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Rhizoma Zizaniae Latifoliae (Gugen)
Nature: Great Cold. Indications: Mainly treats chronic heat in the stomach and intestines, Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), and stops frequent urination.
Tao Hongjing stated: Rhizoma Zizaniae Latifoliae is similar to Radix Phragmitis Communis (Lugen), being cold in nature with a stronger purgative effect. Current annotations from other editions state: Gugen refers to the stem of Zizania latifolia. People in Jiangnan call it Jiaocao, which, when used as fodder for horses, makes them fat. Flavor: Sweet; Toxicity: Non-toxic. Chen Yuxi et al. cautiously followed the Shu edition of Tu Jing stating: It grows in water, leaves resemble sugarcane or reed. The old roots are densely intertwined. In summer, small fungi grow, which are edible, named Gucai (Zizania vegetable). After three years, a stalk like lotus root grows from the heart, white and soft with black veins inside, which is edible, named Gusou (Zizania head). Er Ya states: Chusui, Qushu. Explanation: A type of fungus. Also known as Chusui or Qushu. Guang Ya states: Chaosheng, shaped like a ghost's hat. Guo Pu's annotation: Similar to earth fungus, growing among Zizania grass. Now in Jiangdong, the sweet and slippery ones eaten are like felt rugs. Shuo Wen Jie Zi states: Gu is Jiang. Zhang Yi states: Qushu is a woolen mat, taking its sound as identical. Meng Shen stated: Gucai benefits the five zang organs, expels evil qi, treats rhinophyma (Jiu Zha), facial redness, vitiligo (Bai Lai), sores, and red eyes, with efficacy. However, it causes loose stools, so do not eat too much. For toxic heat and wind patterns causing sudden heart pain, boil and eat with salt and vinegar. Furthermore, Jiaosou is cold. It mainly treats floating wind-heat in the chest and heart. Eating it induces cold qi, moistens teeth, damages sexual function, causes lower jiao coldness and slipperiness; not eating it is better. Chen Cangqi stated: Gucai is sweet and non-toxic. It removes烦热 (restless heat), stops thirst, clears yellow eyes, promotes urination and defecation, stops dysentery due to heat. Made into soup with crucian carp, it opens the appetite and resolves alcohol toxicity. It grows in ponds and marshes in Jiangdong, on top of Gugong (floating Zizania roots). It mainly treats burns. Burn to ash and mix with egg white to apply. Lü Shi Chun Qiu says: The most beautiful vegetables are the fungi of Yuelu. In Jin Dynasty, Zhang Han missed them when he saw the autumn wind rising. Furthermore, Gusou grows from the heart of Zizania stem, becoming like a child's arm by autumn, hence named Gusou. Boiled and eaten, it stops thirst. Sweet and cold; mixed with honey and eaten, it induces chronic diseases, with no other effects. There is another smaller variety, flesh like ink when broken, named Wuyu. People also eat it to stop infant watery diarrhea. Ri Huazi stated: Jiaosou has slight toxicity. Overeating induces qi stagnation and weak yang. Leaves benefit the five zang organs. Those who have eaten Croton Fructus (Badou) must not eat it.
Tu Jing states: Rhizoma Zizaniae Latifoliae was previously not noted for its origin province. Now it is found everywhere in rivers, lakes, pools, and marshes. This is what Jiangnan people call Jiaocao. It grows in water, leaves resembling cattail or reed. Cut and fed to horses, they become fat. In spring, shoots also grow, sweet and edible, which is Gucai. Also called Jiaobai. For older plants, a white stalk grows from the center like a child's arm, called Goushou. What people now make as Gusou is incorrect. The Qushu mentioned in Er Ya, annotated as "similar to earth fungus, growing in Zizania grass," refers exactly to this. Hence, Southerners still call fungi "Gu" because of this meaning. Those with black centers are called Jiaoyu. Its root is like Radix Phragmitis Communis, with an even stronger cold and purgative effect. In the lowlands of Liuzhe, Zizania grass is most abundant. Its roots grow knotted together. Over time, they float on the water along with soil, locally called Gugong. After cutting the leaves, the land can be plowed and planted. The seedlings with stems are called Gujiangcao. By autumn, they bear fruit, which is Diaohu rice. Ancients considered it a delicacy; during famine years, people still gather it as food. Xi Jing Za Ji states: Beside the Taiye Pool in Han Dynasty Chang'an, there were Diaohu, Zituo, Yuanjie, and cattails. Zizania with grains is called Diaohu by people in Chang'an. Reed grain with husks is Zituo. Zizania with heads is called Yuanjie. However, Diaohu and other rices are not valued now. Generally, all varieties of Zizania are extremely cold and should not be overconsumed, as they are not beneficial to humans. They are only suitable for those taking mineral drugs (Shijin).
Chen Cangqi stated: Jiaosou mainly treats floating heat in the chest and heart, moving qi discomfort. Eating it induces cold, moistens teeth, damages sexual function, causes lower jiao coldness; not eating it is advisable. Shi Liao Ben Cao states: If Dan Shi heat (mineral drug-induced heat) flares up, cook with crucian carp as soup and eat. Three or two doses will cure it. Waitai Mi Yao: Treats scalds and burns before ulcers form. Take Rhizoma Zizaniae Latifoliae stem root, burn to ash, mix with egg yolk and apply. Guang Ji Fang for treating venomous snake bites: Ash of Rhizoma Zizaniae Latifoliae root, apply to the wound. The grass resembles a swallow's tail. Zimu Milu: For infant wind sores that do not heal for a long time, burn the nodes of Rhizoma Zizaniae Latifoliae to powder and apply.
Yan Yi stated: Rhizoma Zizaniae Latifoliae belongs to the Typha category. Roots are taken in all four seasons, crushed, and juice extracted. People in Hebei border regions use this shoot to feed horses, called Gujiang, and also use it as mats. It resembles reed, bears green seeds, fine like hemp, nearly an inch long. Locals collect it, mix with millet to make porridge, which effectively relieves hunger. This is what Du Fu referred to as "wishing to be cold autumn Zizania." Since they grow in water and on banks, overeating causes diarrhea.