Homiclub

Tangaek — Decoctions · Herbs

蘿摩子 Japanese Milkweed

Related Crop · Japanese Milkweed →

Namaja is the seed of a trailing vine that old Korean called saebak. A cut stem bleeds white sap, and the plant also went by the name jakpyo. The vine known today as bakjugari belongs to this group, familiar for the silky plumes that carry its seeds on the wind.

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 3

  1. 性溫, 味甘辛, 無毒.

    Its nature is warm, its taste sweet and pungent, and it has no toxicity.

  2. 主虛勞, 能補益.

    It governs vacuity taxation (heoro) and is able to supplement and boost.

  3. 處處有之.

    It is found everywhere.

  4. 葉食之, 功同於子.

    When the leaves are eaten their effect is the same as that of the seed.

  5. 蔓生, 斷之有白汁.

    It grows as a vine, and when cut it yields a white sap.

    HomiclubThis is the vine known today in Korean as bakjugari (Metaplexis japonica). Breaking a stem or leaf brings out white sap, and in autumn the split pods release seeds carried on white silky tufts.

  6. 一名雀瓢. 《本草》

    One name for it is jakpyo (雀瓢). 《Boncho》

    HomiclubJakpyo means "sparrow gourd", a name taken from the small, plump shape of the seed pod.

Related Crop

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This is a cultural and historical record from a classical text, not a claim about any food’s effects. Nothing here is a health supplement or intended to prevent or treat disease. Consult a medical professional about health concerns. · Text: Korean Medicine Classics DB · Reading: Homiclub