2/6 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



relieves swellings aud deafness. It is also recommended in 

 malarial fevers. 



MYRIOPHYLLUM.— 7J1C ^ (Sliui-tsao). Several halora- 

 geous and naiadaceous plants are described in the Pentsao 

 under this term. The larger kind, with leaves like those of 

 Peril/a^ is called by the name given above. This is Myrio- 

 phylhnn spicatum. Another, with leaves like the Chrysanthe- 

 mu7n coronarhmt^ is called |^ ^ (Chii-tsao). In Japan this is 

 Ceratophyllum deinerswn. It is also called 7]^ j^ (Shui-yiin), 

 lis !l^ (Sai-ts'ao), and ^ ;^ j^ (Niu-wei-yiin). Bht these are 

 probably quite different plants, being referred to Myriophyllnm^ 

 HippJiris^ and Zostera. Still another mentioned is ^ ^ (Ma- 

 tsao), which is usually referred to Potaniogeton. All of these 

 plants are considered to be edible, and are used in medicine ; 

 the last named being considered to be the best for this pur- 

 pose. The taste is sweet, very cooling, demulcent, and the 

 plant is non-poisonous. It is prescribed in fevers, to relieve 

 thirst, and in fluxes, especially those of children. Faber also 

 identifies ^ ^ (Shih-fan) as Myriophylhmi^ but the Pentsao 

 describes this, as a seaweed allied to Sargassimi^ or may be to 

 Glyptostrobus. It is used in decoction for the treatment of 

 amenorrhoea. 



MYRISTICA MOSCHATA.— i^ S ^ (Jou-tou-k'ou), 

 559, 1314. This Chinese name is that of the mitmeg. An- 

 other name is |^ H (Jou-kno). Mace is called I^ ^ ^ (Jou- 

 tou-hua), 560, and I^ H :^ (Jou-kuo-hua). It is not produced 

 in China, but is brought from countries to the south, where it 

 is said to be called ^SS 1^ ^ (Ka-kou-le). In this the Chinese 

 probably confound the nutmeg with the cardamom. The 

 nutmegs found in China are usually olive shaped, dry, and 

 worm eaten. They are used principally as a warming, car- 

 minative and astringent remedy in all sorts of fluxes, especially 

 those of children and of the aged. They are very seldom 

 employed as a spice. Mace is used medicinally equally with 

 the mutmeg. The Customs Lists speak of 1^ S. ^ (Jou-tou- 

 ken), 561, which seems to be the root of the tree. This is not 

 mentioned in the Pentsao. 



