苇与芦原系一物，其生于水边干地，小者为芦，生于水深之
处，大者为苇。芦因生于干地，其色暗绿近黑，故字从卢（卢即黑色），苇因生于水中，其形长大有伟然之意，
故字从韦。《千金》苇茎汤∶薏苡仁、瓜瓣（即甜瓜瓣）各半升，桃仁五十枚，苇茎切二升，水二斗煮取五升，
去渣纳前药三味，煮取二升，服一升，当有所见吐脓血。释者谓苇用茎不用根者，而愚则以为不然。根居于水
底，是以其性凉而善升，患大头瘟者，愚常用之为引经要药（无苇根者，可代以荷叶），是其上升之力可至脑
部而况于肺乎？且其性凉能清肺热，中空能理肺气，而又味甘多液，更善滋阴养肺，则用根实胜于用茎明矣。
今药局所鬻者名为芦根，实即苇根也。其善发痘疹者，以其有振发之性也；其善利小便者，以其体中空且生水
中自能行水也；其善止吐血衄血者，以其性凉能治血热妄行，且血亦水属（血中明水居多），其性能引水
下行，自善引血下行也。其性颇近茅根，凡当用茅根而无鲜者，皆可以鲜芦根代之也。
鲜小蓟根∶味微辛，气微腥，性凉而润。为其气腥与血同臭，且又性凉濡润，故善入血分，最清血分之
热。凡咳血、吐血、衄血、二便下血之因热者，服者莫不立愈。又善治肺病结核，无论何期用之皆宜，即单用
亦可奏效。并治一切疮疡肿疼，花柳毒淋，下血涩疼，盖其性不但能凉血止血，兼能活血解毒，是以有以上种
种诸效也。其凉润之性，又善滋阴养血，治血虚发热，至女子血崩赤带，其因热者用之亦效。
按∶小蓟各处皆有，俗名刺尔菜（小蓟原名刺蓟），又名青青菜，山东俗名萋萋菜，奉天俗名枪刀菜，因
其多刺如枪刀也。其叶长二寸许，宽不足一寸，叶边多刺，叶上微有绒毛，其叶皆在茎上，其茎紫色高尺许，
茎端开紫花，花瓣如绒丝，其大如钱作圆形状，若小绒球，其花叶皆与红花相似，嫩时可作羹，其根与茎叶皆可
用，而根之性尤良。剖取鲜者捣烂，取其自然汁冲开水服之。若以入煎剂不可久煎，宜保存其新鲜之性，约煎
四五沸即取汤饮之。又其茎中生虫即结成疙疸，状如小枣，其凉血之力尤胜，若取其鲜者十余枚捣烂，开水冲
服，以治吐血、衄血之因热者尤效。今药局中有以此为大蓟者，殊属差误。用时宜取其生农田之间嫩而白者。
【附案】一少年素染花柳毒，服药治愈，惟频频咳嗽，服一切理嗽药皆不效。经西医验其血，谓仍有毒，
其毒侵肺，是以作嗽。询方于愚，俾用鲜小蓟根两许，煮汤服之，服过两旬，其嗽遂愈。
一少年每年吐血，反复三四次，数年不愈。诊其脉，血热火盛，俾日用鲜小蓟根二两，煮汤数盅，当茶饮
之，连饮二十余日，其病从此除根。
苇和芦原本属于同一种植物，生长在水边干燥土地上的，植株较小的称为芦；生长在深水处的，植株较大的称为苇。因为芦生长在干燥土地上，颜色暗绿接近黑色，所以“芦”字从“卢”（卢即黑色的意思）；苇生长在水中，形态高大且有宏伟之意，所以“苇”字从“韦”。《千金方》中的苇茎汤：薏苡仁、瓜瓣（即甜瓜籽）各半升，桃仁五十枚，苇茎切段二升，用水二斗煮至五升，滤去药渣后加入前三味药，再煮至二升，每次服用一升，应当能吐出脓血。解释该方的人认为用苇的茎而不用根，但我认为并非如此。根位于水底，因此其性质寒凉且善于上升，治疗大头瘟（一种以头面红肿热痛为特征的急性传染病）时，我常将其作为引经药（如果没有苇根，可以用荷叶代替），既然它上升的力量可以达到脑部，何况是肺呢？况且它的性质寒凉能清肺热，中空的结构能调理肺气，而且味道甘甜汁液丰富，更善于滋阴润肺，那么使用根部确实比使用茎部明显更好。现在药店出售的名为芦根，实际上就是苇根。它善于透发痘疹，是因为它具有振奋发散的特性；它善于通利小便，是因为其中空且生长在水中，自然能够行水；它善于止吐血和鼻衄（鼻出血），是因为其性寒凉能治疗血热妄行，而且血也属于水类（血液中水分居多），其性能引导水液下行，自然也能引导血液下行。它的性质与白茅根颇为相近，凡是应当使用白茅根而没有鲜品时，都可以用鲜芦根来代替。
鲜小蓟根：味道微辛，气味微腥，性质寒凉而滋润。因为其气味腥与血的气味相同，且又性寒濡润，所以善于进入血分，最擅长清除血分之热。凡是因热引起的咳血、吐血、鼻衄、大小便下血，服用后无不立即痊愈。又善于治疗肺痨结核（肺结核），无论处于哪个阶段使用都适宜，即使单用也能奏效。并治疗一切疮疡肿痛、花柳毒淋（性病引起的尿道炎症）、下血涩痛，大概是因为它的性质不仅能凉血止血，还能活血解毒，所以有以上种种疗效。它寒凉滋润的性质，又善于滋阴养血，治疗血虚发热，至于女子血崩（非经期大量阴道出血）赤带（红色白带），因热引起的用它也有效。
按语：小蓟各地都有，俗名刺儿菜（小蓟原名刺蓟），又名青青菜，山东俗名萋萋菜，奉天（今辽宁一带）俗名枪刀菜，因为它多刺像枪刀一样。它的叶子长约两寸，宽不足一寸，叶边多刺，叶面上微有绒毛，叶子都长在茎上，茎呈紫色高约一尺，茎端开紫花，花瓣像绒丝，花朵大如铜钱呈圆形，像小绒球，其花叶都与红花相似，嫩的时候可以做羹汤食用，它的根与茎叶都可以使用，但根的药用价值尤其好。剖取鲜品捣烂，取其天然汁液冲开水服用。如果入煎剂不可久煎，宜保存其新鲜之性，大约煎四五沸即可取汤饮用。另外，其茎中生虫就会结成疙瘩，形状像小枣，其凉血的力量尤其强盛，如果取十余枚鲜品捣烂，开水冲服，治疗因热引起的吐血、鼻衄尤为有效。现在药店中有人将此误认为是大蓟，这纯属错误。使用时宜选取生长在农田间嫩而白的。
【附医案】一个少年素来感染花柳毒（梅毒等性病毒素），服药治愈后，只是频频咳嗽，服用所有理嗽药都不见效。经西医验血，谓仍有毒素，其毒侵肺，所以引起咳嗽。向我咨询处方，让我用鲜小蓟根一两许，煮汤服用，服用过二十天，他的咳嗽于是痊愈。
另一个少年每年吐血，反复三四次，数年不愈。诊察他的脉象，血热火盛，让他每天用鲜小蓟根二两，煮成几盅汤，当作茶饮用，连续饮用二十多天，他的病从此除根。
Reed and Rush are originally the same plant. Those growing on dry land near water, which are smaller in size, are called "Lu" (Rush); those growing in deep water, which are larger in size, are called "Wei" (Reed). Because Lu grows on dry land, its color is dark green approaching black, hence the character "Lu" derives from "Lu" (meaning black); because Wei grows in water, its form is long and large with a majestic implication, hence the character "Wei" derives from "Wei". The *Weijing Decoction* from *Qianjin Fang*: Coicis Semen (Yiyiren) and Cucumis Melon Seeds (Gua Ban, i.e., sweet melon seeds) each half sheng, Persicae Semen (Taoren) fifty pieces, Weijeng (Reed Stem) cut into segments two sheng, boiled in two dou of water until five sheng remain, filter out the dregs and add the previous three medicines, boil until two sheng remain, take one sheng per dose; pus and blood should be expectorated. Commentators state that for this decoction, the stem is used rather than the root, but I disagree. The root lies at the bottom of the water, therefore its nature is cool and good at ascending. For treating Datushen (Big Head Plague, an acute infectious disease characterized by swelling and pain of the head and face), I often use it as a guiding herb (if Weigen is unavailable, He Ye/Lotus Leaf can substitute); if its ascending power can reach the brain, how much more so the lungs? Moreover, its cool nature clears Lung Heat, its hollow structure regulates Lung Qi, and its sweet taste with abundant juice nourishes Yin and moistens the Lung. Thus, using the root is clearly superior to using the stem. What is sold in pharmacies today as Lugen (Reed Root) is actually Weigen (Reed Root). Its ability to erupt measles and smallpox stems from its stimulating and dispersing nature; its ability to promote urination stems from its hollow structure and aquatic origin, allowing it to move water naturally; its ability to stop hematemesis (vomiting blood) and epistaxis (nosebleed) stems from its cool nature treating reckless bleeding due to Blood Heat, and since Blood belongs to Water (with most water content in blood), its ability to guide water downward naturally guides blood downward. Its nature is quite similar to Baomao Gen (Imperatae Rhizoma); whenever Baomao Gen is indicated but fresh material is unavailable, fresh Lugen can serve as a substitute.
Fresh Xiaojigen (Cirsii Japonici Radix): Taste slightly pungent, odor slightly fishy, nature cool and moistening. Because its fishy odor matches that of blood, and its nature is cool and moistening, it enters the Blood level effectively, excelling at clearing Heat in the Blood level. It is effective for hemoptysis, hematemesis, epistaxis, and lower orifice bleeding due to Heat, bringing immediate relief upon ingestion. It also treats Fei Lao (Pulmonary Tuberculosis); suitable for any stage, even when used alone. It treats all types of sores, ulcers, swelling, and pain, Hualiu Dulin (Venereal Disease-induced Urethritis), and painful bleeding from the lower orifices. This is because its nature not only cools the Blood and stops bleeding but also invigorates Blood and resolves toxicity, yielding these various effects. Its cool and moistening nature also nourishes Yin and Blood, treating Fever due to Blood Deficiency. For women with Chong Beng (Metrorrhagia/Menorrhagia) and red leukorrhea caused by Heat, it is also effective.
Note: Xiaoji grows everywhere. Common names include Ci'er Cai (Thistle Vegetable, original name Ciji/Qingqing Cai), Qiqi Cai in Shandong, and Qiandaocai (Spear-Knife Vegetable) in Fengtian (Liaoning), due to its many thorns resembling spears and knives. Leaves are about two cun long, less than one cun wide, with thorny edges and slight fuzz on the surface. Leaves grow on the stem. Stems are purple, about one chi high, bearing purple flowers at the tips. Petals resemble silk threads; flowers are coin-sized, round, like small pom-poms. Flowers and leaves resemble Honghua (Carthami Flos); tender shoots can be made into soup. Roots, stems, and leaves are all usable, but roots are particularly potent. Freshly harvested roots should be crushed to extract natural juice, taken with boiled water. If decocted, do not boil for too long to preserve freshness; boil for four or five boils, then strain and drink. Additionally, insects developing in the stem form galls resembling small dates; these have superior cooling-blood power. Taking ten to twenty fresh galls, crushing them, and taking with boiled water is especially effective for hematemesis and epistaxis due to Heat. Pharmacies sometimes mistake this for Daji (Cirsii Rhizoma et Radix), which is a significant error. When using, select tender, white ones growing in farmlands.
[Attached Case 1] A young man had previously contracted Hualiu Du (Venereal Toxin), cured by medication, but suffered from frequent coughing. All antitussive medications failed. Western medical examination of his blood revealed residual toxin invading the lungs, causing the cough. Consulting me, he was prescribed fresh Xiaojigen (approx. 1 liang), decocted in water. After twenty days of consumption, the cough resolved.
[Attached Case 2] Another young man experienced hematemesis annually, recurring three or four times, persisting for years without cure. Pulse diagnosis indicated Exuberant Blood Fire. He was instructed to consume fresh Xiaojigen (2 liang daily), decocted into several bowls, taken as tea. After continuous consumption for over twenty days, the condition was eradicated.