萹蓄 마디풀 (편축)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 3

1. 性平, 味苦一云甘, 無毒.

   Its nature is neutral, the taste bitter (some say sweet), and it is non-toxic — a gentle, well-balanced herb suited for broad use.

2. 主浸淫疥瘙, 疽痔.

   It treats weeping eczema, scabies, itching, abscesses, and hemorrhoids — addressing damp-heat conditions on the skin.

3. 殺三蟲, 療蛔痛, 除熱淋, 通小便.

   It expels the three kinds of intestinal worms, relieves roundworm-induced abdominal pain, clears heat-type urinary blockage, and promotes urination — addressing both parasites and urinary heat.

4. 處處有之.

   It grows everywhere — easily found along roadsides and in yard corners.

5. 苗似瞿麥, 葉細綠如竹, 花生節間, 甚微細.

   The shoots resemble fringed pink, the leaves are slender and green like bamboo, and tiny flowers bloom between the joints — true to its name as a jointed little plant.

6. 五月採, 陰乾. 《本草》

   Harvested in the fifth month and dried in the shade — shade-drying preserves the medicinal properties. From the Bencao.

7. 主大小便不通.

   It treats blockage of both bowel and urinary passages — opening the way when neither flows.

8. 生水邊. 開紫花者爲佳.

   It grows by water, and those bearing purple flowers are considered superior — habitat and flower color matter for quality.

9. 搗取汁服. 《經驗》

   Pound it, extract the juice, and drink — taken as fresh juice rather than a decoction. From the Jingyan formulary.