(音芹。《唐本草》)
【释名】牛蕲(《尔雅》)、胡芹(《通志》)、野茴香(《纲目》)。
时珍曰∶凡物大者多以马名,此草似芹而大故也。俗称野茴香,以其气味子形微似也。
《金光明经》三十二品香药,谓之叶婆你。
【集解】恭曰∶马蕲生水泽旁。苗似鬼针、 菜等,嫩时可食。
花青白色。子黄黑色,似防风子,调食味用之,香似橘皮而无苦味。
保升曰∶花若芹花,子如防风子而扁大。《尔雅》云∶茭,牛蕲也。孙炎释云∶似芹而
叶细锐,可食菜也。一名茭,一名马蕲子,入药用。
时珍曰∶马蕲与芹同类而异种,处处卑湿地有之。三、四月生苗,一本丛生如蒿,白
毛蒙茸,嫩时可茹。叶似水芹而微小,似芎 叶而色深。五、六月开碎花,攒簇如蛇床
及莳萝花,青白色。结实亦似莳萝子,但色黑而重尔。其根白色,长者尺许,气亦香而坚硬,
不可食。苏恭所谓鬼针,即鬼钗草也。方茎丫叶,子似钗脚,着人衣如针。与此稍异。
苗
【气味】甘、辛,温,无毒。
【主治】益脾胃,利胸膈,去冷气,作茹食(时珍)。
子
【气味】甘、辛,温,无毒。
【主治】心腹胀满,开胃下气消食,调味用之(《唐本》)。炒研醋服,治卒心痛,令人
得睡(孟诜)。温中暖脾,治反胃(时珍)。
【附方】新一。
慢脾惊风∶马芹子、丁香、白僵蚕等分,为末。每服一钱,炙橘皮煎汤下。名醒脾散。
(《普济方》)
(读音同“芹”。出自《唐本草》)
【释名】牛蕲(出自《尔雅》)、胡芹(出自《通志》)、野茴香(出自《纲目》)。
李时珍说:大凡物品中体型较大的,常以“马”字命名,这种草形状像芹菜但植株较大,因此得名。俗称野茴香,是因为它的气味、种子和形态与茴香略有相似之处。
《金光明经》第三十二品中的香药,称为“叶婆你”。
【集解】苏恭说:马蕲生长在水泽旁边。幼苗形状像鬼针草、葑菜等,嫩的时候可以吃。
花呈青白色。种子黄黑色,形状像防风子,调和食用时,气味像橘皮但没有苦味。
保升说:花朵像芹菜花,种子像防风子但更扁平宽大。《尔雅》中说:“茭,就是牛蕲。”孙炎解释称:“形状像芹菜但叶子细锐,是可以食用的蔬菜。”又名茭,又名马蕲子,入药使用。
李时珍说:马蕲与芹菜同类但不同种,各地低洼潮湿处都有生长。三月、四月生出苗,一株丛生如蒿草,覆盖着白色绒毛,嫩时可食用。叶子像水芹但更小,像川芎叶但颜色更深。五月、六月开细小的花,聚集成簇,像蛇床花及莳萝花,呈青白色。结出的果实也像莳萝子,只是颜色黑且重。它的根是白色的,长的有一尺多,气味芳香且质地坚硬,不可食用。苏恭所说的鬼针,就是鬼钗草。茎方形分叉,叶子形状像钗脚,种子像钗脚一样,粘在人衣服上像针一样。这与马蕲稍有不同。
【气味】甘、辛,温,无毒。
【主治】补益脾胃,通畅胸膈,去除寒气,作为蔬菜食用(李时珍)。
种子
【气味】甘、辛,温,无毒。
【主治】心腹胀满,开胃下气消食,用于调味(《唐本草》)。炒研后醋服,治疗突发心痛,使人能入睡(孟诜)。温中暖脾,治疗反胃(李时珍)。
【附方】新增一方。
(Phonetically pronounced as "Qin". Cited from *Tang Bencao* [Compendium of Materia Medica of the Tang Dynasty].)
[Names] Niuqi (Cow Parsnip, cited from *Erya*), Huqin (Hu Parsnip, cited from *Tongzhi*), Yehuixiang (Wild Fennel, cited from *Bencao Gangmu*).
Li Shizhen states: Generally, items that are large in size are often named with the character "Ma" (Horse). This herb resembles Celery (*Apium graveolens*) but is larger, hence the name. It is commonly known as Wild Fennel because its odor, seeds, and form are slightly similar to Fennel (*Foeniculum vulgare*).
In Chapter 32 of the *Jin Guangming Jing* [Sutra of Golden Light], among the aromatic medicinal substances, it is referred to as "Yepo Ni."
[Collection and Explanation] Su Gong says: Maqi grows beside water marshes. The seedlings resemble *Bidens pilosa* (Ghost Needle Grass) and *Brassica rapa* var. *parachinensis* (Feng Cai), and can be eaten when tender.
The flowers are bluish-white. The seeds are yellowish-black, resembling those of Saposhnikovia Root (*Fangfeng*), and when used for seasoning, they have an aroma similar to Tangerine Peel (*Chenpi*) but without bitterness.
Bao Sheng says: The flowers resemble Celery flowers, and the seeds are like those of Saposhnikovia Root but flatter and larger. *Erya* states: "Jiao is Niuqi." Sun Yan explains: "It resembles Celery but has fine and sharp leaves; it is an edible vegetable." It is also called Jiao or Maqi Zi, and is used in medicine.
Li Shizhen says: Maqi belongs to the same family as Celery but is a different species. It is found in low-lying and damp places everywhere. In March and April, shoots emerge; one plant grows in clusters like Mugwort (*Artemisia argyi*), covered with white downy hairs, and is edible when tender. The leaves resemble Water Celery (*Oenanthe javanica*) but are smaller, and resemble Ligusticum Wallichii (*Xiongqiong*) leaves but are darker in color. In May and June, small flowers bloom, clustered together like Snakebed Flowers (*Cnidium monnieri*) or Dill (*Anethum graveolens*) flowers, appearing bluish-white. The fruits also resemble Dill seeds, but are blacker and heavier. Its root is white, up to a chi (approx. 33 cm) long, fragrant in odor and hard in texture, and inedible. The "Guizhen" mentioned by Su Gong refers to Guichai Cao (Ghost Hairgrass). It has square stems and branched leaves, with seeds resembling hairpin feet that stick to clothing like needles. This differs slightly from Maqi.
[Odor and Taste] Sweet, Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Benefits the Spleen and Stomach, unblocks the chest and diaphragm, dispels cold qi, and is consumed as a vegetable (Li Shizhen).
Seeds
[Odor and Taste] Sweet, Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats abdominal distension and fullness, opens the stomach, directs Qi downward, aids digestion, and is used for seasoning (*Tang Bencao*). When stir-fried, ground, and taken with vinegar, it treats sudden heart pain and induces sleep (Meng Shen). Warms the middle and warms the Spleen, treating regurgitation (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] One new prescription.
Slow Spleen Wind Stroke: Maqi Zi (Seeds of Maqi), Dingxiang (Clove), Baijiangcan (White Silkworm) in equal parts, powdered. Take one qian (approx. 3-5 g) per dose, washed down with decoction made from roasted Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel). Named Xingpi San (Spleen-Awakening Powder) (*Puji Fang*).