甘涩温无毒。忌地黄、葱、蒜。
发明 莲须清心通肾，以其味涩，故为秘涩精气之要药。《三因》固真丸、巨胜子丸用
之，然惟欲勤精薄者为宜，元阳不制者勿用，恐其兜涩为患也。莲花性味与须相类，惟取白
花将开者阴干入药。久服延年不饥，故经进萃仙丸用之。
苦涩温无毒。
发明 莲房入厥阴，功专止血。故血崩下血溺血，皆烧灰用之。虽能止截，不似棕灰之
兜塞也。
苦涩平，无毒。
发明 荷叶得清震之气，故洁古枳术丸方用荷叶，烧饭为丸。东垣治雷头风证，头面肿
痛，疙瘩，憎寒发热，状如伤寒证在三阳不可过用寒药，清震汤治之。用荷叶、升麻、苍术
煎服。又痘疮为风寒外袭而变黑倒靥。闻人规用荷叶合僵蚕解结滞之气而痘自起。又烧灰单
服可消阳水浮肿。入健脾药，但用其蒂，谓之荷鼻，取其味浓胜于他处也。戴元礼云，服荷
叶令人瘦劣，非可常服。观丹士缩银法用荷叶同锻，则银质顿轻，其性之消烁无有甚于此者
。
俗名鸡头实
甘平无毒。
《本经》主湿痹腰脊膝痛，补中除暴疾，益精气强志。
发明 芡生水中而能益脾利湿，观《本经》所主皆脾肾之病。遗精浊带，小便不禁者宜
之。
俗名菱角
甘平无毒。
发明 芰实多种，滞气则一。红泻白补，生降熟升，仅供食品，略无取于治疗。患疟痢
人勿食。过食令人腹满 胀。古法用麝香点汤解之。近人以沉香磨汁导之，总取芳香散滞之
力耳。
【莲蕊须】
味甘、涩，性温，无毒。忌与地黄、葱、蒜同用。
发明：莲须能清心火并通肾气，因其味涩，所以是固摄精气的重要药物。《三因方》中的固真丸、巨胜子丸中使用了它，但只适用于精液稀薄且欲频繁泄精者，若元阳不固者则不宜使用，恐怕其收敛固涩之性会造成危害。莲花的性味与莲须相似，只取将开的白色莲花阴干后入药。长期服用可延年益寿且不感饥饿，因此《进萃仙丸》中使用了它。
【莲房】
味苦、涩，性温，无毒。
发明：莲房归入厥阴经，功效专于止血。因此对于血崩、便血、尿血等症，都将其烧成炭灰后使用。虽然它能止血截流，但不像棕榈炭那样具有强烈的堵塞作用。
【荷叶】
味苦、涩，性平，无毒。
发明：荷叶得清扬震升之气，所以洁古（张元素）在枳术丸方中使用荷叶，将饭煮烂后与药末混合制成丸剂。东垣（李杲）治疗雷头风证，症状为头面部肿痛、起疙瘩、憎寒发热，状如伤寒病在三阳经的表现，此时不可过度使用寒凉药物，可用清震汤治疗。该方使用荷叶、升麻、苍术煎服。另外，痘疮因风寒外袭而变黑倒靥（痘疹内陷），闻人规用荷叶配合僵蚕来解结滞之气，从而使痘疹自然起发。此外，将荷叶烧成单味灰服用，可消除阳水引起的浮肿。若加入健脾药物中，只用其蒂部，称为“荷鼻”，取其气味浓郁胜过其他部位的原因。戴元礼说，服用荷叶使人身体消瘦瘦弱，不可以长期服用。观察道士炼制银时缩银的方法，使用荷叶一同锻烧，则银的质地顿时变轻，荷叶消烁之力没有比这更厉害的。
【芡实】
俗名鸡头实。
味甘，性平，无毒。
《神农本草经》主治湿痹引起的腰脊膝痛，补益中气，祛除暴疾，益精气，强意志。
发明：芡实生长在水中却能补脾利湿，观察《本经》所述主治病症，都是脾肾的疾病。对于遗精、白浊带下、小便不禁者适宜使用。
【菱角】
俗名菱角。
味甘，性平，无毒。
发明：菱实品种繁多，但其导致气机阻滞的特性是一致的。红色菱角偏于泻，白色菱角偏于补；生用降气，熟用升气，仅作为食品，在治疗方面几乎没有特别之处。患疟疾或痢疾的人不要食用。过量食用会导致腹部胀满。古法用麝香点汤来解除其弊。近代人用沉香磨汁来引导化解，都是取其芳香散滞的力量罢了。
[Lotus Stamen]
Sweet, astringent, warm, non-toxic. Contraindicated with Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma (Dihuang), Allii Cepae (Cong), and Allii Sativi Bulbus (Suan).
Invention: Lotus stamen clears the Heart and communicates with the Kidney. Due to its astringent flavor, it is a key herb for securing and retaining essence and qi. It is used in Guzhen Wan (Solidify True Pill) and Jushengzi Wan (Great Sesame Seed Pill) from *San Yin Fang*. However, it is suitable only for those with thin semen and frequent emission; it should not be used for those with uncontrolled Yuan Yang (Primordial Yang), as its astringent properties may cause harm by over-constricting. The lotus flower has similar properties to the stamen; only white flowers about to open are dried in the shade for medicinal use. Long-term consumption prolongs life and prevents hunger, hence it is used in Jin Cui Xian Wan (Advance Extract Immortal Pill).
[Lotus Pod]
Bitter, astringent, warm, non-toxic.
Invention: The lotus pod enters the Jueyin Liver channel and its function specializes in stopping bleeding. Therefore, for metrorrhagia, hematochezia, and hematuria, it is burned to ash and used. Although it can stop bleeding, it does not have the obstructive nature like Zonghui (Charred Palm Spathe Ash).
[Lotus Leaf]
Bitter, astringent, neutral, non-toxic.
Invention: Lotus leaf obtains the clear, ascending Qi of Zhen (Thunder/Shock). Thus, Jiegu (Zhang Yuansu) uses lotus leaf in Zhizhu Wan (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Macrocephala Pill), mixing it with cooked rice to form pills. Dongyuan (Li Gao) treats Leitou Feng (Thunderhead Wind) syndrome, characterized by swelling and pain in the head and face, nodules, aversion to cold, fever, resembling Shaoyang/Taiyang/Yangming syndromes where cold herbs should not be overused. Qingzhen Tang (Clear and Ascend Decoction) is used, composed of He Ye (Lotus Leaf), Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), and Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), decocted and taken orally. Additionally, when acneiform eruptions turn black and invert due to external invasion of wind-cold, Wenren Gui uses He Ye combined with Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus) to resolve stagnant Qi, allowing the eruptions to rise naturally. Furthermore, burning the leaf to ash and taking it alone can eliminate edema caused by Yang Water. When added to spleen-strengthening formulas, only the peduncle is used, called He Bi (Lotus Peduncle), because its flavor is stronger than other parts. Dai Yuanli stated that consuming lotus leaf makes one emaciated and weak, so it should not be taken long-term. Observing the method of Daoists shrinking silver using lotus leaf during smelting, the silver becomes lighter instantly; its dissolving power is unparalleled.
[Chinese Water Chestnut / Euryale Seed]
Common name: Jitou Shi (Chicken Head Fruit).
Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats damp-bi causing pain in the lower back, spine, and knees; tonifies the Middle Jiao; eliminates acute diseases; benefits essence and qi; and strengthens willpower.
Invention: Euryale seed grows in water but benefits the Spleen and promotes dampness drainage. The indications in *Bencao Jing* all relate to Spleen and Kidney diseases. It is suitable for spermatorrhea, turbid leukorrhea, and urinary incontinence.
[Water Caltrop]
Common name: Lingjiao.
Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Invention: There are many varieties of Water caltrop (Jishi), but they all tend to stagnate Qi. Red varieties are draining, while white ones are tonifying; raw forms descend, while cooked ones ascend. They serve mainly as food and have little therapeutic value. Patients with malaria or dysentery should avoid eating them. Overconsumption causes abdominal fullness and distension. Ancient methods used She Xiang (Moschus) dissolved in water to counteract this. Modern people use Chen Xiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum) ground into juice to guide the resolution, relying on their aromatic ability to dissipate stagnation.