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Bitter in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Indicated for alternating cold and fever, scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis of the neck), phthisis (scrofulous swellings), carbuncles and sores, malignant ulcers, goiter (neck masses), accumulated heat (stagnant pathogenic heat), gu poison (parasitic or toxic diseases). Expels white intestinal worms. Also known as Yi Qiao, Lan Hua, Zhe Gen, Zhi, and San Lian. Grows in the valleys of Mount Tai. Harvested in August, dried in the shade.

Found everywhere; currently, the stem, flowers, and fruits are clinically used.

[Verification] There are two types of this herb: Da Qiao (Large Qiao) and Xiao Qiao (Small Qiao). Da Qiao has narrow, elongated leaves similar to *Perilla frutescens* (Shui Su), with attractive yellow flowers. It grows in low-lying wet areas. Its seeds resemble unopened seeds of *Toona sinensis* (Chun Shu), forming pods that stand out above other grasses. Xiao Qiao grows on hills and plains; its leaves, flowers, and fruits are similar to Da Qiao but smaller and finer. People in southern Shanxi use both. Currently, only the seeds of Da Qiao are used in the capital region, not the stems or flowers.

Bitter in taste, warm in nature, toxicity is debated (non-toxic/toxic). Indicated for warm malaria (malaria with predominant high fever), mania (mental derangement), alternating cold and fever, zheng jia and ji ju (abdominal masses and accumulations), goiter qi (neck mass qi), expelling blood stasis, relieving pain, treating metal wounds (traumatic injuries from metal instruments), and epistaxis (nosebleed). Also known as Nai He Cao. Grows in high mountains, valleys, fields, and countryside. Harvested in April.

Found everywhere. Near the root, there is white down, resembling a human's white hair, hence the name. Formulas also record its use for treating toxic dysentery.

[Verification] Its leaves are similar to those of *Paeonia lactiflora* (Shao Yao) but larger, with a single stem emerging. At the top of the stem is one flower, purple in color, resembling *Hibiscus mutabilis* (Mu Jin Hua). The fruit is large, like a chicken egg, covered with white down over an inch long, hanging down like the tassel of a banner, which aligns with the description of white down near the root. Tao Hongjing seemed unfamiliar with this fact. The vine-like plant stored by the Taichang Temple is actually *Akebia quinata* (Nu Wei). The root of Bai Tou Weng is highly effective for treating toxic dysentery; it resembles *Dipsacus asper* (Xu Duan) and is flat.

Acrid and sour in taste, cold and slightly cold in nature, slightly toxic. Indicated for eroding foul flesh, necrotic tissue from ulcers, killing scabies mites, discharging pus and foul blood, dispelling severe wind-heat, and treating forgetfulness and melancholy. Relieves hot bi (painful obstruction due to heat pathogens), breaks up zheng jia, and removes polyps. Also known as Qu Ju and Li Lou. Grows in the valleys of Dai Commandery. Roots harvested in May, dried in the shade. *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* (Hei Gan Cao) serves as its guiding herb; contraindicated with *Ophiopogon japonicus* (Mai Men Dong). The best quality currently comes from Goryeo (Korea), with a yellowish color. When freshly broken, the exuded juice coagulates into a black substance like lacquer, hence called "Lacquer Head." The next best comes from nearby roadsides, named Cao Ru, with a white color; these are often treated by burning iron to blacken the root tips to mimic Lacquer Head, which is not authentic. Leaves resemble *Euphorbia* (Da Ji), flowers are yellow, appearing in February. Root