Tingli

Original: Tingli (葶藶). In traditional medicine, this refers to the seeds of plants like Descurainia sophia or Draba nemorosa. It is a classic "fluid-draining" herb used primarily to relieve severe swelling and respiratory distress.

Tingli

Tingli grows in the flat marshes and fields of Gaocheng A region in modern-day Hebei province. It is found throughout the prefectures and commanderies of Jingdong, Shaanxi, and Hebei, though the variety produced in Caozhou Modern-day Heze, Shandong province is considered particularly superior.

In early spring, the plant sprouts seedlings with leaves six to seven inches high, which bear a resemblance to Shepherd's Purse Original: Ji (薺), Capsella bursa-pastoris. The roots are white, while both the branches and the stems are green. In the third lunar month, it blooms with tiny yellow flowers. It produces seed pods that are flat and small, like grains of broomcorn millet Original: Shu (黍), though slightly elongated and yellow in color.

The seeds are harvested after the Start of Summer Original: Lixia (立夏), a solar term occurring around May 5-6 and dried in the sun. The Monthly Ordinances Original: Yueling (月令), a classic ritual text detailing seasonal activities states: "In the first month of summer, the delicate grasses die." The Han dynasty scholars Xu Shen and Zheng Kangcheng both noted in their commentaries that "delicate grasses" Original: Micao (靡草) refer to plants of the same class as Shepherd's Purse and Tingli. Because these plants wither and die by the height of summer, they must be gathered at this specific time.

The herb is also known by the names Dingli, Caohao, Dashishi, and Dashi. Its flavor is acrid and bitter, and its medicinal nature is "extremely cold" Original: Dahan (大寒). In Chinese medicine, this describes a powerful cooling effect used to treat "heat" or inflammatory conditions and non-toxic. It is used to benefit the small intestine and to circulate "water vapor" Original: Shuiqi (水氣), referring to accumulated fluids or edema to treat swelling and bloating.