Illustrated Classic

original: 圖經 (Tu Jing); likely referring to the Tu Jing Bencao or "Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica"

Japanese Hop

original: 葎草 (Lücao); identified as Humulus scandens

In older records, the Japanese Hop was not associated with any specific province or territory, mentioned only as growing among old ruins and along roadsides. Today, it can be found everywhere. Its leaves resemble those of the castor bean plant original: 蓖麻 (Bima) but are smaller and thinner. It grows as a climbing vine and is covered in fine prickles.

The flowers are a yellowish-white, and the seeds are similar to those of the hemp plant original: 麻子 (Mazi). During the fourth and fifth months of the lunar calendar, the stems and leaves are harvested and dried in the sun for medicinal use. Its common name is the Gêlü vine, and it is also known as the Gêlê vine.

The flavor of this herb is sweet and bitter; its nature is cold and non-toxic.

It is primarily used to treat the five types of strangury five types of strangury (wu lin): a traditional category of urinary tract disorders involving painful, difficult, or frequent urination. It also serves to promote urination, stop watery diarrhea, and eliminate the effects of malaria, deficiency heat, and thirst. It may be administered by boiling it to create a decoction or by consuming the raw expressed juice.