Library

Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats evil qi in the five zang organs, anorexia (pronounced yú xié qiē) and gastric obstruction, intestinal constipation, heat-induced polydipsia, and malignant sores. Long-term consumption calms the mind, supplements qi, sharpens hearing and vision, reduces sleep, lightens the body, delays aging, increases tolerance to hunger and cold, and maintains high vitality without aging. Also known as Tú Cǎo (Tea Grass), Xuǎn, and Yóu Dōng. It grows in the river valleys, hills, and along roadsides of Yìzhōu, surviving through winter without withering. Harvested on the third day of the third lunar month, dried in the shade.

Táo Yǐnjū states: I suspect this is actually tea (Míng). Tea is also called Tú, and it keeps one awake; it also survives winter without withering, but I hesitate because it supposedly only grows in Yìzhōu. Yìzhōu indeed has bitter vegetables, which are precisely Kǔ Shì (pronounced shì). This was already noted under Bai Yīng (White Herb) in the upper volume, superior grade. The *Tóng Jūn Lù* states: Bitter vegetable grows luxuriantly in March, flowers emerge from leaves in June, stems stand upright and yellow, fruits turn black in August; after fruits fall, roots regenerate, remaining un-withered in winter. Current tea resembles this greatly; Xīyáng, Wǔchāng, Lújiāng, and Jīnxī all favor it, while people in the east produce green tea. Tea possesses fragrance and is beneficial for drinking. Among all beverages, tea, Mu Ye (Wood Leaves), Tiān Mén Dōng Miáo (Asparagus Fern Shoots), and Bá Qiā (Smilax Glabra Rhizome) are beneficial to humans, whereas others tend to be cold and purgative. Additionally, in Badōng region, there is a true tea, roasted into curled knots, which also induces insomnia; perhaps this is what is meant. Common people often boil Tán Yè (Sandalwood Leaves) and Dà Zào Lǐ (Large Soap Plum) to make tea, both being cold in nature. Furthermore, in the south: there is Guā Lú Mù (Gualu Tree), resembling tea, with a bitter and astringent taste. Its leaves are crushed and boiled for drinking, causing wakefulness throughout the night. Salt makers rely solely on this beverage, and it is highly valued in Jiāozhō and Guǎngzhōu; when guests arrive, it is served first, often accompanied by Xiāng Mào (Fragrant Mao, pronounced mào) and similar items. Tang Shuí said: "Who says Tú is bitter?" Also: "Jǐn and Tú are like maltose," both referring to alternative names for bitter vegetables. Táo referred to it as Míng (Young Tea Leaf), which belongs to the woody category, distinctly different from vegetable types. Míng harvested in spring is called Kǔ Tú. Pronounced chí xiá fǎn, not tú yīn. According to: *Ěr Yǎ* explains grasses saying: Tú is bitter vegetable. Explains trees saying: Chuǎn and Kǔ Tú are two entirely different things, cannot be used as examples. Also, *Yán Shì Jiā Xùn* citing *Yì Tōng Guà Yàn Xuán Tú* states: Bitter vegetable grows... then matures. Also named Yóu Dōng. Leaves resemble Kǔ Jù (Sonchus oleraceus) but are finer; broken stems exude white juice; flowers are yellow like chrysanthemums. This aligns roughly with Tóng Jūn's description and is found everywhere today. Kǔ Shì is Solanum nigrum (Black Nightshade), commonly called bitter vegetable by folk, but it is not Tú. Chen Yuxi et al. carefully note according to Shǔ Běn Tú Jīng: Flowers in spring, fruits in summer, regenerates in autumn, flowers without fruit, does not wither through winter. Chén Cángxì states: Kǔ Shì, bitter taste, cold nature, slightly toxic. Crushed leaves applied externally treat pediatric muscle spasms and masses; boiled juice ingested removes acute heat, yellow eyes, and constipation. Leaves closely resemble Solanum nigrum, but Solanum nigrum seeds lack shells, whereas Kǔ Shì seeds have shells; Sū Gōng's claim that it is Solanum nigrum is erroneous. People also call it Xiǎo Kǔ Dān. Cuì Bào's *Gǔ Jīn Zhù* states: Kǔ Shì, also named Tíng Lì Zǐ, has fruits shaped like leather caps, seeds round like pearls. *Yuè Lìng*: Melons grow, bitter vegetables flourish.

*Yǐn Yì* states: Bitter vegetable exists in all four directions; in northern routes, it withers and dies in winter; in the south, it remains evergreen in winter and summer. This refers to the "bitter vegetables flourish" mentioned in *Yuè Lìng* after the Xiǎo Mǎn solar term. Leaves resemble Kǔ Jù but are narrower, with a lighter green color; broken stems exude white latex, which can be used to apply to warts, causing them to fall off naturally. Bitter in taste, flowers resemble wild chrysanthemum, blooming successively in spring, summer, and autumn. Clears heat in the middle jiao, calms the mind spirit.