味苦，平，无毒。主治金创内漏，明目。冬至后百廿日采之。实，主明目，心腹痿
除热，利小便。生道旁。四月采。一名菥 ，一名马朐，一名刺原又有枣针，治腰痛、喉痹
不通。
味甘，微温，无毒。主治失溺不节，男子脚弱腰痛，风邪，淋露，少气，目暗，坚脊
利俯仰，女子伤中，关节重。一名强膂，一名扶盖，一名扶筋。生常山。二月、八月采根
曝干。（萆 为之使，恶败酱。）
《本经》原文∶狗脊，味苦，平。主腰背强，关机缓急，周痹寒湿膝痛，颇利老人。一
名百枝。生川谷。
味甘，无毒。主治伤中恚怒，阴痿失溺，关节老血，老人五缓。一名赤节。生真定。
月、八月采根，曝干。（薏苡为之使，畏葵根、大黄、柴胡、牡蛎、前胡。）
《本经》原文∶萆 ，味苦，平。主腰背痛强，骨节风寒湿周痹，恶疮不瘳，热气。生
山谷。
味甘，平、温，无毒。主治腰背寒痛，风痹，益血气，止小便利。生山野。二月、八
采根，曝干。
味甘，无毒。主止烦，下气，通膀胱满，补五劳，安五脏，去恶风，益精气。一名石
用之去黄毛，毛射人肺，令人咳，不可治。生华阴，不闻水及人声者，良。二月采叶，
（杏仁为之使，得菖蒲良。）
《本经》原文∶石苇，味苦，平。主劳热邪气，五癃闭不通利小便水道。一名石 。生
山谷石上。
[Ji Ci Hua (Spiny Thorn Flower)]
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Treats traumatic injuries from metal weapons and internal bleeding; brightens the eyes. Collection time: 120 days after the Winter Solstice. Fruit: Treats brightening of the eyes, alleviates flaccidity in the heart and abdomen, clears heat, and promotes urination. Habitat: Grows by the roadside. Collection time: April. Alternative names: Xi Ming (Plantain seed), Ma Ju (Horse's knee), Ci Yuan (Thorny plain). Another variety, Zao Zhen (Jujube needle), treats lower back pain and Bi syndrome of the throat causing obstruction.
[Gou Ji (Cibotium Rhizome)]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Slightly warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Treats involuntary urinary leakage, weakness of the legs and lower back pain in men, wind-pathogen invasion, strangury and seminal emission, shortness of breath, dim vision, strengthens the spine, facilitates flexion and extension, treats internal injury in women, and heaviness of joints. Alternative names: Qiang Lv (Strong Back), Fu Gai (Supporting Cover), Fu Jin (Supporting Sinew). Habitat: Grows in Changshan. Collection time: Roots harvested in February and August, dried in the sun. Compatibility: The guiding herb is Bi Xie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome); incompatible with Bai Jiang Cao (Patrinia Herb).
*Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* Original Text: Gou Ji, taste bitter, nature neutral. Main indications: Stiffness of the waist and back, laxity and spasm of joints, generalized Bi syndrome due to cold-dampness with knee pain, particularly beneficial for the elderly. Alternative name: Bai Zhi (Hundred Branches). Habitat: River valleys.
[Bi Xie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome)]
Taste: Sweet. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Treats internal injury with anger, impotence and urinary incontinence, old blood stasis in joints, and the "five weaknesses" in the elderly. Alternative name: Chi Jie (Red Node). Habitat: Zhending. Collection time: Roots harvested in February and August, dried in the sun. Compatibility: The guiding herb is Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed); adverse reactions with Kui Gen (Mallow Root), Da Huang (Rhubarb Root), Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root), Mu Li (Oyster Shell), and Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix).
*Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* Original Text: Bi Xie, taste bitter, nature neutral. Main indications: Stiffness of the waist and back, generalized Bi syndrome of bone joints due to wind-cold-dampness, malignant sores that do not heal, and excessive heat. Habitat: Mountain valleys.
[Shi Wei (Pyrrosiae Leaf)]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Neutral, Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Treats cold pain in the waist and back, wind-Bi, benefits Qi and Blood, stops frequent urination. Habitat: Mountains and wild areas. Collection time: Roots harvested in February and August, dried in the sun.
[Shi Wei (Pyrrosiae Leaf)]
Taste: Sweet. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Stops thirst, directs Qi downward, relieves bladder fullness, tonifies the five labors, calms the five zang organs, expels evil wind, and benefits essence and Qi. Alternative name: Shi Sheng (Stone-born). Preparation: Yellow hairs must be removed before use; if hairs penetrate the lung, they cause coughing which is difficult to treat. Habitat: North slope of Mount Hua; those grown where no water sounds or human voices are heard are considered superior. Collection time: Leaves harvested in February. Compatibility: The guiding herb is Xing Ren (Apricot Seed); synergistic with Chang Pu (Acorus Rhizome).
*Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* Original Text: Shi Wei, taste bitter, nature neutral. Main indications: Deficiency fever and pathogenic factors, five types of strangury with obstructed urination. Alternative name: Shi Sheng (Stone-born). Habitat: Rocks in mountain valleys.