purges heat and promotes diuresis. As a vegetable, it is sweet and slippery; can also be eaten with vinegar; clarified starch is very smooth and delicious.
[Luffa] Pungent, cool, and slippery in nature; raw juice applied or taken purges heat and resolves toxicity; cooked is sweet and delicious for sustenance. Stem: Rubbing on bee stings is effective.
[Taro] i.e., Fragrant Taro. Sweet, pungent, and cold in nature; boiled consumption thickens the intestines and stops coughing; raw powder mixed with water ingested can resolve drug poisoning.
[Dioscorea Opposita] Ancient name: Shuyu. Sweet and neutral in nature; enters the Spleen and Lung meridians. Raw use tonifies deficiency and reduces fever; stir-fried until yellow strengthens the Spleen and benefits Yin. It is a key herb for nourishing Spleen Yin. Tubers (Yuzi): Named Lingyuzi, slightly warm and mild in nature, efficacy comparable to Dioscorea Opposita; can be used for famine relief and sustenance.
[Mountain Yam] i.e., Mountain Yam. Raw consumption is sweet and cool, depletes Qi; cooked is sweet and neutral, used for sustenance. Dried and ground into powder, it particularly tends to stagnate Qi; excessive consumption damages the body.
[Lily Bulb] Sweet, slightly bitter, and cold in nature; moistens the Lungs, stops coughing, clears heat, and calms the Heart. Fresh bulbs can be served as tea snacks; excessive consumption damages the Stomach.
[Bamboo Shoots] Sweet, slightly cold in nature; refreshes the Stomach, benefits the diaphragm, transforms heat, and resolves phlegm. Winter Bamboo Shoots: Superior taste, but bamboo damages Qi; deficient individuals should not consume excessively, especially Bitter Bamboo Shoots. Dried Bamboo Shoots: Particularly effective in resolving phlegm and transforming fluid retention; vegetables should not be omitted from meals.
[Eggplant] i.e., Luosuo. Sweet, cold, and draining in nature; disperses blood stasis and relaxes the intestines. Excessive consumption moves wind and damages the Spleen; strictly contraindicated during early recovery from edema; violation leads to recurrence. Eggplant Root: Invigorates blood and dispels wind; white root is particularly effective.
[Chinese Bitter Melon] Also known as Kupiao. Bitter, cold, slightly sweet in nature; promotes diuresis, relieves distension, clears heat, and reduces swelling. Burned to ash, it is particularly effective for treating ascites (Shuigu).
[Winter Melon - Peel/Seed/Leaf] Sweet, bland, slightly cold in nature; purges heat, reduces swelling, promotes diuresis, and benefits the Spleen. Winter Melon Peel: Moves dampness between the skin layers, excellent for reducing cutaneous edema. Winter Melon Seed Kernel: Brightens the eyes and moistens dryness. Winter Melon Leaf: Treats thirst accompanied by alternating chills and fever resembling malaria.
[Pumpkin] Also known as Nigua, colloquially Fan Gua. Sweet, warm and neutral in nature; provides sustenance and is sweet-tasting. Excessive consumption causes Qi stagnation and damages the body.
[Vegetable Melon] Also known as Shao Gua, i.e., Caigua. Sweet and cold in nature; purges heat and promotes intestinal flow. Excessive consumption or eating fresh damages the Stomach.
[Cucumber] Also known as Hugua. Sweet, bland, and cold in nature; clears the Spleen, promotes diuresis, resolves heat, and eliminates irritability. Crushed roots applied externally treat fox-thorn swellings.
[Luffa Vine] Also known as Tianluo, Man Gua. Sweet and cold in nature; unblocks meridians, cools blood, resolves toxicity, and dispels wind. Contraindicated in cases of loose stools. The vine network of old Luffa penetrates throughout; its strength lies in unblocking meridians and activating collaterals, suitable for hot Bi syndrome. Use after wine frying.