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[Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitidis Semen)] Bitter, cold, toxic. Primarily descends Qi, treats fullness and edema of the feet, eliminates wind-toxin, and promotes urination. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Used as a guiding herb. Slightly toxic. Treats mass formations in the abdomen (Pi Qi), promotes bowel movements, eliminates fluid retention and deficiency-type swelling, and induces abortion. Ri Hua Zi states: Bitter. Synergies: Combined with Qing Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) and Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), it is effective. Treats lower back pain, expels cold pus, purges gu-poison drugs, and resolves all types of Qi stagnation.

[San Bai Cao (Saururi Herba)] Sweet, acrid, neutral, slightly toxic. Primarily treats water disorders; also treats wind-deficiency with alternating chills and fever, body sores, itching, edema, Shi Zhu (malaria-like illness with malignant qi). Leaves: Treat wind-induced swelling and numbness; crush, steam, and apply externally. Ri Hua Zi states: Treats abdominal distension due to water accumulation and facilitates labor. Apply to the palms and soles of postpartum women, wiping off quickly after delivery. Can also be ground and applied for scabies and tinea. *Hai Shang Fang* states: Treats difficult labor and retained placenta.

[Bai Fu Zi (Typhonii Rhizoma)] Bitter, acrid, toxic. Primarily treats stroke, eliminates phlegm and paralysis, descends Qi, breaks down firm accumulations, dissipates carbuncles and swellings, unblocks the chest and diaphragm, and invigorates blood. Chen Cangqi states: Treats traumatic injuries from metal weapons, fractures, and blood stasis. Crush the root and apply externally to the injured area. Ri Hua Zi states: Acrid and pungent, neutral. Antagonisms: Aconitum (Fu Zi), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang). Treats contusions and blood stasis, snake and insect bites, and applies externally for scabies, tinea, and malignant sores. Another account: Treats acute stroke with closed eyes and locked jaw, pediatric "running horse" cancrum oris, and excessive salivation. Antagonisms: Aconitum (Fu Zi), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang).

[Lang Du (Stellerae Radix et Rhizoma)] Acrid, neutral, highly toxic. Primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi, breaks down food and pathogenic accumulations, cold-heat fluid retention, hypochondriac masses, malignant sores, rat-bite toxins, ghost essence, and insect poisons; kills birds and beasts. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Used as a guiding herb. Bitter, acrid, toxic. Treats phlegm-fluid retention and zheng jia (masses); also treats heart and abdominal continuous pain as recorded by Ge Hong. Uses Soybean (Da Dou) as a guiding herb. Antagonisms: Mai Ju Jiang (Asari Radix et Rhizoma). Origin: Qinting and Longxi. Harvest roots in February and August; those that sink in water are of superior quality.

[Shang Lu (Phytolaccae Radix)] Sweet, acrid, cold, slightly toxic. Primarily treats edema, hu xiang jiao (beriberi/foot disease), promotes urination and defecation, eliminates phlegm, breaks down masses, removes accumulations, and dissipates carbuncle swellings. Chen Cangqi states: Extract juice and ingest to induce vomiting; also treats malaria.