大靑 대청 (대청)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · 탕액편 권3

1. 性大寒, 味苦, 無毒.

   성대한, 미고, 무독.

   Its nature is very cold, its taste bitter, and it has no toxicity. It is a strongly heat-clearing herb.

2. 治天行熱疾, 大熱口瘡, 熱毒風, 心煩悶渴,

   치천행열질, 대열구창, 열독풍, 심번민갈,

   It treats epidemic febrile diseases, mouth sores from intense heat, wind disorders caused by heat-toxins, and chest oppression with thirst. In modern terms, it was widely used for high fever and infectious conditions.

3. 及金石藥毒, 兼塗腫毒.

   급금석약독, 겸도종독.

   It also resolves the toxicity of mineral-based medicines and can be applied externally to swellings and abscesses. It served both internal and topical uses.

4. 春生, 靑紫莖似石竹苗葉,

   춘생, 청자경사석죽묘엽,

   It sprouts in spring, with green-purple stems and leaves resembling the young shoots of pink (Dianthus). The hue and form of the new growth are the first clue to identifying it.

5. 花紅紫色似馬蓼, 根黃.

   화홍자색사마료, 근황.

   Its flowers are reddish-purple, similar to those of knotweed (Persicaria), and its root is yellow. One should observe both the flower and root to avoid confusion with similar plants.

6. 三月四月採莖葉, 陰乾. 《本草》

   삼월사월채경엽, 음건. 《본초》

   In the third and fourth lunar months, gather the stems and leaves and dry them in the shade. Shade-drying is essential to prevent sunlight from damaging the active compounds. Recorded in the Bencao.