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Cassiae Semen (Juemingzi)

Salty, bitter, and sweet in flavor; neutral and slightly cold in nature; non-toxic. It primarily treats Qingming (dim vision/blindness), excessive ocular discharge (Mouyin), redness of the skin/eyelids (Fuchi), white membrane (corneal opacity), red and painful eyes, tearing, and treats bluish discoloration of the lips and mouth. Long-term consumption benefits essence and vision, and lightens the body. It grows in the marshes of Longmen. Shijueming (Haliotidis Concha) grows in Yuzhang. Harvested on the 10th day of the 10th lunar month, dried in shade for a hundred days. (Yishi [Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix] acts as its guide drug; it is incompatible with Damaizi [Cannabis Fructus].)

Tao Hongjing stated: Longmen is located north of Chang'an. It is now found everywhere. The leaves resemble Jiangmang [Juncus effusus], and the seeds resemble horse hooves, hence called Matijueming (Horse-hoof Cassia). When used, they should be crushed. Additionally, there is another type called Caojueming (Grass Jueming), which is Qihaozi [Asteris Fructus], recorded in the Lower Grade of the Materia Medica. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to Tang Bencao, noted: Shijueming belongs to the class of mussels and clams, resembling Zi Bei [Porcellanum], and is attached in the separate section under Fish and Beasts. Both are primarily used to brighten the eyes, thus sharing the name "Jueming." Folk prescriptions use it only for eye diseases, while Daoist practices often require it. Shu Ben Tujing recorded: Leaves resemble alfalfa but are broader; flowers in summer, pods in autumn; fruits resemble horse hooves, commonly known as Matijueming. It is currently produced in Guangzhou and Guizhou; seeds are harvested in October and dried in the shade. Erya recorded: "[Missing Character]," "[Missing Character]." The explanation states: Medicinal herb, Jueming. Guo Pu's commentary said: Leaves are yellow and sharp-pointed, flowers are red, fruits resemble Corni Fructus [Shanzhuyu], or some say it is "[Missing Character]." In Guanxi, it is called "[Missing Character]." Yaoxing Lun recorded: Jueming serves as a minister herb. It benefits the five zang organs and can frequently be eaten as a vegetable. It also clears liver heat; taking one spoonful daily, rubbing clean, and swallowing on an empty stomach will allow one to see light at night after a hundred days. Chen Cangqi said: Jiangdu is Jiangli zi. The character 'Du' is pronounced 'tu', referring to a grass. It resembles Guan [Scirpus], grows by the sea, and can be made into mats. Its leaves are not similar to those of Jueming. The annotation for Jueming in Bencao lacks this record; those interested in verification should study it further. Tao stated: Jueming leaves resemble Jiangdu. According to records, Jiangdu is neutral and non-toxic. Roasted over fire for tea, it is extremely fragrant, removes phlegm, quenches thirst, induces insomnia, and harmonizes the middle jiao. It grows by roadsides, and its leaves are smaller than Jueming. Sui Dynasty Chan Master Chou made the Five-Color Drink, offering it as a yellow drink to Emperor Yang, who praised it. Rihuazi said: Matijueming assists liver qi and benefits essence. Applied topically with water mixed with powder, it reduces swelling and toxicity. Massaged onto the Taiyang acupoint, it treats headaches. Applied to the brain and heart area, it stops epistaxis. Used as a pillow, it surpasses black beans, treating wind-headache and brightening the eyes.

Tujing stated: Juemingzi grows in the marshes of Longmen and is now found everywhere, cultivated in household gardens. Seedlings emerge in early summer, growing about three to four chi high, with purple roots. Leaves resemble alfalfa but are larger. Flowers appear in July, yellowish-white. The seeds form spikes, resembling green mung beans but sharper. Harvested on the 10th day of the 10th lunar month, dried in shade for a hundred days. According to Erya: "[Missing Character]," "[Missing Character]." Explanation: Medicinal herb, Jueming. Guo Pu's commentary said: Leaves are yellow and sharp-pointed, flowers are red, fruits resemble Corni Fructus. In Guanxi, it is called "[Missing Character]," which is quite different from this species. There is another type, Matijueming, with leaves resembling Jiangdou [Vigna unguiculata], and seeds resembling horse hooves, hence the name. Qihaozi is also called Caojueming, but it is unknown which is used medicinally. However, current physicians only use the seed resembling green mung beans. As for Shijueming, it is a mussel/clam type and should belong in the Insect and Beast section.

Shiliao stated: Neutral in nature. Leaves primarily brighten the eyes and benefit the five zang organs; eating them is very beneficial. Seeds primarily treat liver heat toxins and wind-eye redness with tearing. Take one spoonful daily, rub off dust, and swallow with water on an empty stomach. After a hundred days, one can see object lights at night. Waitai Miyao: Treats chronic blindness where one cannot recognize people. Crush two sheng of Juemingzi into powder; take one fangcun bi after meals with gruel. Qianjin Fang: Treats liver toxin heat by consuming Jueming as a vegetable.

Yanyi stated: Juemingzi seedlings are four to five chi high and can be used as vegetables in spring. Pods form in late autumn; seeds inside the pods resemble sheep kidneys. Currently, many people in Hunan and surrounding areas cultivate it in gardens, either in villages or in large patches. Shu Ben Tujing stated that leaves resemble alfalfa but are broader, which is very accurate.