草蒿 제비쑥 (초호)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 3

1. 治勞, 止盜汗.

   It treats consumptive fatigue and stops night sweats, helping those weakened by exhaustion and drenched by sweat at night.

2. 除留熱在骨節間,

   It removes lingering heat retained between the joints, dispelling stubborn heat that has settled deep in the bones.

3. 明目,

   It brightens the eyes, clearing the vision as the inner heat subsides.

4. 補中益氣,

   It tonifies the middle burner and replenishes vital qi, nourishing the digestive center and restoring vigor.

5. 駐顔色,

   It preserves a healthy complexion, keeping the face from growing sallow or worn.

6. 去蒜髮,

   It removes prematurely greying hair, addressing early loss of natural color.

7. 療熱黃及邪氣鬼毒.

   It cures heat-induced jaundice as well as malign influences and toxic spirits, clearing harmful energies lodged within the body.

8. 處處有之, 卽今靑蒿也.

   It grows everywhere and is what we now call cheonghao, a common herb found along fields and roadsides.

9. 得春最早.

   It receives the spring breath earliest of all, sprouting before other plants have stirred from winter.

10. 莖葉與常蒿一同,

    Its stems and leaves are identical to the common mugwort, making it hard to tell apart at a glance.

11. 但此蒿色深靑, 故氣芬芳, 以深靑者爲勝.

    However, this mugwort is deep green and richly fragrant, and the darker the green, the better the quality, a sign of stronger medicinal virtue.

12. 童便浸七日, 曬乾用. 《本草》

    Soak it in young boys' urine for seven days, then sun-dry it before use, according to the Bencao, an old preparation that refines its medicinal power.