Library

Garlic, specifically Allium macrostemon (Small Garlic). Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, slightly toxic. Enters the Spleen and Kidney meridians. Primarily treats Huoluan (Cholera-like disease), abdominal discomfort, promotes digestion, regulates Stomach Qi, warms the Middle Jiao, dispels pathogenic factors, Bi syndrome, and toxic vapors. Harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

Tao Hongjing stated: When Small Garlic is sprouting leaves, it can be boiled and eaten. By May, when the leaves wither, the roots are harvested and called "Chong" (pronounced 'luan'). Eating them raw has a very pungent and foul odor. Pungent in flavor, hot in nature, it primarily treats internal cold and Huoluan; it should be decocted and drunk. It also treats toxicity from streams. Consuming it harms the body and should not be taken for long periods. The Tang Bencao annotation notes: This garlic pairs well with Allium fistulosum var. Glaucum (Hu Cong) and is highly effective against severe toxins, sand fleas, and water toxins found in mountain streams. Mountain dwellers, Li people, and Liao people frequently use it. Ministers Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to the Shu Ben Tu Jing: Small Garlic grows wild; the smaller variety is also known as "Wo" or "Chong". Its seedlings, leaves, roots, and bulbs resemble Allium sativum (Da Suan/Garlic) but are several times finer. The Erya states: "Chong" is Mountain Garlic. The commentary explains that the Shuowen Jiezi says: It is a pungent vegetable. Another view holds it is a delicacy, the pungent vegetable of Yunmeng Marsh. Those growing in mountains are named "Chong". Meng Shen said: It is beneficial. It should not be eaten frequently. Ri Hua Zi said: Small Garlic is hot and toxic. It directs Qi downward, stops Huoluan vomiting and diarrhea, eliminates retained food, treats Gu poison, and is applied externally for snake/insect bites and sand flea sores. It should not be eaten in the third lunar month.

The Tu Jing states: Garlic refers to Small Garlic. Old texts do not specify its origin, but it is now found everywhere. It grows in fields; those with roots and seedlings resembling Allium sativum but extremely fine are identified as such. Harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Respectfully consulting the Erya: "Chong" (phonetic 'li de qie') is Mountain Garlic. The commentary explains that the Shuowen Jiezi says: Garlic is a pungent vegetable. One view holds it is a delicacy, the pungent vegetable of Yunmeng Marsh. Those growing in mountains are named "Chong". Currently, the Ben Jing refers to Allium sativum as Hu, and Small Garlic as Suan. However, the Erya and historical texts record different aliases for the same object. Such variations require careful scrutiny in clinical application. Ancient prescriptions: Small Garlic is often used to treat Huoluan by decocting and drinking the juice. In the Southern Qi dynasty, Chu Cheng used garlic to treat Li Daonian's Ji Jia (chicken mass), resulting in recovery. In Jiangnan, there is another type of Mountain Garlic, similar to Allium sativum in odor. Mountain dwellers use it to treat accumulations and women's Xue Jia (blood masses); applying bitter vinegar and ingesting it is often effective. There is also a variety resembling Allium sativum but with more cloves, primarily treating Hongxiangjiao (Hong Kong Foot/Charley Horse). It is suitable to boil and give to postpartum women to facilitate easy delivery. This variety is absent north of the Yangtze River.

Dietary Therapy: Primarily treats Huoluan, promotes digestion, treats stomach conditions by warming the middle, and dispels pathogenic factors. Those harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month are superior. Additionally, it effectively removes various insect toxins, Ding Zhong (carbuncles), and toxic sores. It should not be eaten frequently. The Zhouhou Fang: Treats Huoluan with abdominal distension and Qi stagnation, where vomiting or purging has not yet occurred. Take one sheng of Small Garlic, chopped, decoct in three sheng of water until reduced to one and a half sheng, strain, and drink warm. If stung by venomous insects, crush Small Garlic, drink the juice, and apply the dregs to the sore. Ge Shi Fang: For Water Toxin entering the human body, also known as She Gong (Arrow Frog), which is invisible. Take three sheng of Small Garlic, chopped, place in boiling water, ensuring it does not become too hot, as heat diminishes efficacy. Wring out the dregs and drink at a comfortable temperature. The Qianjin Yi Fang: Primarily treats Huoluan, abdominal discomfort, promotes digestion, regulates Stomach Qi, warms the middle, dispels pathogenic Bi syndrome and toxic vapors, enters the Spleen and Kidney meridians, and is taken as a decoction. The Bingbu Shouji treats unbearable heart pain lasting ten or five years, with immediate effect. Do not add salt during preparation. An outsider family member in Jiang suffered from heart pain for over ten years; other medicines failed, but this formula prevented recurrence. Another prescription: For Qu Yan (centipedes) entering the ear. Small Garlic juice treats all cases of insects entering the ear similarly. To treat Malaria, use an unspecified amount of garlic, grind into a fine paste, mix with a small amount of Huang Dan (Lead Monoxide), form into pills the size of a chicken head, and dry. Take one pill each time with fresh well water, facing east. This is excellent. The Guangyun: Zhang Qian brought this back from Dayuan upon his mission. Consuming it damages mental energy. Eating Small Garlic with raw fish causes loss of Qi.

The Yanyi states: Garlic refers to Small Garlic. Also called "Chong", its seedlings resemble scallion needles, roots are white, and the larger ones resemble Cyperus esculentus (Wu Yu). The bulbs and roots are boiled and eaten together. Also called "Zhai Suan" (Household Garlic). The garlic mince used by Hua Tuo was this substance.