（《本经》上品）
【校正】并入《嘉 》苦苣、苦 。
【释名】荼（音荼。《本经》）、苦苣（《嘉 》）、苦 （《纲目》）、游冬（《别录》）、
褊苣（《日用》）、老鹳菜（《救荒》）、天香菜。
时珍曰∶苦荼以味名也。经历冬春，故曰游冬。许氏《说文》∶苣作KT 。吴人呼为
苦，其义未详。《嘉 本草》言∶岭南、吴人植苣供馔名苦苣，而又重出苦苣及苦 条。
今并并之。
【集解】《别录》曰∶苦菜生益州川谷、山陵、道旁。凌冬不死。三月三日采，阴干。
《桐君药录》曰∶苦菜三月生，扶疏。六月花从叶出，茎直花黄。八月实黑，实落根复
生，冬不枯。
恭曰∶《尔雅》云∶荼，苦菜也。《易通卦验玄图》云∶苦菜生于寒秋，经冬历春，得
夏乃成。一名游冬。叶似苦苣而细，断之有白汁，花黄似菊，所在有之。其说与桐君略同。
苦，俗亦名苦菜，非此荼也。保升曰∶春花夏实，至秋复生花而不实，经冬不凋。
宗 曰∶此《月令》四月小满节后苦菜秀者是也。四方皆有，在北道者则冬方凋，生南
方者冬夏常青。叶如苦苣而狭，绿色差淡。折之白乳汁出，味苦。花似野菊，春夏秋皆旋开。
时珍曰∶苦菜即苦 也，家栽者呼为苦苣，实一物也。春初生苗，有赤茎、白茎二种。
其茎中空而脆，折之有白汁。胼叶似花萝卜菜叶而色绿带碧，上叶抱茎，梢叶似鹳嘴，
每叶分叉，撺挺如穿叶状。开黄花，如初绽野菊。一花结子一丛，如茼蒿子及鹤虱子，花
罢则收敛，子上有白毛茸茸，随风飘扬，落处即生。
士良曰∶蚕蛾出时不可折取，令蛾子青烂。蚕妇亦忌食之。然野苣若五、六回拗后，味
反甘滑，胜于家苦 也。
【正误】弘景曰∶苦菜疑即茗也。茗一名荼，凌冬不凋，作饮能令人不眠。
恭曰∶《诗》云∶谁谓荼苦，即苦菜异名也。陶氏谓荼为茗，茗乃木类。按∶《尔雅·释
草》云∶荼，苦菜也。音途。《释木》云∶ ，苦荼也。音迟遐切。二物全别，不得比例，
陶说误矣。
菜
【气味】苦，寒，无毒。
张机曰∶野苣不可共蜜食，令人作内痔。
时珍曰∶脾胃虚寒人，不可食。
【主治】五脏邪气，厌（延叶反，伏也）谷胃痹。久服安心益气，聪察少卧，轻身耐老
（《本经》）。肠 渴热，中疾恶疮。久服耐饥寒，高气不老（《别录》）。调十二经脉，霍乱后
胃气烦逆。久服强力，虽冷甚益人（《嘉 》）。捣汁饮，除面目及舌下黄。其白汁，涂疔肿，
拔根。滴痈上，立溃（藏器）。点瘊子，自落（《衍义》）。敷蛇咬（大明）。明目，主诸痢（汪
机）。血淋痔 （时珍）。
【发明】宗 曰∶苦苣捣汁敷疔疮，殊验。青苗阴干，以备冬月为末，水调敷之。
时珍曰∶按∶《洞天保生录》云∶夏三月宜食苦 ，能益心和血通气也。又陆文量《
菽园杂记》云∶凡病痔者，宜用苦苣菜，或鲜或干，煮至熟烂，连汤置器中，横安一板坐之，
先熏后洗，冷即止。日洗数次，屡用有效。
【附方】新六。
血淋尿血∶苦 菜一把，酒、水各半，煎服。（《资生经》）。
血脉不调∶苦 菜晒干，为末。每服二钱，温酒下。（《卫生易简方》）。
喉痹肿痛∶野苦 捣汁半盏，灯心以汤浸，捻汁半盏，和匀服。（《普济方》）。
对口恶疮∶野苦 擂汁一钟，入姜汁一匙，和酒服，以渣敷，一、二次即愈。（唐瑶《经
验方》）。
中沙虱毒，沙虱在水中，人澡浴则着人身，钻入皮里。初得皮上正赤，如小豆、黍、粟，
摩之痛如刺，三日后寒热发疮毒，若入骨杀人，岭南多此∶即以茅叶刮去，以苦菜汁涂之，
佳。（《肘后方》）。
壶蜂叮螫∶苦 汁涂之，良。（《摘玄方》）
根
【主治】赤白痢及骨蒸，并煮服之（《嘉 》）。
治血淋，利小便（时珍）。
花、子
【气味】甘，平，无毒。
【主治】去中热，安心神（宗 ）。黄胆疾，连花、子研细二钱，水煎服，日二次，良
（汪颖）。
（被列为《神农本草经》上品）
【校正】将本条并入《嘉祐本草》中的“苦苣”和“苦荼”条目。
【释名】荼（读音同“途”。出自《神农本草经》）、苦苣（出自《嘉祐本草》）、苦荼（出自《本草纲目》）、游冬（出自《名医别录》）、褊苣（出自《日用本草》）、老鹳菜（出自《救荒本草》）、天香菜。
李时珍说：这种植物因味道苦而命名为“苦荼”。因为它经历冬天和春天，所以叫“游冬”。许慎的《说文解字》中：“苣”写作“KT”（此处原文为异体字或讹误，意指字形）。吴地人称呼它为“苦”，其中的含义尚不清楚。《嘉祐本草》记载：岭南和吴地人种植苣类供食用，称为“苦苣”，但又重复列出了“苦苣”和“苦荼”两个条目。现在将它们合并。
【集解】《名医别录》说：苦菜生长在益州的川谷、山陵、道路旁边。经过冬天也不死亡。三月三日采集，阴干。
《桐君药录》说：苦菜在三月生长，枝叶舒展。六月花朵从叶腋生出，茎直立，花黄色。八月果实变黑，果实脱落根部重新生长，冬天不枯萎。
苏恭说：《尔雅》说：荼，就是苦菜。《易通卦验玄图》说：苦菜生于深秋，经历冬天和春天，到了夏天才成熟。别名游冬。叶子像苦苣但更细，折断后有白色汁液，花黄色像菊花，各地都有。这种说法与桐君的大致相同。“苦”俗称为苦菜，但不是这种“荼”。郑保升说：春天开花夏天结果，到了秋天又开花但不结果，经过冬天不凋谢。
寇宗奭说：这就是《礼记·月令》四月小满节气后“苦菜秀”（指苦菜长高显出样子）所描述的那种。四方都有，在北方的则冬天凋谢，生长在南方的是冬夏常青。叶子像苦苣但更窄，绿色较淡。折断有白色乳汁流出，味道苦。花像野菊，春夏秋都陆续开放。
李时珍说：苦菜就是苦荼，家种的称为苦苣，实际上是同一种东西。春初生苗，有赤茎和白茎两种。它的茎中空且脆，折断后有白色汁液。叶片像萝卜菜叶但颜色绿中带碧，上部的叶子抱茎，梢部的叶子像鹳鸟的嘴，每片叶子分叉，挺拔如穿叶状。开黄花，像刚开放的野菊。一朵花结出一丛种子，像茼蒿子和鹤虱子，花谢后收缩，种子上有白色的茸毛，随风飘扬，落在哪里就在哪里生长。
士良说：蚕蛾出来时不可采摘，否则会让蛾子变得青烂。养蚕妇女也忌讳吃它。然而野生的苣如果在五六次拗折后，味道反而甘甜滑润，胜过家种的苦荼。
【正误】陶弘景说：苦菜怀疑就是茶（茗）。茶又名荼，经过冬天不凋谢，煮成饮料能让人不睡觉。
苏恭说：《诗经》说：“谁谓荼苦”，就是苦菜的别名。陶弘景认为荼是茗，茗属于木类。按：《尔雅·释草》说：荼，是苦菜。音途。《释木》说： ，是苦荼。音迟遐切。这两种东西完全不同，不能相比，陶弘景的说法是错误的。
【气味】味苦，性寒，无毒。
张机（张仲景）说：野苣不可与蜂蜜一起食用，会让人患内痔。
李时珍说：脾胃虚寒的人，不可食用。
【主治】五脏邪气，厌食（延叶反，意为潜伏），胃痹。长期服用能安心益气，听觉视觉灵敏，睡眠少，身体轻盈，延缓衰老（出自《神农本草经》）。治疗肠热口渴，体内疾病及恶疮。长期服用能耐受饥寒，气息高扬而不衰老（出自《名医别录》）。调理十二经脉，霍乱后胃气烦逆。长期服用能增强体力，即使非常寒冷也对人有好处（出自《嘉祐本草》）。捣汁饮用，去除面目及舌下的黄染。其白色汁液，涂抹疔肿，能拔出毒根。滴在痈上，立即溃破（出自陈藏器）。点涂瘊子，使其自行脱落（出自《衍义》）。敷治蛇咬伤（出自孟洗/大明）。明目，主治各种痢疾（出自汪机）。治疗血淋、痔疮出血（出自李时珍）。
【发明】寇宗奭说：苦苣捣汁敷治疔疮，效果显著。青苗阴干，备冬天研末，用水调敷。
李时珍说：按：《洞天保生录》说：夏季三个月适宜食用苦荼，能益心和血通气。另外陆文量《菽园杂记》说：凡是患有痔疮的人，适宜用苦苣菜，无论新鲜还是干燥，煮至熟烂，连同汤汁放入容器中，横放一块板坐上去，先熏后洗，冷了就停止。每天洗几次，多次使用有效。
【附方】新收录六首。
血淋尿血：苦荼菜一把，酒和水各半，煎服。（出自《资生经》）。
血脉不调：苦荼菜晒干，研为粉末。每次服用二钱，温酒送下。（出自《卫生易简方》）。
喉痹肿痛：野苦荼捣汁半盏，灯心草用热水浸泡，挤出汁半盏，混合均匀服用。（出自《普济方》）。
对口恶疮：野苦荼研磨取汁一杯，加入姜汁一匙，混合酒服用，药渣外敷，一两次即愈。（出自唐瑶《经验方》）。
中沙虱毒，沙虱在水中，人洗澡时附着人身，钻入皮里。初起皮肤上正红，像小豆、黍米、粟米大小，摩擦疼痛如针刺，三天后发寒热并出现疮毒，如果深入骨头会杀人，岭南地区多此病：即用茅叶刮去患处，用苦菜汁涂抹，效果好。（出自《肘后备急方》）。
壶蜂叮螫：苦荼汁涂抹，良好。（出自《摘玄方》）
根
【主治】赤白痢疾及骨蒸潮热，均煮服之（出自《嘉祐本草》）。
治疗血淋，利尿（出自李时珍）。
花、子
【气味】味甘，性平，无毒。
【主治】去除体内热邪，安心神（出自寇宗奭）。黄疸病，连花、子研细二钱，水煎服，每日二次，效果好（出自汪颖）。
(Registered as a Superior Grade herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica])
[Correction] Merged into the entries for "Kuju" (Bitter Lettuce) and "Kutu" (Bitter Tea) in the *Jiayou Bencao* [Materia Medica of the Jiayou Era].
[Names] Tutu (pronounced 'tu'. From *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Kuju (From *Jiayou Bencao*), Kutu (From *Bencao Gangmu*), Youdong (From *Mingyi Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians]), Bianju (From *Riyong Bencao*), Laoguancai (Stork's Bill, From *Jiu Huang Bencao* [Materia Medica for Famine Relief]), Tianxiangcai.
Li Shizhen says: This plant is named "Kutu" due to its bitter taste. Because it survives through winter and spring, it is called "Youdong" (Wandering Winter). Xu Shen's *Shuowen Jiezi* states that "Ju" is written as [character variant]. People in Wu call it "Ku", the meaning of which is unclear. The *Jiayou Bencao* records that people in Lingnan and Wu cultivate Ju for food, calling it "Kuju", yet it redundantly lists both "Kuju" and "Kutu". I have now merged them.
[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Bitter vegetable grows in the valleys, hills, and by roadsides of Yizhou. It does not die during winter. Harvest on the third day of the third lunar month and dry in the shade.
*Tongjun Yaolu* states: Bitter vegetable sprouts in March, with spreading branches. In June, flowers emerge from the leaf axils; the stem is straight, and the flowers are yellow. In August, the fruits turn black; after the fruits fall, the roots regenerate, remaining green in winter.
Su Gong says: *Erya* states: "Tu is bitter vegetable." *Yitong Guayan Xuantu* states: Bitter vegetable grows in late autumn, endures winter and spring, and matures in summer. Alias Youdong. Leaves are similar to bitter lettuce but finer; when broken, white juice exudes; flowers are yellow like chrysanthemums; found everywhere. This description is slightly consistent with Tongjun's. "Ku" is commonly called bitter vegetable, but it is not this "Tu". Bao Sheng says: Flowers in spring, fruits in summer; flowers reappear in autumn without fruiting, remaining evergreen through winter.
Zong Ying says: This refers to the "bitter vegetable showing its form" mentioned in the *Liji Yue Ling* [Book of Rites: Monthly Ordinances] after the Xiaoman solar term in April. It is found in all directions; those in the north wither in winter, while those in the south remain evergreen. Leaves are narrower than bitter lettuce, pale green. When broken, white latex exudes, tasting bitter. Flowers resemble wild chrysanthemums, blooming successively in spring, summer, and autumn.
Li Shizhen says: Bitter vegetable is the same as Kutu; home-grown varieties are called Kuju, but they are one substance. Sprouts appear in early spring, with red-stemmed and white-stemmed varieties. The stems are hollow and brittle, exuding white juice when broken. Leaves resemble radish leaves but are greenish-blue; upper leaves clasp the stem, tip leaves resemble a stork's beak, each leaf forked, standing erect like pierced leaves. Yellow flowers bloom, resembling newly opened wild chrysanthemums. One flower produces a cluster of seeds, resembling Corchorus capsularis seeds or Herba Pedicularis, contracting after flowering; seeds have white downy hairs, dispersing with the wind, rooting wherever they land.
Shiliang says: Do not harvest when silkworm moths emerge, lest the moths become rotten. Silk farmers also avoid eating it. However, if wild lettuce is twisted five or six times, its taste becomes sweet and smooth, surpassing home-grown Kutu.
[Correction of Errors] Tao Hongjing says: Bitter vegetable is suspected to be tea (Ming). Tea, also known as Tu, does not wither in winter; brewing it as a drink causes insomnia.
Su Gong says: The *Classic of Poetry* says: "Who says Tu is bitter?" This is an alias for bitter vegetable. Tao Hongjing claimed Tu is Ming, and Ming belongs to the woody category. According to *Erya · Shi Cao*: "Tu is bitter vegetable," pronounced 'tu'. *Shi Mu*: "[Character], is bitter Tu," pronounced 'chi xia qie'. These two substances are entirely different and cannot be compared; Tao's statement is erroneous.
[Taste and Properties] Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
Zhang Ji (Zhang Zhongjing) says: Wild lettuce should not be eaten with honey, as it causes internal hemorrhoids.
Li Shizhen says: Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should not consume it.
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats evil qi in the five zang organs, anorexia (yan ye fan, meaning latent), and gastric bi (stomach obstruction). Long-term consumption calms the mind, benefits qi, enhances hearing and vision, reduces sleep needs, lightens the body, and delays aging (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats intestinal heat, thirst, internal diseases, and malignant sores. Long-term consumption enables endurance of hunger and cold, maintains high energy, and prevents aging (*Mingyi Bielu*). Regulates the twelve meridians, treats post-dysentery gastric irritability and rebellion. Long-term consumption strengthens the body; beneficial even in extreme cold (*Jiayou Bencao*). Juice drunk internally removes yellow discoloration of the face, eyes, and under the tongue. White juice applied externally draws out roots of ding swellings (carbuncles). Dropped on abscesses, causes immediate suppuration (Chen Cangqi). Applied to warts, causes them to fall off naturally (*Yanyi*). Applied to snake bites (Meng Da/Ming Da). Brightens the eyes, treats various types of dysentery (Wang Ji). Treats blood lin [dysuria with blood] and hemorrhoidal bleeding (Li Shizhen).
[Innovation and Elucidation] Zong Ying says: Kuju juice applied to carbuncles is highly effective. Green shoots dried in the shade can be powdered in winter and applied with water.
Li Shizhen says: According to *Dongtian Baosheng Lu*: During the three months of summer, consuming bitter Tu benefits the heart, harmonizes blood, and promotes qi circulation. Additionally, Lu Wenliang's *Shuyuan Zaji* states: For patients with hemorrhoids, bitter lettuce is suitable, whether fresh or dried. Boil until soft and mushy, place the broth in a vessel, position a board horizontally across it, and sit over the steam. Fumigate first, then wash. Stop when cool. Wash several times daily; repeated use is effective.
[Attached Prescriptions] Six new prescriptions.
Blood Lin and Hematuria: A handful of bitter Tu leaves, decocted with half wine and half water, taken orally (*Zisheng Jing*).
Irregular Blood Vessels: Dried bitter Tu leaves powdered. Take 2 qian, washed down with warm wine (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*).
Sore Throat and Swelling: Half a cup of juice from wild bitter Tu, mixed with half a cup of juice extracted from Juncus effusus (rush pith) soaked in hot water, taken uniformly (*Puji Fang*).
Opposite-Side Malignant Sore: One cup of juice from wild bitter Tu pounded, mixed with one spoonful of ginger juice and wine, taken orally; residue applied externally. Heals in one or two applications (Tang Yao, *Jingyan Fang*).
Poison from Sand Leeches: Sand leeches live in water; humans bathing may have them attach and burrow into the skin. Initially, the skin turns red like a small bean, millet, or grain; rubbing causes pain like a needle prick. After three days, fever and toxic sores appear; if entering the bone, it is fatal. Common in Lingnan: Scrape the area with bamboo leaves, apply bitter vegetable juice for best results (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Hornet Stings: Apply bitter Tu juice; effective (*Zhixuan Fang*).
Roots
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats bloody and non-bloody dysentery and bone-steaming tidal fever, decocted and taken orally (*Jiayou Bencao*).
Treats blood lin, promotes urination (Li Shizhen).
Flowers and Seeds
[Taste and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Clears internal heat, calms the spirit (Zong Ying). Jaundice: Two qian of finely ground flowers and seeds, decocted in water, taken twice daily; effective (Wang Ying).