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Honglanhua (Carthamus tinctorius) inherits the qi of Earth and Fire; therefore, its taste is bitter and acrid, its nature is warm, it is non-toxic, and it belongs to Yang within Yin. It enters the Heart and Liver meridians and is a herb acting on the Blood level.

Honglanhua treats fetal death in utero and is an essential herb for pre-delivery; it also treats trismus (lockjaw) and postpartum blood syncope, truly serving as an elixir for postpartum care; it can also resolve blood heat in pox spots and treat smallpox/rash.

When used in large doses, it breaks blood and unblocks menstruation, and brewing it with wine yields optimal results; when used in small doses, it nourishes the Heart and tonifies Blood, and decocting it with water is safe. Entering the Heart and Liver meridians, it is a herb that promotes blood circulation, activates blood, and moistens dryness. When combined with Danggui (Angelica sinensis), it generates blood; when assisted by Rougui (Cinnamon bark), it disperses stasis. Different combinations lead to two distinct therapeutic pathways. Overuse after childbirth should be avoided, as excessive use may cause continuous bleeding from the bowels leading to death; caution is paramount!

Main indications (integrated analysis with pox/rash diseases): Treats smallpox/rash caused by blood heat and blood coagulation stagnation, where foul blood transforms into spots. Using this herb has the miraculous effect of removing the old and generating the new. Large doses promote and break blood circulation; small doses activate blood, guide it back to the meridians, enter the Heart to nourish and harmonize blood. Its efficacy is similar to Danggui, but generally, its ability to activate blood is greater than its power to nourish blood. Swallowing several seeds prevents infection with epidemic smallpox. For sores with red-purple coloration, indicating blood heat, Honghua (Safflower) soaked in wine and dried is suitable. If accompanied by blackened and sunken sores, soak the [seeds/herb] in wine, dry, stir-fry lightly over slow fire, and grind for use. Yanzhi (Rouge) is made from Honghua juice; applying it around the eyes when pox/rash are about to erupt prevents the disease from entering the eyes, and since it also activates blood, it is excellent for resolving specific toxins.

Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes root) inherits the clear and cold qi of Heaven and Earth; therefore, its taste is bitter, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic.

Tianhuafen moistens the heart's dryness causing thirst and irritability/heat, descends hot and thick phlegm above the diaphragm, regulates all types of swelling and toxicity to discharge pus, promotes flesh growth, eliminates stasis, removes heat mania from seasonal epidemics, drives out jaundice from alcohol consumption, dispels damp-heat jaundice, and is most suitable for thirst caused by excess heat. However, it is strictly contraindicated for stomach deficiency with damp-phlegm; for thirst caused by loss of Yang after sweating or purging, thirst caused by Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire preventing fluids from rising, thirst caused by pathogenic factors at the exterior, and spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, it must be completely avoided.

Main indications (integrated analysis with pox/rash diseases): Treats heat toxicity after smallpox/rash, causing thirst and phlegm cough, unblocks the chest and diaphragm, discharges pus, promotes flesh growth, eliminates carbuncles, sores, swelling, toxicity, and ulcerated pox/rash.

Note: Tianhuafen, with its sour taste generating body fluids, sweet nature not damaging the stomach, and slight bitterness and coldness descending fire, is an essential herb for moistening dryness, lubricating phlegm, and relieving thirst. However, it is only suitable for conditions with excess Yang; it is contraindicated in cases of true cold with false heat. An old man from Tinglin suffered long-term from phlegm-fire; after taking Tianhuafen for two months, he died from sudden diarrhea and aversion to food, demonstrating how its cold-nature damages the Spleen.