（《本经》上品）
【释名】 （音闲）、水香（《本经》）、香水兰（《开宝》）、女兰（《纲目》）、香草（《纲
目》）、燕尾香（《开宝》）、大泽兰（《炮炙论》）、煎泽草（弘景）、兰泽草（《唐本》）、省
头草（《纲目》）、都梁香（李当之）、孩儿菊（《纲目》）、千金草。
志曰∶叶似马兰，故名兰草。其叶有歧，俗呼燕尾香。时人煮水以浴，疗风，故又名香
水兰。藏器曰∶兰草生泽畔，妇人和油泽头，故云兰泽。盛弘之《荆州记》云∶都梁有山，
下
时珍曰∶都梁即今之武冈州也，又临淮盱眙县亦有都梁山，产此香。兰乃香草，能辟不
祥。陆玑《诗疏》言∶郑俗，三月男女秉 于水际，以自祓除。盖兰以阑之， 以闲之，其
义一也。《淮南子》云∶男子种兰，美而不芳。则兰须女子种之，女兰之名，或因乎此。其
叶似菊，女子、小儿喜佩之，则女兰、孩菊之名，又或以此也。《唐瑶经验方》言∶江南人
家种之，夏月采置发中，令头不 ，故名省头草。其说正合煎泽之义。古人兰蕙皆称香草，
如零陵香草、都梁香草。后人省之，通呼为香草尔。近世但知兰花，不知兰草。惟虚谷方回
考订，极言古之兰草即今之千金草，俗名孩儿菊者，其说可据。详下正误。
【集解】《别录》曰∶兰草生太吴池泽，四月、五月采。
弘景曰∶方药俗人并不识用。太吴应是吴国太伯所居，故呼太吴。今东间有煎泽草，名
兰香，或者此也。李当之云∶是今人所种都梁香草也。泽兰亦名都梁香。
恭曰∶兰即兰泽香草也。圆茎紫萼，八月花白。俗名兰香，煮以洗浴。生溪涧水旁，人
间亦多种之，以饰庭池。陶所引煎泽草、都梁香者是也，而不能的识。
保升曰∶生下湿地，叶似泽兰，尖长有歧，花红白色而香。
藏器曰∶兰草、泽兰二物同名，陶不能知，苏亦浪别。兰草生泽畔，叶光润，阴小紫，
五月、六月采阴干，即都梁香也。泽兰叶尖微有毛，不光润，茎方节紫，初采微辛，干之亦
辛。苏云八月花白者，即泽兰也，以注兰草，殊误矣。
时珍曰∶兰草、泽兰一类二种也。俱生水旁下湿处。二月宿根生苗成丛，紫茎素枝，赤
节绿叶，叶对节生，有细齿。但以茎圆节长，而叶光有岐者，为兰草；茎微方，节短而叶有
毛者，为泽兰。嫩时并可 而佩之，八、九月后渐老，高者三四尺，开花成穗，如鸡苏花，
红白色，中有细子。雷 《炮炙论》所谓大泽兰，即兰草也；小泽兰，即泽兰也。《礼记》
佩兰 ，《楚辞》纫秋兰以为佩，《西京杂记》载汉时池苑种兰以降神，或杂粉藏衣书中辟
蠹者，皆此二兰也。今吴人莳之，呼为香草，夏月刈取，以酒油洒制，缠作把子，货为头泽
佩带，与《别录》所出太吴之文正相符合。诸家不知二兰乃一物二种，但功用有气血之分，
故无定指，惟寇氏、朱氏之误尤甚，故考证于下。或云家莳者为兰草，野生者为泽兰，亦通。
【正误】寇宗 曰∶兰草诸家之说异同，乃未的识，故无定论。今江陵、鼎、澧州山谷
之间颇有之，山外平田即无，多生阴地幽谷。叶如麦门冬而阔且韧，长及一、二尺，四时常
青。花黄绿色，中间瓣上有细紫点。春芳者为春兰，色深；秋芳者为秋兰，色淡。开时满室
尽香，与他花香又别。
朱震亨曰∶兰叶禀金水之气而似有火，人知其花香之贵，而不知其叶有药方。盖其叶能
散久积陈郁之气甚有力，即今之栽置座右者。
时珍曰∶二氏所说，乃近世所谓兰花，非古之兰草也。兰有数种，兰草、泽兰生水旁，
山兰即兰草之生山中者。兰花亦生山中，与三兰迥别。兰花生近处者，叶如麦门冬而春花；
生福建者，叶如菅茅而秋花。黄山谷所谓一干一花为兰，一干数花为蕙者，盖因不识兰草、
蕙草，遂以兰花强生分别也。兰草与泽兰同类，故陆玑言∶兰似泽兰，但广而长节。《离骚》
言∶其绿叶紫茎素枝，可纫可佩可藉可膏可浴。《郑诗》言∶士女秉 ；应劭《风俗通》言∶
尚书奏事，怀香握兰。《礼记》言∶诸侯贽薰，大夫贽兰。《汉书》言∶兰以香自烧也。若夫
兰花，有叶无枝，可玩而不可纫佩藉浴秉握膏焚。故朱子《离骚辨证》言∶古之香草必花叶
俱香，而燥湿不变，故可刈佩。今之兰蕙，但花香而叶乃无气，质弱易萎，不可刈佩，必非
古人所指甚明。古之兰似泽兰，而蕙即今之零陵香。今之似茅而花有两种者，不知何时误也？
熊太古《冀越集》言∶世俗之兰，生于深山穷谷，决非古时水泽之兰也。《遁斋闲览》言∶
楚骚之兰，或以为都梁香，或以为泽兰，或以为猗兰，当以泽兰为正。今人所种如麦门冬者，
名幽兰，非真兰也。故陈止斋着《盗兰说》以讥之。方虚谷《订兰说》言∶古之兰草，即今
之千金草，俗名孩儿菊者。今之所谓兰，其叶如茅而嫩者，根名土续断，因花馥郁，故得兰
名也。杨升庵云∶世以如蒲萱者为兰，九畹之受诬久矣。又吴草庐有《兰说》甚详，云兰为
医经上品之药，有枝有茎，草之植者也。今所谓兰，无枝无茎，因黄山谷称之，世遂谬指为
《离骚》之兰。寇氏《本草》亦溺于俗，反疑旧说为非。夫医经为实用，岂可误哉？今之兰
，果可利水杀蛊而除痰癖乎？其种盛于闽，朱子乃闽人，岂不识其土产而反辨析如此？世俗
至今犹以非兰为兰，何其惑之难解也？呜呼！观诸儒之明析如此，则寇、朱二氏之误可知，
而医家用兰草者当不复疑矣。
叶
【修治】见泽兰下。
【气味】辛，平，无毒。杲曰∶甘、寒。
【主治】利水道，杀蛊毒，辟不祥。久服益气轻身不老，通神明（《本经》）。除胸中痰
癖（《别录》）。生血，调气，养营（雷 ）。其气清香，生津止渴，润肌肉，治消渴胆瘅（李
杲）。煮水，浴风病（马志）。消痈肿，调月经。煎水，解中牛马毒（时珍）。主恶气，香泽
可作膏涂发（藏器）。
【发明】时珍曰∶按《素问》云∶五味入口，藏于脾胃，以行其精气。津液在脾
，令人口甘，此肥美所发也。其气上溢，转为消渴。治之以兰，除陈气也。王冰注云∶辛能
发散故也。李东垣治消渴生津饮，用兰叶，盖本于此，详见泽兰下。又此草浸油涂发，去风
垢，令香润。《史记》所谓罗襦襟解，微闻香泽者是也。崔实《四时月令》作香泽法∶用清
油浸兰香、藿香、鸡舌香、苜蓿叶四种，以新绵裹，浸胡麻油，和猪脂纳铜铛中，沸定，下
少许青蒿，以绵幂瓶，铛嘴泻出，瓶收用之。
【附方】新一。
食牛马毒杀人者。省头草（连根叶），煎水服，即消。（《唐瑶经验方》）
【《神农本草经》列为上品】
【释名】 （音闲）、水香（出自《本经》）、香水兰（出自《开宝本草》）、女兰（出自《纲目》）、香草（出自《纲目》）、燕尾香（出自《开宝本草》）、大泽兰（出自《雷公炮炙论》）、煎泽草（陶弘景注）、兰泽草（出自《唐本草》）、省头草（出自《纲目》）、都梁香（李当之）、孩儿菊（出自《纲目》）、千金草。
苏恭记载说：叶子像马兰，所以叫兰草。它的叶子有分叉，俗称燕尾香。当时的人煮水用来洗澡，治疗风邪，所以又叫香水兰。
藏器说：兰草生长在水泽边，妇女用油涂抹头发时加入兰草，所以叫兰泽。盛弘之的《荆州记》说：都梁山出产这种香草。
李时珍说：都梁就是现在的武冈州，另外临淮盱眙县也有都梁山，出产这种香草。兰是香草，能辟除不祥之气。陆玑在《毛诗草木鸟兽虫鱼疏》中说：郑地风俗，三月男女在水边手持兰草，以祓除不洁。大概“兰”是用来阑截（阻挡）邪气的，“ ”是用来闲止（制止）杂念的，它们的意义是一样的。《淮南子》说：男子种兰，长得美但不香。那么兰必须女子种才香，“女兰”这个名字，或许就源于此。它的叶子像菊花，女子、小儿喜欢佩戴它，那么“女兰”、“孩菊”的名字，又可能因此而来。《唐瑶经验方》说：江南人家种植它，夏天采摘放在头发里，让头不油腻，所以叫省头草。这种说法正符合“煎泽”的意思。古人把兰和蕙都称为香草，比如零陵香草、都梁香草。后人省略了称呼，通称为香草罢了。近代只知道兰花，不知道兰草。只有虚谷方回考证订正，极力说明古代的兰草就是现在的千金草，俗名孩儿菊的那种，他的说法是可以依据的。详见下面的“正误”部分。
【集解】《名医别录》说：兰草生长在太吴池泽，四月、五月采集。
陶弘景说：医生和药铺的普通人都不认识使用。太吴应该是吴国太伯居住的地方，所以叫太吴。现在江东地区有煎泽草，名叫兰香，或许就是这个。李当之说：就是现在人们种植的都梁香草。泽兰也叫都梁香。
苏恭说：兰就是兰泽香草。茎圆，花萼紫，八月开花白色。俗名兰香，煮水洗浴。生长在溪涧水旁，民间也多种植，用来装饰庭院水池。陶弘景所引用的煎泽草、都梁香就是这种，但不能确切识别。
保升说：生长在低湿之地，叶子像泽兰，尖长且有分叉，花红白色且香。
藏器说：兰草、泽兰两种东西同名，陶弘景不能分辨，苏敬也随意区分。兰草生长在水泽边，叶子光滑润泽，背面微紫，五月、六月采后阴干，就是都梁香。泽兰叶尖微有毛，不光滑润泽，茎方形节部紫色，刚采时微辛，晒干后也辛。苏恭说八月开花白色的是泽兰，却用来注释兰草，这是很大的错误。
李时珍说：兰草、泽兰是一类两种。都生长在水边低湿处。二月宿根生出苗丛，紫茎素枝，赤节绿叶，叶对生节上，有细齿。只是茎圆节长，而叶光滑有分叉的，是兰草；茎微方，节短而叶有毛的，是泽兰。嫩的时候都可以采摘佩戴，八、九月后逐渐老化，高的三四尺，开花成穗，像鸡苏花，红白色，中有细籽。雷斅《炮炙论》所说的大泽兰，就是兰草；小泽兰，就是泽兰。《礼记》佩兰，《楚辞》纫秋兰以为佩，《西京杂记》记载汉时池苑种兰来降神，或者混合粉末藏在衣书中辟蠹虫的，都是这两种兰。现在吴地人种植它，呼为香草，夏天收割，用酒油洒制，缠成把子，作为头泽佩戴出售，与《别录》所说的太吴产地文字完全相符。各家不知道二兰是一物两种，只是功效有气血之分，所以没有固定指代，只有寇宗奭、朱震亨的错误尤其严重，所以在下面考证。有人说家种的是兰草，野生的是泽兰，也通顺。
【正误】寇宗奭说：关于兰草各家的说法异同，是因为没有确切识别，所以没有定论。现在江陵、鼎州、澧州山谷之间颇有这种植物，山外平田就没有，多生长在阴地幽谷。叶子像麦门冬但宽且韧，长达一、二尺，四季常青。花黄绿色，中间花瓣上有细紫点。春天芳香的叫春兰，颜色深；秋天芳香的叫秋兰，颜色淡。开花时满室尽香，与其他花香不同。
朱震亨说：兰叶禀受金水之气而似有火，人们知道它花香珍贵，却不知道它的叶子有药用价值。大概它的叶子能消散久积陈郁之气很有力，就是现在栽种在座右的那种。
李时珍说：这两位先生所说的，是近世所谓的兰花，不是古代的兰草。兰有好几种，兰草、泽兰生长在水边，山兰就是生长在中山里的兰草。兰花也生长在山中，与这三种兰截然不同。兰花生长在靠近人居处的，叶子像麦门冬而春天开花；生长在福建的，叶子像菅茅而秋天开花。黄山谷所谓一干一花为兰，一干数花为蕙，大概是因为不认识兰草、蕙草，于是强行给兰花做出分别。兰草与泽兰同类，所以陆玑说：兰像泽兰，只是更宽大且节长。《离骚》说：其绿叶紫茎素枝，可以编织佩戴、铺垫、涂膏、洗浴。《郑诗》说：士女手持兰；应劭《风俗通》说：尚书奏事，怀香握兰。《礼记》说：诸侯进贡薰草，大夫进贡兰。《汉书》说：兰因为香气自焚。至于兰花，有叶无枝，只可观赏不可编织佩戴铺垫洗浴手持涂膏焚烧。所以朱熹《离骚辨证》说：古代的香草必定花叶俱香，而且干燥潮湿都不改变性质，所以可以收割佩戴。现在的兰蕙，只有花香而叶子没有气味，质地弱容易枯萎，不可收割佩戴，肯定不是古人所指明的。古代的兰像泽兰，而蕙就是现在的零陵香。现在的像茅草而花有两种的，不知何时弄错了？熊太古《冀越集》说：世俗的兰，生长在深山穷谷，绝对不是古代水泽的兰。《遁斋闲览》说：楚辞中的兰，有人以为是都梁香，有人以为是泽兰，有人以为是猗兰，应当以泽兰为正统。现在人所种的像麦门冬的，名叫幽兰，不是真兰。所以陈止斋写《盗兰说》来讥讽它。方虚谷《订兰说》说：古代的兰草，就是现在的千金草，俗名孩儿菊的。现在的所谓兰，它的叶子像茅草而嫩的，根名叫土续断，因为花馥郁，所以得兰名。杨慎说：世人把像蒲萱的当作兰，九畹之说被诬陷很久了。还有吴澄有《兰说》很详细，说兰是医经上品之药，有枝有茎，是草本植物。现在所谓的兰，无枝无茎，因为黄山谷称赞它，世人就谬指为《离骚》中的兰。寇氏《本草》也沉溺于习俗，反而怀疑旧说是错的。医经是为了实用，怎么能错呢？现在的兰，真的能利水杀蛊而除痰癖吗？它的种植在福建很兴盛，朱熹是福建人，难道不认识当地特产却反而辨析成这样？世俗至今还把非兰当作兰，为什么迷惑到难以理解的地步？唉！看各位儒者分析得如此明白，就知道寇、朱两位先生的错误了，而医家用兰草的人应当不再疑惑了。
【修治】见泽兰条下。
【气味】辛，平，无毒。杲（李杲）说：甘、寒。
【主治】利水道，杀蛊毒，辟不祥。久服益气轻身不老，通神明（《本经》）。除胸中痰癖（《别录》）。生血，调气，养营（雷斅）。它的气味清香，生津止渴，润肌肉，治疗消渴胆瘅（李杲）。煮水，浴风病（马志）。消痈肿，调月经。煎水，解中牛马毒（李时珍）。主恶气，香泽可作膏涂发（藏器）。
【发明】李时珍说：按《素问》说：五味入口，藏于脾胃，以行其精气。津液在脾，令人口甘，这是肥美食物所引发的。其气上溢，转为消渴。治疗用兰，是除去陈腐之气。王冰注解说：辛能发散的缘故。李东垣治疗消渴生津饮，用兰叶，大概基于此，详见泽兰条下。另外这草浸油涂发，去风垢，令香润。《史记》所谓罗襦襟解，微闻香泽的就是这个。崔实《四时月令》制作香泽的方法：用清油浸泡兰香、藿香、鸡舌香、苜蓿叶四种，用新棉包裹，浸胡麻油，和猪脂放入铜铛中，煮沸后定，下少许青蒿，用棉布盖住瓶口，从铛嘴泻出，瓶中收存使用。
【附方】新增一方。
食牛马毒杀人者。省头草（连根叶），煎水服用，即刻消除。（《唐瑶经验方》）
[Classified as Upper Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
**Names:** (Pronounced "xian"), Shuixiang (*Benjing*), Xiangshui Lan (*Kaibao*), Nülan (*Gangmu*), Xiangcao (*Gangmu*), Yanweixiang (*Kaibao*), Daze Lan (*Paozhi Lun*), Jianze Cao (Tao Hongjing), Lanze Cao (*Tangben*), Shengtou Cao (*Gangmu*), Duliang Xiang (Li Dangzhi), Hai'er Ju (*Gangmu*), Qianjin Cao.
Su Gong recorded: The leaves resemble those of *Kalimeris indica* (Malan), hence the name Lancao. Its leaves have lobes, commonly called Yanweixiang. People at that time boiled water to bathe, treating wind pathogens, hence also called Shuixiang Lan.
Zangqi said: Lancao grows by the marshes. Women mixed it with oil for their hair, hence called Lanze. Sheng Hongzhi's *Zhongzhou Ji* states: Duliang Mountain produces this fragrant herb.
Li Shizhen said: Duliang refers to present-day Wugang Prefecture; there is also a Duliang Mountain in Xuyi County, Linhuai, which produces this fragrant herb. Lan is a fragrant herb that can ward off misfortune. Lu Ji's *Mao Shi Caomu Niao Shou Chongyu Shu* states: In the Zheng custom, men and women hold Lan by the water in the third month to purify themselves. Essentially, "Lan" serves to block (Lan) evil qi, and " " serves to restrain (Xian) distractions; their meanings are identical. *Huainanzi* states: If men plant Lan, it grows beautiful but lacks fragrance. Thus, Lan must be planted by women to become fragrant; the name "Nülan" may originate from this. Its leaves resemble chrysanthemum; women and children like to wear it, so the names "Nülan" and "Hai'er Ju" may derive from this. *Tang Yao Jingyan Fang* states: Families in Jiangnan plant it, harvesting it in summer to place in hair, preventing greasiness, hence called Shengtou Cao. This explanation aligns with the meaning of "Jianze." Ancients referred to both Lan and Hui as fragrant herbs, such as Lingling Xiangcao and Duliang Xiangcao. Later generations abbreviated the term, generally calling them Xiangcao. In recent times, people only know Orchid (Lanhua) and do not know Lancao. Only Fang Hui of Xugu verified and corrected this, strongly arguing that ancient Lancao is the present-day Qianjincao, commonly known as Hai'er Ju. His theory is reliable. See details under "Correction of Errors."
**Collection:** *Bielu* states: Lancao grows in Taiwu Ponds and Marshes, harvested in April and May.
Tao Hongjing said: Physicians and apothecaries generally do not recognize or use it. Taiwu likely refers to the residence of Taibo of Wu State, hence the name Taiwu. There is currently Jianze Cao in the Jiangdong region, named Lanxiang, which might be this. Li Dangzhi said: It is the Duliang Xiangcao planted by people today. Zelan is also called Duliang Xiang.
Su Gong said: Lan is the Lanze fragrant herb. It has round stems and purple calyxes, blooming white in August. Commonly named Lanxiang, boiled for bathing. It grows by streams and creeks; people also plant it widely to decorate courtyards and pools. What Tao Hongjing cited as Jianze Cao and Duliang Xiang is this, but he could not identify it precisely.
Baosheng said: It grows in low, wet areas. Leaves resemble Zelan, pointed, long, and lobed; flowers are red-white and fragrant.
Zangqi said: Lancao and Zelan share the same name. Tao could not distinguish them, and Su Jing arbitrarily separated them. Lancao grows by marshes, leaves are smooth and glossy, slightly purple underneath, harvested in May and June and dried in shade; this is Duliang Xiang. Zelan leaves have slight hairs at the tips, are not smooth/glossy, stems are square with purple nodes; freshly picked it is slightly pungent, drying retains pungency. Su Gong stated that the one blooming white in August is Zelan, yet used it to annotate Lancao, which is a significant error.
Li Shizhen said: Lancao and Zelan are one category, two species. Both grow in wet places near water. In February, perennial roots sprout into clumps; purple stems, pale branches, red nodes, green leaves; leaves grow opposite on nodes, with fine teeth. However, if the stem is round, nodes are long, and leaves are smooth and lobed, it is Lancao; if the stem is slightly square, nodes are short, and leaves have hairs, it is Zelan. When tender, both can be picked and worn. After August and September, they age; tall ones reach three to four chi, flowering in spikes, resembling *Clinopodium chinense* (Jisu) flowers, red-white, containing fine seeds. Lei Xiao's *Paozhi Lun* refers to Da Zelan as Lancao; Xiao Zelan as Zelan. *Book of Rites* mentions wearing Lan; *Chu Ci* mentions stringing autumn Lan to wear; *Xijing Zabiji* records Han dynasty ponds planting Lan to summon spirits, or mixing powder in books to repel insects; these refer to these two Lans. Currently, people in Wu plant it, calling it Xiangcao, harvesting in summer, treating with wine/oil, bundling them, selling as head-grooming ornaments for wearing, which matches the description of Taiwu in *Bielu*. Various experts did not realize these two Lans are one thing, two species, differing only in efficacy regarding Qi and Blood, thus lacking fixed designation. The errors of Kou Zongshi and Zhu Zhenheng are particularly severe, so I verify below. Some say cultivated is Lancao, wild is Zelan, which is also acceptable.
**Correction of Errors:** Kou Zongshi said: Regarding the similarities and differences in various theories on Lancao, because precise identification was lacking, no definitive conclusion exists. Currently, it is abundant in the valleys of Jiangling, Dingzhou, and Lizhou, but absent in flat fields outside mountains, mostly growing in shady, secluded valleys. Leaves resemble *Ophiopogon japonicus* (Mendong) but are wider and tougher, reaching one to two chi, evergreen. Flowers are yellow-green with fine purple spots on central petals. Fragrant in spring is Chunlan, dark color; fragrant in autumn is Qiulan, light color. Full room fragrance when blooming, distinct from other flowers.
Zhu Zhenheng said: Lan leaves possess Metal-Water Qi but appear to have Fire. People know the value of its flower fragrance but ignore its leaf medicinal properties. Its leaves are powerful in dissipating long-accumulated stagnant Qi, referring to the variety planted beside desks today.
Li Shizhen said: What these two scholars described is the modern Orchid (Lanhua), not ancient Lancao. There are several types of Lan: Lancao and Zelan grow by water; Shanlan is Lancao growing in mountains. Lanhua also grows in mountains, distinct from these three. Lanhua near dwellings has leaves like *Ophiopogon japonicus* and blooms in spring; those in Fujian have leaves like *Miscanthus* and bloom in autumn. Huang Tingjian's statement that one flower per stem is Lan, multiple flowers per stem is Hui, likely arose from ignorance of Lancao and Huicao, forcing a distinction upon Lanhua. Lancao and Zelan are similar; thus Lu Ji said: Lan resembles Zelan, but is broader and longer-noded. *Li Sao* states: Green leaves, purple stems, pale branches, can be woven, worn, padded, oiled, or bathed with. *Book of Songs (Zheng)* states: Men and women hold Lan; Ying Shao's *Fengtong Tong* states: Ministers holding incense and grasping Lan during audiences. *Book of Rites* states: Feudal lords offer Xuncao, officials offer Lan. *Book of Han* states: Lan burns itself due to fragrance. As for Lanhua, it has leaves but no branches/stems suitable for weaving, wearing, padding, bathing, holding, oiling, or burning. Thus Zhu Xi's *Lisao Bianzheng* states: Ancient fragrant herbs must have fragrant flowers and leaves, unchanging in dry/wet conditions, hence harvestable and wearable. Modern Lan/Hui only have fragrant flowers, leaves lack scent, weak texture easily withers, cannot be harvested/worn, clearly not what ancients meant. Ancient Lan resembled Zelan, while Hui is present-day Lingling Xiang. The present-day plant resembling *Miscanthus* with two flower types—when did the error occur? Xiong Taigu's *Jiyue Ji* states: Secular Lan grows in deep mountains/valleys, definitely not the ancient marsh Lan. *Dunzhai Xinlan* states: Chu Ci's Lan is debated as Duliang Xiang, Zelan, or Yilan; Zelan should be considered correct. The present-day plant resembling *Ophiopogon japonicus*, named Youlan, is not true Lan. Hence Chen Zhizhai wrote *Daolan Shuo* to mock it. Fang Xugu's *Dinglan Shuo* states: Ancient Lancao is present-day Qianjincao, commonly Hai'er Ju. Present-day so-called Lan, with tender leaves like *Miscanthus*, has roots named Tuxuduan; due to rich fragrance, it gets the name Lan. Yang Shen said: World mistakes plants like *Canna* or *Hemerocallis* for Lan; the concept of "Nine Wan" has been slandered long ago. Wu Cheng's *Lan Shuo* is detailed, stating Lan is an upper-grade medical herb, having branches/stems, a planted grass. Present-day so-called Lan has no branches/stems; due to Huang Tingjian's praise, world wrongly identifies it as *Li Sao*'s Lan. Kou's *Bencao* also succumbed to custom, doubting old theories. Medical classics are for practical use; how can they be wrong? Can present-day Lan really promote urination, kill gu poison, and remove phlegm masses? It thrives in Fujian; Zhu Xi, being from Fujian, surely knew local produce yet辨析ed thus? Why does the world still mistake non-Lan for Lan, so hard to resolve? Alas! Seeing such clear analysis by Confucian scholars, the errors of Kou and Zhu are evident; physicians using Lancao need no longer doubt.
**Processing:** See entry for Zelan.
**Flavor and Nature:** Pungent, Neutral, Non-toxic. Gao (Li Gao) said: Sweet, Cold.
**Indications:** Promotes urinary flow, kills gu poison, wards off misfortune. Long-term use benefits Qi, lightens the body, prevents aging, and clarifies the spirit (*Benjing*). Removes phlegm-rheum in the chest (*Bielu*). Generates blood, regulates Qi, nourishes Ying (*Lei Xiao*). Its aroma is fresh, generates fluids, stops thirst, moistens muscles, treats Xiao Ke and Dan Dan (*Li Gao*). Boiled water, bathes wind diseases (*Ma Zhi*). Reduces carbuncles/swelling, regulates menstruation. Decoction resolves cow/horse poisoning (*Li Shizhen*). Masters foul odors; fragrant grease can be made into paste for hair (*Zangqi*).
**Elucidation:** Li Shizhen said: According to *Suwen*: Five flavors enter the mouth, store in Spleen/Stomach, to circulate essence-Qi. Fluids in Spleen cause sweet taste in mouth; this arises from rich food. Qi overflows upward, transforming into Xiao Ke. Treatment uses Lan to remove stale Qi. Wang Bing annotated: Because Pungency can disperse. Li Dongyuan used Lan leaves in his Xiao Ke fluid-generating drink, based on this; see details under Zelan. Additionally, this herb soaked in oil applied to hair removes wind-dirt, making it fragrant and smooth. This is what *Shiji* refers to as "silk robe loosened, faintly smelling of fragrant grease." Cui Shi's *Sishi Yueling* describes making fragrant grease: Soak Lanxiang, Huoxiang, Jishe Xiang, and Medicago leaves in clear oil. Wrap in new cotton, soak in sesame oil, mix with lard, place in copper cauldron. Boil until settled, add small amount of Qinghao, cover bottle with cotton, pour out from cauldron spout, store in bottle.
**Attached Prescriptions:** One new prescription.
For death caused by eating poisonous cow/horse meat. Shengtou Cao (with roots and leaves), decoct in water and take, immediately dissolves. (*Tang Yao Jingyan Fang*)