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Lilu (Veratrum nigrum Rhizoma): Acrid and bitter in flavor, cold or slightly cold in nature, toxic. It primarily treats gu poison (parasitic poisoning), cough with rebellious qi, diarrhea and dysentery, intestinal parasites, head sores, scabies and pruritus, malignant ulcers, kills various parasites, treats hiccups, and relieves bi-syndrome of the throat causing obstruction. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Used as a guiding drug. Highly toxic. It can treat upper jiao qi rebellion, expel chronic pus and blood, treat diarrhea and dysentery, and wind-evil sores. If the dosage reaches one "yi" (a small measure) using a coin spoon, it induces severe vomiting. People also apply it to the neck to induce sneezing for treating vomiting and hiccups, though its efficacy is unclear. It is guided by Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma). Incompatible with: Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), and Wu Shen (five types of Ginseng roots). Dislikes: Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma). It grows widely in nearby regions.

Shuqi (Dichroae Radix): Bitter in flavor, neutral in nature, slightly warm, toxic. It primarily treats cough with rebellious qi, bi-syndrome of the throat and sore throat causing difficulty in breathing/swallowing, dissipates stagnant qi, addresses rebellious evil qi in the abdomen, excessive heat from food and drink, treats old blood stasis between the heart and spleen, cough with expectoration, foul breath odor, and dissipates hot qi in the chest. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Used as a guiding drug. Slightly toxic. It can treat bi-syndrome preventing intake of water and gruel, unblocks amenorrhea in women, treats zhù disease (chronic infectious disease) with asthma, pi accumulation (masses), opens the stomach to promote appetite, and reduces swelling and toxicity.

Changshan (Dichroae Radix): Acrid in flavor, warm in nature, highly toxic. It primarily treats metal wounds, breast spasms, sudden onset of evil wind, cough with rebellious qi, edema, kills gui-zhu (ghostly infections) and gu poison, breaks zhi-jī (masses), removes bi-pain in feet and knees, relieves stiffness and contracture of four limbs, treats malignant sores and scabies parasites, and kills birds and beasts. *Shu Bencao* states: Treats bi-syndrome of the throat, throat blockage, hoarseness, cough with rebellious qi, and warms the middle jiao. It is guided by Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma). Dislikes: Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix). If wild Ge (Aconitum carmichaelii) poison is accidentally ingested, sheep's blood can be used to detoxify. Also known as Ye Ge.

Baiwei (Cynanchi Atrati Radix): Bitter in flavor, slightly cold, non-toxic. It primarily treats convulsions and epilepsy, alternating chills and fever, evil pathogens, clears heat, treats metal wounds, carbuncles and hemorrhoids, scrofula, malignant sores, head sores, treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen, abdominal pain with damp-bi, nourishes the fetus, and benefits children. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Used as an assistant drug. Toxic. It can treat erysipelas and childhood fevers. Ri Huazi states: Treats injuries from snakes, insects, bees, and vipers, red eyes, stops bleeding, assists in treating wind-rash and carbuncles-swelling. Both stems and leaves are used. Also known as Wei She.

Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix): Acrid in flavor, neutral or slightly warm, toxic. It primarily treats malaria and cough with alternating chills and fever, hard masses and nodules in the abdomen, accumulation of evil qi, gu poison and ghostly infections, treats chest/malarial malaria, treats warm malaria with chills and fever, and treats fei-qi (splenic enlargement) accumulations. Ri Huazi states: Treats zhē jiǎ (abdominal masses). It is guided by Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus). Dislikes: Guanzhong (Cyathulae Rhizoma). Fears: Tuowu (Saussureae Radix).