Library

[Chrysanthemum]
Grows in spring, flourishes in summer, blooms and fruits in autumn, relies on the soil, absorbs the clear qi of heaven and earth, uniquely possesses the essence of Metal (Jin), and exclusively controls Wind-Wood (Fengmu). Its taste is bitter, sweet, and pungent; its nature is neutral and non-toxic. All harvested chrysanthemum must be dried in the shade. If used for tonifying medicines, remove the heart and stem, mix with honey and wine, steam, and then dry in the sun. If used in formulas for dispelling wind-heat, use raw.

Chrysanthemum drives out head wind. It stops headache and dizziness, is the premier herb for clearing and brightening the head, nourishes eye blood, astringes tears and corneal opacity (Yi Mo), and has unparalleled efficacy in improving vision. It disperses wind-damp bi syndrome, removes dead skin tissue, benefits the blood and qi of the whole body, expels wandering wind from the four limbs, treats alternating lower back pain, and reduces irritability and heat in the chest. Having passed through spring, summer, and autumn, it obtains the clear fragrance of heaven and earth and inherits the upright qi of the Metal essence; therefore, it can calm the Liver, generate Water, and descend fire to brighten the eyes. Moreover, its qi and nature are light and ascending, so its primary indications are mostly in the upper part of the body. When combined with Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), it assists the Kidney. Use single-petaled varieties with a sweet taste for medicinal purposes; yellow ones enter the Yin aspect, and white ones enter the Yang aspect. They can be used as medicine or food, brewed into wine, or made into pillows. Ben Jing classifies them among the superior grade herbs. The leaves can save those near death and cure swellings immediately.

Main Indications (Integration with Smallpox/Rash Diseases): Treats smallpox/rash heat toxin entering the eyes; specifically clears vision and removes corneal opacity. Combined with Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), it also nourishes eye blood and cools blood. (Its green leaves treat various severe sores; for acute cases, immediate recovery occurs upon use. Mash the leaves, add wine, squeeze out the juice, drink it, and apply the residue to the sore—miraculous effect).

[Cuscuta Seed / Tusizi]
Born by inheriting the qi of late spring and early summer, formed by condensing the balanced qi of the earth, and ripened by sensing the qi of autumn; thus, its taste is pungent, sweet, and neutral, non-toxic. It is an essential herb for the Qi aspect of the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver meridians. Impurities and seeds should be removed, washed clean with wine to remove dirt, dried in the sun, roasted until dry, and ground separately into fine powder before being added to medicines or food. Do not allow the aroma to escape, otherwise the efficacy will be greatly diminished. If following ancient methods, soaking in wine for several days, boiling, pounding into cakes results in an unpleasant sour and foul odor, significantly losing the balanced and fragrant quality, rendering most preparations ineffective. Furthermore, naturally generated Cuscuta seeds contain fine filaments internally, unlike those artificially pulled into threads after wine soaking. Ancients found them difficult to grind finely, so they devised the method of making cakes; however, it is better to prepare ample material and grind it separately to preserve the aroma and flavor.

Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) boosts Qi and strength, supplements marrow and adds essence. It treats cold deficiency causing cold knees and lower back pain, nocturnal emission due to "ghost intercourse" (sexual dreams), seminal emission and slipping, makes flesh and muscles robust, strengthens tendons and bones, heals severed injuries, strengthens the penis, treats dribbling urine after voiding, spontaneous emission of cold semen, five exhaustion and seven injuries, bitter taste in the mouth, and dryness/thirst. It inherits a balanced nature, forms through borrowed qi, is warm but not drying, does not assist Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo), and is truly a sacred medicine for supplementing the primal Yang of the Kidney. However, it should be contraindicated for those with excessive fire in the Kidney system who have strong erections without flaccidity, and for those with dry stool constipation.

Main Indications (Integration with Smallpox/Rash Diseases): Treats collapse of smallpox/rash sores due to cold deficiency, lower back pain, and cold knees; clarifies vision and reduces the severity of smallpox/rash.

Commentary: Tusizi inherits a balanced nature and condenses upright Yang qi. Being rootless and forming through borrowed qi, it can continue to supplement the congenital Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) and Zong Qi (Pectoral Qi). It specifically treats damage to the Kidney, spontaneous emission of cold semen, and post-void urinary dribbling. It is warm but not drying, tonifying but not cloying/stagnant. It can also tonify the Mother of Earth (Kidney), thereby effectively promoting appetite and stopping diarrhea. It is used in Xidou Dan (Smallpox-Thinning Elixir). This also embodies the principle of nurturing congenital insufficiency. However, taken alone, it tends to disproportionately tonify Wei Qi (Defensive Qi). Therefore, ancients often combined it with Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), naming the formula Shuangbu Wan (Double Tonification Pill); or combined it with Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), naming it Xuantu Dan, which reflects this intention.