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Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan, Silkworm) is pungent and salty, dispersing phlegm nodules; treating wind-stroke with throat obstruction (sore throat and blockage), scarlet fever scars; yin-yang exchange disease (recurrence after recovery from cold damage due to sexual intercourse), metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, postpartum residual pain; pediatric convulsions, night crying, trismus (lockjaw), and perioral contraction.

When silkworms are raised, some die naturally while clustered together, becoming stiff and white, appearing as if dusted with salt. These should be sun-dried and kept dry, as dampness renders them toxic. The nature is neutral and non-toxic. It is light and ascending, belonging to Yang. Its primary function is to disperse wind-phlegm. Danxi stated: "It assists the Lung Metal's clearing and transforming qi, treating diseases caused by stagnant ministerial fire." Thus, *Ri Hua Zi* uses it for wind disorders and consumptive emaciation. It treats wind-stroke with aphonia, hemiplegia, and all wind disorders causing head/face sores, facial scars, severe throat obstruction, eliminating various scar tissues, generalized urticaria, scrofula, carbuncles of the back, hemorrhoids, erysipelas, and traumatic wounds. It also treats sensations of insects crawling on the skin. For men, it treats yin-yang exchange disease following cold damage; for women, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, postpartum residual pain, and galactostasis. For children, it treats convulsions, night crying, trismus, and perioral contraction, while expelling three types of parasites and inducing sweating. The first-generation dried Bombyx Batryticatus stored for a long time is superior. Soak in rice water to remove saliva and mouthparts, then dry over fire or stir-fry with ginger juice. For facial scars, mix Bombyx Batryticatus, Trichogramma eggs (Yiyu), and white hawk droppings into powder and apply.

Cicada Slough (Chantui) is sweet and salty, with a cool nature, treating dizziness and vertigo, skin wind-itch; difficult lactation, dystocia, and retained placenta; pediatric convulsions, epilepsy, and night crying.

This is the shed exoskeleton of the cicada. Cicada implies integrity; it feeds on wind and dew, possessing an honest, clear, high-minded, and cool nature. It is non-toxic. It treats wind-pathogen-induced dizziness, cloudy vision, skin itching, scabies, difficult lactation, dystocia, retained placenta, pediatric convulsions, epilepsy, night crying, general fever, killing gut worms and relieving thirst, and is effective for unruptured smallpox. Remove wings and feet, wash to remove dirt, and steam. Cicada Flower grows from within the shell, featuring a horn-like structure resembling a flower at the apex, specifically treating pediatric tetanic convulsions. Folklore states: "Cicadas that do not sing for five days can calm infants," which is indeed true.

Scorpion (Quanxie) is sweet and pungent, dispelling wind and phlegm, treating stroke with facial deviation and hemiplegia, urticaria, deafness, and is foremost for pediatric convulsions.

"Scorpion" refers to stinging; its venom can sting humans. The nature is neutral and toxic. It treats wind-stroke with facial deviation, hemiplegia, slurred speech, and limb spasms, various wind-related urticaria, and is indispensable for pediatric convulsions. It also treats kidney-deficiency deafness: use 49 scorpions and 49 slices of ginger (size of a scorpion), stir-fry together until the ginger is dry, grind into powder, take once, warm with wine at the second watch (11 PM - 1 AM), drink to intoxication, and effect will be heard as buzzing in the ears the next day; ten-year cases may require two doses. Tight, small specimens are best. Whole scorpions or tail segments may be used; the tail segment is more potent. Wash and stir-fry to reduce toxicity.

White-Headed Snake (Baihuashe) is sweet, salty, and warm, treating scabies, various wind-bi syndromes with numbness, facial deviation, tendon stiffness, and hemiplegia with extension capability.

Most snakes have downward-facing nostrils, but this species has upward-facing nostrils and square-patterned white markings on its back. It treats severe leprosy-like itching, wind-damp bi syndrome, joint pain, and leg weakness preventing prolonged standing. It also treats lung-wind nasal congestion. Leigong said: "Snakes move swiftly, guiding medicines to areas affected by wind." Sourced from Qizhou, authentic specimens have eyes that remain open like living ones, a "Buddha's nail" mark on the tail, and bead-like traces on the belly. It is highly toxic; remove head and tail (one chi each), soak the middle section in wine for three days, drain wine, roast dry, and remove skin and bones.

Black Snake (Wushe) is non-toxic, sweet and neutral, effective for stubborn wind-bi syndromes, skin urticaria, scabies, and toxins causing hair loss (eyebrows/beards may regrow).

It has a gentle nature and does not crave food. It has three ridges on its back, is black as lacquer, has a thin pointed tail, and sunken eyes below the orbit (authentic). Processing is similar to White-Headed Snake.

Python Meat/Paste (Ranshe) treats severe wind and postpartum abdominal pain; gallbladder treats malignant sores and abdominal pain, eye swelling, pediatric malnutrition, and bloody dysentery.

"Pan" refers to beard; "She" refers to long shape. Meat is sweet, paste is neutral. Slightly toxic. Wine-infused python treats severe wind, sores, scrofula, and stubborn skin conditions, and postpartum abdominal pain in women; avoid vinegar. Gallbladder is bitter and sweet, cool and slightly toxic. Treats heart/abdominal cold pain, lower body malignant sores, eye/tooth pain, pediatric five types of malnutrition heat/dan, chronic mouth ulcers/dysentery. Cut the gallbladder open; authentic ones contain granules like millet grains that float and move in water; sinking/scattered ones are fake.

Snake Slough (Shetui) is sweet and salty, treating snake-epilepsy, wind-throat, eye nebulae, sores, parasites, intestinal hemorrhoids, gu-poison, dystocia, and hundred types of pediatric convulsions.

It is the shed skin of snakes. Non-toxic. Treats snake-epilepsy (head shaking, tongue protrusion), epilepsy with spasms, alternating cold/heat malaria, malignant sores resembling leprosy/vitiligo; decoct and drink. Burn and apply for suppurating sores. Treats intestinal hemorrhoids, gu-poison, dystocia, and 120 types of pediatric convulsions; repels evil and stops vomiting. Take complete, silver-white specimens from rocks, bury in soil overnight, soak in vinegar, roast dry; avoid magnetite and alcohol. For malaria, plug ears and drink salt water to induce vomiting.

Tiger Bone (Hugu) is pungent and warm, dispelling toxic wind, strengthening sinews/bones, treating malignant sores/carbuncles, external cold-dampness, internal consumption/gu-poison, and benefiting hemorrhoids/dysentery/prolapse.

"Tiger" implies martial prowess (claws/teeth). Non-toxic. Treats "White Tiger" gouty arthritis, toxic wind spasms/pain in limbs/lumbar/knees, malignant sores/rat-abscesses, ghost-possession/sudden fainting. Also treats warm-malaria and slippery dysentery. Head bone raises yang and repels evil; lower bones (shin/tibia/spine) strengthen sinews. Male, yellow-colored specimens are best; roast with wine or marrow fat; avoid those shot with poisoned arrows. Teeth treat male genital sores; grind with milk for dog bites. Paste treats alopecia/dog bites. Claws repel evil spirits. Gallbladder treats pediatric malnutrition/dysentery/convulsions; grind and take with water. Eyes treat epilepsy; soak in sheep blood overnight, roast dry, and powder. Feces treat malignant sores. Whiskers treat toothache; burn to ash.

Buffalo Calculus (Niuhuang) is slightly toxic, bitter, neutral, and cool, treating wind-epilepsy, aphonia, mania, expelling evil, treating epidemics, inducing labor, and addressing pediatric convulsions/hundred ailments.

Yellow substance expelled from buffalo mouth is best; followed by horn, heart, liver, and gall calculi obtained upon slaughter. Dry in shade, avoiding sunlight. Treats wind-stroke aphonia, epilepsy, mania, expelling evil ghosts, seasonal epidemics, forgetfulness, deficiency, inducing abortion/labor, pediatric convulsions/night crying, and phlegm-heat ailments. Authentic pieces transmit yellow color through fingernails when rubbed, are light and fragrant. Grind separately. Ginseng is the assistant herb; incompatible with Dragon Bone, Gentian, Rehmannia, and Oldenlandia; adverse with Achyranthes and Dried Lacquer. Compatible with Peony and Acorus to benefit ears/eyes.

Achyranthes Root (Niuxi) is bitter and sour, neutral in nature, effective for acid-bi, spasms, sores, rashes; treats male essence deficiency, brain/tooth pain, female amenorrhea, and mass formation.

Stems have nodes resembling ox knees. Non-toxic. Heavy and descending, belonging to Yin. Treats cold-damp flaccidity-bi, limb spasms/pain preventing flexion/extension; essential for lowering qi in waist/leg disorders. Treats malignant sores, wind-rashes, oral ulcers, heat injuries. Chewing and applying to bamboo/wood splinters extracts them. Also treats skin diseases. For men: kidney deficiency, impotence, frequent urination, polydipsia, headache, premature graying, chronic toothache; fills essence/marrow for self-healing. For women: amenorrhea, blood masses, postpartum abdominal pain/blood syncope. Treats urinary difficulty and penile pain in both sexes; promotes blood circulation and generation. Stops chronic malaria/dysentery. Large, soft, moist specimens are best; wash with wine. Incompatible with Tortoise Shell and Cynanchum; avoid beef.

Polygonum Multiflorum (Heshouwu) is warm, bitter and astringent, treating various sores, head/face wind, tonifying essence/qi/blood for fertility, and postpartum leukorrhea (taken with strong wine).

Also known as Jiao Teng. Named after Mr. He who fathered children after taking it, leading to darkening of hair/beard over time. Non-toxic. Ascending, entering twelve meridians. Treats abscesses, scabies, scrofula, head/face wind-sores, generalized itching, five hemorrhoids, wind-intestinal bleeding, and soft-bone wind. Tonifies essence/marrow/qi/blood, aids fertility, darkens hair/beard, strengthens waist/knees. Suitable for men with chronic consumption cough/phlegm masses, wind-cold deficiency, visceral chronic diseases, and chronic dysentery. Also treats women's postpartum leukorrhea, sallow complexion, abdominal pain, and blood stasis; take as powder with wine. Has male (purple-red) and female (whitish) varieties; combine both for processing. Soak in rice water overnight, dry, and crush. For pills, mix with black beans, steam nine times, sun-dry nine times, remove beans. Poria is the assistant herb; avoid blood products, radishes, iron vessels, and scaleless fish. With Achyranthes, it descends.

Above are Wind-Dispersing and Phlegm-Resolving herbs.

Chrysanthemum (Juhua) is sweet, neutral and cool, treating wind-warm bi, stubborn skin conditions, dizziness, tearing, chest irritability/pain; long-term use nourishes yin and calms intestines/stomach.

"Ju" means鞠 (to gather/fold). *Erya* states: "Ju resembles gathered gold that does not fall." Flower refers to calyx hereafter. Non-toxic. Can ascend and descend, Yang within Yin. Treats wind-damp bi, wandering lumbar pain, wandering wind in limbs, dead skin. Treats head-wind dizziness/pain, eyes feeling like they will fall out with tearing. Removes nebulae, nourishes blood, essential for brightening eyes. Relieves chest diaphragm irritability/heat, stops heart pain. Danxi said: "Nourishes yin qi; treating head/eye/chest heat by nourishing water allows clear qi to rise, causing wind-fire to subside." Long-term use calms intestines/stomach, darkens hair, prolongs life, treats carbuncles; juice from roots/leaves taken internally/applied externally. White Chrysanthemum moistens lungs, darkens hair/beard; take as honey pills with Sesamum indicum. Pick leaves in Jan, stems in May, flowers in Sep; dry in shade. Sweet taste, single-leaf yellow flowers blooming on schedule are medicinal. Wild Chrysanthemum is bitter, damages stomach qi, and is unused. Mulberry Bark is the assistant herb.

Garden Balsam Seed (Mimenghua) is sweet, neutral and cool, specifically removing wind-nebulae in eyes, usable for red eyes/blindness, pediatric malnutrition/dental eye heat invading liver.

Sweet as honey, flowers have dozens of chambers, appearing fine and fragmented. Non-toxic. Removes all wind-pathogen eye nebulae and excessive tearing, pediatric measles, and malnutrition attacking eyes. From Yizhou, soak in wine overnight, dry, mix with white honey, steam, and dry.

Tribulus Terrestris (Bajili) is bitter and pungent, slightly cool, treating wind-sores/toxids/swelling/itching, headache, blurred vision, throat/tooth pain, breaking blood masses, lung cough/injury.

"Baji" implies evil; "Lili" implies thorns. Grows on roads, hated for piercing feet. Non-toxic. Treats wind-sores/abscesses, generalized itching/vitiligo, pediatric head sores. Treats headache, long-term blindness, nasal congestion, sudden sore throat, tooth pain/loss, breaking blood stasis/masses, running piglet qi, cough/withered lung/chest fullness/purulent vomiting. Also treats spermatorrhea, hematuria, difficult lactation/leukorrhea, and induces labor/abortion. Black and white varieties exist; black is not used medicinally. For wind formulas, stir-fry to remove spines. For tonifying kidney, use Shaoyuan Tribulus; remove shell, lightly fry seeds, with Aconite as assistant herb. Single prescription: for ulcerated genitals, use spiny variety as powder for application.

Celosia Seeds (Qingxiangzi) is bitter, treating skin wind, malignant sores/scabies/hemorrhoids, killing three parasites, nourishing brain marrow, removing eye nebulae, and attacking wind-cold-damp bi.

"Xiang" means bag/box. Though cheap, its eye benefits are great, indispensable in the green medicine box. Black, flat like amaranth seeds, actually wild chicken comb flower seeds; formerly mistaken for Cassia Seed (Caojueming). Non-toxic. Treats skin wind-heat itching, kills parasites/lice, eats away at lower body sores. Nourishes brain marrow, removes eye nebulae (nebulae form from brain grease flowing down). Effective for all liver wind-heat toxins attacking eyes, blindness/red obstructions. Strengthens sinews/bones, removes wind-cold-damp bi. Lightly fry and crush.

Cassia Seed (Caojueming) is salty, sweet, bitter, and neutral, treating liver wind-heat attacking eyes, blue lips/headache/stopping epistaxis, resolving phlegm, reducing sleepiness, nourishing yin essence.

Named for clearing vision decisively; "Grass" distinguishes it from Abalone Shell (Shijueming). Non-toxic. Treats liver wind-heat toxins attacking eyes, blindness/red obstructions/pain/tearing/eye nebulae, blue lips/mouth. Apply to temporal acupoints for headache, forehead/heart for epistaxis, resolves phlegm/thirst. Long-term use nourishes essence, reduces need for sleep. Larger than mung beans, sharp, lightly fry. Milfoil fruit is assistant herb; incompatible with Hemp Seed.

Equisetum (Muzei) is bitter and sweet, good at inducing sweating, benefiting liver/brightening eyes/removing nebulae, treating intestinal wind/hemorrhoids/dysentery/resolving masses, stopping metrorrhagia/leukorrhea/amenorrhea in women.

Used by woodworkers to polish wood and remove shavings, hence named "Thief". Non-toxic. Light and floating, easily induces sweat; grows near water, absorbing much yin qi. Benefits liver/gallbladder, brightens eyes, removes nebulae, stops tearing, treats intestinal wind/chronic dysentery/hemorrhoids. Astringent and bitter, resolves masses, treats metrorrhagia/leukorrhea/continuous menstruation, but requires assistance from other herbs for efficacy. *Bencao* states: with Ox Horn Scales/Musk treats dysentery with remission; with Halloysit Rubrum/Angelica/Salvia treats metrorrhagia with red/white discharge; with Sophora Fruit/Fungus treats intestinal wind bleeding; compatible with Sophora Seeds/Illawarra Plum to treat hemorrhoidal bleeding. Powdered and taken alone treats small intestine/bladder qi stagnation. Remove joints, moisten with water, and roast over fire.

Anemarrhena (Baiwei) is salty and bitter, large cold and neutral, treating sudden wind-stroke with drowsiness/startle, stopping malaria/expelling evil influences, nourishing yin essence/stopping frequent strangury/leukorrhea.

White color, slender shape. Non-toxic. Treats acute wind-stroke with body heat/fullness, sudden drowsiness/unconsciousness, stopping warm malaria. Treats evil spirits/maniacal confusion, cold/heat/body aches, nourishes yin essence. Treats injury-strangury/continuous leukorrhea, female leukorrhea, drains water qi. From Shaanxi. Soak in rice water, remove roots, steam. Incompatible with Scutellaria, Rhubarb, Euphorbia, Dried Ginger, Dried Lacquer, Cornus, and Jujube.

Polygonatum (Weirui) is sweet and neutral, treating wind-heat, four-limb spasms, foot tendon knots; wind-warmth interior/exterior is a spiritual pill, wet-toxin lumbar pain/thirst/diarrhea.

"Wei" means graceful beauty; "Rui" means fruit. Women use it to remove spots and beautify complexion, hence also called Nuwei. Roots/leaves resemble Polygonatum, mostly roots used. Non-toxic. Treats wind-stroke fever, four-limb spasms immobility, foot tendon knots, all sores/exfoliation, seasonal wind-warmth headache, eye pain/ulceration/tearing, cold/heat/abdominal qi knotting, wet-toxin cholera/diarrhea, irritability/thirst, lumbar/knee pain, cold in penis. Also treats consumption/external heat, moistens lungs/heart, tonifies middle qi. Ji Shao of Jin had cold rash in chest, painful after wine; took it and recovered. Wash, scrape skin with bamboo knife, steam with honey water, roast dry. Adversely affected by saline.

Morinda (Baji) is pungent and sweet, originally warm, treating severe wind/blood leprosy facial marks, small intestine/yin pain radiating, restoring all deficiency consumptions.

Grows in Ba Commandery, roots have thorns. Non-toxic. Treats severe wind-pathogen blood-leprosy/wandering wind on head/face, lower abdomen/yin radiating pain, tonifies five deficiencies, impotence, nourishes essence/strengthens sinews/bones, stops nocturnal emission, most suitable for male yang deficiency. Also treats edema; purple-white inside like powder is best; boil in salt water, remove core. Raspberry is assistant herb; incompatible with Polyporus and Salvia.

Calamus Tuber (Tianzhuhuang) is sweet and cold, mild nature, removing wind-heat/nourishing five zang organs, calming heart/brightening eyes/treating traumatic wounds, pediatric convulsions/tetanus/phlegm obstruction.

From Tianzhu Country, looks like yellow earth flakes inside bamboo. Non-toxic. Cools heart/removes heat, most suitable for pediatric medicine due to mild nature.

Acanthopanax (Wujiapi) is bitter and pungent, warm/cold, treating wind-bi curling/spasms/difficulty walking, carbuncles/blood stasis/skin stagnation, heart/abdominal hernia pain/genital non-healing.

Born from star essence, five-lobed leaves are best. Non-toxic. Treats wind-bi limb spasms, lumbar/back/foot pain/weakness, pediatric inability to walk at age 3-5 is especially effective. Treats carbuncles/genital erosion, old blood stasis in skin/muscle, hernia pain, male impotence/scrotal dampness, female genital itching. Wine-infused long-term use tonifies middle/nourishes essence, strengthens sinews/bones, fortifies will, prolongs life, immortal medicine. Polygala is assistant herb; incompatible with Snake Slough and Scrophularia.

Mulberry Mistletoe (Sangjisheng) is neutral, bitter/bitter, treating lumbar/back stiffness dispelling wind-paralysis, carbuncles/traumatic wounds curable, promoting lactation/stopping metrorrhagia/calming fetus/preventing miscarriage.

Grows in warm coastal areas, dense mulberry tree qi, grows naturally on branches, not from bird droppings. Non-toxic. Treats back/waist/legs/generalized joint pain, dispels wind-bi/stubborn numbness/paralysis, cures carbuncles/traumatic wounds. Also treats metrorrhagia, prenatal spotting, postpartum lactation difficulty, pediatric neck stiffness, truly brightens eyes/lightens body/connects spirit. Deep yellow with thick sticky juice inside is authentic. Avoid fire/iron. Mistakenly consuming other mistletoes kills.

Above are Heat-Clearing and Moisture-Nourishing herbs.

Siegesbeckia (Xixiancao) is bitter and cold, able to tonify, treating paralysis/hemiplegia with salivation, treating liver/kidney moving large intestine qi, sores/irritation few drops of juice.

"Xi" means pig; "Xian" means smelly. Smells like pig feces, dissipates after steaming/drying. Slightly toxic. Treats liver/kidney wind qi, four-limb paralysis, interosseous pain, weak waist/knees, hemiplegia/facial deviation, constant salivation, falling-induced aphonia. Moves large intestine qi, treats thirty-six types of wind, long-term use brightens eyes/darkens hair/strengthens bones, aging wind disorders, women's chronic cold especially suitable. Also treats heat/irritation/anorexia; fresh juice 3-4 he, too much causes vomiting. Steamed into pills.

Duckweed (Shuiping) is pungent and sour, treating all winds, paralysis/itching/malignant sores/carbuncles, promoting urination/superior to wine/promoting hair growth, seasonal sweating has miraculous merit.

Floats on water level, cool and non-toxic. Song says: Not in mountains nor banks, harvest mid-July, even severe wind doesn't count, slight wind ignored, three pills with black bean wine sweat iron heads. Decoct for all malignant sores/carbuncles. Early carbuncles/facial fine sores/burns, apply with egg white. Treats edema/water poisoning/urinary difficulty; dry powder one cun spoon or juice. Seasonal heat sweating faster than Ephedra, counters alcohol, promotes hair, stops diabetes. Sun Simiao said: Harvest duckweed in May, dry in shade, smoke repels mosquitoes. Round inch leaves, purple back is best.

Trachelospermum (Luoshi) is bitter, slightly cold, treating wind-heat dead skin/mouth/tongue dryness, back carbuncles/throat swelling difficulty swallowing, strengthening sinews/opening orifices/main lumbar/hip.

Roots spread on stones, fine round leaves are good, vine-climbing ones unused, also called Shiboli. Non-toxic. Treats wind-heat dead skin, malignant sores/scabies/vitiligo/ulcers, dry mouth/tongue, swollen throat unable to swallow. Ancient formula for throat obstruction: decoct alone, sip slowly. Mix with honey for back carbuncles. Internal/external for snake poison/heart distress/knife wounds. Grows in yin-dampness, evergreen in winter, thus resolves heat toxins. *Bencao* states: treats fright entering abdomen, removes evil, nourishes kidney/main lumbar/hip pain, by strengthening sinews/bones/joints, breaking blood stasis. Wipe hairs with coarse cloth, soak in licorice water, dry. Eucommia and Peony are assistants; adverse with Fritillaria and Acorus; avoid iron.

Dictamnus (Baixianpi) is bitter, salty, and cold, treating wind-paralysis/damp-bi difficulty extending/flexing, treating scabies/clearing head/eyes, cough/strangury/jaundice especially calming.

White, fresh. Sheep-like odor, vulgarly called Baiyangxian. Non-toxic. Treats wind-paralysis limb immobility, weak sinews/damp-bi, dead skin inflexible, all heat-toxic malignant sores/wind-scabies, eyebrow/hair loss. Also treats seasonal head-wind eye pain, abdominal heat/thirst/drinking madness, cough. *Ri Hua* states: opens small intestine water qi, thus used for strangury/jaundice. Also treats female genital swelling/pain, pediatric convulsions. Ge Hong treated rat-abscess with open mouth/pus/blood: boiled one sheng, vomited rat pups and cured. Wash remove rough bark, incompatible with Cuttlebone,