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Background Information
Book: Zhenglei Bencao (Compendium of Materia Medica Classified by Category)
Author: Tang Shenwei
Dynasty: Song
Chapter: Leek (Jiu)
Category: Materia Medica

Leek (Allium tuberosum)
Flavor: Pungent, slightly sour. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Heart Meridian. Actions: Calms the five Zang organs, clears heat in the stomach, benefits patients, and can be consumed for a long time.
Seeds: Mainly treats nocturnal emission with spermatorrhea and cloudy urine resembling white fluid.
Roots: Mainly nourishes hair.
Tao Hongjing stated: Leek seeds are used in pills containing thorns to treat leakage of essence; roots are used in hair-growth ointments; leaves are boiled with crucian carp to treat sudden dysentery, which is very effective. However, this vegetable has a particularly pungent and foul odor. Even when cooked, the breath remains strangely pungent and burning, unlike scallions and wild garlic (Xie), which lose their odor when cooked. This is something to avoid for those cultivating health. Current research based on Chen Cangqi's *Bencao* states: Leek warms the middle and directs Qi downward, tonifies deficiency, harmonizes the Zang and Fu organs, promotes appetite, benefits Yang, stops discharge of white pus, abdominal cold pain, all taken after boiling. It resolves drug toxicity. It treats impending attacks from mad dog bites and kills venom from various snakes, vipers, scorpions, and harmful insects. Crush the root and mix with sauce to instill into horse nostrils for nasal worms. Drinking large amounts of crushed root juice treats chest bi syndrome with bone pain that cannot be touched. The common saying that leek leaves are "grass zhongru" (a mineral drug) implies they are beneficial to humans, which is true. Ministers Yuxi et al. respectfully cite *Erya*: "KT" refers to mountain leek. Explanation: *Shuowen Jiezi* states it is a vegetable name for one that grows continuously from a single planting, hence called "Jiu" (leek). Those growing in mountains are named "KT". *Han Shi* states: "In the sixth month, eat Yu and KT." Meng Shen stated: Ten days after a febrile disease, do not consume it. Additionally, chest bi presents as urgent pain in the heart like needle pricks, inability to bend or straighten, spontaneous sweating; or pain penetrating the back, which if untreated may lead to death. Take five jin of fresh leeks or roots, wash, crush to extract juice, and instill a small amount to induce vomiting of evil blood from the chest. Xiao Bing stated: Leek seeds taken with dragon bone strongly tonify the middle. For newborn infants, instilling leek root juice causes them to vomit evil water, preventing illness. Ri Hua Zi stated: Leek is hot, directs Qi downward, tonifies deficiency, harmonizes Fu organs, benefits Yang, stops seminal emission, hematuria, warms waist and knees, removes chronic cold in the heart and abdomen, chest bi cold, phlegm masses, and abdominal pain. For obese individuals with wind-stroke and loss of voice, take crushed juice. For severe heart, spleen, or bone pain, take raw crushed juice. For snake or dog bites and malignant sores, apply crushed paste. Excessive consumption dulls the spirit and darkens vision; especially taboo after alcohol; must not be eaten with honey. Also, seeds warm waist and knees and are very effective for treating "ghost intercourse"; stir-fry before use in medicine.
*Tujing* (Illustrated Records) states: Leek's place of origin was not previously noted; now it is found everywhere. Respectfully citing Xu Shen's *Shuowen Jiezi*: It is a vegetable name for one that grows continuously from a single planting, hence called "Jiu". Gardeners plant it, harvesting two to four times a year without damaging the roots. In winter, they mound soil around it, and it regrows in early spring, truly confirming it grows continuously from one planting. Among vegetables, this is the warmest and most beneficial, suitable for regular consumption. *Yi Ji Lan Tu* states: When governance is correct, Yin things transform into Yang. Zheng Kangcheng's commentary notes: Such as scallions transforming into leeks. Thus, scallions are cold and leeks are warm, which can be verified. There is another type, mountain leek, similar in shape and nature, but with white roots and leaves like rush seedlings. *Erya* mentions "KT" (pronounced 'yang liu qie'), mountain leek. *Han Shi* states: "In the sixth month, eat Yu and Huo," referring to this. It is often found in mountains, though few recognize it.
Leek seeds combined with Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis Egg Case) and Longgu (Dragon Bone) treat seminal leakage. Ge Hong and Sun Simiao both have prescriptions. Cui Yuanliang's *Haishang Fang* for waist and leg issues: Take one sheng of leek seeds, select, steam for the time of two meals, dry in sun, winnow black skins, stir-fry until yellow, and grind to powder. Mix with two large liang of Anxi Xiang (Benzoin Resin) boiled in water for 100-200 boils. Combine the two substances, grind into pills. If too dry, add honey. Take twenty pills on an empty stomach with wine, followed by three to five spoons of rice for best results. Roots are also used medicinally.
Chen Cangqi's annotation: Swallow thirty seeds raw on an empty stomach with salt water to stop nocturnal emission and cloudy urine; highly effective. *Shiliao* (Dietary Therapy): Can be made into pickles; eating on an empty stomach is very effective. Fried and eaten with salt and vinegar on an empty stomach, one plate can last ten meals. Highly effective for chest diaphragm qi stagnation, benefiting the chest diaphragm; induces vomiting of evil blood, preventing future illnesses. Do not eat leeks in May. In years of famine, it can serve as grain; one mu can feed ten people. *Shenghui Fang*: Treats deficiency exhaustion and kidney damage with nocturnal emission. Use two liang of lightly stir-fried leek seeds as a powder. Take two qian bi with wine before meals. *Waitai Miyao*: Treats deficiency exhaustion with sperm in urine. Take two sheng of new leek seeds, harvested after frost in October, soak in eight he of good wine overnight. Pound ten thousand times. Take one fang cun bi with warm wine at dawn, twice daily; recovery is immediate. *Qianjin Fang*: Treats [condition] and recovers quickly. Another prescription: Treats throat swelling preventing swallowing. Crush a handful of leeks, cook, and apply; change when cool. *Zhouhou Fang*: Spit on the face to revive [the dead]. Crush leeks, extract juice, and blow into nostrils. In winter, use leek roots. Another prescription: Men and women dreaming of sexual intercourse with ejaculation due to internal deficiency and pathogenic qi stimulation. Stir-fry leek seeds, grind to powder, soak in wine, and take gradually. *Jingyan Fang*: Treats five types of tinea. Stir-fry leek roots until oil appears, mix and apply; three applications cure. *Shiyi Xinjing*: Stops food-and-water dysentery; make into soup, porridge, fried dishes, or stir-fries as desired. Also states: At the beginning of the first lunar month, eat the Five Pungents to ward off epidemic qi: Garlic, Scallion, Leek, Wild Garlic (Xie), Ginger. Another prescription: Treats sudden attack of evil qi; crush and apply. Same as *Shiyi Xinjing*. *Zimu Milu*: Treats infant jaundice. Decoct and take one he. Another prescription: Sudden swelling from piercing. Crush leeks and Isatis leaf, apply, and moxa until heat penetrates; then cures. Huangdi states: Frozen frost leeks must not be eaten raw; they disturb retained fluids and cause vomiting of water and fatigue. Vice Minister Qin Yun stated: Someone with Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst) drank excessively; eating leek yellows stopped the thirst. Whether stir-fried or made into soup without salt is extremely effective. Eating ten jin is good; do not eat after Qingming; mixing with soy sauce is fine.
*Yanyi* states: Spring leeks are fragrant; summer leeks are foul; excessive consumption dulls the spirit. Seeds effectively stop seminal sliding. Leek yellows (etiolated leeks grown without soil) are least beneficial, causing Qi stagnation because they contain stifled Qi. Confucius said: "Do not eat out of season," precisely referring to these. Flowers stimulate wind when eaten.

Wild Garlic / Small Onion (Xie)
Flavor: Pungent, bitter. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Actions: Treats traumatic injuries and ulcerated sores, lightens the body, prevents hunger, prolongs life, enters the bones. It is the "vegetable immortality." Removes cold and heat, eliminates dampness, warms the middle, dissipates nodules, benefits patients. Applied topically for various sores, wind-cold edema. Grows in Lushan flat marshes.
Tao Hongjing stated: Scallion and Xie are different species but grouped together here. Since *Ben Jing* lacked Leek, they were grouped due to similarity; now treated as secondary varieties. Physicians mostly use scallion whites and the slime from between leaves, called Congran (sound 'ran'); seeds are rarely used. Scallions also have cold/heat properties: white is cold, green is hot; scallion decoctions for Cold Damage should not contain green parts. Scallions dissolve Gui (Cinnamon) in water and dissolve the Five Minerals, used in immortal recipes. Xie is also warming and tonifying, required by immortals and dietary practitioners, but its pungency is taboo. *Tang Ben Zhu* states: Xie is a type of leek, but leaves do not resemble scallions; claiming they are similar is unclear. [Text fragment missing]: ...is tonifying and delicious; red ones treat traumatic injuries and wind, bitter and tasteless, now listed separately. Current research based on Chen Cangqi's *Bencao* states: Xie harmonizes the middle, treats chronic dysentery that does not heal, and abdominal discomfort; boil and eat generously. For bloody dysentery, boil Xie with Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark) and take; it heals.
Ministers Yuxi et al. respectfully cite *Shu Ben Tu Jing*: Shape resembles leek but no seeds. Mountain Xie is named [character], stems and leaves similar, nature same. Leaves wither in winter, planted in spring and autumn. *Erya* states: [Character], mountain [Xie]. Explanation: *Shuowen* states: [Character], a vegetable. Those growing in mountains are named [Character]. Also states: [Character], Hong. Explanation: [Character] is also called Honghui. Meng Shen stated: Xie treats wind-water edema in sores; crush raw, apply hot, or boil. White ones are best. Though pungent, it does not irritate the five Zang organs. Daoist practitioners taking it long-term can communicate with spirits, calm soul and spirit, benefit Qi, and strengthen sinews and tendons. Ri Hua Zi stated: Lightens body, resists cold, harmonizes middle, tonifies insufficiency. Eats stops chronic cold diarrhea, fattens healthy people. Raw consumption induces saliva and mucus. Must not be eaten with beef, as it causes mass formations. Do not eat in April.
*Tujing* states: Xie grows in Lushan flat marshes, now found everywhere. Resembles leek but wider leaves, mostly white, no seeds. Cultivated varieties include red and white; red treats sores and generates flesh, white is cooling and tonifying. Planted at Spring Equinox, leaves wither in winter. *Erya* states: [Character] (same as Xie), Honghui (Wu Shan). Mountain [Character] stems and leaves resemble domestic Xie, but roots are longer, leaves larger, resembling Deer Onion, nature same, but rarely used now. Although pungent, Xie does not irritate the five Zang organs, so Daoists eat it long-term, tonifying deficiency, most suitable for humans. When using scallions and Xie, remove greens and keep whites, as whites are cold and greens hot. Therefore, for red conditions, take Xie white with Huangbai to boil and take, indicating its cold nature resolves toxicity. Tang Dynasty Wei Zhou's *Duxing Fang* treats Huoluan (cholera-like disorder) with incessant dry retching. Take a tiger-mouthful of Xie, boil in three sheng of water to half, take at once. If not recurrent, take five jin of Xie roots, crush, extract juice, and drink; stops immediately.
*Shiliao*: Lightens body, prolongs life. Treats traumatic injuries, generates flesh. Crush Xie white raw, seal with fire. Moxa over fire to penetrate heat into sore; change when dry. White ones are best. Though pungent, does not irritate Zang organs. Also, febrile diseases should not consume much. Do not eat raw in March. Dissipates nodular Qi. Can make into soup. Treats women's red and white leukorrhea. Daoists taking it long-term communicate with spirits, calm soul/spirit, benefit Qi, strengthen sinews/tendons. Fish bone stuck in throat comes down upon eating. *Zhouhou Fang*: Saves from death; whether prior illness or sudden death during sleep, all are attacks of evil. Instill Xie juice into nose. Another prescription: Red fingers, depending on moon waxing/waning. Boil a handful of raw Xie in vinegar, remove when cooked, and apply; heals. Ge Shi Fang: Treats scabies. Boiling Xie leaves is also effective. Another prescription: Various fish bones stuck. Chew small amount of Xie white until soft, tie with string, swallow to reach bone, pull out; bone comes out. Another prescription: Accidentally swallowed hairpin. Dry Xie white until yellow, boil until cooked, do not cut, eat a large bundle; hairpin comes out. Another prescription: Pain. Pound Xie, apply, heat and press on sore; heals. Another prescription: Tiger or dog bites. Pound juice, apply, and drink. Another prescription: Eating stagnant meat/cured meat, all toxic. Pound juice, take two to three sheng. Mei Shi Fang: Injured hands/feet exposed to fire makes Xie white extremely hot, remove cloth, apply Xie to sore, wrap tightly, moxa sore swelling/pain. Cut one sheng of Xie white, one sheng of pork lard finely cut, soak in vinegar overnight, simmer gently three times up and down, remove dregs, apply. *Shiyi Xinjing*: Mainly treats bloody and white dysentery. Take a handful of Xie white, cut, boil into porridge and eat. Another prescription: Treats lack of hunger, prolongs life. Suitable for heart entering bones, vegetable immortality. Removes cold/heat, eliminates Qi, warms middle, dissipates nodular Qi, benefits patients. Crush raw and apply. Fish bone in throat, boiled and eaten is good; make into soup/porridge, fried pickle, or stir-fry all acceptable. Huangdi states: Do not eat Xie with beef, causes mass disease. Do not eat raw Xie in winter, increases saliva/mucus. Fan Wang treats eye wind-stroke swelling/pain. Cut Xie white, apply to skin covering eyes until healed. Sudden headache stops it. Another prescription: Postpartum dysentery. Boil Xie white and eat, more is better. Use fatty lamb meat removing fat, moxa and eat; or stir-fry Xie white with sheep kidney fat, even better. Yang Shi Chan Ru: Treats infantile malnutrition dysentery. Two handfuls of Xie white, crush raw, mix, form into cakes, roast until cooked and eat; no more than three to two doses.
*Yanyi* states: Xie leaves resemble Golden Lantern leaves, narrower and shinier. Hence ancients spoke of "Xie dew," meaning smooth and hard to stay on. *Qianjin* treats lung asthma and急促 (rapid breathing) using Xie white, taking advantage of its slippery draining property. Crushed with honey, applied to burns/scalds, effect is very rapid.