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Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos): Bitter in taste, warm in nature, toxic. Enters the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians. Its properties are incompatible with Gancao (Licorice Root), and when used together with Daji (Kansui Root) and Gansui (Euphorbia Lathyris Root), it can directly reach hidden pockets of fluid retention. However, its toxicity is extremely potent; it reaches outward to the skin and hair follicles and inward to drain the intestines and stomach. It acts very swiftly. If misused by persons with deficiency, or if the dosage is excessive, it may lead to premature death.

Yuanhua has slight toxicity and is incompatible with Gancao (Licorice Root). It disperses edematous swelling of the skin, eliminates phlegm-ice in the chest and diaphragm, is good at treating cough with counterflow qi (asthma), can stop throat swelling, and calm shortness of breath. It drives out hernia, zhajia (masses), and carbuncles, removes ghost malaria and insect toxins; soaking silk thread in its juice and tying it around hemorrhoids makes them fall off easily. Long-term use causes deficiency and damage. The root is named Shusang (Shu Mulberry), which is even more toxic, and can only be used to poison fish or apply externally for scabies.

Raohua (Adenophora Radix): Potent in action, promotes water metabolism, breaks up large accumulations and hard masses, treats stubborn phlegm and counterflow qi (cough and asthma), further treats internal swelling and pain in the throat, and eliminates mass-like qi blocks in the umbilical and abdominal regions.

Fuji (Dioscorea opposita / Water Chestnut, common name: Qiezi): Primarily treats postpartum blood stagnation attacking the heart, regulates difficult labor and retained placenta, suppresses heat from cinnabar and stone minerals, eliminates stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm, directs downward urinary calculi,退s jaundice of the face and eyes, dissipates wind-induced swelling, clears bi-syndrome heat, opens the stomach and promotes appetite, benefits qi and warms the middle. Its nature is capable of destroying copper; upon contact, it shatters immediately. It is an essential herb for eliminating hardness and reducing accumulation. Consumption by pregnant women disturbs the fetus; consumption by children causes umbilical pain.

Shuiping (Spirodela Polyrrhiza / Duckweed): Exclusively obtains the clear yin of water energy, hence its taste is acrid and sour, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. Its body is light and floating, its nature is clear and drying, thus it can disperse damp-heat in the skin and promote urination to overcome alcohol dampness. It is needed for sweating in cases of xiaoke (wasting-thirst syndrome).

Those Shuiping that are green on both sides and small are called Zao (Algae); those that are green on top, purple underneath, and large are called Ping (Duckweed). For medicinal use, Ping is harvested around the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, placed on a sieve, washed with water, dried, and ground into powder. Honey pills the size of bullets are made. For all types of wind-stroke, take three pills with wine on an empty stomach; this induces sweating to gather and expel wind, causing the pathogen to retreat rapidly. It also treats epidemic febrile diseases, can be used for bathing to relieve whole-body itching from sores, reduces edema, and promotes urination. Its sweating power is stronger than Mahuang (Ephedra Herba), and its water-draining efficacy is similar to Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla). Unless there is excess and heat, it should not be used for those with exterior deficiency and spontaneous sweating. The song says: "Heaven-born spiritual grass has no roots or stems, neither in mountains nor on shores; initially driven by flying catkins chasing the east wind, purple-backed and green-skinned, it floats on the water surface. One dose from immortals removes deep ailments; harvest must be on the 15th of July. Fear not severe paralysis or strong winds, even slight breezes are insignificant. Take three pills in bean-dripping wine, and sweat will flow even from the head of an iron pestle."