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[Classified as Lower Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
[Flavor and Nature] Acrid, Cold, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats alternating chills and fever (*Huanre*), scrofula (*Luoli*, tuberculous lymphadenitis of the neck), rat fistula (*Shulou*, a type of cervical lymphatic tuberculosis accompanied by chills and fever), head sores, breaks up masses (*Zheng*, intra-abdominal tumors or hard lumps), dissipates goiter (*Ying*, nodular swellings such as thyroid enlargement) and qi stagnation, treats foot edema and damp-bi syndrome, and lightens the body.

[Evidence] It is stated: It originates from the valleys of Shu Commandery, but is also found elsewhere, growing commonly in wetlands, plains, and fields. After the Winter Solstice, it sprouts, gradually growing to a height of one or two chi (approx. 30-60 cm). The stem is slightly square. Leaves are opposite, resembling those of *Inula japonica* (*Xuanfu*) but larger and longer, with fine serrations on the margins and a white underside. In the third and fourth lunar months, spikelets form at the stem tips, one to two cun (approx. 3-6 cm) long. Pale purple small flowers bloom within the spikes, resembling those of *Salvia miltiorrhiza* (*Danshen*). Seeds also form in spikes, with four seeds per spike. It withers in the fifth lunar month; harvesting is suitable in the fourth month. *Benincasa hispida* (*Tugua*, wax gourd) acts as its guide/enhancer. It can neutralize the toxicity of mercury sulfide.

[Elucidation] It is stated: Sprouting at the Winter Solstice and withering at the Summer Solstice, it possesses the correct constitution of the "Three Yang" meridians and the proper transformation of Cold Water. Therefore, it reaches from the interior to the exterior, penetrating from below to above, thereby dispelling the stagnation of cold and heat qi, and resolving bi syndrome caused by dampness. "Scrofula" refers to diseases involving chills and fever. The Classics state: "Scrofula arises from the toxic vapors of rat fistula chills and heat, remaining in the vessels without dispersing." Its root lies in the Zang organs, while its branches manifest between the neck and axilla. If it floats in the vessels without entering internally, or adheres to muscles and externally suppurates, it is easy to treat. How should it be treated? One must address the root and guide the branches, allowing the condition to recede and cutting off the chills and fever. Carefully follow the appropriate method to administer treatment, using slow insertion and slow withdrawal to expel the pathogen. To determine prognosis, observe the eyes: if red vessels are seen piercing the pupil vertically, seeing one vessel indicates death in one year; one and a half vessels, death in half a year; two vessels, death in two years; two and a half vessels, death in two and a half years; three vessels, death in three years. If red vessels are seen but do not pierce downward through the pupil, the condition is treatable. As for goiter, it merely floats in the vessels; masses adhere only to the Zang organs; foot edema occurs only in the lower part; head sores occur only in the upper part. Although these do not strictly follow the root-branch relationship, they are collectively termed diseases of chills and heat. Lou Quanshan used this herb to treat eyeball pain, and the *Jianyao Jizhong Fang* used it to treat eye pain, which aligns with the principles of the *Ling Shu*. It is suitable when red vessels pierce the pupil; otherwise, it may involve cold patterns and is not a targeted treatment. ([Possessing the proper transformation of Cold Water, it can address the internal root of the Zang organs; possessing the correct constitution of Three Yang, it can address the peripheral branches in the external vessels. Scrofula is called a disease of chills and heat because its root is in the Zang organs and its branches emerge between the neck and axilla, corresponding internally and externally, hence named 'chills and heat,' referring here to acupuncture methods.) (Floating pulse and adherence to Zang organs, pathology located only above or below, exhausts the variations of cold and heat.)]