蓴菜 순채 (순채)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 2

1. 性寒一云冷, 味甘, 無毒.

   Its nature is cold (some say chilly), its taste sweet, and it carries no toxicity.

2. 主消渴熱痺.

   It is chiefly used to treat wasting-thirst (diabetes-like syndrome) and heat-induced numbness.

3. 厚腸胃, 補大小腸.

   It strengthens the stomach and intestines, and tonifies both the large and small bowels.

4. 治熱疸, 解百藥毒, 開胃氣.

   It cures heat-type jaundice, neutralises the toxicity of myriad drugs, and opens up the stomach qi to restore appetite.

5. 生水澤中, 處處有之.

   It grows in ponds and marshes, and can be found here and there throughout the land.

6. 三四月至七八月, 通名絲蓴, 味甛體軟,

   From the third or fourth month through the seventh or eighth, it is commonly called sa-sun (silk water-shield), sweet in taste and soft in texture.

7. 霜降至十二月, 名塊蓴, 味苦體澁.

   From the Frost Descent solar term until the twelfth month it is called goe-sun (lump water-shield), bitter in taste and rough in texture.

8. 取以爲羹, 猶勝雜菜.

   When gathered and cooked into soup, its flavour surpasses that of ordinary vegetables.

9. 雖冷而補, 熱食則壅氣不下, 甚損人.

   Though cold in nature it is tonifying; yet if eaten hot, qi becomes blocked and fails to descend, gravely harming the body.

10. 不可多食久食. 《本草》

    It should not be eaten in excess nor over a prolonged period. (Bencao)