Library

[Dan Zhu Ye / Lophatheri Herba]
Sweet, cold, non-toxic.
Invention: The tender shoots of Danzhu (Lophatherum gracile) growing in damp lowlands have green leaves and blue-green flowers, with roots that produce seeds; they are completely different from bamboo. Its nature is specifically light, permeating, descending, and draining, thus it can remove vexing heat, clear the Heart, and promote urination. The root has the effect of inducing abortion and facilitating childbirth.

[Xiang Ri Kui Zi / Helianthi Semen]
Sweet, cold, slippery, non-toxic.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it governs cold-heat conditions of the five Zang and six Fu organs, emaciation, breaks down five types of strangury (Wu Long), and promotes urination.
Invention: Helianthus annuus is hardy and cold-resistant, remaining evergreen in winter, hence named Dongkui (Winter Okra). Its nature is slippery and unblocking to orifices, capable of treating cold-heat in the Zang-Fu organs, emaciation, breaking down five types of strangury (Wu Lin), and promoting urination. For breast distension and pain in women, mix equal parts of this herb and Amomum villosum (Sha Ren), grind into powder, and take 3 qian with hot wine; the swelling will subside immediately. For difficult labor where the fetus does not descend, use only this herb, stir-fry until fragrant, grind into powder, and take 3 qian with Xiongui Tang (Angelica Sinensis and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Decoction); delivery will be facilitated, taking advantage of its flexible movement at dawn and dusk. Xia Zi Yi's *Qiji Fang* (Formulas for Strange Diseases) states that someone whose hands and feet suddenly grew inverted fleshy spurs causing unbearable cone-like pain was cured by eating Kuisai (Okra vegetables); this also utilizes its cold, slippery, and orifice-unblocking properties.

[Dong Kui Zi / Malvae Semen]
Sweet, cold, slippery, non-toxic.
Invention: Kuisai is best produced in Shu (Sichuan), with the most varieties, and its seeds are used medicinally. All possess slippery, orifice-unblocking properties, capable of moistening Qi and Blood dryness. *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) claims it removes exogenous heat and benefits the intestines and stomach, which is a general statement about its efficacy. Li Dongyuan uses its white flowers to treat leukorrhea (white discharge) and red flowers to treat metrorrhagia/mucorrhea (red discharge), utilizing them according to their color; if bitten by a dog, consuming it causes the wound never to heal (Note: Text says "chuang yong bu chai", literally wound never heals/cures, likely referring to a specific contraindication or historical belief in the text context).

[Qiu Kui / Yellow Hibiscus related]
Sweet, cold, slippery, non-toxic.
Invention: Among various colors of Kuisai flowers, only those blooming in autumn uniquely inherit Metal Qi and appear yellow. Its seeds' nature is specifically moistening and descending, treating strangury (Lin syndrome) and used for facilitating childbirth, similar to Helianthus annuus seed. Its flowers dissipate carbuncles and swellings; when soaked in oil and applied to scalds or burns, pain stops immediately.

[Long Kui / Solani Lycopersici Fructus et Herba]
Also known as Laoya Yanjing Cao (Crow's Eye Grass).
Bitter, slightly sweet, slippery, cold, non-toxic.
Invention: Long Kui's slippery nature is like Kuisai, referring to its seedlings and leaves, which clear heat and dissipate blood stasis. It suppresses toxicity from Danshi (mineral drugs) and removes stagnant blood in women. "Laoya Yanjing" refers to its fruit, which is good at knitting sinews and dissipating carbuncle swellings, no different from the seedlings and leaves. Its root promotes urination; decocted and taken with Akebiae Caulis (Mutong), it is effective.