（《本经》中品）
【释名】时珍曰∶梅古文作呆，象子在木上之形。梅乃杏类，故反杏为呆。书家讹为甘
木。后作梅，从每，谐声也。或云∶梅者媒也，媒合众味。故书云∶若作和羹，尔惟盐梅。
而梅字亦从某也。陆佃《埤雅》言梅入北方变为杏，郭璞注《尔雅》以 为梅，皆误矣。
即 木，荆人呼为梅，见陆玑《草木疏》。
【集解】《别录》曰∶梅实生汉中山谷。五月采实，火干。
颂曰∶今襄汉、川蜀、江湖、淮岭皆有之。
时珍曰∶按∶陆玑《诗疏》云∶梅，杏类也。树、叶皆略似杏，叶有长尖，先众木而花
。其实酢，曝干为脯，入羹 齑中，又含之可以香口。子赤者材坚，子白者材脆。范成大《梅
谱》云∶江梅，野生者，不经栽接，花小而香，子小而硬。消梅，实圆松脆，多液无滓，惟
可生啖，不入煎造。绿萼梅，枝跗皆绿。重叶梅，花叶重叠，结实多双。红梅，花色如杏。
杏梅，色淡红，实扁而斑，味全似杏。鸳鸯梅，即多叶红梅也，一蒂双实。一云∶苦楝接梅，
则花带黑色。谭子化书云∶李接桃而本强者其实毛，梅接杏而本强者其实甘。梅实采半黄者，
以烟熏之为乌梅；青者盐腌曝干为白梅。亦可蜜煎、糖藏，以充果 。熟者笮汁晒收为梅酱
惟乌梅、白梅可入药。梅酱，夏月可调渴水饮之。
实
【气味】酸，平，无毒。
大明曰∶多食损齿伤筋，蚀脾胃，令人发膈上痰热。服黄精人忌食之。食梅齿 者，嚼
胡桃肉解之。
《物类相感志》云∶梅子同韶粉食，则不酸，不软牙。
【发明】宗 曰∶食梅则津液泄者，水生木也。津液泄则伤肾，肾属水，外为齿故也。
时珍曰∶梅，花开于冬而实熟于夏，得木之全气，故其味最酸，所谓曲直作酸也。肝为
乙木，胆为甲木。人之舌下有四窍，两窍通胆液，故食梅则津生者，类相感应也。故《素问》
云∶味过于酸，肝气以津。又云∶酸走筋，筋病无多食酸。不然，物之味酸者多矣，何独梅
能生津耶？
乌梅
【修治】弘景曰∶用须去核，微炒之。
时珍曰∶造法∶取青梅篮盛，于突上熏黑。若以稻灰淋汁润湿蒸过，则肥泽不蠹。
【气味】酸，温、平，涩，无毒。
杲曰∶寒。忌猪肉。
【主治】下气，除热烦满，安心，止肢体痛，偏枯不仁，死肌，去青黑痣，蚀恶肉（《本
经》）。去痹，利筋脉，止下痢，好唾口干（《别录》）。水渍汁饮，治伤寒烦热（弘景）。止
渴调中，去痰治疟瘴，止吐逆霍乱，除冷热痢（藏器）。治虚劳骨蒸，消酒毒，令人得睡。
和建茶、干姜为丸服，止休息痢，大验（大明）。敛肺涩肠，止久嗽泻痢，反胃噎膈，蛔厥
吐利，消肿涌痰，杀虫，解鱼毒、马汗毒、硫黄毒（时珍）。
白梅
【释名】盐梅、霜梅。
【修治】取大青梅以盐汁渍之，日晒夜渍，十日成矣。久乃上霜。
【气味】酸、咸，平，无毒。
【主治】和药点痣，蚀恶肉（弘景）。刺在肉中者，嚼敷之即出（孟诜）。治刀箭伤，止
血，研烂敷之（大明）。
乳痈肿毒，杵烂贴之，佳（汪颖）。除痰。（苏颂）。
治中风惊痫，喉痹痰厥僵仆，牙关紧闭者，取梅肉揩擦牙龈，涎出即开。又治泻痢烦
渴，霍乱吐下，下血血崩，功同乌梅（时珍）。
【发明】弘景曰∶生梅、乌梅、白梅，功应相似。
好古曰∶乌梅，脾、肺二经血分药也。能收肺气，治燥嗽。肺欲收，急食酸以收之。
时珍曰∶乌梅、白梅所主诸病，皆取其酸收之义。惟张仲景治蛔厥乌梅丸及虫 方中用
者，取虫得酸即止之义，稍有不同耳。《医说》载∶曾鲁公痢血百余日，国医不能疗。陈应
之用盐水梅肉一枚研烂，合腊茶，入醋服之，一啜而安。大丞梁庄肃公亦痢血，应之用乌梅、
胡黄连、灶下土等分为末，茶调服，亦效。盖血得酸则敛，得寒则止，得苦则涩故也。其蚀
恶疮 肉，虽是酸收，却有物理之妙。说出《本经》。其法载于《刘涓子鬼遗方》∶用乌梅肉
烧存性研，敷恶肉上，一夜立尽。《圣惠》用乌梅和蜜作饼贴者，其力缓。按∶杨起《简便
方》云∶起臂生一疽，脓溃百日方愈，中有恶肉突起，如蚕豆大，月余不消，医治不效。因
阅本草得此方，试之，一日夜去其大半，再上一日而平。乃知世有奇方如此，遂留心搜刻诸
方，始基于此方也。
【附方】旧十一，新二十二。
诸疮 肉∶方见上。
痈疽疮肿，已溃未溃皆可用∶盐白梅烧存性为末，入轻粉少许，香油调，涂四围。（王
氏《易简方》）。
喉痹乳蛾∶冰梅丸∶用青梅二十枚（盐十二两，腌五日，取梅汁），入明矾三两，桔梗、
白芷、防风各二两，猪牙皂角三十条，俱为细末，拌汁和梅入瓶收之。每用一枚，噙咽津液。
凡中风痰厥，牙关不开，用此擦之尤佳。《总录》∶用白梅包生矾末作丸含咽，或纳吞之。
消渴烦闷∶乌梅肉二两，微炒为末。每服二钱，水二盏，煎一盏，去滓，入豉二百粒，
煎至半盏，温服。（《简要济众方》）。
泄痢口渴∶乌梅煎汤，日饮代茶。（《扶寿精方》）。
产后痢渴∶乌梅肉二十个，麦门冬十二分，以水一升，煮七合，细呷之
。（《必效方》）。
赤痢腹痛《直指》∶用陈白梅同真茶、蜜水各半，煎饮之。《圣惠》∶用乌梅肉（炒）、黄
连各四两，为末，炼蜜丸梧子大。每米饮服二十丸，日三服。
便痢脓血∶乌梅一两去核，烧过为末。每服二钱，米饮下，立止。（《圣济总录》）。
久痢不止，肠垢已出∶《肘后》∶用乌梅肉二十个，水一盏，煎六分，食前分二服。《袖珍》∶
用乌梅肉、白梅肉各七个捣烂，入乳香末少许，杵丸梧桐子大。每服二、三十丸，茶汤下，
日三。大便下血，及酒痢、久痢不止∶用乌梅三两，烧存性为末，醋煮米糊和，丸梧子大。
每空心米饮服二十丸，日三。（《济生方》）。
小便尿血∶乌梅，烧存性研末，醋糊丸梧子大。每服四十丸，酒下。
血崩不止∶乌梅肉七枚，烧存性研末。米饮服之，日二。
大便不通，气奔欲死者∶乌梅十颗，汤浸去核，丸枣大。纳入下部，少时即通。（《食
疗本草》）。
霍乱吐利∶盐梅煎汤，细细饮之。（《如宜方》）。
蛔虫上行，出于口鼻∶乌梅煎汤频饮，并含之，即安。（《食鉴本草》）。
水气满急∶乌梅、大枣各三枚。水四升，煮二升，纳蜜和匀，含咽之。（《圣济总录》）。
梅核膈气∶取半青半黄梅子，每个用盐一两腌一日夜，晒干，又浸又晒至水尽乃止。用
青钱三个，夹二梅，麻线缚定，通装瓷罐内封埋地下，百日取出。每用一枚，含之咽汁，入
喉即消。收一年者治一人，二年者治二人，其妙绝伦。（《龚氏经验方》）。
心腹胀痛，短气欲绝者∶乌梅二七枚，水五升，煮一沸，纳大钱二七枚，煮二升半，顿
服之。（《肘后》）。
劳疟劣弱∶乌梅十四枚，豆豉二合，桃、柳枝各一虎口，甘草三寸，生姜一块，以童子
小便二升，煎一半，温服即止。（《图经本草》）。
久咳不已∶乌梅肉（微炒）、罂粟壳去筋膜蜜炒，等分为末。每服二钱，睡时蜜汤调下。
痰厥头痛如破者∶乌梅肉三十个，盐三撮，酒三升，煮一升，顿服，取吐即愈。（《肘
后方》）。
伤寒头痛，壮热，胸中烦痛，四、五日不解∶乌梅十四枚，盐五合，水一升，煎半升，
温服取吐。吐后避风良。（《梅师方》）。
折伤金疮∶干梅烧存性，敷之，一宿瘥。（《千金方》）。
马汗入疮作痛∶用乌梅连核捣烂，以头醋和敷。仍先刺疮，出去紫血，乃敷之系定。（《经
验方》）。
犬伤毒∶乌梅末，酒服二钱。（《千金》）。
指头肿毒痛甚者∶乌梅肉，和鱼 捣封之妙。（李楼《奇方》）。
伤寒 疮，生下部者∶乌梅肉三两炒为末，炼蜜丸梧子大。
以石榴根皮煎汤，食前下三十丸。（《圣惠方》）。
小儿头疮∶乌梅烧末，生油调涂。（《圣济录》）。
香口去臭∶曝干梅脯，常时含之。（《毛诗疏》）。
硫黄毒发，令人背膊疼闷，目暗漠漠∶乌梅肉（焙）一两，沙糖半两，浆水一大盏，煎
七分，呷之。（《总录》）
核仁
【气味】酸，平，无毒。
【主治】明目，益气，不饥（吴普）。除烦热（甄权）。
治代指忽然肿痛，捣烂，和醋浸之（时珍。《肘后方》）。
花
【气味】微酸，涩，无毒。
【发明】时珍曰∶白梅花古方未见用者。近时有梅花汤∶用半开花，溶蜡封花口，投蜜
罐中，过时以一两朵同蜜一匙点沸汤服。
又有蜜渍梅花法∶用白梅肉少许，浸雪水，润花，露一宿，蜜浸荐酒。又梅花粥法∶用
落英入熟米粥再煮食之。故杨诚斋有“蜜点梅花带露餐”及“脱蕊收将熬粥吃”之句，皆取
其助雅致、清神思而已。
叶
【气味】酸，平，无毒。
【主治】休息痢及霍乱，煮浓汁饮之（大明）。
藏器曰∶嵩阳子言∶清水揉梅叶，洗蕉葛衣，经夏不脆。有验。
时珍曰∶夏衣生霉点，梅叶煎汤洗之即去，甚妙。
【附方】旧一，新二。
中水毒病，初起头痛恶寒，心烦拘急，旦醒暮剧∶梅叶捣汁三升饮之良。（《肘后》）。
下部虫 ∶梅叶、桃叶一斛，杵烂蒸极热，纳小器中，隔布坐蒸之，虫尽死也。（《外
台秘要》）。
月水不止∶梅叶（焙）、棕榈皮灰各等分为末。每服二钱，酒调下。（《圣济总录》）
根
【主治】风痹（《别录》。出土者杀人）。
初生小儿，取根同桃、李根煮汤浴之，无疮热之患（崔氏《纂要》）。
煎汤饮，治霍乱，止休息痢（大明）。
（收录于《神农本草经》中品）
【释名】李时珍说：梅的古字写作“呆”，是描绘果实挂在树上的形状。梅属于杏类，所以把“杏”字反过来就成了“呆”。书法家误写为“甘木”。后来写成“梅”，从“每”字旁，取谐音。有人说：梅就是媒，能调和各种味道。所以书上说：“如果要调制羹汤，你就用盐和梅。”而“梅”字也从“某”。陆佃在《埤雅》中说梅到了北方会变成杏，郭璞注释《尔雅》时用某种树代替梅，都是错误的。那就是梅树，荆地人叫它梅，见陆玑《草木疏》。
【集解】《名医别录》说：梅实生长在汉中的山谷里。五月采集果实，用火烘干。
苏颂说：现在襄阳、汉中、川蜀、江湖、淮岭等地都有生长。
李时珍说：据陆玑《诗经疏》记载：梅，是杏的一类。树和叶子都大致像杏，叶子有长尖头，比众树先开花。它的果实酸，晒干成为脯，放入羹汤或腌菜中，含在嘴里可以香口。红色的子材质坚硬，白色的子材质脆。范成大《梅谱》说：江梅，是野生的，不经过嫁接栽培，花小但香，子小而硬。消梅，果实圆松脆，汁多无渣，只能生吃，不适合煎煮加工。绿萼梅，枝条和花萼都是绿色的。重叶梅，花瓣和叶子重叠，结出的果实多为双生。红梅，花色像杏。杏梅，颜色淡红，果实扁且有斑纹，味道完全像杏。鸳鸯梅，就是多叶的红梅，一个蒂上结两个果实。另一种说法是：用苦楝树嫁接梅，则花朵带黑色。谭子《化书》说：李树接在桃树上且本根强壮的，其果实有毛；梅树接在杏树上且本根强壮的，其果实甘甜。梅实采摘半黄的，用烟熏制成乌梅；青色的用盐腌制后晒干制成白梅。也可以用蜜糖浸渍、糖藏，作为果品食用。成熟的压榨出汁晒干收存制成梅酱。只有乌梅和白梅可以入药。梅酱，夏天可以调水饮用以止渴。
孟诜说：多吃损伤牙齿和筋脉，腐蚀脾胃，使人产生膈上的痰热。服用黄精的人忌食梅。吃梅导致牙齿酸痛的人，嚼核桃肉可以缓解。
【发明】寇宗奭说：吃梅导致津液流出，是因为水生木。津液流失则伤肾，肾属水，外在表现为齿，所以如此。
李时珍说：梅，冬天开花夏天结果，得木之全气，所以味道最酸，这就是所谓“曲直作酸”。肝为乙木，胆为甲木。人的舌下有四个窍，其中两个通胆液，所以吃梅则唾液生津，这是同类相互感应的缘故。所以《素问》说：味道过于酸，肝气就会过剩。又说：酸走筋，筋病不要多吃酸。不然的话，味道酸的物体很多了，为什么唯独梅能生津呢？
李时珍说：制作方法：取青梅放在篮子里，在灶突上熏黑。如果用稻灰淋出的汁液润湿蒸过，则肉质肥泽不生虫。
王好古说：性寒。忌猪肉。
【主治】降气，消除烦热满闷，安心神，停止肢体疼痛，治疗半身不遂及麻木，去除死肌，去掉青黑色的痣，腐蚀恶肉（《神农本草经》）。去除痹症，利筋脉，止腹泻，改善多唾口干（《名医别录》）。用水浸泡取汁饮用，治疗伤寒烦热（陶弘景）。止渴调和中焦，祛痰治疗疟疾瘴气，止呕吐逆乱霍乱，去除冷热痢疾（陈藏器）。治疗虚劳骨蒸，解酒毒，让人入睡。与建茶、干姜混合做成丸剂服用，治疗休息痢，效果显著（孟诜）。收敛肺气，涩肠，止久咳泻痢，反胃噎膈，蛔厥吐利，消肿涌痰，杀虫，解鱼毒、马汗毒、硫黄毒（李时珍）。
【修治】取大的青梅用盐汁浸泡，白天日晒晚上浸泡，十天就成功了。久了表面会结霜。
【主治】调和药物点痣，腐蚀恶肉（陶弘景）。刺扎在肉里的，嚼碎敷上就能出来（孟诜）。治疗刀箭伤，止血，研烂敷上（孟诜）。
治疗中风惊痫，喉痹痰厥僵仆，牙关紧闭者，取梅肉擦拭牙龈，涎液流出即张开。又治疗泻痢烦渴，霍乱吐下，便血血崩，功效同乌梅（李时珍）。
王好古说：乌梅，是脾、肺二经的血分药。能收敛肺气，治疗燥咳。肺喜欢收敛，急需用酸味食物来收敛它。
李时珍说：乌梅、白梅所主治的各种疾病，都是取其酸收的意义。只有张仲景治疗蛔厥的乌梅丸及治虫方中使用，是取虫子遇到酸味就停止活动的意义，稍有不同罢了。《医说》记载：曾鲁公患痢疾便血一百多天，国医不能治愈。陈应之用盐水梅肉一枚研烂，合腊茶，加醋服用，一次喝下就安稳了。大丞梁庄肃公也患痢疾便血，陈应之用乌梅、胡黄连、灶心土等分为末，茶调服，也有效。大概血液遇到酸则收敛，遇到寒则停止，遇到苦则涩滞的缘故。那些腐蚀恶疮腐肉，虽然是酸收，却有物理的奇妙之处。出自《神农本草经》。这种方法记载在《刘涓子鬼遗方》中：用乌梅肉烧至存性研末，敷在恶肉上，一夜立刻去除。《圣惠方》用乌梅和蜜做成饼贴敷，力量较缓。按：杨起《简便方》说：我手臂生了一个疽，脓溃烂了一百天才好，里面有恶肉突起，像蚕豆大小，一个多月不消退，医生治疗无效。因为阅读本草得到这个方子，尝试了一下，一天一夜去掉了大半，再上一次就平了。才知道世上有如此奇方，于是留心搜刻各方，始基于此方。
【附方】旧方十一首，新方二十二首。
痈疽疮肿，已溃未溃皆可用：盐白梅烧至存性为末，加入少许轻粉，香油调匀，涂在四周。（王氏《易简方》）。
喉痹乳蛾：冰梅丸：用青梅二十枚（盐十二两，腌制五天，取梅汁），加入明矾三两，桔梗、白芷、防风各二两，猪牙皂角三十条，都研成细末，拌汁和梅装入瓶中收存。每次用一枚，含咽津液。凡是中风痰厥，牙关不开，用此擦拭尤其好。《总录》：用白梅包生矾末做丸含咽，或者吞服。
消渴烦闷：乌梅肉二两，微炒为末。每次服二钱，水两盏，煎成一盏，去渣，加入豆豉二百粒，煎至半盏，温服。（《简要济众方》）。
产后痢疾口渴：乌梅肉二十个，麦门冬十二分，用水一升，煮取七合，细细呷服。（《必效方》）。
赤痢腹痛《直指》：用陈白梅同真茶、蜜水各半，煎饮。《圣惠》：用乌梅肉（炒）、黄连各四两，为末，炼蜜做成梧桐子大小的丸。每次米饮送服二十丸，每天三次。
便痢脓血：乌梅一两去核，烧过后为末。每次服二钱，米饮送下，立刻停止。（《圣济总录》）。
久痢不止，肠垢已出：《肘后方》：用乌梅肉二十个，水一盏，煎至六分，饭前分两次服。《袖珍方》：用乌梅肉、白梅肉各七个捣烂，加入少许乳香末，捣成梧桐子大小的丸。每次服二三十丸，茶汤送下，每天三次。大便下血，以及酒痢、久痢不止：用乌梅三两，烧至存性为末，醋煮米糊调和，做成梧桐子大小的丸。每次空腹米饮送服二十丸，每天三次。（《济生方》）。
小便尿血：乌梅，烧至存性研末，醋糊做成梧桐子大小的丸。每次服四十丸，酒送下。
大便不通，气奔欲死者：乌梅十颗，汤浸去核，做成枣子大小的丸。纳入下部，一会儿就通畅。（《食疗本草》）。
蛔虫上行，出于口鼻：乌梅煎汤频饮，并含在口中，即安。（《食鉴本草》）。
水气满急：乌梅、大枣各三枚。水四升，煮取二升，加入蜂蜜和匀，含咽。（《圣济总录》）。
梅核膈气：取半青半黄的梅子，每个用盐一两腌制一天一夜，晒干，又浸又晒直到水尽为止。用铜钱三个，夹住两个梅子，麻线绑紧，全部装入瓷罐内封埋地下，一百天后取出。每次用一枚，含之咽汁，入喉即消。收藏一年的治一个人，两年的治两个人，其妙绝伦。（《龚氏经验方》）。
心腹胀痛，短气欲绝者：乌梅十四枚，水五升，煮一沸，加入大钱十四枚，煮取二升半，一次性服用。（《肘后方》）。
劳疟劣弱：乌梅十四枚，豆豉二合，桃枝、柳枝各一把，甘草三寸，生姜一块，用童子小便二升，煎至一半，温服即止。（《图经本草》）。
久咳不已：乌梅肉（微炒）、罂粟壳去筋膜蜜炒，等分为末。每次服二钱，睡觉时蜜汤调下。
痰厥头痛如破者：乌梅肉三十个，盐三撮，酒三升，煮取一升，一次性服用，取吐即愈。（《肘后方》）。
伤寒头痛，壮热，胸中烦痛，四、五天不解：乌梅十四枚，盐五合，水一升，煎取半升，温服取吐。吐后避风良好。（《梅师方》）。
马汗入疮作痛：用乌梅连核捣烂，用头醋调和敷上。仍先刺破疮口，放出紫血，然后敷上系定。（《经验方》）。
指头肿毒痛甚者：乌梅肉，和鱼脑捣碎封敷很妙。（李楼《奇方》）。
伤寒发疮，生在下部者：乌梅肉三两炒为末，炼蜜做成梧桐子大小的丸。用石榴根皮煎汤，饭前送服三十丸。（《圣惠方》）。
硫黄毒发，令人背膊疼闷，目暗漠漠：乌梅肉（焙）一两，沙糖半两，浆水一大盏，煎至七分，呷服。（《总录》）
【发明】李时珍说：白梅花古代方剂未见使用。近来有梅花汤：用半开的花，溶蜡封住花口，投入蜜罐中，过段时间取一两朵同蜜一匙冲泡沸水服用。
又有蜜渍梅花法：用少许白梅肉，浸雪水，润湿花朵，露置一夜，蜜浸荐酒。又有梅花粥法：用落花放入熟米粥中再煮食用。所以杨诚斋有“蜜点梅花带露餐”及“脱蕊收将熬粥吃”的诗句，都是取其助雅致、清神思而已。
陈藏学说：嵩阳子说：用清水揉搓梅叶，洗蕉葛衣，整个夏天不会变脆。有验证。
【附方】旧方一首，新方二首。
中水毒病，初起头痛恶寒，心烦拘急，早晨清醒傍晚加重：梅叶捣汁三升饮下很好。（《肘后方》）。
下部虫：梅叶、桃叶一斛，捣烂蒸极热，放入小容器中，隔布坐蒸，虫子全部死亡。（《外台秘要》）。
月经不止：梅叶（焙）、棕榈皮灰各等分为末。每次服二钱，酒调下。（《圣济总录》）
(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
**[Names]** Li Shizhen said: The ancient character for Mei (Plum) was written as "Dai" (呆), depicting the shape of fruit hanging on a tree. Mei belongs to the apricot category, hence reversing the character for apricot ("Xing") creates "Dai". Calligraphers erroneously wrote it as "Gan Mu" (Sweet Wood). Later it became "Mei", with the phonetic component "Mei" (每). Some say: Mei means match, as it harmonizes various flavors. Thus the book says: "If you wish to make a harmonious soup, use only salt and plum." The character Mei also derives from "Mou" (某). Lu Dian in *Pi Ya* stated that Mei transforms into Xing when entering the North; Guo Pu's annotation in *Er Ya* using another tree for Mei are both errors. This is the Mei tree, called Mei by people in Jing, as seen in Lu Ji's *Caomu Shu*.
**[Collection & Explanation]** *Bielu* states: Plum fruits grow in the valleys of Hanzhong. Collect the fruits in the fifth lunar month and dry them over fire.
Su Song said: They are now found in Xianghan, Chuanshu, Jianghu, Huailing, and other regions.
Li Shizhen said: According to Lu Ji's *Shijing Shu*: Mei is a type of apricot. The tree and leaves are slightly similar to apricots, with leaves having long pointed tips, flowering before other trees. Its fruit is sour; dried in the sun it becomes "Pu" (dried fruit), used in soups or pickles, and can be held in the mouth to freshen breath. Red seeds yield hard wood, white seeds yield brittle wood. Fan Chengda's *Mei Pu* states: Jiangmei (River Plum) is wild, not grafted, with small fragrant flowers and small hard fruits. Xiaomei has round, loose, crisp flesh, juicy without residue, suitable only for raw eating, not for cooking. Lvemei (Green Calyx Plum) has green branches and calyces. Chongye Mei (Double-leaf Plum) has overlapping petals and leaves, bearing mostly twin fruits. Hongmei (Red Plum) has flower color like apricots. Xingmei (Apricot Plum) is pale red, flat and spotted, tasting exactly like apricots. Yuanyang Mei is the multi-leaf red plum, one stalk bearing two fruits. Another view says: Grafting Mei onto Chinaberry results in blackish flowers. Tanzi's *Huashu* says: Plums grafted onto Peaches with strong roots bear hairy fruits; Meis grafted onto Apricots with strong roots bear sweet fruits. Harvest Mei fruits when half-yellow, smoke them to make Wumei (Dark Plum); green ones are salted and sun-dried to make Baimei (White Plum). They can also be preserved in honey or sugar as fruit. Ripe ones are pressed for juice and sun-dried to make Mei Jiang (Plum Sauce). Only Wumei and Baimei are suitable for medicinal use. Mei Jiang can be mixed with water in summer to quench thirst.
**[Flavor & Toxicity]** Sour, neutral, non-toxic.
Meng Shen said: Excessive consumption damages teeth and sinews, corrodes the spleen and stomach, causing phlegm-heat in the diaphragm. Those taking Huangjing (Polygonatum Rhizome) should avoid it. For toothache caused by eating plums, chewing walnut meat relieves it.
*Wulei Xianggan Zhi* states: Eating Mei with Shaofen (a type of starch/flour) makes it less sour and prevents dental sensitivity.
**[Elucidation]** Kou Zongshi said: Salivation upon eating Mei occurs because Water generates Wood. Loss of fluids damages the Kidney; the Kidney belongs to Water and manifests externally in the teeth.
Li Shizhen said: Mei flowers in winter and fruits in summer, receiving the complete Qi of Wood, hence its extreme sourness, which corresponds to "Curved and Straight produce Sour." The Liver is Yi-Wood, the Gallbladder is Jia-Wood. There are four orifices under the human tongue, two connecting to gallbladder fluid; thus eating Mei induces salivation due to resonance of similar types. Hence *Suwen* states: "Excessive sour taste causes Liver Qi to overflow." It also states: "Sour enters the sinews; those with sinew diseases should not eat much sour." Otherwise, many things are sour, why only Mei induce saliva?
**Wumei (Dark/Smoked Plum)**
**[Preparation]** Tao Hongjing said: Must remove the pit and lightly stir-fry.
Li Shizhen said: Method: Place green plums in a basket and smoke them black over the stove flue. If steamed after moistening with rice ash leachate, the flesh remains plump and worm-free.
**[Flavor & Toxicity]** Sour, warm/neutral, astringent, non-toxic.
Wang Haogu said: Cold in nature. Avoid pork.
**[Indications]** Descends Qi, eliminates heat and fullness, calms the mind, stops limb pain, treats hemiplegia and numbness, removes dead tissue, eliminates dark moles, cauterizes bad flesh (*Benjing*). Removes Bi syndrome, benefits sinews and vessels, stops dysentery, alleviates excessive salivation and dry mouth (*Bielu*). Soaked in water, the juice treats cold-induced fever and irritability (Tao Hongjing). Quenches thirst, regulates the middle, resolves phlegm, treats malaria and miasma, stops vomiting and cholera-like disorder, removes cold-heat dysentery (Chen Cangqi). Treats deficiency fever with bone-steaming sensation, detoxifies alcohol, promotes sleep. Combined with Jiancha (Jian tea) and Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) as pills, effectively treats intermittent dysentery (Meng Shen). Astringes Lung Qi, secures intestines, stops chronic cough and diarrhea, reverses regurgitation and dysphagia, treats ascariasis colic with vomiting/diarrhea, reduces swelling, expels phlegm, kills parasites,解毒 fish poison, horse sweat poison, and sulfur poison (Li Shizhen).
**Baimei (White/Salted Plum)**
**[Names]** Yanmei (Salt Plum), Shuangmei (Frost Plum).
**[Preparation]** Take large green plums and soak in brine. Sun-dry by day, soak by night. Ready in ten days. Over time, frost forms on the surface.
**[Flavor & Toxicity]** Sour, salty, neutral, non-toxic.
**[Indications]** Harmonizes medicines for mole removal, cauterizes bad flesh (Tao Hongjing). For splinters embedded in flesh, chew and apply to extract them (Meng Shen). Treats knife and arrow wounds, stops bleeding, grind and apply (Meng Shen).
For mastitis and swelling/toxins, pound and apply (Wang Ying). Resolves phlegm (Su Song).
Treats wind-stroke with convulsions, throat obstruction with phlegm-syncope and stiff collapse, locked jaw: take plum meat to rub gums; once saliva flows, the jaw opens. Also treats dysentery with irritability/thirst, cholera vomiting/diarrhea, bloody stool and metrorrhagia; efficacy same as Wumei (Li Shizhen).
**[Elucidation]** Tao Hongjing said: Fresh Mei, Wumei, and Baimei have similar efficacies.
Wang Haogu said: Wumei is a blood-level medicine for the Spleen and Lung meridians. It can astringe Lung Qi and treat dry cough. The Lung desires astringency; urgently feed sour foods to astringe it.
Li Shizhen said: The diseases treated by Wumei and Baimei all utilize their sour-astringent property. Only Zhang Zhongjing's use in Wumei Wan for ascariasis colic and parasite formulas differs slightly, utilizing the principle that "parasites stop upon encountering sourness." *Yishuo* records: Duke Zeng Lu suffered bloody dysentery for over 100 days, untreatable by imperial physicians. Chen Yingyi used one piece of salt-plum meat, pounded, mixed with wax tea and vinegar; one dose brought relief. Grand Councilor Liang Zhuangsu also had bloody dysentery; Chen Yingyi used equal parts Wumei, Hutuanglei (Picrorhiza Rhizome), and Zaotuxi (Furnace Earth) powdered, taken with tea; also effective. Blood astringes with sour, stops with cold, becomes涩 (astringent/stagnant) with bitter. Regarding cauterizing bad sores/flesh, although it uses sour astringency, there is a subtle physical mechanism. This originates from *Benjing*. The method is recorded in *Liu Juanzi Guiyi Fang*: Burn Wumei meat to retain charred nature, powder, and apply to bad flesh; removed overnight. *Shenghui Fang* uses Wumei mixed with honey as a patch; its power is mild. Note: Yang Qi's *Jianbian Fang* states: I had a carbuncle on my arm, suppurating for 100 days, with a bean-sized protruding bad flesh remaining for a month, unresponsive to treatment. Reading this herb text, I tried the formula; half removed in one night, flat after another application. Knowing such miraculous formulas exist, I began collecting and printing them.
**[Attached Formulas]** 11 old, 22 new.
Various sores with bad flesh: See above.
Carbuncles, ulcers, swellings (suppurated or not): Powder burnt Baimei with salt, add slight amount of Qinfen (Calomel), mix with sesame oil, apply around the periphery. (Wang Shi *Yijian Fang*).
Throat obstruction and tonsillitis: Bingmei Wan: 20 green plums (pickled in 12 liang salt for 5 days, collect juice), add 3 liang Mingfan (Alum), 2 liang each of Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), 30 strips of Zhuyazaojiao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit). All powdered, mixed with juice and plums, stored in bottle. Use one pill at a time, hold in mouth to swallow saliva. Excellent for wind-stroke phlegm-syncope with locked jaw. *Zonglu*: Wrap raw alum powder in Baimei as a pill to hold/swallow or insert.
Thirst and irritability: 2 liang Wumei meat, lightly fried and powdered. Take 2 qian, decoct in 2 zhan water to 1 zhan, strain, add 200 Douchi (Fermented Soybeans), decoct to half zhan, take warm. (*Jiayao Jizhong Fang*).
Diarrhea/Dysentery with thirst: Decoct Wumei, drink daily instead of tea. (*Fushou Jingfang*).
Postpartum dysentery/thirst: 20 Wumei meats, 12 fen Mendumong (Ophiopogon Tuber), decoct 1 sheng water to 7 he, sip slowly. (*Bixiao Fang*).
Red Dysentery with abdominal pain (*Zhizhi*): Decoct aged Baimei with real tea and honey water (half/half). *Shenghui*: 4 liang each Wumei meat (fried) and Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), powdered, honey-pilled size of wutong seeds. Take 20 pills with rice drink, 3 times daily.
Bloody/Purulent Stool Dysentery: 1 liang Wumei, remove pit, burn and powder. Take 2 qian with rice drink, stops immediately. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Chronic Dysentery not stopping, intestinal mucus discharged: *Zhouhou*: 20 Wumei meats, 1 zhan water, decoct to 6 fen, divide into 2 doses before meals. *Xiuzhen*: 7 each Wumei and Baimei meats, pounded, add slight Xurxiang (Frankincense) powder, pilled wutong seed size. Take 20-30 pills with tea/water, 3 times daily. Bloody stool, wine-dysentery, chronic dysentery: 3 liang Wumei, burn to retain char, powder, mix with vinegar-boiled rice paste, pilled wutong seed size. Take 20 pills with rice drink on empty stomach, 3 times daily. (*Jisheng Fang*).
Hematuria: Burn Wumei to retain char, powder, mix with vinegar paste, pilled wutong seed size. Take 40 pills with wine.
Metrorrhagia not stopping: 7 Wumei meats, burn to retain char, powder. Take with rice drink, 2 times daily.
Constipation with Qi rushing to death: 10 Wumei, soak in water, remove pits, pilled date size. Insert anally, passes quickly. (*Shiliao Bencao*).
Cholera vomiting/diarrhea: Decoct salted plum, sip slowly. (*Ruyi Fang*).
Ascaris rising to mouth/nose: Frequent drinking of Wumei decoction, holding in mouth brings peace. (*Shijian Bencao*).
Water retention with urgency: 3 each Wumei and Dazao (Jujube). 4 sheng water, boil to 2 sheng, mix with honey, hold and swallow. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Plum-pit Qi in chest/diaphragm: Take half-green half-yellow plums, pickle each with 1 liang salt for 1 day/night, sun-dry. Repeat soaking/drying until water exhausted. Sandwich 2 plums between 3 copper coins, bind with hemp thread, seal in porcelain jar, bury underground for 100 days. Take one, hold in mouth to swallow juice, disappears upon reaching throat. One-year storage cures one person, two-years cures two; miraculous. (*Gongshi Jingyan Fang*).
Abdominal distension/pain, shortness of breath near death: 14 Wumei, 5 sheng water, boil once, add 14 large coins, boil to 2.5 sheng, take in one dose. (*Zhouhou*).
Chronic Malaria with weakness: 14 Wumei, 2 he Douchi, handful each Taolizhi (Peach Twig) and Liulizhi (Willow Twig), 3 cun Gancao (Licorice Root), piece of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger). Decoct in 2 sheng child's urine to half, take warm to stop. (*Tujing Bencao*).
Chronic Cough: Wumei meat (lightly fried), Yingsuke (Poppy Shell) minus membrane, honey-fried, equal parts powdered. Take 2 qian with honey-water before sleep.
Phlegm-Syncope with headache like breaking: 30 Wumei meats, 3 cuo salt, 3 sheng wine, boil to 1 sheng, take in one dose, induce vomiting to cure. (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Cold Damage with headache, high fever, chest irritability/pain, unresolved after 4-5 days: 14 Wumei, 5 he salt, 1 sheng water, decoct to half sheng, take warm to induce vomiting. Avoid wind after vomiting. (*Meishi Fang*).
Fractures and metal wounds: Burn dried plum to retain char, apply, cured overnight. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Pain from horse sweat entering wound: Pound Wumei with pit, mix with first-run vinegar, apply. First puncture wound, drain purple blood, then apply and bind. (*Jingyan Fang*).
Dog bite poison: Wumei powder, take 2 qian with wine. (*Qianjin*).
Severe swelling/pain in fingertip: Wumei meat mixed with fish brain, pounded and applied is excellent. (Li Lou *Qifang*).
Cold damage sores growing in lower body: 3 liang Wumei meat, fried and powdered, honey-pilled wutong seed size. Decoct Shiliugenpi (Pomegranate Root Bark), take 30 pills before meals. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Infant head sores: Burn Wumei to powder, mix with raw oil, apply. (*Shengji Lu*).
Freshen breath/remove odor: Contain sun-dried plum dried fruit often. (*Maoshi Shu*).
Sulfur poison eruption causing back/chest pain and dim vision: 1 liang baked Wumei meat, 0.5 liang rock sugar, 1 large zhan jiangshui (fermented grain liquid), decoct to 7 fen, sip. (*Zonglu*)
**Kernel/Radicle**
**[Flavor & Toxicity]** Sour, neutral, non-toxic.
**[Indications]** Brightens eyes, benefits Qi, prevents hunger (Wu Pu). Eliminates irritability/heat (Zhen Quan).
Treats sudden swelling/pain of Dai Zhi (paronychia): Pound, soak in vinegar (Li Shizhen citing *Zhouhou Fang*).
**Flower**
**[Flavor & Toxicity]** Slightly sour, astringent, non-toxic.
**[Elucidation]** Li Shizhen said: White plum flowers were not used in ancient formulas. Recently there is Meihua Tang: Use half-open flowers, seal with melted wax, place in honey jar. After time, take 1-2 flowers with one spoon of honey, brew in boiling water.
There is also Mi Zi Meihua method: Use slight Bai Mei meat, soak in snow water to moisten flowers, dew overnight, preserve in honey for wine pairing. Also Meihua Zhou method: Add fallen flowers to cooked rice porridge and boil/eat. Thus Yang Chengzhai wrote "Honey-dotted plum flowers eaten with dew" and "Collecting fallen stamens to cook porridge," all to enhance elegance and clear the spirit.
**Leaves**
**[Flavor & Toxicity]** Sour, neutral, non-toxic.
**[Indications]** Intermittent dysentery and cholera, decoct thick juice and drink (Meng Shen).
Chen Cangqi said: Songyangzi stated: Rubbing Mei leaves with clean water to wash Jiaoge clothing prevents brittleness throughout summer. Verified.
Li Shizhen said: Mold spots on summer clothes are removed by washing with Mei leaf decoction, very effective.
**[Attached Formulas]** 1 old, 2 new.
Poison from water exposure, initial headache/aversion to cold, heart vexation/spasms, worse at dusk than dawn: Drink 3 sheng juice of pounded Mei leaves. Good. (*Zhouhou*).
Parasites in lower body: 1 hu Mei leaves and Peach leaves, pound and steam extremely hot, place in small vessel, sit over cloth-covered vapor; parasites die completely. (*Waitai Miyao*).
Menstruation not stopping: Roasted Mei leaves and Palm Frond Ash, equal parts powdered. Take 2 qian with wine. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
**Root**
**[Indications]** Wind-Bi (*Bielu*). (Those dug from earth kill).
For newborn infants, decoct root with Peach and Plum roots for bathing, prevents sores/heat issues (Cui Shi *Zuanyao*).
Decoct and drink, treats cholera, stops intermittent dysentery (Meng Shen).