\r肉苁蓉\ph114.bmp\r，生河西山谷及代郡雁门，今陕西州郡多有之，然不及西羌界
中来者，肉浓而力紧。
旧说是野马遗沥落地所生。今西人云大木间及土堑垣中多生，此非游牝之所而乃有，则知自
有
种类耳。或疑其初生于马沥，后乃滋殖，如茜根生于人血之类是也。皮如松子有鳞甲，苗下
有一细扁根，长尺余。三月采根，采时掘取中央好者，以绳穿，阴干。至八月乃堪用。《本
经》云∶五月五日采。五月恐已老不堪，故多三月采之。西人多用作食品啖之。刮去鳞甲，
以酒净洗去黑汁，薄切，合山芋、羊肉作羹，极美好，益人，食之胜服补药。又有一种草苁
蓉，极相类，但根短，茎圆，紫色。比来人多取，刮去花，压令扁，以代肉者，功力殊劣耳
。又下品有列当条，云生山南岩石上，如藕根，初生掘取，阴干，亦名草苁蓉。性温，补男
子，疑即是此物。今人鲜用，故少有辨之者，因附见于此。
\r地肤子\ph115.bmp\r，生荆州平泽及田野，今蜀川、关中近地皆有之。初生薄地，
五、六寸；根形如蒿，
茎赤，叶青，大似荆芥；三月开黄白花。八月、九月采实，阴干用。神仙七精散云∶地肤子
，星之精也。或曰其苗即独扫也，一名鸭舌草。陶隐居谓∶茎苗可为扫帚者。苏恭云∶苗极
弱，不能胜举。二说不同。而今医家便以为独扫是也。密州所上者，其说益明。云根作丛生
，每窠有二、三十茎，茎有赤有黄，七月开黄花，其实地肤也。至八月而秸秆成，可采，正
与此地独扫相类。若然，恐西北所出者短弱，故苏注云尔。其叶味苦，寒，无毒。主大肠泄
泻，止赤白痢，和气，涩肠胃，解恶疮毒。三月、四月、五月采。
肉苁蓉（Roucongrong, Cistanche），生长在河西山谷以及代郡雁门一带，如今陕西各州郡多有出产，然而不及西羌地区所产的肉苁蓉肉质肥厚且药力强劲。
旧时的说法认为它是野马遗精滴落地面后生长出来的。如今西方人说它多生长在参天大树之间或土坑、墙垣之中，这里并非母马交配游荡的地方却长出了这种植物，由此可知它自有其种类繁衍的方式。有人怀疑它最初生于马的尿液中，后来才滋生繁殖，就像茜草根生长在人血中的情况一样。它的表皮像松子一样有鳞片状的甲壳，幼苗下方有一根细长的扁根，长度超过一尺。三月采集根部，采挖时选取中央品质好的部分，用绳子串起来，在阴凉处晾干。直到八月才可以使用。《神农本草经》说：五月五日采集。五月恐怕植株已经老化不堪使用，所以大多在三月采集。西方人常将其作为食品食用。刮去鳞甲，用酒洗净去除黑色汁液，切成薄片，与山药、羊肉一起煮羹，味道极好，有益人体，食用它胜过服用补药。又有一种草苁蓉，外形极相似，但根较短，茎呈圆形，颜色为紫色。近来人们多采集这种，刮去花朵，压扁后用来冒充肉苁蓉，但其药效功效远不如真正的肉苁蓉。另外，《神农本草经》下品中有“列当”条目，说它生长在山南岩石上，形状像藕根，初生时挖掘出来，阴干，也叫做草苁蓉。性温，补益男子，怀疑就是这种植物。如今人们很少使用，所以很少有人辨析它，因此在此附带说明。
地肤子（Difuzi, Kochiae Fructus），生长在荆州平原沼泽及田野中，如今蜀川、关中附近地区都有出产。初生时在贫瘠的土地上，高五、六寸；根部形状像蒿草，茎是红色的，叶子是青色的，大小很像荆芥；三月开出黄白色的花。八月、九月采集果实，阴干后使用。《神仙七精散》中说：地肤子是星星的精气凝聚而成。有人说它的苗就是独扫帚草，又名鸭舌草。陶隐居说：茎和苗可以做扫帚。苏恭说：苗非常柔弱，不能承受重举。两种说法不同。而如今的医家便认为它就是独扫帚草。密州进贡的地肤子，其说法更加明确。说根部呈丛生状，每丛有两、三十根茎，茎有红色也有黄色，七月开黄花，它的果实就是地肤子。到了八月秸秆长成，可以采集，正与此地的独扫帚草相似。如果这样的话，恐怕西北地区出产的短小柔弱，所以苏恭注解说那样。地肤子的叶味苦，性寒，无毒。主治大肠泄泻，止住赤白痢疾，调和气血，收敛肠胃，解除恶疮毒素。三月、四月、五月采集。
Matxianhao (Pedicularis), detailed in the entry for Baihao (Artemisia argyi) in Volume 6.
Jiaohao (Acanthophyllum squarrosum), detailed in the entry for Baihao (Artemisia argyi).
Roucongrong (Cistanche), grows in the valleys of Hexi and Yanmen of Dai Commandery. It is now widely available in various prefectures of Shaanxi, yet those from the Western Qiang border region are superior, being fleshy and potent.
Old theories suggest it grows where wild horse semen drips to the ground. Currently, people in the west say it grows abundantly among large trees or in earth trenches and walls. Since this is not a place for mating mares, it is known that it has its own species and reproduction method. Some suspect it initially sprouts from horse urine and later proliferates, similar to how Qian Gen (Qiancao root) grows in human blood. Its skin resembles pine nuts with scale-like armor; beneath the seedling lies a thin, flat root over one chi long. Roots are harvested in March; during collection, the central high-quality parts are dug out, strung on ropes, and dried in the shade. They are ready for use by August. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: "Harvest on the fifth day of the fifth month." However, by May, the plant may be too old and unsuitable, hence most harvest in March. People in the west often consume it as food. After scraping off the scales and washing away black juices with wine, it is sliced thinly and cooked in soup with Shanyu (Dioscorea opposita) and mutton. It is extremely delicious, beneficial to the body, and eating it surpasses taking tonic medicines. Another variety, Caorongrong (Grass Cistanche), looks very similar but has shorter roots and round, purple stems. Recently, people often collect this variety, scrape off the flowers, press them flat, and use them to substitute for Roucongrong, though their efficacy is significantly inferior. Additionally, the lower grade section of the *Bencao* contains an entry for Lidang (Orobanche), stating it grows on rocks in southern mountains, resembling lotus roots. When newly sprouted, it is dug up and dried in the shade; it is also called Caorongrong. It is warm in nature and tonifies men; it is suspected to be this same substance. Nowadays, few people use it, so few distinguish it; thus, it is mentioned here for reference.
Lidang (Orobanche), detailed in the entry for Roucongrong (Cistanche).
Difuzi (Kochiae Fructus), grows in the plains, marshes, and fields of Jingzhou. It is now found in Shuchuan and nearby areas of Guanzhong. Initially growing in poor soil, it reaches five or six cun in height; its root resembles Hao grass, the stem is red, leaves are green and similar in size to Jingjie (Perilla frutescens); it blooms yellow-white flowers in March. Fruits are harvested in August and September and dried in the shade. The *Shenxian Qijing San* states: Difuzi is the essence of stars. Others say its seedlings are Dusaoye (Koeleria macrantha), also known as Yashécao (Duck-tongue grass). Tao Hongjing stated: Stems and seedlings can be made into brooms. Su Gong said: The seedlings are very weak and cannot bear weight. These two views differ. Modern physicians identify it as Dusaoye. The submission from Mizhou clarifies this further: The root grows in clumps, with twenty to thirty stems per clump; stems vary from red to yellow; it blooms yellow flowers in July, and its fruit is Difuzi. By August, the stalks mature and can be harvested, resembling the local Dusaoye. If so, perhaps the varieties from the northwest are short and weak, leading to Su Gong's note. The leaves of Difuzi are bitter, cold, and non-toxic. They treat large intestine diarrhea, stop dysentery (red and white), harmonize Qi, astringe the intestines and stomach, and resolve toxic sores. Harvested in March, April, and May.