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[Shegan (Belamcanda Rhizome)]
Bitter in taste, neutral in nature, slightly warm, and toxic. It primarily treats cough with counterflow qi (coughing with upward rushing of qi), throat obstruction (bi-syndrome of the throat) with sore throat, inability to breathe freely, dissipates stagnant qi, treats rebellious evil qi in the abdomen, and excessive heat from food and drink. It cures old blood stasis in the heart, liver, and spleen, coughing up saliva, foul breath odor, and dissipates hot qi in the chest. Long-term use causes debility. Also known as Wushan (Black Fan), Wupu, and Caojiang (Grass Ginger). Grows in the river valleys and fields of Nanyang. The roots are harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and dried in the shade.
This is the root of Wu [Yuan] (Iris tectorum), which is widely planted in courtyards and terraces; its flowers are yellow and it can also treat toxic swellings. Prescriptions often write the character "Ye Gan" (Night Dry), whereas "She" is now pronounced as "Ye". Some say its leaves are those of Iris tectorum and that it possesses an "Iris head", but this is likely due to similarity and may not be correct. "Wu Yuan" refers to its leaf name. There is another type of Shegan that is similar but has white flowers and long stems, resembling a person holding a spear while shooting. Thus, Ruan Gong's poem says: "Shegan overlooks Zengcheng." This variety is not used in medicine; its root lacks tubers and consists only of fibrous texture.
[Note]: The root of Shegan is the Iris head. Tao Hongjing's mention of "Youba" refers to this.

[Iris Tectorum (Tectorum Rhizome)]
Bitter in taste, neutral in nature, and toxic. It primarily treats gu poison (poison caused by magical or venomous means), evil qi, gui zhu (ghostly transmission diseases), and various other toxins. It breaks up zheng jia masses (fixed abdominal masses) and accumulation of water (edema), and expels the three types of parasites. It treats dizziness and drives away demonic influences. Also known as Wuyuan. Grows in the mountain valleys of Jiuyi. Harvested in the fifth lunar month.
Prescription experts state that this is the sprout of Ye Gan (Shegan), without the name of Iris tectorum, and its therapeutic effects differ; thus, it should be considered a different substance. Prescriptions also use the Iris head, which should be its root; their therapeutic properties are similar, but the Materia Medica does not clearly distinguish them.
[Note]: The leaves of this herb resemble those of Ye Gan but are broader and shorter, do not produce long stems, and have purple-green flowers. The root has slight toxicity; chewing it irritates the throat. It is completely different from Ye Gan. It is cultivated by households and found everywhere. Ye Gan has red flowers, produces long stems, and has yellow roots with a hollow center (mortar-like structure). Tao Hongjing's description of "Youba" correctly refers to the rhizome of Iris tectorum.

[Guanzhong (Cyrtomium Rhizome)]
Bitter in taste, slightly cold, and toxic. It primarily treats evil hot qi in the abdomen and various toxins, kills the three types of parasites. It removes inch-white worms (Taenia solium), breaks up zheng jia masses, eliminates wind-head (headache due to wind), and heals metal wounds. The flower treats malignant sores but causes diarrhea. Also known as Guanjie, Guanqu, Baitou, Hujuan, Bianfu, Boping, and Lezao; these refer to Cao Chitou (Grass Owl Head). Grows in the mountain valleys of Xuan Mountain, Wanqu, and Shaoshi. The roots are harvested in the second and eighth lunar months and dried in the shade.
Fungi serve as the guiding herb (shi). It is also found in nearby regions; the leaves resemble large ferns, and the color, shape, and bristles of the root completely resemble the head of an old owl, hence the name Cao Chitou.