典藏书目

This is the "ma bo" (Fomes, *Lasiosphaera fenzlii*) mentioned by Han Yu of the Tang Dynasty as "collected together with cow urine and horse fungus." Some are as large as a dou (ancient unit of volume), while others are as small as a sheng biao (ladle). Remove the outer membrane, knead with honey, mix with a little water, and sip slowly to treat hou bi (throat closure/obstruction) and sore throat.

It grows everywhere in fields and by roadsides, adhering to the ground. The leaves resemble those of Rubus chingii (wineberry), but are smoother, smaller, and slightly wrinkled. The flowers are yellow, slightly larger than those of Tribulus terrestris (caltrop). In late spring and early summer, it bears red fruits resembling lychee in color. Other characteristics are as recorded in classics.

Resembling hemp. The flowers resemble those of Populus alba (white poplar) but are longer, growing in spikes. Each flower cluster produces dozens of spikes, which are bluish-white.

Pulei (Zizania latifolia, wild rice). The roots are crushed and juiced for use throughout the four seasons. People in the Hebei border region use only the shoots to feed horses, calling them Gu Jiang, and also use them as mats. The flowers resemble reeds, bearing green seeds that are fine like Qing Mahuang (Green Ephedra) and nearly an inch long. Locals collect them, mix them with millet to make porridge, which effectively alleviates hunger. This is what Du Fu referred to as "wishing to be cold autumn Zizania." Since they grow in water and on banks, excessive consumption may cause diarrhea.

The Erya states: You (sound like 'you'), a creeping plant. The Zuo Zhuan also says, "One xun (fragrant herb) and one you, after ten years the stench of you remains," referring to this grass.

Various schools of thought offer conflicting explanations, particularly Tao Hongjing. He claimed the flower resembles a broad bean, which is entirely inaccurate. The flower resembles Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed), but is blue-green; it opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. Current annotations claim the seeds resemble buckwheat, which is also incorrect. They actually resemble the fruit of Pyrus betulaefolia (birch-leaf pear), but are black. They can be lightly roasted, pounded to obtain one tael of powder. Mix with half a tael of powdered peach kernel (Prunus persica seed), roasted with bran to remove skin and tips. Combine with cooked honey to form pills the size of phoenix seeds. Take 30–20 pills with warm water to treat da chang feng mi yong re (intestinal wind constipation with accumulated heat). It has a bitter and astringent taste and should not be taken for long periods, as it promotes the movement of Qi in the spleen and kidneys.

Ricinus communis seeds (Castor beans) grow in clusters, spiraling upward from bottom to top for flowering and fruiting, resembling ticks on a cow's body. Roast the seeds until cooked, remove the husk, chew thoroughly, and take 2–3 pieces before sleep, gradually increasing to over ten pieces. It is highly effective for treating luo li (scrofula/cervical lymphadenitis).

Caole Man (Caulis Sargentodoxae). It treats deficiency-heat following sweating in Shanghan (Cold Damage syndrome). Cut into pieces, grind, extract fresh juice, and drink one he (ancient unit of volume); it will cure the condition.