味辛、甘，微温、微寒，无毒。主明目益精，除水气，疗血逆大热，头痛，心烦。久服
轻身。茎，主瘾疹痒，可作
浴汤。一名益母，一名益明，一名大札，一名贞蔚。生海滨池泽，
五月采。
今处处有。叶如荏，方茎，子形细长三棱。方用亦稀。
〔谨案〕捣茺蔚茎，敷疔肿，服汁使疔肿毒内消。又下子死腹中，主产后血胀闷，诸杂
毒肿、丹游等肿。取汁如豆
滴耳中，主 耳。中虺蛇毒敷之良。
味辛，温，无毒。主邪气，辟毒疫温鬼，强志，主淋露。疗气劣，肌中偏寒，主气不足，
消毒，杀鬼精物、温疟、
蛊毒，行药之精。久服不梦寤魇寐。轻身致神仙。一名蜜香。生永
昌山谷。
此即青木香也。永昌不复贡，今皆从外国舶上来，乃云大秦国。以疗毒肿，消恶气，有
验。今皆用合香，不入药用。
惟制蛀虫丸用之，常能煮以沐浴，大佳尔。
〔谨案〕此有二种，当以昆仑来者为佳，出西胡来者不善。叶似羊蹄而长
大，花如菊花，其实黄黑，所在亦有之。
味苦，寒、大寒，无毒。主骨间寒热，惊痫，邪气，续绝伤，定五脏，杀蛊毒。除胃中
伏热，时气温热，热泄下痢，
去肠中小虫，益肝胆气，止惊惕。久服益智，不忘，轻身耐老。一
朐，二月、八月、十一月、
十二月采根，阴干。
贯众为之使，恶防葵、地黄。今出近道，吴兴为胜。状似牛膝，味甚苦，故以胆为名。
[Chongwei Zi (Leonurus Fructus)]
Taste: Pungent, Sweet. Nature: Slightly Warm, Slightly Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Primarily treats brightening the eyes and benefiting essence, eliminating fluid retention, treating blood rebellion with severe heat, headache, and mental restlessness. Long-term use makes the body feel light. The stem primarily treats urticaria and itching, and can be used to make bathing decoctions. Also known as Yimu (Motherwort), Yiming, Dazha, and Zhenwei. Grows in ponds and marshes by the sea; harvested in May.
Now available everywhere. Leaves resemble those of Perilla frutescens var. acuta (Ren); stems are square; seeds are slender and three-angled. Rarely used in prescriptions.
[Commentary]: Crush the stems of Chongwei and apply externally to carbuncles and swellings; drinking the juice helps dissipate the toxicity of carbuncles from within. It also expels retained dead fetus, treats postpartum abdominal distension and oppression due to blood stasis, various toxic swellings, and erysipelas-like swellings. Extracting juice and dripping it into the ear like a bean drop treats deafness. Applying it externally is effective for viper bites.
[Muxiang (Costi Rhizoma)]
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Primarily treats pathogenic factors, wards off toxic epidemics and malevolent spirits, strengthens willpower, and treats enuresis or seminal emission. Treats qi deficiency, cold sensation in muscles, general insufficiency of qi, detoxification, expelling evil spirits and pathogens, warm malaria, gu poison, and enhances the efficacy of other medicines. Long-term use prevents nightmares and sleep disturbances. Makes the body light and promotes longevity/immortality. Also known as Mixiang. Grows in valleys of Yongchang.
This is Qingmuxiang (Aucklandiae Radix). Yongchang no longer offers tribute; now all comes via foreign merchant ships, reportedly from Daqin (Rome). Used to treat toxic swellings and eliminate malignant qi, with verified effects. Now mainly used in incense blends, not for medicinal purposes.
Only used in making anti-moth pills; boiling it for bathing is highly beneficial.
[Commentary]: There are two varieties; those from Kunlun are superior, while those from Western Hu are inferior. Leaves resemble Rumex crispus but are larger and longer; flowers resemble chrysanthemum; fruits are yellow-black; found in various places.
[Longdan (Gentianae Radix)]
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Cold, Very Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Primarily treats alternating cold and heat in bones, convulsions and epilepsy, pathogenic factors, healing severe injuries, stabilizing the five zang organs, killing gu poison. Clears latent heat in the stomach, seasonal febrile diseases, heat-type diarrhea and dysentery, removes small intestinal parasites, benefits liver and gallbladder qi, and stops fright and tremors. Long-term use improves intelligence, memory, makes the body light, and promotes resistance to aging. Quantity: One ju (a handful). Roots harvested in February, August, November, December; dried in shade.
Guanzhong (Cyathulae Radix) serves as an assistant herb; incompatible with Fangkui (Adenophorae Radix) and Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix). Currently produced in nearby regions, with Wuxing being the best quality. Resembles Achyranthes bidentata (Niuxi); taste is very bitter, hence named "Dan" (gall/bitter).