蓼實 여뀌씨 (요실)

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

1. 性冷, 味辛, 無毒.

   Smartweed seed is cold in nature, pungent in taste, and non-toxic.

2. 歸鼻.

   Its medicinal energy enters and acts upon the nose.

3. 除腎氣, 明目, 下水氣, 療癰瘍, 通五藏壅氣.

   It dispels harmful kidney qi, brightens the eyes, drains water retention, heals abscesses and sores, and unblocks stagnant qi in the five viscera.

4. 蓼, 水草也.

   Smartweed is by nature a water-loving plant.

5. 多生水澤中, 有紫蓼ㆍ赤蓼ㆍ靑蓼ㆍ香蓼ㆍ馬蓼ㆍ水蓼ㆍ木蓼等七種.

   It grows abundantly in marshes and wetlands, and comes in seven kinds: purple, red, green, fragrant, horse, water, and woody smartweed.

6. 惟紫蓼ㆍ香蓼ㆍ靑蓼, 爲人所食, 葉俱小狹.

   Of these, only purple, fragrant, and green smartweed are eaten by people, and all of them have small, narrow leaves.

7. 多食, 吐水, 損陽氣, 發心痛.

   Eating it in excess causes vomiting of fluids, damages yang qi, and brings on chest pain, so moderation is essential.

8. 諸蓼, 花皆紅白, 子皆赤黑.

   All smartweeds bear red or white flowers, and their seeds are uniformly red or black.

9. 春初取蓼實, 以葫蘆盛水浸濕, 高掛於火上, 晝夜使煖, 遂生紅芽.

   In early spring, gather smartweed seeds, soak them in a water-filled gourd, hang it high above a fire, and keep it warm day and night until red sprouts emerge.

10. 取以爲蔬, 以備五辛盤.

    These sprouts are then prepared as a vegetable to be served on the New Year's plate of five pungent herbs.

11. 《本草》

    The above is recorded in the Bencao.

12. 葉

    The following concerns the leaves of smartweed.

13. 歸舌.

    The medicinal energy of the leaves enters and acts upon the tongue.

14. 除大小腸邪氣, 利中益志.

    It removes harmful qi from the large and small intestines, soothes the middle, and strengthens one's resolve.

15. 《本草》

    This too is recorded in the Bencao.