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*Ben Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) refers to it as "Bai Bei" (Hundred Times).
It has a bitter and sour taste, is neutral in nature, and non-toxic.
The variety produced in Huaiqing (modern-day Jiaozuo, Henan) is long without lateral roots, making it suitable for patients with obstructed urinary tract and dribbling urine.
The variety produced in Sichuan is thin and slightly black, making it suitable for patients with insecure essence and qi.
Beef should be avoided.
*Ben Jing* states that it primarily treats cold-dampness-induced flaccidity and bi-syndrome, limb contracture, knee pain with inability to flex or extend, expels blood and qi [pathogens], treats heat-injury causing skin ulceration, and induces abortion.

[Invention/Commentary]
Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) has a thin aroma and strong flavor, with a descending and draining nature, serving as a herb for the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. *Ben Jing* specifically addresses diseases such as cold-dampness flaccidity and limb contracture, omitting its efficacy in nourishing the lower origin (Kidney essence). Was the sage's method incomplete? Zhu Danxi stated: Niu Xi can guide other herbs downward; it is appropriate to add it for wind-bi affecting the tendons and bones in the lower body. Although its nature descends and enters the tendons, as a slippery and lubricating agent, it is ultimately unsuitable for those with insecure essence. When steamed with wine, it can nourish the tendons; when used raw, it removes bad blood. Does its treatment of waist and knee pain with inability to flex/extend and foot flaccidity not rely on its power to nourish blood and tendons? Does its treatment of carbuncles, malignant sores, metal wounds, fractures, hematuria, strangury, and amenorrhea in women not rely on its power to invigorate blood and break stasis? *Waitai Mi Yao* uses a single dose of raw Niu Xi decocted thickly to treat chronic labor-malaria. *Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang* uses two jin of Niu Xi soaked in wine to treat sudden malaria, promoting longevity. Decocted with Abelmoschus manihot seeds, it helps expel the placenta. *Weisheng Baojia Fang* applies crushed Niu Xi externally to treat fractures. *Meishi Jiyian Fang* applies crushed Niu Xi topically to metal wounds. *Qianjin Fang* applies crushed Niu Xi topically to toxic swellings. *Jiyian Fang* uses it to relieve urinary retention. All these utilize its properties of lubricating orifices, resolving blood stasis, and detoxifying. Although it strengthens Yin and tendons, it is strictly contraindicated for Qi deficiency with sinking, easy diarrhea, nocturnal emission, seminal leakage, pregnancy, and metrorrhagia. Only the Sichuan-produced variety, whose aroma, flavor, form, and substance resemble Dipsaci Radix (Xuduan), avoids the risk of essence slipping. The Kidney governs closure and storage, while the Liver governs dispersion and drainage. This herb specifically governs dispersion but lacks the function of securing heat. Laypeople erroneously believe it benefits the Kidney and often use it in formulas that tonify the lower origin; this is no different from inviting thieves into one's home. Tu Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata root) also detoxifies and unblocks orifices, specifically treating Blood Drum (abdominal distension resembling a drum). A single dose decocted thickly can be taken freely. Furthermore, in cases of Lock-Throat Wind where other treatments fail, crushing Tu Niu Xi with vinegar, extracting the juice, dipping a chicken feather in it, and using it to induce vomiting of thick phlegm yields miraculous results within two or three applications.