（《别录》有名未用）
【释名】粽心草。
时珍曰∶俚俗五月采，系角黍之心，呼为粽心草是也。
【集解】《别录》曰∶生河水旁，状如龙刍，冬夏生。
时珍曰∶按《尔雅》云∶KT ，鼠莞也。郑樵解为龙刍。郭璞云∶纤细似龙须，可为
席，蜀中出者好。恐即此龙常也。盖是龙须之小者尔。故其功用亦相近云。
茎
【气味】咸，温，无毒。
【主治】轻身，益阴气，疗痹寒湿（《别录》）。
（宋《开宝》）
【释名】虎须草（《纲目》）、碧玉草（《纲目》）。
【集解】志曰∶灯心草生江南泽地，丛生，茎圆细而长直，人将为席。
宗 曰∶陕西亦有之。蒸熟待干，折取中心白穣燃灯者，是谓熟草。又有不蒸者，但生
干剥取为生草。入药宜用生草。
时珍曰∶此即龙须之类，但龙须紧小而瓤实，此草稍粗而瓤虚白。吴人栽莳之，取瓤为
灯炷，以草织席及蓑。他处野生者不多。外丹家以之伏硫、砂。《雷公炮炙论》序云∶ 遇
赤须，永留金鼎。注云∶赤须亦呼虎须草，煮 能住火。不知即此虎须否也？
茎及根
【修治】时珍曰∶灯心难研，以粳米粉浆染过，晒干研末，入水澄之，浮者是灯心也，
晒干用。
【气味】甘，寒，无毒。元素曰∶辛、甘，阳也。吴绶曰∶淡，平。
【主治】五淋，生煮服之。败席煮服，更良（《开宝》）。
除水肿癃闭（元素）。治急喉痹，烧灰吹之甚捷。烧灰涂乳上，饲小儿，止夜啼（震亨）。降
心火，止血通气，散肿止渴。烧灰入轻粉、麝香，治阴疳（时珍）。
【附方】旧一，新九。
破伤出血∶灯心草，嚼烂敷之，立止。（《胜金方》）
衄血不止∶灯心一两，为末，入丹砂一钱，米饮每服二钱。（《圣济总录》）
喉风痹塞∶《瑞竹堂方》∶用灯心一握（阴阳瓦烧存性），又炒盐一匙，每吹一捻，数次
立愈。一方∶用灯心灰二钱，蓬砂末一钱。吹之。一方∶灯心、箬叶（烧灰）等分。吹之。
《惠济方》∶用灯心草、红花烧灰，酒服一钱，即消。
痘疮烦喘，小便不利者∶灯心一把，鳖甲二两，水一升半，煎六合，分二服。（庞安常
《伤寒论》）
夜不合眼难睡∶灯草煎汤代茶饮，即得睡。（《集简方》）
通利水道∶白飞霞自制天一丸∶用灯心（十斤，米粉浆染，晒干研末，入水澄去粉，取
浮者晒干）二两五钱，赤白茯苓（去皮）共五两，滑石（水飞）五两，猪苓二两，泽泻三两，
人
参一斤（切片熬膏）。和药丸如龙眼大，朱砂为衣。每用一丸，任病换引。大段小儿生理向
上，
本天一生水之妙，诸病以水道通利为捷径也。（《韩氏医通》）
湿热黄胆∶灯草根四两，酒、水各半，入瓶内煮半日，露一夜，温服。（《集玄方》）
（《名医别录》记载为有名而未使用的药物）
【释名】粽心草。
李时珍说：民间习俗在五月采集，系于角黍（粽子）中心的草，被称为粽心草。
【集解】《名医别录》说：生长在河水旁边，形状像龙刍（一种似龙须的草），冬夏常青。
李时珍说：查阅《尔雅》记载：“KT，鼠莞也。”郑樵解释为龙刍。郭璞说：纤细得像龙须，可以用来编织席子，蜀地出产的质量好。恐怕就是这种龙常草。大概是龙须草中较小的一种。所以它的功效也相近。
茎
【气味】味咸，性温，无毒。
【主治】使人身体轻健，补益阴气，治疗痹寒湿证（出自《名医别录》）。
（宋代《开宝本草》记载）
【释名】虎须草（《本草纲目》）、碧玉草（《本草纲目》）。
【集解】苏颂说：灯心草生长在江南的水泽之地，丛生，茎圆细而长直，人们将其用来编织席子。
寇宗奭说：陕西也有生长。蒸熟晾干后，折断取中心白色的髓芯点燃作灯芯的，称为熟草。又有不经过蒸煮的，直接晒干剥取作为生草。入药宜使用生草。
李时珍说：这就是龙须草之类，但龙须草紧密细小且瓤实，这种草稍粗且瓤虚白。吴地人种植它，取其瓤作为灯芯，用草编织席子和蓑衣。其他地方野生的不多。外丹家用它来伏制硫磺、朱砂。《雷公炮炙论》序言说：“遇到赤须，永远留在金鼎中。”注解说：赤须也叫虎须草，煮过能止火。不知道这是否就是这种虎须草呢？
茎及根
【修治】李时珍说：灯心草难以研磨，用粳米粉浆浸泡染色，晒干后研成粉末，放入水中澄清，浮起的是灯心草，晒干后使用。
【气味】味甘，性寒，无毒。王好古说：味辛、甘，属阳。吴绶说：味淡，性平。
【主治】治疗五淋症，生煮服用。用败席煮服，效果更好（出自《开宝本草》）。
消除水肿和癃闭症（王好古）。治疗急喉痹，烧成灰吹入患处很有效。将灰涂在乳汁上，喂给小儿，可停止夜啼（朱震亨）。清降心火，止血通气，散肿止渴。将灰与轻粉、麝香混合，治疗阴疳（李时珍）。
【附方】旧方一个，新方九个。
破伤出血：灯心草，嚼烂敷在伤口上，立即止血。（《胜金方》）
鼻出血不止：灯心草一两，研成末，加入丹砂一钱，米汤送服二钱。（《圣济总录》）
喉风痹塞：《瑞竹堂经验方》：用灯心草一把（在阴阳瓦上烧至存性），又加炒盐一匙，每次吹入少许，数次即可痊愈。另一方案：用灯心草灰二钱，蓬砂末一钱。吹入。再一方：灯心草、箬叶（烧灰）等分。吹入。《惠济方》：用灯心草、红花烧成灰，酒送服一钱，即刻消散。
痘疮烦躁气喘，小便不利者：灯心草一把，鳖甲二两，水一升半，煎取六合，分两次服用。（庞安常《伤寒论》注）
夜间无法入睡难眠：灯心草煎汤代替茶饮，即可入睡。（《集简方》）
通利水道：白飞霞自制天一丸：用灯心草（十斤，用米粉浆浸泡，晒干研末，入水澄清去粉，取浮起部分晒干）二两五钱，赤茯苓和白茯苓（去皮）共五两，滑石（水飞法处理）五两，猪苓二两，泽泻三两，人参一斤（切片熬膏）。调和药丸如龙眼大小，以朱砂为衣。每次服用一丸，根据病情更换引经药。大体上小儿生理趋向向上，本乎“天一生水”的精妙道理，各种疾病以水道通利为捷径。（《韩氏医通》）
湿热黄疸：灯心草根四两，酒和水各半，装入瓶内煮半天，露天放置一夜，温服。（《集玄方》）
(Recorded in *Bie Lu* as a substance with name but unutilized)
[Names] Zongxin Cao (Palm Heart).
Shizhen said: Folk custom dictates harvesting it in the fifth lunar month; it is the heart tied within Jiaoshu (zongzi/sticky rice dumplings), hence called Zongxin Cao.
[Collection and Explanation] *Bie Lu* states: It grows beside river waters, resembling Longchu (a grass similar to dragon's whiskers), and remains green in both winter and summer.
Shizhen said: According to *Er Ya*: "KT is Shuguan." Zheng Qiao interpreted this as Longchu. Guo Pu stated: "Fine and slender like dragon's whiskers, can be used to make mats; those from Shu are of good quality." I suspect this is exactly this Longchang Cao. It is likely a smaller variety of Longxu (Dragon's Whisker Grass). Thus, its functions are also similar.
Stem
[Flavor and Properties] Salty, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Lightens the body, benefits Yin Qi, treats Bi syndrome caused by cold-dampness (*Bie Lu*).
(Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)
[Names] Huxu Cao (Tiger's Whisker Grass) (*Gangmu*), Biyu Cao (Jasper Grass) (*Gangmu*).
[Collection and Explanation] Zhi said: Dengxin Cao grows in the marshes of Jiangnan, growing in clumps. The stems are round, thin, long, and straight, and people use them to weave mats.
Zong said: It also grows in Shaanxi. After steaming and drying, breaking it open to take the white pith for burning as lamp wicks is called Shu Cao (processed herb). There is also one not steamed, merely dried raw and peeled to obtain Sheng Cao (raw herb). For medicinal use, Sheng Cao should be employed.
Shizhen said: This belongs to the category of Longxu, but Longxu is tight, small, and solid inside, whereas this herb is slightly coarser with hollow, white pith. People in Wu cultivate it, taking the pith for lamp wicks, and weaving the stems into mats and raincoats. Wild ones are not common elsewhere. External alchemists use it to fix sulfur and cinnabar. The preface of *Leigong Paozhi Lun* says: "Encountering Chixu, forever keep it in the golden tripod." The annotation notes: "Chixu is also called Huxu Cao; boiling it can stop fire." I do not know if this refers to this Huxu Cao?
Stems and Roots
[Preparation] Shizhen said: Dengxin is difficult to grind. Soak it in glutinous rice flour paste, dry it, grind it into powder, add water to clarify it. The floating part is Dengxin. Dry it and use.
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Yuansu said: Pungent, sweet, Yang nature. Wushou said: Bland, neutral.
[Indications] Treats Wu Lin (five types of strangury); boil fresh and take orally. Boiling old/decayed mats and taking them is even better (*Kaibao*).
Eliminates edema and Longbi (difficulty in urination) (Yuansu). Treats Ji Houbi (acute sore throat with obstruction); burn to ash and blow into the throat for rapid effect. Burn to ash, apply to breast milk, and feed to infants to stop night crying (Zhenheng). Descends Heart Fire, stops bleeding, promotes Qi circulation, dissipates swelling, and relieves thirst. Mix ash with Qingfen (Calomel) and Shexiang (Musk) to treat Yin Gan (genital sores/malaria affecting genitals) (Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, nine new prescriptions.
Traumatic bleeding: Chew Dengxin Cao thoroughly and apply to the wound; bleeding stops immediately (*Shengjin Fang*).
Persistent epistaxis: Dengxin 1 liang, powdered, mixed with Dansha (Cinnabar) 1 qian. Take 2 qian each time with rice drink (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Houfeng Bi Sai (Wind-stroke obstruction of the throat): *Ruzhutang Fang*: Use a handful of Dengxin (burned to retain its nature on a yin-yang tile), plus one spoonful of fried salt. Blow a pinch at a time; several applications lead to immediate cure. Another formula: Use 2 qian of Dengxin ash, 1 qian of Pengsha (Borax) powder. Blow into the throat. Another formula: Equal parts Dengxin and Ruoye (bamboo leaf sheath), burned to ash. Blow into the throat. *Huiji Fang*: Use Dengxin Cao and Honghua (Safflower) burned to ash. Take 1 qian with wine; it dissipates immediately.
Varicella with irritability, panting, and dysuria: A handful of Dengxin, 2 liang of Biejia (Turtle Shell), 1.5 sheng of water. Decoct to obtain 6 he. Divide into two doses (*Pang Anchang's Commentary on Shanghan Lun*).
Insomnia/Difficulty sleeping at night: Decoct Dengxin Cao and drink as tea; sleep will follow (*Jijian Fang*).
Promoting free flow of water passages: Tianyi Wan self-formulated by Baifeixia: Use Dengxin (10 jin, soaked in rice flour paste, dried, powdered, clarified in water, powder removed, floating part taken and dried) 2.5 liang, Chi Fuling (Red Poria) and Bai Fuling (White Poria) (peeled) total 5 liang, Huashi (Talcum) (water-flying method) 5 liang, Zhuling (Polyporus) 2 liang, Zexie (Alisma) 3 liang, Renshen (Ginseng) 1 jin (sliced and decocted into paste). Mix to form pills the size of longan seeds, coated with Zhusha (Cinnabar). Take one pill per dose, changing the guiding herb according to the disease. Generally, children's physiology tends upward, embodying the wonder of "Heaven generates Water" (Tian Yi Sheng Shui). For various diseases, promoting the free flow of water passages is the shortcut (*Hanshi Yitong*).
Damp-heat Jaundice: 4 liang of Dengxin Cao roots. Half wine, half water. Boil in a bottle for half a day, expose overnight, and take warm (*Jixuan Fang*).