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Chapter 23 of 33
神农本草经
This chapter collects three entries from the middle grade of the Vegetable Section: Liào Shí (Smartweed Seed), Cōng Shí (Scallion Seed) (with appended Xiè (Chinese Onion/Scallion Bulb)), and Shuǐ Sū (Water Betony). The terms "zhǔ" (indicates/addresses) and "zhǔzhì" (indicates treating) in the original text are records of efficacy from ancient materia medica, representing understandings formed by ancient scholars based on medicinal property theory. They do not constitute modern medical advice. Below, each entry is rendered into vernacular Chinese and interpreted in the original order.
Liào Shí (Smartweed Seed), pungent in taste, warm in medicinal property. Ancient scholars believed it could primarily brighten the eyes, warm the Middle Burner (warm the Spleen and Stomach of the Middle Jiao), enhance the body's ability to withstand wind-cold, and promote diuresis to resolve dampness (drain accumulated dampness and water), improving facial and eyelid edema and sores/ulcers. Among its varieties, Mǎ Liào (Horse Smartweed) was believed to be able to expel leeches (parasites like leeches) from the intestines, making the body feel light and agile. It grows in watery environments such as rivers and marshes.
Supplementary notes from past commentators: Wú Pǔ said Liao Shi is also called Tiān Liǎo, Yě Liǎo, or Zé Liǎo; "Ming Yi Bie Lu" (Famous Physicians' Alternate Records) stated it grows in Léi Zé (Thunder Marsh). "Shuowen Jiezi" defines Liǎo (smartweed) as a pungent vegetable; various ancient texts like "Guangya" and "Erya" mention names such as "Hóng", "Lóng", "Mǎ Liào", "Yóu Lóng", "Hóng Cǎo", etc., mostly referring to similar aquatic plants, which ancients named differently based on dialect and plant size.
Liào Shí belongs to the category of pungent-warm substances. The core rationale is "pungent dispersing, warm penetrating." Pungent flavors can disperse, move Qi; warm properties can warm the interior and transform dampness. Thus, ancients linked them to conditions involving wind-cold and water-fluid disorders. Fluid retention causes facial edema; using pungent-warm herbs to move water and disperse dampness was a common approach in ancient materia medica. The belief that Mǎ Liào can "expel intestinal leeches" reflects ancient empirical knowledge of using bitter-pungent flavors to expel parasites.
Smartweed (Polygonum) species contain flavonoids, volatile oils, and other components. Some studies show antioxidant, antibacterial, and diuretic effects, but these do not simply correspond to the ancient descriptions of "brightening eyes, warming the Middle Burner, and promoting diuresis." Wild smartweed varieties are mixed and difficult to distinguish; there are risks in self-harvesting for consumption. The "expelling intestinal leeches acting" cannot be considered a practical deworming method today. Parasitic infections like leeches require proper diagnosis and treatment.
The records on Liào Shí suggest that environments with heavy dampness can easily affect one's physical state. Daily life principles include eating less raw and cold food, avoiding prolonged exposure to damp places, and engaging in appropriate physical activity to promote the flow of Qi and blood. Due to difficulty in identifying wild smartweed species, self-harvesting for consumption is not recommended.
Cōng Shí (Scallion Seed), pungent in taste, warm in medicinal property. Primarily indicated for brightening the eyes and supplementing deficiencies in the Middle Burner; its stem (i.e., scallion stalk/white part) can be boiled into a soup, which ancients used for aversion to cold and fever caused by external contraction of cold pathogen, promoting sweating, as well as facial and eyelid edema caused by invasion of wind pathogen.
This entry also includes Xiè (Chinese Onion/Scallion Bulb) (the original text uses an archaic character, now commonly written as "薤", pronounced xiè), pungent in taste, warm in medicinal property. Indicated primarily for traumatic injuries caused by metal blades and refractory ulceration of wounds; it was believed to make the body light, alleviate hunger, and delay aging. It grows in plains and marshes.
Supplementary notes from past commentators: "Ming Yi Bie Lu" said Cōng Shí grows in Lǔ Shān (Mount Lu). "Shuowen Jiezi" defines Xiè as a vegetable with leaves resembling chives; "Guangya" and "Erya" call Xiè "Hóng Huì." Tao Hongjing noted that scallion (Cōng) and Xiè are fundamentally different plants, but because the "Benjing" did not separately list jiǔ (chinese chive), and they were considered similar types, they were combined into one entry.
Both scallion stalk (Cōng Bái) and Xiè belong to the pungent-warm category, characterized by "unblocking Yang and dispersing cold." Cōng Bái induces sweating and releases the exterior, targeting external cold pathogens; Xiè Bái unblocks Yang and dissipates accumulations/distinguishes masses. Ancient use for painful metal-inflicted wounds failing to heal involves using acrid-dispersing substances to prevent local stagnation of Qi and blood. Both exemplify the different applications of "pungent dispersion and warm unblocking" for exterior patterns and traumatic injuries. As for the claim of "lightening the body, staving off hunger, and resisting aging," this largely reflects Taoist health-cultivation coloring rather than mainstream clinical treatment principles.
The scallion stalk contains volatile components; folks use warm scallion soup to help induce sweating in the early stages of exterior cold (common cold) – offering some supportive care value, but not a substitute for modern medical diagnosis and treatment. Xiè Bái is used in modern Chinese medicine, often for patterns of Yang deficiency in the chest (e.g., chest Bi/oppression), but the original text's indication for "metal-inflicted wounds" differs entirely from modern principles of wound care. Metal wounds require cleaning, disinfection, and standard medical management. Claims of "lightening the body, alleviating hunger, and delaying aging" lack scientific basis and should be viewed rationally.
Pungent aromatic vegetables like Cōng and Xiè can be used as everyday seasonings; moderate consumption may help stimulate appetite and promote Qi flow. In the early stage of an external contraction (common cold), rest, keeping warm, and a light diet are advisable. People with a constitution prone to heat or conditions like dry mouth and bitter taste should not overindulge in excessive pungent foods.
Note: "Shuǐ Sū" currently is often considered to refer to plants like Stachys or other water-loving aromatic herbs within the Lamiaceae family, though identification still requires care for original textual references.
Shuǐ Sū, pungent in taste, slightly warm in medicinal property. Primarily was used to descend upward-rebelling Qi (counter-flow Qi), eliminate halitosis (bad breath), dispel pathogenic toxins, and ward off foul/miasmatic influences. Ancients believed that long-term taking this substance could also communicate with the spirit (shén míng), lighten the body, and delay aging. It grows near ponds and marshes.
Supplementary notes from past commentators: Wú Pǔ said Qiáo Cú [an alternative name] is also called Shuǐ Sū or Láo Zǔ; "Ming Yi Bie Lu" stated it is also named Jī Sū, Jiè Cú, or Jiè Jū, growing in Jiǔ Zhēn [a southern region in ancient Vietnam], and gathered in the seventh lunar month. "Shuowen Jiezi" explained Sū as Guì Rěn [a related type]; "Guangya" says Jiè Cú is Shuǐ Sū. According to Guō Pú, Sū belongs to the Rěn category (type of herb), a reason it was called Guì Rěn. In the ancient text "Fangyan" (Dialects), Sū and Rěn have different names regionally; the smaller form was called "Niàng Róu", which is considered to be Xiāng Rú (Elsholtzia). Later generations classified Zǐ Sū (purple perilla), Bò He (mint), etc., within the Sū category, but "Ming Yi Bie Lu" lists them separately.
Shuǐ Sū has a fragrant aroma and belongs to the pungent-dispersing class. The core rationale is "aroma converting dampness, descending Qi, and warding off foulness". Halitosis and foul odor are often associated with damp turbidity and Qi stagnation. Pungent aromatic drugs can move Qi and resolve turbidity. Thus, ancients used it to freshen breath and dispel noxious influences. "(tōng shén míng) – connecting with the spirit/Mind" is an extended statement of fragrant herbs clearing the orifices and awakening the spirit. It carries a distinctly idealized health- cultivation color, incorporating traditional expectations of spiritual/mental clarity.
Shuǐ Sū, a lamiaceae plant, contains volatile oils and other components with an aromatic smell. There is some plausible rationale for breath freshening. However, causes of halitosis are complex, potentially involving oral hygiene, digestive issues, metabolic factors, etc., and cannot be solely addressed by Shuǐ Sū. Claims of "long-term use – communicating with spirit, lightening body, delaying aging" lack modern scientific evidence and should not be regarded as a realistic wellness goal.
Fragrant aromatic plants can serve as dietary garnishes or daily infusions/tea, helping to freshen breath and improve the eating experience. Maintaining oral hygiene, a balanced/regulated diet, and a cheerful emotional outlook (qi mechanism fluent) are in practice far more grounded objectives than seeking mysterious unguents and unverifiable long-term elixirs for immortality.
Regarding discussions in traditional materia medica on the vegetable section, three kinds are included among the middle grade products. The older editions considered four kinds, but after critical collation, Cōng Shí originally should be jointly introduced together with Xiè in one entry (per ancient text textual reconstruction preserving statements from Cheng). And the content concerning pseudo plants in other materials classified should have a separate category, different proper assignments transferring records first relating Jiǎ Sū (namely existing translations transfer entries repeatedly confusing the identity as linguistically corresponding: in ancient materia medica texts usually indicate Jīng Jiè was rectified assigned to the herb/grass section.
This content is based on ancient Chinese medicine classics and is provided solely for the study and extended reading of traditional cultural knowledge. It does not constitute any medical diagnosis, medication guidance, or treatment recommendations. Consult a doctor promptly if you feel unwell.