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Hong Cao (Polygonum hydropiper var. chinense)
Taste: Salty. Nature: Slightly cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Treats Xiao Ke (wasting and thirsting syndrome), clears heat, brightens the eyes, and tonifies Qi. Also known as Hong Cao (Xie). It resembles Ma Liao (Persicaria maculosa) but is larger, grows by the water, and its fruits are harvested in May.
Tao Hongjing stated: There are many such plants; those currently found in low, wet areas closely resemble Ma Liao and are very tall. The *Classic of Poetry* mentions "You Long in the marshes," with annotations stating that You Long refers to Hong Cao. Guo Jingchun said it is also called Long Gu. According to notes in other editions, this is Shui Hong (Water Smartweed). Decocted into a soup and used for soaking, it treats Hong Jiao Foot (podagra or tinea pedis). Ministers Yu Xi et al. respectfully consulted the *Erya*, which states: "Hong" is Long Gu. The larger ones are called [Qiu Zhui]. The commentary cites Lu Ji, saying it is also named Ma Liao, with large leaves that are red and white, growing in marshes, reaching over one zhang in height. Guo noted that colloquially Hong Cao is called Long Gu, due to phonetic shift.
The *Illustrated Classic* states: Hong Cao is Shui Hong. Old texts do not specify the provinces where it originates, only that it grows by the water; now it is found in low, wet areas everywhere. It resembles Polygonum but has larger leaves, is red and white, and grows over one zhang high. The *Erya* says: "Hong" is Long Gu. The larger ones are called [Qiu Zhui]. Zheng Xuan's commentary on the *Shi Jing* says: "You Long in the marshes" refers to this. Lu Ji said it is also named Ma Liao. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* says it resembles Ma Liao but is larger. If so, Ma Liao is naturally a distinct species. Fruits are harvested in May, though they are rarely used nowadays. Only the roots and stems are taken, decocted into soup, and used for soaking to treat Hong Jiao Foot.
Chen Cangqi said: Decocted into soup and soaked, it treats water-dampness-induced severe sores and swelling, with good efficacy. The *Tang Bencao Zhu* noted: It has hairs, flowers are red and white, removes severe sores and swelling, and Hong Jiao Foot; boiling a concentrated juice for soaking cures most cases.
*Yanyi* details this under the entry for Shui Liao (Water Pepper).

Sha Cao Gen (Cyperus rotundus Root)
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Slightly cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Clears heat in the chest, nourishes skin and hair. Long-term use benefits the body, tonifies Qi, and promotes the growth of beard and eyebrows. Also known as [Hao], and Hou Sha. Its fruit is named Ti. Grows in fields, harvested in February and August.
Tao Hongjing stated: It is no longer used in prescriptions. The *Li Sao* says: "Green Sha mixed with trees, lush grass [Sui] sways [Mei]." Ancient poets often used it, but few recognized it. Some confuse it with Mouse [Something], which has different therapeutic effects. The *Tang Bencao Zhu* noted: The root of this herb is named Xiang Zi, also known as Que Tou Xiang. It strongly directs Qi downward and clears heat in the chest and abdomen; it is found everywhere. The stems and leaves resemble San Leng (Burreed Rhizome), and the root resembles Fu Zi (Aconite Root), surrounded by many hairs. Those from Jiaozhou are the best. Large ones are like dates, while those near roads are like apricot kernels. People in Jingxiang call it Sha Cao Gen and use it blended with incense.
The *Illustrated Classic* states: Sha Cao Gen is also called Xiang Fu Zi. Old texts do not record its origin, only that it grows in fields; now it is ubiquitous. Some say those from Jiaozhou are superior, large as dates, while nearby ones are like apricot kernels. The seedling, stem, and leaves all resemble San Leng; the root resembles Fu Zi, covered in hairs. Those growing near roads have seedlings and leaves like Xie (Scallion) but thinner, with roots the size of chopstick heads. Harvested in February and August. Respectfully consulting the *Tianbao Danfang Tu*, it records Shui Xiang Leng, whose functions are quite similar to this, though the taste differs slightly. That text states: Shui Xiang Leng tastes pungent, is slightly cold, non-toxic, and astringent. It originally grew in the ponds of Bobing Commandery; the seedling is named Xiang Leng, the root is named Sha Jie, also called Cao Fu Zi. It exists in the low wetlands of Henan and Huainan, named Shui Sha; in Longxi, it is called Di [Gen]; in Shu Commandery, it is Xu Gen Cao, also Shui Ba Ji. Currently, Fudu has the most abundance, named San Leng Cao. The stems are used to make shoes, available everywhere. Used alone to treat Fei Feng (Wind affecting the lungs). It also states: This medicine treats men's deficiency wind and external heat in the heart and lungs, qi obstruction connecting the bladder area to the hypochondrium, skin itching and urticaria, poor appetite, gradual emaciation, constant sorrow, palpitations, and shortness of Qi. All seedlings and flowers are collected in spring and dried in shade. Roots are harvested in winter, sliced, and stored in cool, ventilated places. For those suffering from the aforementioned ailments, take over twenty jin of seedlings, chop them, boil in two dan five dou of water until reduced to one dan five dou. Soak the body in a bathtub until sweating occurs five or six times. Soaking combined with bathing stops lung wind and skin itching. Regular use throughout the four seasons ensures permanent cure of urticaria and wind. For internal heat, qi obstruction in the bladder/hypochondrium, chronic sorrow, and palpitations, take two large jin of roots, slice, stir-fry until fragrant, place in a raw silk bag, and soak in three dou of clear wine without ash. In spring, soak for one day before consumption; in winter (after the tenth month), soak for seven days, preferably in a warm place. Take one cup on an empty stomach, three to four times daily, maintaining a continuous mild alcohol sensation, stopping when effective. If abstaining from alcohol, take ten liang of root, add five liang of Gui Xin (Cinnamon Twig Heart), three liang of Wu Yi (Myrobalan), grind into powder, mix with honey to form pills the size of wutong seeds. On an empty stomach, swallow twenty pills with wine or ginger-honey tea, twice daily, gradually increasing to thirty pills until cured.
Lei Gong said: After harvesting, dry in shade, pound in a stone mortar, avoiding iron contact; this must be strictly observed.
*Yanyi* stated: Sha Cao, specifically the root resembling a date pit, is also called Xiang Fu Zi. It is also added to Indian incense and can move Qi; it is widely used today. Although derived from Sha Cao Gen, the presence of the specific root part varies. It has thin cracked skin, purple-black in color, not hairy. Scraping off the skin reveals white flesh. Mistaking the whole root for the specific medicinal part is erroneous. Its taste is bitter.