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Shuihongcao (Polygonum hydropiper) absorbs the qi of Metal and Water, with an additional influence of Earth; therefore, its taste is pungent, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. Pungency can disperse, and coldness can drain heat; thus, it has the functions of promoting diuresis to relieve water retention, detoxifying, relieving thirst, removing bi-syndrome (obstruction syndrome), clearing heat, and improving vision.

Shuihongcao is also known as Tianliao (Polygonum hydropiper). It removes bi-qi (pathogenic qi causing obstruction), eliminates foul sores, promotes diuresis to relieve water retention, relieves thirst, clears heat, and improves vision, achieving remarkable efficacy in all these aspects.

Its pungent taste can dissipate stagnant qi, and its cold nature can purge heat; hence, it primarily treats heat dispersion and resolution of nodules. It is a key external application herb for treating carbuncles, swellings, ulcers, scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis), and tubercles, applied externally after grinding with vinegar. It can also be taken internally, serving generally as a formula for detoxification and resolving nodules.

Rhizoma Coicis (Shancigu) crushed raw serves as a poultice for drawing out toxins; frequent changes enhance its efficacy. When dried, powdered, and combined with Yushu Dan (Jade Pivot Pill), it acts as the principal ingredient to dissipate carbuncles, furuncles, unnamed swellings, urticaria, toxic foul sores, snake and viper bites, and scrofula. Its function lies in clearing heat and resolving nodules, making internal administration equally effective. However, due to its cold nature, excessive dosage should be avoided.

Daylily (Xuancao) helps alleviate worry. Swallowing its expressed juice treats sand-lin (calculous dysuria) accompanied by painful and difficult urination. Its flower is named "Yinan" (Suitable for Men); pregnant women wearing it are said to give birth to sons.

Rhizoma Zizania (Gugen), referred to as Lingcao in Jiangnan, is harvested throughout the four seasons. The roots are crushed and juiced to relieve thirst, promote diuresis, eliminate irritability, and clear stomach heat. Roots that have floated on the water surface for a long time are burned to ash and used; mixed with egg white and applied topically, they heal burns and scalds. Gucai (Zizania caduca stem galls), which are spring-grown jiaosun (water bamboo shoots), when boiled and eaten, treat sudden pain in the heart and abdomen. However, one must guard against loose stools, and it should not be consumed in excess.

Radix Boehmeriae (Zhugen) derives from the balanced qi of Earth and possesses yin-cold properties; thus, its taste is sweet, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. Therefore, it treats red dan (erysipelas), severe thirst, and fetal leakage, demonstrating its ability to cool blood and clear heat.

Radix Boehmeriae, when crushed and applied externally, treats erysipelas in children and carbuncles affecting the back or breasts. Decoction treats restless fetus in women, fever and irritability before and after childbirth, retained placenta, fetal leakage with bleeding, arrow poison, snake bites, epidemic febrile diseases, severe thirst with manic shouting. Nothing else can expel these pathogens as effectively. For dryness and heat caused by excessive consumption of mineral drugs, drinking Radix Boehmeriae juice provides immediate relief.

Radix Rumicis (Yangti Gen), when ground with vinegar, penetrates well into the blood level. It treats alopecia capitis, scabies, and tinea capitis in children, and erosive vaginitis in women. It kills parasites, removes hemorrhoidal carbuncles, clears heat, and treats wind-tinea. Alternatively, large quantities can be decocted into a paste mixed with honey, or combined with powder of Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fangfeng) into pills, taken with wine containing Fructus Trichosanthis (Gualou) and Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gancao) for superior efficacy in treating the aforementioned conditions. Leaves eaten as vegetables expel giardia worms in children. Seeds are warm, bitter, and neutral, stopping bloody and non-bloody dysentery.