Library

[Hershi (Nanyspum Herba)]
Bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
Invention: Hershi enters the Jueyin Liver meridian, excels at regulating rebellious Qi, and can treat phlegm stagnation and Qi obstruction throughout the body; it is a crucial herb in antiparasitic formulas. *Lu Yan Fang* records: For treating heart pain caused by roundworms attacking the heart, administer a single dose of Hershi as a pill. For abdominal pain due to parasites in children, use only Hershi ground into powder, taken with fat meat juice, causing the worms to pass naturally. In pharmacies, carrot seeds are often used to substitute for it; this must be distinguished carefully.

[Bitter, Acrid, Cold, Slightly Toxic]
Harvest the leaves, dry them in the shade, place them in a steamer, sprinkle layer by layer with wine and honey, then process through nine steamings and nine sun-dryings before use.
Invention: Bitter and cold, slightly acrid, hence slightly toxic. It is an important herb for dispelling wind, removing dampness, and invigorating blood. It is effective in treating rheumatism, numbness and paralysis of the four limbs, cold pain in bone joints, and weakness of the waist and knees. However, it is highly unsuitable for cases of weakness in the waist and knees, bone pain, and numbness caused by deficiency of both Spleen and Kidney, or insufficient Yin-blood. Li Shizhen stated: "Crushing and taking the juice of the fresh herb induces vomiting, thus it is said to be slightly toxic." After nine steamings and nine dryings, it dispels wind-bi, thus it is said to be non-toxic. Some claim it greatly benefits Yuan Qi (Original Qi), but this is unverified. Fresh herb crushed and taken orally can induce vomiting of wind-phlegm, indicating its potential to damage Stomach Qi.

[Sweet, Cold, Slightly Toxic]
Invention: Ruo is a type of small bamboo with the largest leaves, so it can be used to make rain hats. Ashed, it treats hematemesis, epistaxis, hemoptysis, and bleeding from urination and defecation. It also promotes urination, benefits Lung Qi, disperses throat bi (obstruction), and reduces carbuncles and swellings. The dosage should not exceed one qianbi (a small spoonful). It is also used to treat inverted or depressed chickenpox lesions; take one qianbi of Ruo leaf ash mixed with musk, administered with wine. Decoction of dried Ruo stalks treats hiccups due to Stomach heat. Its nature is slightly milder than that of Persimmon Calyx (Shi Di). Ash mixed with sesame oil applied topically is very effective for burns and scalds.

[Lu (Reed Shoot) / Weijing (Reed Stem)]
The shoot is named Lu, the stem is named Weijing, and the flower is named Peng.
Sweet, cold, non-toxic.
Invention: Lugen (Reed Rhizome) is sweet and cold, primarily treating polydipsia (Xiao Ke) and lingering heat in the Stomach. It promotes urination, treats dysphagia (Ye), hiccup (Yue), regurgitation and vomiting, inability to eat, fetal restlessness with heart heat, epidemic febrile diseases with chills and fever, and irritability. It resolves toxins from pufferfish and other fish; the shoots are particularly effective. Lu treats hard masses below the umbilicus and difficult urination. Weijing is hollow inside, specifically benefiting orifices, and excels in treating Lung Abscess (Fei Yong) with expectoration of purulent, bloody, and foul-smelling sputum. In *Qian Jin Fang*'s Weijing Tang, it serves as the sovereign herb; after administration, heat toxins are excreted most rapidly via urination. Boiled juice of Luhua (Reed Flower) treats Dry Huoluan (severe abdominal distension and pain); when charred to retain its properties, it treats hematemesis, epistaxis, and various bleeding disorders.