Tangaek — Decoctions · Vegetables

Yeokkwi Ip (여뀌 잎)

This entry covers the leaf of smartweed (yeokkwi, also known as water pepper). In the Dongui Bogam it is not a standalone entry but a sub-entry attached to the smartweed seed (蓼實, yosil): the heading of that section is the seed, but this small entry sets the leaf of the same plant apart for separate treatment.

Smartweed leaves are long and narrow like willow leaves, and in some varieties a dark blotch marks the center of the leaf. Chewed, they have a sharp, tingling pungency. The preceding entry on the seed notes that the smartweed varieties people eat all have small, narrow leaves.

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 2

  1. 歸舌. 除大小腸邪氣, 利中益志. 《本草》

    It returns to the tongue. It removes evil qi from the large and small intestines, benefits the center, and augments the will. 《Boncho (本草)》

    HomiclubThe smartweed leaf is long like a willow leaf and in some species carries a dark blotch at its center, with a sharp bite when chewed. This entry sets the leaf of the same plant apart within the yosil (蓼實) section.

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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