Library

Shi (Loushu, *Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba*), brightens the eyes and enhances intelligence, tonifies Qi to fill the flesh and skin. Long-term use prevents hunger, lightens the body, and promotes longevity.

Its taste is bitter and acrid, nature is sweet and neutral, non-toxic, and belongs to Yang. When used, it must be soaked in a mixture of concentrated Indigofera tinctoria juice (*Qingdai Zhi*) and fresh Stemona root juice (*Baibu Zhi*). It is then drained during the Sanfu days, sun-dried, mixed with fresh Rehmannia glutinosa juice (*Disheng Di Huang Zhi*), steamed from Wu hour to Hai hour, and finally sun-dried for use.

Shechuangzi (Cnidii Fructus), treats swelling and pain of the female vulva, warms the uterus; treats dampness and itching of the male scrotum, aids erection of the penis, dispels sores and tinea, benefits joints, relieves swelling and pain of the waist and hips, numbness and stiffness of hands and feet, and tonifies Yang Qi. Treats soreness and pain of the waist and knees, stops yin sweating, dries damp sores, scabies, and leprosy, relieves unbearable whole-body itching caused by severe wind disease when washed with decoction. For postpartum uterine prolapse, apply heat using a silk bag to retract it. For women unable to conceive, long-term use is most suitable. However, due to its warm and drying nature, it is contraindicated for those with Kidney fire or heat in the lower jiao.

Born from the pure and fragrant Qi of Heaven and Earth, its taste is acrid, nature is neutral, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Therefore, for Lung Qi stagnation, its acrid and neutral nature disperses it; for Phlegm-stagnation in the Stomach, its fragrance eliminates it. It is a supreme herb for opening the stomach, eliminating evil, clearing the Lungs, resolving phlegm, and dispersing stagnation.

Lanye (Isatidis Folium / Indigo Leaf), benefits the water passages, dissipates phlegm-stagnation, tonifies Qi and generates fluids, kills parasites and detoxifies, wards off malignancy, moistens the skin and expels bi-syndrome, is essential for gallbladder jaundice, and is sought after for thirst-quenching. Dongyuan (Li Dongyuan) said: "It can disperse accumulated and stagnant Qi." The Classic states: "Treatment involves using aromatic herbs to remove stale Qi."

Born from the Qi of stone and influenced by human Yang Qi, its taste is acrid and sweet, nature is warm, neutral, slightly cold, and non-toxic.

Juanbai (Selaginellae Tenuifoliae Herba), resembles flat cypress. For stopping bleeding, moxibustion is used; for removing blood stasis, raw form is preferred. It treats abdominal masses (Zhang/Jia) in women, showing remarkable efficacy for amenorrhea; treats wind vertigo, flaccidity, and syncope in men, with immediate effect; stops rectal prolapse and dissipates strangury accumulation, drives away evil spirits to stop crying, nourishes Essence and strengthens Yin, calms the Heart and stabilizes the Spirit, warms the Water Organ to aid conception, harmonizes complexion, and lightens the body.

Obtaining the bitter and salty flavors of Earth and the great cold of Heaven, it is non-toxic. Bitterness purges downward, saltiness softens hardness, and cold clears heat. It enters the Foot Yangming, Shaoyang, and Taiyang meridians, and the Hand Taiyin and Yangming meridians. It is a cold and unblocking herb.

Loushu (Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba), treats body wind-heat and malignant sores, skin and muscle itching with hidden rashes, breast abscesses and back carbuncles, hemorrhoids and intestinal wind, tonifies Blood and expels pus, generates flesh and grows tissue, guides the meridians, promotes lactation, reconnects bones and tendons, treats fractures, stops enuresis and seminal emission, and clears wind-eye and damp-bi syndrome. It is not only suitable for decoction but also for bathing baths. However, it is contraindicated for pregnant women and those with Yin-type sores that are flat and do not rise.