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Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats internal injury (shang zhong), dispels bi syndrome (painful obstruction), directs rebellious qi downward, tonifies deficiency and exhaustion of the five zang organs, treats emaciation and thinness, strengthens yin essence, benefits marrow, supplements internal depletion, harmonizes stomach qi, promotes muscle growth, expels pathogenic heat from the skin, treats fei qi (heat rash/heat stroke symptoms), and addresses pain, cold-bi, and weakness in the feet and knees. Long-term consumption thickens the intestines and stomach, lightens the body, prolongs life, stabilizes the mind, and eliminates fright.

Also known as Lin Lan, Jin Sheng, Du Lan, and Shi [Hu]. Grows on rocks by the water in the valleys of Lu'an. The stems are harvested in the seventh and eighth lunar months and dried in the shade.

Bitter and sour in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats wind-cold-damp bi syndrome with flaccidity, limb contracture, knee pain with inability to flex or extend, expels blood and qi stagnation, treats ulcerative sores, and induces abortion. Treats internal injury with shortness of breath, male yin wasting (kidney essence depletion), elderly urinary incontinence, tonifies the middle jiao and reconnects severed pulses, fills the bone marrow, removes pain in the brain and lumbar spine, treats amenorrhea and blood stasis masses in women, benefits essence, promotes yin qi, and stops premature graying. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging. Also known as Bai Bei. Grows in the river valleys of He Nei and Lin Qu. The roots are harvested in the second, eighth, and tenth lunar months and dried in the shade.

Pungent and sweet in flavor, warm and neutral in nature, slightly cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats pathogenic factors in the five zang organs, cold-heat pain in the female vagina, zheng jia (abdominal masses), blood closure, stops coughing and counterflow qi, treats rectal prolapse, dissipates lin syndrome accumulations, treats wind-stroke dizziness, wei jue (flaccidity and paralysis), strengthens yin and benefits essence. Long-term consumption lightens the body, harmonizes complexion, and enhances physical appearance.

Also known as Wan Sui, Bao Zu, Qiu Gu, and Jiao Shi. Grows among rocks in the valleys of Chang Shan. Harvested in the fifth and seventh lunar months and dried in the shade.

Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats coughing, counterflow qi, headache, head throbbing, joint contracture throughout the body, wind-damp bi pain, si ji (numbness of skin and muscles), warms the middle and directs qi downward, promotes urination, opens the chest, removes throat obstruction and nasal congestion, treats wind-phrenzy and epilepsy, resolves breast milk stasis, ensures lactation, promotes blood circulation, calms the five zang organs, benefits the liver and gallbladder, and unites essence and qi. Long-term consumption brightens the eyes, benefits the nine orifices, lightens the body, and prolongs life. Also known as Xiao Xin. Grows in the valleys of Hua Yin. The roots are harvested in the second and eighth lunar months and dried in the shade.

Bitter and sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, slightly warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats strikes by wind-cold, relieves pain from metal wounds (jin chuang), ben tun epilepsy (ben tun attacks), and female shan jia (hernia and abdominal masses). Treats various wind-pain in all joints, regardless of whether the condition is recent or chronic. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging. Also known as Qiang Huo, Qiang Qing, Hu Qiang Shi Zhe, Hu Wang Shi Zhe, and Du Yao Cao. This herb does not sway when there is wind but moves spontaneously when there is none. Grows in the river valleys of Yong Zhou, or Long Nan and An. The roots are harvested in the second and eighth lunar months and sun-dried.