薺菜 냉이 (제채)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · 탕액편 권2

1. 性溫, 味甘, 無毒.

   성온, 미감, 무독.

   Its nature is warm, its taste sweet, and it has no toxicity. In traditional medicine's classification of herbs by temperature and flavor, shepherd's purse belongs to the gentle, warming category.

2. 利肝氣, 和中, 利五藏.

   이간기, 화중, 이오장.

   It promotes the flow of liver qi, harmonizes the middle burner (spleen and stomach), and benefits all five viscera. It was regarded as a balanced herb supporting both liver health and digestion.

3. 生田野中, 凌冬不死.

   생전야중, 능동불사.

   It grows in fields and survives even the harshest winter without dying. Thanks to this resilience, keeping its green leaves under snow, it has long been one of the first wild greens harvested in early spring.

4. 煮粥喫, 能引血歸肝, 明目. 《本草》

   자죽끽, 능인혈귀간, 명목. 《본초》

   Eating it cooked as porridge guides the blood back to the liver and brightens the eyes. The springtime tradition of shepherd's purse porridge was not merely about flavor but reflected a recognized eye-clearing remedy. From the Bencao.

5. 八月, 陰中含陽, 陽氣發生, 乃於中秋而薺麥復生也. 《參同契註》

   팔월, 음중함양, 양기발생, 내어중추이제맥부생야. 《참동계주》

   In the eighth lunar month, yang qi begins to stir within yin, so around the Mid-Autumn season shepherd's purse and barley sprout again. This passage explains shepherd's purse's autumn regrowth through the principle of yin and yang. From the Cantongqi Commentary.

6. 子

   자

   Entry on the seeds.

7. 薺菜子. 一名菥蓂子.

   제채자. 일명석명자.

   This refers to the seeds of shepherd's purse, also known as ximingzi.

8. 補五藏不足, 去風毒邪氣,

   보오장부족, 거풍독사기,

   It replenishes deficiencies in the five viscera and dispels wind toxins and pathogenic qi. It was valued for restoring balance when the body's harmony has been disturbed.

9. 療靑盲目痛不見物, 明目去障瞖,

   요청맹목통불견물, 명목거장예,

   It treats blue-blindness (a form of vision loss without obvious external symptoms) and eye pain that prevents one from seeing clearly, brightens the eyes, and removes corneal opacities. It served as a broad remedy for various eye conditions.

10. 解熱毒.

    해열독.

    It clears heat toxins accumulated in the body.

11. 久食, 視物鮮明.

    구식, 시물선명.

    With long-term, consistent use, one sees objects vividly and clearly. It is presented not as a quick remedy but as an herb whose benefits unfold through sustained use.

12. 四月八日採. 《本草》

    사월팔일채. 《본초》

    It is gathered on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. Ancient physicians designated specific dates when each herb's medicinal potency peaked and harvested accordingly. From the Bencao.

13. 根

    근

    Entry on the roots.

14. 療目疼. 《本草》

    요목동. 《본초》

    It treats eye pain. Along with the leaves and seeds, even the root carries properties belonging to the eye-brightening family of remedies. From the Bencao.

15. 莖葉

    경엽

    Entry on the stems and leaves.

16. 燒灰, 治赤白痢, 極效.

    소회, 치적백리, 극효.

    The ash from burning its stems and leaves is highly effective for treating red and white dysentery, distinguished by bloody and mucous stools respectively. Ancient practitioners actively used the astringent properties of plant ash to manage diarrheal conditions.