說起車前草的名字,歷史上還有一段有意義的傳說。
漢代名將霍去病在一次抗擊匈奴的戰爭中,由於地理生疏,全軍被圍困在一個荒漠地帶。時值盛夏,天晴無雨,夜無甘露,由於缺水,時間一長,將士們紛紛病倒,出現小便淋漓、尿赤尿痛、面部浮腫等症狀。對此,霍去病很是焦慮。
一部將偶然發現所有的戰馬都安然無恙,經他細細觀察,原來這些戰馬都吃了生長在戰車前面的一種無名野草。他把這一情況上報,霍去病立即命令所有將士都用這種野草煎湯喝。果然,病情很快得到了控制。霍去病摘起一株野草,仰天大笑:“好一個車前草!真乃天助我也!”從此,車前草就這樣出了名。
(叢憶蕾摘自《中藥趣話》)
Plantago (Plantaginis Herba)
The meaning of the Chinese name （Che Qian Cao）for the Plantago is related to an historical story. Huo Qubing was a famous general of the Han Dynasty, and he and his army were lost and besieged in a desert during a battle against the Huns. It was midsummer and the days were hot with no rain or night-time dew. Lacking of water caused his soldiers to become sick one after another with symptoms of stranguria, hematuria, urodynia, facial edema and other symptoms. This caused Huo Qubing great concern.
One day, a solder noticed that all the horses were safe and well, and after observing the horses carefully, he found out that the horses were eating some nameless grass growing in front of the chariots.
He reported this to General Huo, who immediately ordered that the whole army should drink a decoction made from the grass. Sure enough, the diseases were quickly under control. Huo Qubing picked a piece of the grass and laughed, “What a good grass growing in front of the chariots (Chē Qián Cǎo)！ God has helped me！” From then on, the Plantago became famous in China.
(From Chinese Materia Medica Witticism)
(Translator:Cong Yilei)
選自《杏林趣事》
第四章 中藥趣聞 車前草
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