（《别录》中品）
【释名】 （音茂）。
时珍曰∶按∶《尔雅》云∶ ，木瓜。郭璞注云∶木实如小瓜，酢而可食。则木瓜之名
取此义也。或云∶木瓜味酸，得木之正气故名。亦通。 从林、矛，谐声也。
【集解】弘景曰∶木瓜，山阴兰亭尤多，彼人以为良果。又有 楂，大而黄。有楂子，
小而涩。《礼》云∶楂、梨钻之。古亦以楂为果，今则不也。
保升曰∶其树枝状如柰，花作房生子，形似栝蒌，火干甚香。楂子似梨而酢，江外常为
果食。
颂曰∶木瓜，处处有之，而宣城者为佳。木状如柰，春末开花，深红色。其实大者如瓜
，小者如拳，上黄似着粉。宣人种莳尤谨，遍满山谷。始实成则镞纸花粘于上，夜露日烘，
渐变红，花文如生。本州以充土贡，故有宣城花木瓜之称。 楂酷类木瓜，但看蒂间别有重
蒂如乳者为木瓜，无者为 楂也。
曰∶真木瓜皮薄，色赤黄，香而甘酸不涩，其向里子头尖，一面方，食之益人。有和
圆子，色微黄，蒂粗，其子小圆，味涩微咸，能伤人气。有蔓子，颗小，味绝涩，不堪用。
有土伏子，味绝苦涩不堪，子如大样油麻，饵之令人目涩、目赤筋痛也。
宗 曰∶西洛大木瓜，其味和美，至熟只青白色，入药绝有功，胜宣州者，味淡。
时珍曰∶木瓜可种可接，可以枝压。其叶光而浓，其实如小瓜而有鼻，津润味不木者，
为木瓜；圆小于木瓜，味木而酢涩者，为木桃；似木瓜而无鼻，大于木桃，味涩者，为木李
，亦曰木梨，即 楂及和圆子也。鼻乃花脱处，非脐蒂也。木瓜性脆，可蜜渍之为果。去子
蒸烂，捣泥入蜜与姜作煎，冬月饮尤佳。木桃、木李性坚，可蜜煎及作糕食之。木瓜烧灰散
池中，可以毒鱼，说出《淮南万毕术》。又《广志》云∶木瓜枝，一尺有百二十节，可为杖
实
【修治】 曰∶凡使木瓜，勿犯铁器，以铜刀削去硬皮并子，切片晒干，以黄
牛乳
时珍曰∶今人但切片晒干入药尔。按∶《大明会典》∶宣州岁贡乌烂虫蛀木瓜入御药局
。亦取其陈久无木气，如栗子去木气之义尔。
【气味】酸，温，无毒。
思邈曰∶酸、咸，温，涩。诜曰∶不可多食，损齿及骨。
【主治】湿痹邪气，霍乱大吐下，转筋不止（《别录》）。治香港脚冲心，取嫩者一颗，去
子，煎服，佳。强筋骨，下冷气，止呕逆，心膈痰唾，消食，止水利后渴不止，作饮服之（
《藏器》）。止吐泻奔豚，及水肿冷热痢，心腹痛（大明）。调营卫，助谷气（雷 ）。去湿和
胃，滋脾益肺，治腹胀善噫，心下烦痞（好古）。
【发明】杲曰∶木瓜，入手、足太阴血分，气脱能收，气滞能和。
弘景曰∶木瓜最疗转筋。如转筋时，但呼其名及书上作木瓜字，皆愈。此理亦不可解。
俗人拄木瓜杖，云利筋胫也。
宗 曰∶木瓜得木之正，酸能入肝，故益筋与血。病腰肾脚膝无力，皆不可缺也。人以
铅霜或胡粉涂之，则失酢味，且无渣，盖受金之制也。
时珍曰∶木瓜所主霍乱、吐利、转筋、香港脚，皆脾胃病，非肝病也。肝虽主筋，而转筋
则由湿热、寒湿之邪袭伤脾胃所致，故筋转必起于足腓。腓及宗筋皆属阳明。木瓜治转筋，
非益筋也，理脾而伐肝也。土病则金衰而木盛，故用酸温以收脾肺之耗散，而借其走筋以平
肝邪，乃土中泻木以助金也。木平则土得令而金受荫矣。《素问》云∶酸走筋。筋病无多食
酸。孟诜云∶多食木瓜，损齿及骨。皆伐肝之明验，而木瓜入手、足太阴，为脾、肺药，非
肝药，益可征矣。又《针经》云∶多食酸，令人癃。酸入于胃，其气涩以收，上之两焦
出入，流入胃中，下去膀胱，胞薄以软，得酸则缩卷，约而不通，故水道不利而癃涩也。罗
天益《宝鉴》云∶太保刘仲海日食蜜煎木瓜三、五枚，同伴数人皆病淋疾，以问天益。天益
曰∶此食酸所致也，但夺食则已。阴之所生，本在五味；阴之所营，伤在五味。五味太过，
皆能伤人，不独酸也。又陆佃《埤雅》云∶俗言梨百损一益， 百益一损。故《诗》云∶投
我以木瓜。取其有益也。
【附方】旧二，新十。
项强筋急不可转侧，肝、肾二脏受风也∶用宣州木瓜二个（取盖去瓤），没药二两，乳
香
二钱半。二味入木瓜内缚定，饭上蒸三、四次，烂研成膏。每用三钱，入生地黄汁半盏，无
灰酒二盏，暖化温服。许叔微云∶有人患此，自午后发，黄昏时定。予谓此必先从足起。足
少阴之筋自足至项。筋者肝之合。今日中至黄昏，阳中之阴，肺也。自离至兑，阴旺阳弱之
时。故《灵宝毕法》云∶离至干，肾气绝而肝气弱。肝、肾二脏受邪，故发于此时。予授此
及都梁丸，服之而愈。（《本事方》）
香港脚肿急∶用木瓜切片，囊盛踏之。广德顾安中，患香港脚筋急腿肿。因附舟，以足阁一
袋
医录》）
脚筋挛痛∶用木瓜数枚，以酒、水各半，煮烂捣膏，乘热贴于痛处，以帛裹之。冷即换，
日三、五度。（《食疗本草》）
脐下绞痛∶木瓜三片，桑叶七片，大枣三枚。水三升，煮半升，顿服即愈。（《食疗》）
小儿洞痢，木瓜捣汁，服之。（《千金方》）
霍乱转筋∶木瓜一两，酒一升，煎服。不饮酒者，煎汤服。仍煎汤，浸青布裹其足。（《
圣惠》）
霍乱腹痛∶木瓜五钱，桑叶三片，枣肉一枚。水煎服。（《圣惠方》）
四蒸木瓜丸治肝、肾、脾三经气虚，为风寒暑湿相搏，流注经络。凡遇六气更变，七情
不和，必至发动，或肿满，或顽痹，憎寒壮热，呕吐自汗，霍乱吐利。用宣州大木瓜四个，
切盖剜空听用∶一个入黄 、续断末各半两于内；一个入苍术、橘皮末各半两于内；一个入
乌药、黄松节末各半两于内（黄松节即茯神中心木也）；一个入威灵仙、苦葶苈末各半两于
内。
以原盖簪定，用酒浸透，入甑内蒸熟、晒，三浸、三蒸、三晒，捣末，以榆皮末、水和，糊
丸如梧桐子大。每服五十丸，温酒、盐汤任下。（《御药院方》）
肾脏虚冷，气攻腹胁，胀满疼痛。用大木瓜三十枚，去皮、核，剜空，以甘菊花末、青
盐末各一斤填满，置笼内蒸熟，捣成膏，入新艾茸二斤搜和，丸如梧桐子大。每米饮下三十
丸，日二。（《圣济总录》）
发槁不泽∶木瓜浸油，梳头。（《圣惠方》）
反花痔疮∶木瓜为末，以鳝鱼身上涎调，贴之，以纸护住。（《医林集要》）
辟除壁虱∶以木瓜切片，铺于席下。（ 仙《神隐》）
木瓜核
【主治】霍乱烦躁气急，每嚼七粒，温水咽之（时珍。出《圣惠》）。
枝、叶、皮、根
【气味】并酸、涩，温，无毒。
【主治】煮汁饮，并止霍乱、吐下、转筋，疗香港脚（《别录》）。枝，作杖，利筋脉。根
、叶，煮汤淋足胫，可以已蹶。木材作桶濯足，甚益人（苏颂）。枝、叶煮汁饮，治热痢（时
珍。出《千金》）。
花
【主治】面黑粉滓（方见李花）。
【释名】（音茂）。
李时珍说：查阅《尔雅》记载：“木瓜。”郭璞注释说：“果实像小瓜，味道酸醋且可食用。”那么“木瓜”这个名字就是取这个含义。有人说：木瓜味道酸，获得了木行的正气，所以得名。这也讲得通。“木”字旁加“矛”，是谐声字。
【集解】陶弘景说：木瓜，山阴兰亭地方特别多，当地人认为它是优良的果品。还有木桃，果实大而黄。有木李，果实小而涩。《礼记》说：“楂、梨钻之。”古代也把楂作为果品，现在则不是了。
苏保升说：它的树枝形状像柰（花红），花朵成房状结子，形状像栝蒌，用火烘干后非常香。木李像梨但味道酸，江南地区常作为水果食用。
苏颂说：木瓜，到处都有，但宣城出产的最好。树木形状像柰，春末开花，深红色。果实大的像瓜，小的像拳头，上面黄色似涂了粉。宣城人种植特别谨慎，遍布山谷。刚结果时就贴上纸花粘在上面，夜晚露水滋润，白天日晒，逐渐变红，花纹如同生花。本州将其作为土特产进贡，所以有“宣城花木瓜”的称号。木桃酷似木瓜，只看果蒂间另外有一个重蒂像乳头的是木瓜，没有的就是木桃。
寇宗奭说：真木瓜皮薄，颜色赤黄，香气甘酸不涩，其朝向里的一面子头尖，一面方平，食用对人有益。有一种和圆子，颜色微黄，蒂粗，果实小圆，味道涩微咸，能损伤人气。有蔓子，颗粒小，味道极涩，不堪使用。有土伏子，味道极苦涩不堪，种子像大粒油麻，食用它会导致眼睛干涩、发红、筋痛。
陈承说：西洛的大木瓜，味道和美，成熟时只是青白色，入药功效极佳，胜过宣州的，宣州的味淡。
李时珍说：木瓜可以种植、嫁接，可以用枝条压条繁殖。它的叶子光亮浓绿，果实像小瓜且有鼻（果柄残留处），汁液润泽味道不木质化的，称为木瓜；圆形小于木瓜，味道木质化且酸涩的，称为木桃；像木瓜但没有鼻，比木桃大，味道涩的，称为木李，也叫木梨，即木桃及和圆子。鼻是花脱落的地方，不是脐蒂。木瓜质地脆，可以蜜渍制成果品。去籽蒸烂，捣成泥加入蜂蜜和姜做成煎膏，冬季饮用尤其好。木桃、木李质地坚硬，可以蜜煎或做成糕点食用。木瓜烧成灰撒在池塘中，可以用来毒鱼，说法出自《淮南万毕术》。又《广志》说：木瓜枝，一尺长有一百二十个节，可以做手杖。
【修治】雷斅说：凡是使用木瓜，不要接触铁器，用铜刀削去硬皮并去掉籽，切片晒干，用黄牛乳浸泡。
李时珍说：现在的人只是切片晒干入药罢了。按《大明会典》记载：宣州每年进贡乌烂虫蛀的木瓜进入御药局。也是取其陈久没有木气，就像栗子去除木气的道理一样。
【气味】酸，温，无毒。
孙思邈说：酸、咸，温，涩。孟诜说：不可多吃，损伤牙齿和骨骼。
【主治】湿痹邪气，霍乱剧烈吐泻，转筋不止（《名医别录》）。治疗脚气冲心，取嫩果一颗，去籽，煎服，效果好。强健筋骨，降下冷气，止呕逆，消除心膈痰唾，消食，止利后口渴不止，作饮料服用（《新修本草·藏器》）。止吐泻奔豚，以及水肿冷热痢疾，心腹痛（《日华子本草》）。调和营卫，助谷气（雷斅）。祛湿和胃，滋脾益肺，治疗腹胀善噫，心下烦痞（李杲）。
【发明】张元素说：木瓜，入手太阴肺经、足太阴脾经的血分，气脱能收敛，气滞能调和。
陶弘景说：木瓜最擅长治疗转筋。如发生转筋时，只要呼喊它的名字或在书上写“木瓜”二字，都能痊愈。这个道理也不明白。俗人拄木瓜做的拐杖，说是利于筋胫。
陈承说：木瓜得木之正气，酸能入肝，所以益筋与血。病腰肾脚膝无力，都不可缺也。人们用铅霜或胡粉涂抹它，就失去了酸味，而且没有渣，大概是受了金（金属/药物）的制约。
李时珍说：木瓜所主治的霍乱、吐利、转筋、脚气，都是脾胃病，不是肝病。肝虽然主筋，但转筋是由湿热、寒湿之邪侵袭伤害脾胃所致，所以筋转一定起于小腿肚。腓肠肌及宗筋都属于阳明经。木瓜治疗转筋，不是补益筋，而是调理脾而克制肝。土病则金衰而木盛，所以用酸温来收敛脾肺的耗散，并利用其走筋的特性来平抑肝邪，这是土中泻木以助金。木气平和则土得令而金受荫蔽。《素问》说：酸走筋。筋病不要多吃酸。孟诜说：多吃木瓜，损伤牙齿和骨骼。这都是伐肝的明显证据，而木瓜入手、足太阴经，是脾、肺的药，不是肝的药，更加可以证实了。又《针经》说：多吃酸，令人小便不通。酸入于胃，其气涩而收敛，上至两焦出入，流入胃中，下去膀胱，膀胱壁薄而软，遇到酸则收缩卷曲，约束而不通，所以水道不利而小便淋漓涩痛。罗天益《宝鉴》说：太保刘仲海每天吃蜜煎木瓜三、五枚，同伴几个人都得了淋疾，以此问罗天益。罗天益说：这是吃酸导致的，只要停止食用就好了。阴精的生成，根本在于五味；阴精的耗伤，也在于五味。五味太过，都能伤人，不只是酸。又陆佃《埤雅》说：俗话说不吃梨百损一益，不吃木瓜百益一损。所以《诗经》说：“投我以木瓜。”是取其有益处。
【附方】旧方二首，新方十首。
项强筋急不可转侧，是肝、肾二脏受风邪：用宣州木瓜二个（取盖去瓤），没药二两，乳香二钱半。将这两味药放入木瓜内绑紧，放在饭上蒸三、四次，烂熟后研成膏。每次用三钱，加入生地黄汁半盏，无灰酒二盏，加热融化温服。许叔微说：有人患此病，从午后发作，黄昏时停止。我认为这必定先从足部开始。足少阴之筋自足至项。筋是肝的合应。今日中至黄昏，是阳中之阴，对应肺。自离卦至兑卦，是阴旺阳弱之时。所以《灵宝毕法》说：离至干，肾气绝而肝气弱。肝、肾二脏受邪，所以在这个时候发病。我传授此方及都梁丸，服用后痊愈。（《本事方》）
脚气肿急：用木瓜切片，装在袋子里踩踏。广德顾安中，患脚气筋急腿肿。因为坐船，把脚搁在一个袋子上……（《医录》）
脚筋挛痛：用木瓜数枚，用酒、水各半，煮烂捣膏，趁热贴在痛处，用布包裹。冷了就换，每天三、五次。（《食疗本草》）
脐下绞痛：木瓜三片，桑叶七片，大枣三枚。水三升，煮至半升，一次服下即愈。（《食疗》）
小儿洞泄痢疾，木瓜捣汁，服用。（《千金方》）
霍乱转筋：木瓜一两，酒一升，煎服。不喝酒的人，煎汤服。仍煎汤，浸湿青布包裹其足。（《圣惠方》）
霍乱腹痛：木瓜五钱，桑叶三片，枣肉一枚。水煎服。（《圣惠方》）
四蒸木瓜丸治疗肝、肾、脾三经气虚，因风寒暑湿相搏，流注经络。凡遇六气更变，七情不和，必至发动，或肿满，或顽痹，憎寒壮热，呕吐自汗，霍乱吐利。用宣州大木瓜四个，切盖挖空备用：一个放入黄芪、续断末各半两在内；一个放入苍术、橘皮末各半两在内；一个放入乌药、黄松节末各半两在内（黄松节即茯神中心的木头）；一个放入威灵仙、苦葶苈末各半两在内。
用原盖插定，用酒浸透，放入甑内蒸熟、晒，三浸、三蒸、三晒，研末，用榆皮末和水，糊丸如梧桐子大。每次服五十丸，温酒、盐汤任下。（《御药院方》）
肾脏虚冷，气攻腹胁，胀满疼痛。用大木瓜三十枚，去皮、核，挖空，以甘菊花末、青盐末各一斤填满，置笼内蒸熟，捣成膏，加入新艾茸二斤混合，丸如梧桐子大。每次米饮送下三十丸，每日二次。（《圣济总录》）
头发干枯无光泽：木瓜浸油，梳头。（《圣惠方》）
反花痔疮：木瓜为末，用鳝鱼身上的涎调匀，贴敷，用纸护住。（《医林集要》）
辟除壁虱：用木瓜切片，铺于席下。（《神隐》）
木瓜核
【主治】霍乱烦躁气急，每次嚼七粒，温水咽下（李时珍。出《圣惠方》）。
枝、叶、皮、根
【气味】都酸、涩，温，无毒。
【主治】煮汁饮，均止霍乱、吐下、转筋，疗脚气（《名医别录》）。枝，做手杖，利筋脉。根、叶，煮汤淋洗足胫，可以治愈厥证。木材做桶濯足，甚益于人（苏颂）。枝、叶煮汁饮，治热痢（李时珍。出《千金方》）。
花
【主治】面黑粉滓（方见李花）。
[Name] (Pronounced Mao).
Li Shizhen states: According to *Erya*, it is recorded as "Mu Gua". Guo Pu's annotation says: "The fruit resembles a small melon, sour and vinegar-like, and edible." Thus, the name "Mu Gua" derives from this meaning. Some say: Mu Gua tastes sour, obtaining the upright Qi of Wood, hence the name. This explanation is also valid. The character consists of 'Wood' and 'Mao', forming a phonetic compound.
[Collection and Explanation] Tao Hongjing states: Mu Gua is particularly abundant in Lanting, Shanyin, where locals consider it an excellent fruit. There is also *Mu Tao* (Chaenomeles speciosa), which has large yellow fruits. There is *Mu Li* (Prunus mume var. alba), which has small, astringent fruits. *Book of Rites* mentions: "Drill Cha and Li." In ancient times, Cha was considered a fruit, but not nowadays.
Su Baosheng states: Its branches resemble those of Nai (Malus asiatica), flowers form clusters bearing fruit, resembling Trichosanthes fruit. When dried by fire, it is very fragrant. Mu Li resembles pear but is sour; outside the river regions, it is often eaten as a fruit.
Su Song states: Mu Gua grows everywhere, but those from Xuancheng are the best. The tree resembles Nai, blooms late spring with deep red flowers. The fruits are large like melons or small like fists, yellowish on top as if dusted with powder. People in Xuancheng cultivate them carefully, filling the valleys. When fruits first form, paper flowers are pasted on them; night dew and day sun gradually turn them red, with patterns like living flowers. The prefecture offers them as local tribute, hence the name "Xuancheng Flower Mu Gua". *Mu Tao* closely resembles Mu Gua; one can distinguish them by the calyx: if there is an additional double calyx like a nipple at the stem, it is Mu Gua; otherwise, it is *Mu Tao*.
Kou Zongshi states: True Mu Gua has thin skin, reddish-yellow color, fragrant, sweet and sour without astringency. The inner side facing the core is pointed, while one side is flat; eating it benefits people. There is a variety called Heyuanzi, slightly yellow, thick stem, small round fruit, astringent and slightly salty, which can damage human Qi. There is Manzhi, small grains, extremely astringent taste, unusable. There is Tufuzi, extremely bitter and astringent, seeds like large sesame; consuming it causes dry eyes, redness, and tendon pain.
Chen Cheng states: Large Mu Gua from Xiluo has a sweet and pleasant taste, remaining greenish-white even when ripe; it is extremely effective for medicinal use, surpassing Xuancheng varieties which have a bland taste.
Li Shizhen states: Mu Gua can be planted, grafted, or propagated by layering. Its leaves are glossy and dense; its fruit resembles a small melon with a "nose" (remnant of the flower base). Those with juicy moisture and non-woody taste are Mu Gua; those rounder and smaller than Mu Gua, with woody, sour, and astringent taste, are *Mu Tao*; those resembling Mu Gua but without a nose, larger than Mu Tao, and astringent, are *Mu Li*, also called *Mu Li* (Pear), which refers to *Mu Tao* and Heyuanzi. The "nose" is where the flower detached, not the navel or stem. Mu Gua is brittle and can be preserved in honey as a fruit. Removing seeds, steaming until soft, pounding into paste, adding honey and ginger to make a syrup, is especially good for winter drinking. *Mu Tao* and *Mu Li* are hard and can be candied or made into cakes. Burning Mu Gua to ash and scattering it in ponds can poison fish, as stated in *Huainan Wabi Shu*. Also, *Guangzhi* states: Mu Gua branches have 120 nodes per foot, suitable for making walking sticks.
[Processing] Lei Xiao states: When using Mu Gua, avoid iron vessels. Use a copper knife to peel off the hard skin and remove seeds, slice, and dry in the sun. Soak in cow's milk.
Li Shizhen states: Nowadays, people simply slice and dry it for medicine. According to *Da Ming Hui Dian*: Xuancheng annually tributes dark, rotten, worm-eaten Mu Gua to the Imperial Pharmacy. This is to utilize its aged nature lacking fresh woodiness, similar to removing the woodiness of chestnuts.
[Flavor and Toxicity] Sour, warm, non-toxic.
Sun Simiao states: Sour, salty, warm, astringent. Meng Shen states: Do not eat too much; it damages teeth and bones.
[Indications] Damp-bi syndrome and pathogenic factors, cholera with severe vomiting and diarrhea, continuous muscle cramps (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats "Hong Kong Foot" (Gouty Arthritis/Foot Rot) rushing to the heart; take one tender fruit, remove seeds, decoct and drink; effective. Strengthens sinews and bones, descends cold Qi, stops nausea and regurgitation, resolves phlegm-saliva in the chest and diaphragm, aids digestion, stops diarrhea and subsequent thirst, taken as a beverage (*Zangqi*). Stops vomiting, diarrhea, Ben Tun (running piglet), edema, cold-heat dysentery, abdominal pain (*Ri Hua Zi*). Harmonizes Ying and Wei, assists Grain Qi (Lei Xiao). Disperses dampness, harmonizes Stomach, nourishes Spleen and Lung, treats abdominal distension with frequent belching, vexation and fullness below the heart (Li Gao).
[Elucidation] Zhang Yuansu states: Mu Gua enters the Blood aspect of Hand-Taiyin (Lung) and Foot-Taiyin (Spleen meridians); it can consolidate when Qi escapes and harmonize when Qi stagnates.
Tao Hongjing states: Mu Gua is most effective for treating muscle cramps. When cramps occur, merely calling its name or writing the characters "Mu Gua" can cure it. The reason for this is inexplicable. Laypeople use Mu Gua walking sticks, claiming they benefit tendons and calves.
Chen Cheng states: Mu Gua obtains the upright Qi of Wood; sour flavor enters Liver, thus benefiting sinews and blood. It is indispensable for weakness in waist, kidneys, feet, and knees. Applying lead frost or white lead powder to it removes the sour taste and residue, likely due to restriction by Metal.
Li Shizhen states: The conditions treated by Mu Gua—cholera, vomiting/diarrhea, cramps, and foot rot—are all Spleen and Stomach diseases, not Liver diseases. Although Liver governs sinews, cramps are caused by damp-heat or cold-damp pathogens invading and damaging the Spleen and Stomach; thus, cramps originate in the calf. The calf and Zong Jin (major sinews) belong to Yangming. Mu Gua treats cramps not by tonifying sinews, but by regulating Spleen and subduing Liver. When Earth disease occurs, Metal declines and Wood flourishes. Therefore, sour-warm flavors are used to consolidate Spleen-Lung depletion, utilizing its action on sinews to calm Liver pathogenic factors. This is draining Wood within Earth to assist Metal. When Wood is balanced, Earth functions properly and Metal receives protection. *Suwen* states: Sour travels to sinews. In sinus diseases, do not eat much sour. Meng Shen says: Eating too much Mu Gua damages teeth and bones. These are clear proofs of Liver-subduing effects. Mu Gua enters Hand and Foot Taiyin meridians, acting on Spleen and Lung, not Liver, further confirming this. Also, *Zhenjing* states: Excessive sour intake causes strangury. Sour enters the Stomach, its Qi is astringent and consolidating, moving up through the Upper and Middle Jiao, entering the Stomach, then down to the Bladder. The bladder wall is thin and soft; encountering sour causes contraction and curling, leading to obstruction, resulting in difficult urination and strangury. Luo Tianyi's *Baojian* records: Grand Tutor Liu Zhonghai ate three to five pieces of candied Mu Gua daily; his companions developed strangury. He asked Luo Tianyi, who replied: This is caused by excessive sour intake; stopping consumption will resolve it. Yin generation depends on the Five Flavors; Yin injury also stems from the Five Flavors. Excess of any flavor harms humans, not just sour. Lu Tuan's *Piya* states: Folk saying says pears are hundred-fold harmful with one beneficial, while Mu Gua is hundred-fold beneficial with one harmful. Hence, *Shijing* says: "You threw me a Mu Gua." Taking advantage of its benefits.
[Attached Prescriptions] Two old, ten new.
Neck stiffness and tendon urgency preventing turning: Caused by Wind affecting Liver and Kidney. Use two Xuancheng Mu Gua (remove lid and pulp), 2 liang Myrrh, 2 qian half Frankincense. Place herbs inside Mu Gua, tie securely, steam over rice 3-4 times until soft, pound into paste. Take 3 qian each time, mix with half cup raw Rehmannia juice and 2 cups unadulterated wine, warm and drink. Xu Shimicro said: Someone suffered this, starting afternoon, resolving at dusk. I believe it starts from the feet. Foot-Shaoyin tendon runs from foot to neck. Tendons are the union of Liver. From noon to dusk is Yin within Yang, corresponding to Lung. From Li trigram to Dui trigram is Yin flourishing, Yang weak. Thus *Lingbao Bifa* states: From Li to Qian, Kidney Qi ends and Liver Qi weakens. Liver and Kidney affected by pathogens, hence onset at this time. I prescribed this formula and Duliang Pill; cured after taking. (*Baoshi Fang*)
Foot Rot with swelling and urgency: Slice Mu Gua, put in bag, step on it. Gu Anzhong from Guangde suffered Foot Rot with tendon urgency and leg swelling. While boarding a boat, he rested his feet on a bag... (*Yi Lu*)
Calf tendon spasm and pain: Use several Mu Gua, boil with half wine and half water until soft, pound into paste. Apply hot to painful area, wrap with cloth. Change when cold, 3-5 times daily. (*Shiliao Bencao*)
Colic below umbilicus: 3 slices Mu Gua, 7 mulberry leaves, 3 jujubes. Decoct 3 sheng water to 0.5 sheng, take once. Cured immediately. (*Shiliao*)
Infant profuse dysentery: Juice of pounded Mu Gua, administer. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Cholera with cramps: 1 liang Mu Gua, 1 sheng wine, decoct and drink. Non-drinkers decoct in water. Remaining decoction soak blue cloth to wrap feet. (*Shenghui*)
Cholera with abdominal pain: 5 qian Mu Gua, 3 mulberry leaves, 1 piece jujube flesh. Decoct in water and drink. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Si Zheng Mu Gua Wan treats Qi deficiency in Liver, Kidney, and Spleen meridians, caused by conflict of Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness flowing into collaterals. Upon changes of Six Qi or disharmony of Seven Emotions, symptoms may flare: distension, stubborn bi, aversion to cold with high fever, vomiting, spontaneous sweating, cholera vomiting/diarrhea. Use four large Xuancheng Mu Gua, cut lids, hollow out: One contains Astragalus and Drynaria powder, 0.5 liang each; One contains Atractylodes and Tangerine Peel powder, 0.5 liang each; One contains Lindera and Huangsongjie (heartwood of Poria) powder, 0.5 liang each; One contains Clematis and Semen Lepidii powder, 0.5 liang each. Secure with original lid, soak in wine, steam in steamer until cooked, sun-dry. Repeat soaking, steaming, drying three times. Pound to powder, mix with Ulmus bark powder and water, make pills like wutong seeds. Take 50 pills each time with warm wine or salt water. (*Yuyao Yuan Fang*)
Kidney deficiency cold, Qi attacking abdomen/flanks, distension and pain. Use 30 large Mu Gua, peel, remove seeds, hollow out. Fill with 1 jin Chrysanthemum powder and 1 jin Green Salt. Steam in basket until cooked, pound into paste. Mix with 2 jin fresh Mugwort fluff. Make pills like wutong seeds. Take 30 pills with rice water, twice daily. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Dry, lusterless hair: Infuse Mu Gua in oil, comb hair. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Reversing-flow hemorrhoids: Mu Gua powder, mix with loach slime, apply, cover with paper. (*Yilin Jiyao*)
Repel ticks: Slice Mu Gua, lay under mat. (*Shenyin*)
Mu Gua Seeds
[Indications] Cholera with irritability and rapid breathing: Chew 7 seeds each time, swallow with warm water (Li Shizhen. From *Shenghui Fang*).
Branches, Leaves, Bark, Roots
[Flavor and Toxicity] All sour, astringent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Decoct and drink to stop cholera, vomiting/diarrhea, cramps, treat foot rot (*Mingyi Bielu*). Branches made into walking sticks benefit sinews and vessels. Roots and leaves decocted to wash feet/shins can cure厥 (Jue syndrome). Wood made into buckets for washing feet is very beneficial (Su Song). Branches and leaves decocted and drunk treat heat dysentery (Li Shizhen. From *Qianjin Fang*).
Flowers
[Indications] Dark facial complexion with dross (Formula see Plum Blossom).