紫蘇 차조기 (자소)

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

1. 性溫, 味辛, 無毒.

   It is warm in nature, pungent in flavor, and non-toxic, making it gentle enough for broad medicinal use.

2. 治心腹脹滿, 止霍亂.

   It relieves bloating and fullness of the chest and abdomen, and halts sudden bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.

3. 療脚氣, 通大小腸, 除一切冷氣, 散風寒表邪.

   It treats beriberi, opens both intestines, dispels every kind of cold qi within, and scatters wind-cold pathogens lodged on the surface of the body.

4. 又能下胸膈痰氣.

   It also draws down phlegm and stagnant qi lodged between the chest and the diaphragm.

5. 生園圃中.

   It grows readily in household gardens and vegetable plots.

6. 葉下紫色皺, 而氣甚香, 可入藥.

   Only leaves whose underside is purple and wrinkled, and whose aroma is strong, are fit for medicinal use.

7. 其無紫色不香者, 名曰野蘇, 不堪用.

   Those lacking purple color and fragrance are called wild perilla (yaso, 野蘇) and cannot serve as medicine.

8. 其背面皆紫者, 尤佳.

   Those whose leaves are purple on both sides are considered the finest.

9. 夏採莖葉, 秋採實.

   Stems and leaves are gathered in summer, while the ripened seeds are collected in autumn.

10. 葉可生食, 與一切魚肉作羹, 良. 《本草》

    The leaves may be eaten raw, and when simmered with any fish or meat they produce an excellent soup. (Bencao)

11. 子

    This section concerns the seeds, known as perilla seeds (jaso-ja, 紫蘇子).

12. 主上氣咳逆.

    It primarily treats upward-rushing qi and the counterflow cough that comes with it.

13. 調中, 益五藏, 下氣, 止霍亂反胃, 利大小便, 止嗽, 潤心肺, 消痰氣.

    It harmonizes the middle, nourishes the five viscera, descends qi, halts cholera and reflux vomiting, eases urination and bowel movements, stops coughing, moistens the heart and lungs, and disperses phlegm-qi.

14. 又療肺氣喘急.

    It also treats acute wheezing arising from obstructed lung-qi.

15. 與橘皮相宜, 微炒用. 《本草》

    It pairs well with tangerine peel and is used after a light stir-frying. (Bencao)

16. 莖

    This section concerns the stems of perilla.

17. 治風寒濕痺, 筋骨疼痛, 及脚氣.

    It treats numbness from combined wind-cold-damp, aching sinews and bones, and beriberi.

18. 與葉同煮飮, 佳. 《本草》

    Decocting and drinking it together with the leaves brings out its finest effect. (Bencao)