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(Xuncao) Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It treats brightening the eyes, stopping tears, treating seminal emission, removing foul odors, treating headache due to cold damage (Shanghan), ascending qi, and lower back pain.

Hui Cao. Grows in low and damp places, harvested in March, dried in shade; those with detached nodes are of good quality.

(Sour in flavor, non-toxic.) It directs qi downward, stops irritability and fullness. It can be used to make bath decoctions, yielding a yellow color. Produced in Shu Commandery, harvested at Start of Autumn.

(Pungent in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic.) It stops intestinal leakage, clears heat, harmonizes the middle, benefits spleen qi, and makes one's complexion good and spirit high. Also known as Niu Tao or Yi Dou. The fruit is as large as wheat grains and hairy. Harvested in April, dried in shade.

(Bitter in flavor, slightly warm.) It treats cough and reverse flow of qi, evil qi in the five zang organs, harmonizes the middle, benefits qi, brightens the eyes, and kills lice. Qing Fu, Bai Fu, Chi Fu, and Huang Fu each tonify their corresponding zang organ according to their color. Bai Fu is also known as Nu Mu. Produced in the valleys of Ba Commandery.

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(Pungent and bitter in flavor, slightly cold, some say warm, neutral, non-toxic.) It treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen, accumulation due to wind-dampness, and pterygium on the ear skin. Originates from Bolu Country, resembling white pine resin, with an odor like cedar wood; those that are clear and pure are superior; if stored for a long time exposed to wind and sun, or like sparrow rice charcoal or acacia seeds, it will not diminish. Ointment: treats deafness.
Furthermore, Long Nao (Borneol) treats difficult labor in women. Take a small amount of powdered Long Nao, mix with fresh drawn water, and take orally; recovery is immediate.

(Sweet in flavor, non-toxic.) It treats thirst and Xiao Zhong (wasting-thirst syndrome).

(Sweet and sour in flavor, non-toxic.) It treats conditions of the heart and abdomen, stops sweating, generates flesh, treats alcoholic crusts, benefits qi, enhances cold resistance, and solidifies bone marrow. Also known as Ling Shi. Grows on rocks; when it rains, only it stays dry; when the sun comes out, only it becomes moist. Flowers are yellow, stems are reddish-black. Bears fruit every three years; the fruit is red like hemp seeds. Harvest stems and leaves in May and October, dried in shade.

(Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic; benefits qi, nourishes the spirit, clears heat, stops thirst; grows in Jiangnan, resembling Shi Cao.)

(Bitter in flavor, non-toxic.) It treats thirst and Bi syndrome (obstruction-pain syndrome).

(Sweet in flavor, non-toxic.) It treats blindness, relieves pain, and clears heat and itching.

(Sweet in flavor.) It treats hundred diseases and rescues depleted qi.

(Sour in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic.) It brightens the eyes. Also known as Lai Gan. The fruit is red like Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), harvested in October.