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Sweet and bitter in flavor, neutral and slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily resolves hundred toxins, kills hundred spirits and old entities causing calamities, repels warm epidemics, miasma, evil qi, and gu poison.
Treats epidemic toxic plagues caused by seasonal pathogens (acute febrile diseases caused by seasonal pathogenic factors), headache, aversion to cold and fever, wind-induced swelling and various toxic evils, sore throat, and mouth ulcers. Long-term use prevents premature death, lightens the body, and prolongs life.
Yigu Zhouma. Grows in the valleys of Yizhou. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun.
Those formerly produced in Ningzhou were the best, slender and black, extremely solid, but no longer available. Now only produced in Yizhou; the good ones are slender and peeled, with greenish-blue skin, called Jigu Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma). Northern regions also have them, which are hollow and large, yellow. Jianping region also has them, which are large and tasteless, unfit for use. People say they are roots of Astilbe chinensis (Luoxinfu), not necessarily so. Their shapes naturally resemble each other, but their qi and color differ. Luoxinfu can also resolve toxins; its leaves boiled as a bath for children treat infantile convulsions (infantile fright/convulsion).

As the sovereign drug (the principal herb in a prescription), bitter in flavor, neutral and slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats heart and abdominal disorders, removes stagnant qi in the stomach and intestines, food accumulation, cold and heat evil qi, pushes out the old and generates the new. Clears heart vexation and heat caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage disease), various phlegm-heat solidifications, rebellious evil qi in the chest, wandering qi among the five zang organs, water retention and distension in the large intestine, and damp-bi with spasms. It can also be used as a bathing decoction. Long-term use lightens the body, brightens the eyes, and benefits essence. Also known as Dixun, Shancai, Rucao; the leaf is called Yunhao, pungent and fragrant, edible. Grows in Hongnong river valleys and Wanqu. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun.
When combined with Poria cocos (Fuling), Platycodon grandiflorus (Jiegeng), Rheum palmatum (Dahuang), Gypsum fibrosum (Shigao), Cannabis sativa seed (Maziren), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gancao), and Cinnamomum cassia (Gui), boiled in ten dou of water to yield four sheng, with added Natrii Sulfas (Xiaoshi) three square-inch spoons, it treats vexation and fullness. Banxia is its minister drug, dislikes Gleditsia sinensis (Zaojiao), fears Aster tataricus (Nüwan) and Veratrum nigrum (Lilu). Currently produced in nearby regions, resembling Peucedanum praeruptorum (Qianhu).
The leaf resembles Artemisia capillaris (Xiehao); in spring and autumn, white flowers appear, four to five cun long, fragrant, sweet, and edible. Available in Chang'an and Henei. This Chaihu is the primary herb for treating Shanghan.
[Respectful Note] Zi is the ancient character for Chai. The "Shanglin Fu" states: Zi Jiang. And the "Erya" states: Miao, Zi Cao, both written as Zi. Moreover, this herb has purple roots; currently, Zihu is commonly used. It was later written with the wood radical instead of the silk radical, inherited as Zihu. Furthermore, checking various Bencao texts, none name it thus. Shanghan Xiaochaihu Tang and Dachaihu Tang are crucial formulas for phlegm-qi disorders; if Yunhao root were used instead, it would be a grave error.