蔓菁 순무 (만청)

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

1. 性溫, 味甘, 無毒.

   Turnip is warm in nature, sweet in taste, and non-toxic. In traditional Korean medicine, a 'warm' property means it gently heats the body and promotes the flow of qi, making it a safe vegetable for almost anyone.

2. 主利五藏, 消食下氣.

   It benefits all five viscera, aids digestion, and brings rising qi downward. In practical terms, it helps when one feels sluggish digestion or bloating in the upper body.

3. 療黃疸, 輕身益氣.

   It treats jaundice, makes the body feel lighter, and replenishes vital energy. Regular consumption is said to leave one feeling agile rather than heavy.

4. 四時皆有, 春食苗, 夏食葉, 秋食莖, 冬食根.

   Turnip is available in all four seasons: sprouts in spring, leaves in summer, stems in autumn, and roots in winter. A single crop generously offers a different edible part each season.

5. 亦可以備飢歲.

   It also serves as a famine-relief crop, a reliable food source in lean years, reflecting old farmers' wisdom about food security.

6. 菜中之最有益者.

   Among all vegetables, it is considered the most beneficial. Classical physicians ranked it at the very top of leafy and root crops.

7. 根在地下, 經冬不枯, 至春復生.

   Its root stays underground through winter without withering and sprouts again in spring. Ancient writers saw this resilience as a vitality that could be passed on to those who eat it.

8. 常食之, 令人肥健.

   Eaten regularly, it makes a person well-fed and strong. Here 'plump' does not mean obese but rather filling out a thin frame with healthy vigor.

9. 諸菜之中, 有益無損, 最宜長服. 《本草》

   Among all vegetables, it brings benefit without harm, making it most suitable for long-term consumption. From the Bencao Gangmu.

10. 子

    The following section concerns the seeds of the turnip (manjeongja).

11. 性溫.

    The seeds are also warm in nature, carrying the same body-warming quality as the root.

12. 下氣明目.

    It directs qi downward and brightens the eyes. The seeds have long been valued as a remedy for failing eyesight.

13. 療黃疸, 利小便.

    It treats jaundice and promotes urination, helping the body clear out dampness and waste.

14. 蒸暴, 久服長生. 《本草》

    Steamed and sun-dried, then taken over a long period, it is said to prolong life. This reflects the traditional principle of carefully processed herbs taken consistently for longevity, as recorded in the Bencao Gangmu.