（唐本草）
【气味】苦寒，有小毒。
【主治】热 ，烦满不能食。捣汁主金疮、止痛，续血、生肌，除诸恶疮，消浮肿。
【核】曰∶ ，所在有之。春尽作苗，茎有直棱，间作班点。叶似 耳，微长；又似
地松，稍薄。对节生叶，花叶皆毛。肥壤者，一株分枝数十。八九月作小花，深黄色。实如
蒿子，外萼有刺，喜黏人也。修治，采叶洗净曝干，入甑中，每层酒润蜜酒，叠满，封固甑
口，蒸一时许，取出，曝干。如前法，蒸曝九次，则气味香美。
【 】曰∶楚人呼彘为 ，呼嗅为 。盖肾畜彘，肾臭腐，为肾脏之体药也。其味苦，
其气寒，其性润下，又为肾脏之用药也。对待热 为眚，若蛰虫之坏我户耳。经云∶肾虚者，
心悬若病饥，烦满不能食，灸之则强食生肉。又云∶肾虚胫肿寒逆，实则骨气以精，是故驻
形者，其始淫气于肾，散精于骨，以次淫散，乃得筋柔肌生，血荣毛美耳。若风气通于肝，
致筋膜驰痿，此以气病形，亦以形病气，辅肝之母，即所以补肾之形，形全则神俱，五形若
一矣。
【气味】苦寒，无毒。
【主治】邪热，解劳之，清心，明目。
【核】曰∶苦瓜，副名癞葡萄、锦荔枝。所在都有，闽广尤多。四五月下子，生苗，引
蔓长丈余，有涩毛。叶类野葡萄，茎间卷须，亦若葡萄之络绊也。七八月作小花，黄色五瓣。
结实如鸡卵，皮上 癞，宛若荔枝壳状，初生青色，熟则黄赤，内有红瓤，丹红如血，壳极
苦，瓤最甜，瓤中裹子，形扁色褐，似木鳖子状。闽广者，瓜长尺许，他处则圆短，但本大
末锐耳。取壳皮青翠者，煮肉作羹，及盐酱充蔬味，虽苦涩，颇有清韵，善解热恼也。根如
胡萝卜，质柔且滑，削挺作导，用泄腐秽耳。
【 】曰∶苦瓜，苦诠味。瓜象形，象实缀在须蔓间也。壳苦瓤甜，因名苦瓜。生时青
碧，熟则丹黄，水火通明，土金授受际也。形类荔实，又状人心，瓤肉正赤如凝血，壳皮痱
犹 刺，第柔滑若肤肌，罔同荔刺之辣手。借此形色，持维中土，递袭容平，乃得惩烦雪
躁，息肩劳乏，顿开心目，转热恼为清凉地矣。根 腻泽，削挺作导，通因塞用，特易易耳。
（《唐本草》记载）
【气味】味苦，性寒，有小毒。
【主治】热病，烦闷胀满不能进食。捣取汁液可治疗金创（金属利器造成的创伤）、止痛、接续血脉、生肌长肉，消除各种恶疮，消退浮肿。
【核】曰：土瓜，各地都有生长。春末长出苗，茎有直棱，间或有斑纹斑点。叶子像[某植物]，稍长；又像地松，质地稍薄。叶片对节而生，花和叶上都有毛。土壤肥沃的地方，一株能分出几十个枝。八九月开出小花，深黄色。果实像蒿子的种子，外面的萼片有刺，喜欢粘在人身上。炮制方法：采集叶子洗净后晒干，放入甑中，每层用酒润湿、蜜酒润湿，层层叠满，密封固定甑口，蒸大约一个时辰，取出，晒干。像前面的方法，蒸晒九次，气味就香美了。
【】曰：楚地人把猪叫作“”，把嗅叫作“”。大概因为肾畜养猪，肾的气味腐臭，所以它是肾脏的体药（对应脏腑本体的药物）。它的味道苦，气性寒，性质润下，又是肾脏的用药（针对肾脏病变的药物）。对待热邪这种灾祸，就像冬眠的虫子破坏我的门户一样。经书说：肾虚的人，心里空虚好像得了饥饿的病，烦闷胀满不能进食，灸治它就能增强食欲、生长肌肉。又说：肾虚导致小腿肿胀、寒气逆上，实证则骨气精纯，所以保养形体的人，起初让淫邪之气侵入肾脏，散布精气于骨骼，依次淫散，才能使得筋柔韧、肌肉生长、血液荣润、毛发美丽。如果风气通于肝，导致筋膜弛缓痿软，这是以气病影响形，也以形病影响气，辅助肝的母亲（即补肾以滋肝木），就是用来补益肾脏的形体，形体完备则神气俱足，五形合一了。
【气味】味苦，性寒，无毒。
【主治】邪热，解除疲劳，清心火，明目。
【核】曰：苦瓜，别名癞葡萄、锦荔枝。各地都有，福建、广东尤其多。四五月播种，生出苗，牵引藤蔓长达一丈多，有涩毛。叶子像野葡萄，茎间的卷须，也像葡萄的络绊。七八月开出小花，黄色五瓣。结出的果实像鸡蛋，皮上有疙瘩，宛若荔枝壳的样子，初生时青色，成熟后变黄赤，里面有红瓤，丹红色像血，壳极苦，瓤最甜，瓤中包裹着种子，形状扁平颜色褐黑，像木鳖子。福建、广东产的，瓜长约一尺，其他地方则圆短，只是根部大尖端锐。选取壳皮青翠的，煮肉做羹，以及用盐酱腌制作为蔬菜风味，虽然苦涩，颇有清雅的韵味，善于解除热恼。根像胡萝卜，质地柔滑，削成挺直的条状作为导管，用来排泄腐败秽浊之物罢了。
【】曰：苦瓜，“苦”诠释其味道。“瓜”象形，象征果实悬挂在须蔓之间。壳苦瓤甜，因此名叫苦瓜。生时青碧，熟时丹黄，水火通明，是土金交接授受的时机。形状类似荔枝果实，又状似人心，瓤肉正红如凝血，壳皮上的疙瘩犹如有刺，只是柔滑如同肌肤，不同于荔枝刺扎手。借此形色，维持中土（脾胃），依次承袭容平（平衡稳定），才能惩罚烦闷、消除急躁，缓解肩背劳乏，顿时开启心目的清明，将热恼转化为清凉之地。根腻泽，削成挺直的条状作为导管，通因塞用（利用堵塞的原理来治疗通泄的病症，或指通过疏导来清除堵塞），特别容易做到。
(Recorded in *Tang Bencao*)
【Flavor and Nature】Bitter, cold, with slight toxicity.
【Indications】Heat diseases, vexation, fullness, and inability to eat. Crushing the plant to extract juice treats metallic wounds (trauma caused by metal weapons), relieves pain, reconnects blood vessels, promotes tissue regeneration, eliminates various malignant sores, and reduces edema.
【Analysis】It is stated that: Tu Gua (Trichosanthes kirilowii root/vine) grows everywhere. Seedlings emerge at the end of spring; the stem has straight ridges, occasionally marked with spots. The leaves resemble [a certain plant], slightly elongated; they also resemble *Sedum* (Di Song), but are thinner. Leaves grow opposite each other on the nodes, and both flowers and leaves are hairy. In fertile soil, one plant may branch into dozens of stems. Small flowers bloom in August and September, deep yellow in color. The fruits resemble artemisia seeds, with spiny calyxes outside that tend to stick to people. Processing method: Collect leaves, wash clean, and dry in the sun. Place them in a steamer (Zeng), moistening each layer with wine and honey-wine, stacking them full, sealing the steamer mouth tightly, and steaming for about two hours (Yi Shi). Remove, dry in the sun. Repeat this steaming and drying process nine times until the flavor becomes fragrant and pleasant.
【Commentary】It is said: People in Chu refer to pigs as "Xiang" (placeholder for original character), and to smell as "Xiu" (placeholder for original character). This is likely because the Kidney corresponds to the pig, and the Kidney's odor is putrid; thus, it serves as a substance-drug (Ti Yao) corresponding to the Kidney organ. Its flavor is bitter, its nature is cold, and its action is moistening and descending, making it also a functional drug (Yong Yao) for the Kidney. It counters heat pathogens like disasters, akin to hibernating insects damaging one's door. The Classics state: Those with Kidney deficiency feel their hearts hanging empty as if suffering from hunger, experiencing vexation and fullness with an inability to eat; moxibustion strengthens appetite and generates flesh. It also states: Kidney deficiency causes swelling in the shins and counterflow of cold; excess conditions result in refined bone qi. Therefore, those who preserve their form initially allow pathogenic qi to invade the Kidneys, distributing essence to the bones, and sequentially dispersing it, thereby achieving flexible sinews, growing muscles, nourishing blood, and beautifying hair. If Wind Qi connects to the Liver, causing flaccidity and atrophy of tendons and fascia, this is where Qi pathology affects Form, and Form pathology affects Qi. Nourishing the Mother of the Liver (i.e., tonifying the Kidney to support Liver Wood) is how one supplements the Kidney's Form. When Form is complete, Spirit is integrated, and the Five Forms become unified.
【Flavor and Nature】Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
【Indications】Pathogenic heat, relieving fatigue, clearing Heart Fire, and brightening the eyes.
【Analysis】It is stated that: Ku Gua (Momordica charantia), also known as Lai Pu Tao (Toad Grape) and Jin Li Zhi (Brocade Lychee), grows everywhere, especially in Fujian and Guangdong. Seeds are sown in April and May; seedlings emerge, climbing vines extending over three meters, covered with prickly hairs. Leaves resemble wild grapes, and tendrils between stems resemble grapevine tendrils. Small yellow, five-petaled flowers bloom in July and August. Fruits resemble chicken eggs, with bumpy skin resembling lychee shells. Initially green, turning yellow-red when ripe. Inside, there is red pulp, crimson like blood. The shell is extremely bitter, while the pulp is very sweet. Seeds enclosed in the pulp are flat, brownish-black, resembling *Sicyos angulatus* seeds (Mu Bie Zi). Those from Fujian and Guangdong are about one chi long, while others are rounder and shorter, tapering from a large base to a sharp tip. Selecting the green outer rind, it can be boiled with meat for soup or pickled with salt and soy sauce as a vegetable. Though bitter and astringent, it has a refreshing charm and effectively resolves heat and vexation. The roots resemble carrots, soft and slippery; when cut into straight rods for use as catheters, they help discharge foul and turbid matter.
【Commentary】It is stated: "Ku" (Bitter) describes the flavor. "Gua" (Melon) is pictographic, symbolizing the fruit hanging among tendrils. The bitter shell and sweet pulp give it the name Ku Gua. Green when raw, red-yellow when ripe, representing the illumination of Water and Fire, and the intersection of Earth and Metal transmission. Its shape resembles lychee fruit and also the human heart; the pulp is red like coagulated blood, and the bumpy skin resembles thorns, yet it is smooth like skin, unlike the pricking nature of lychee thorns. Borrowing these forms and colors, it maintains the Central Earth (Spleen/Stomach), progressively inheriting balance and stability, thereby punishing vexation, eliminating restlessness, relieving shoulder and back fatigue, instantly clarifying the mind and eyes, and transforming heat vexation into a cool ground. The roots are greasy and lustrous; cut into straight rods for use as catheters, employing "treating obstruction by unblocking" (or using blockage principles to treat flow disorders) is particularly easy to achieve.