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[Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba)]
Bitter, cold, non-toxic. The authentic variety has purple stems. Roots, stems, seeds, and leaves should not be used together, as this may lead to intractable diseases. Leaves treat damp-heat; seeds treat bone-steaming fever. Both are best prepared using urine from a young boy.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records its indications for scabies, itching, crusting, and malignant sores; it kills parasites, clears residual heat in the joints, and improves vision.

[Commentary]
There are two types of Qinghao. One type emerges in early spring; its leaves are green like Mian Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba), specifically draining the fire of Bing-Ding (Heart Fire), promoting urination, with properties similar to Mian Yinchen. The other type thrives in summer and autumn; it is slightly yellow like Difuzi (Kochiae Fructus), specifically governing the influence of Jia-Yi (Liver and Gallbladder meridians), acting on the blood level of Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians. Therefore, those with purple stems are superior. It treats bone-steaming consumption fever and has insecticidal effects without damaging the harmonious Yang Qi in the joints, because it receives the ascending energy of spring earliest. Its nature is largely similar to Jiaohao (Artemisiae Argyi Folium); it also improves vision and effectively clears deficiency heat in the upper body. Burned to ash and leached with water, mixed with Duan Shi (Calcined Oyster Shell) to apply to malignant sores, polyps, and scars. Su Gong advocated applying freshly crushed herb to traumatic wounds. *Jingyan Fang* combines it with Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus) to treat cold malaria. However, due to its bitter-cold nature, it should be avoided by those with Spleen deficiency and cold-dysentery.

[Chongwei (Leonuri Fructus / Motherwort)]
Commonly known as Yimucao (Motherwort).
Pungent, sweet, slightly warm, non-toxic. Avoid contact with iron vessels. Its seeds should be lightly stir-fried until fragrant, steamed, dried in the sun, pounded, and shelled before use.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records that Chongwei Zi (Leonuri Fructus) improves vision and nourishes essence, eliminates fluid retention, while the stem treats urticaria and can be used for bathing.

[Commentary]
Chongwei enters the Blood level of the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) and Foot-Jueyin (Liver) meridians. It invigorates blood, moves Qi, and possesses yin-nourishing properties. In both prenatal and postnatal states, reliance is placed on Qi and Blood. Prenatally, there should be no stasis; postnatally, there should be no deficiency, because its action of moving blood contains an element of tonification. However, this "tonification" refers to dispersing blood stasis so that Ying-Blood benefits, rather than directly supplementing Qi and Blood. *Danfang* prescribes drying Motherwort leaves in the shade, mixing them with urine from a young boy and aged wine, undergoing nine cycles of steaming and sun-drying, then combining with Siwu Tang ingredients to make pills for treating various postpartum conditions. Since its function specializes in moving blood, it should not be used for metrorrhagia or hematoschesis if the Spleen-Stomach is weak or the Large Intestine is insecure, due to its descending nature. Recently, for treating Fan Sha (a type of sand-pox/summerheat disorder) presenting with abdominal pain and vomiting, a strong decoction with a little raw honey taken warm is effective, utilizing its ability to disperse evil blood. Its seeds improve vision, specializing in nourishing essence and promoting diuresis; they are suitable for cases where the pupil constricts due to Yin-fluid deficiency. They are strictly contraindicated when the pupil dilates due to excess fire, as their pungent dispersion can exacerbate pathogenic fire. White-flowered varieties are called Zancai; tender shoots are edible, hence the name "vegetable." Zangqi advocated its use for postpartum abdominal pain. Currently, for leukorrhea, taking a single herb powder yields significant results.