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(Shennong Bencao Jing, Middle Category)
[Flavor and Nature] Acrid, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats cough with rebellious qi (Ke Ni Shang Qi), prone to wheezing (Shan Chuan), throat obstruction (Hou Bi - swelling and blockage of the throat), various types of fright convulsions (Jing Xian), and pathogenic factors of cold and heat.
[Verification] It is said: It grows in Guanzhong, as well as Yongzhou, Nanshan, Xishui, Huazhou, in valleys and stream beds; it mostly grows in clusters, leaves resemble those of mallow but are larger, disregarding ice and snow, flowering before spring arrives. The flower emerges one or two cun from the soil, protruding from the calyx like a chrysanthemum, colored blue-purple, straight and plump. When blooming, the flower color is yellow, and the flower is located below the root. There is a variety with red flowers, leaves resembling lotus leaves standing upright, large enough to hold a sheng (a unit of volume), commonly called "Bee Comb" (Feng Dou). For processing, one must select buds that have just begun to show flowers; if they have fully opened and possess a fragrant aroma, they lack medicinal potency. After selection, remove the outer shell wrapping the stamen, which wraps inward and is solid like a chestnut shell, along with stems and leaves. Soak them in licorice water overnight, then mix with Kuantong Ye (Tussilago Leaves), steam for one night, dry in the sun, remove the leaves, and use the remainder. Xingren (Apricot Seed) serves as its guiding herb; it works well when combined with Ziwan (Aster Root). It is incompatible with Zaojiao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit), Xiaoshi (Niter), and Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix). It fears Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Xinyi (Magnolia Flower), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), and Qingxiangzi (Celosiae Semen).

[Commentary] It is said: Kuantonghua transforms hard icy water into rich soil, absorbing frost and snow to moisten itself. This represents the generation of yang within water, making it suitable for entering the Kidney channel; it is the heart medicine for the Kidney. Therefore, it expels pathogens from the Lung and Kidney, first utilizing the functions of the Liver and Heart, unlike herbs that remain hidden in deep places. Pathogenic factors of fright and convulsions hide within the body; through counter-treatment, they are thoroughly dispersed. However, for cough with rebellious qi, wheezing, and throat obstruction caused by the Kidney suffering from dryness, or due to external cold and internal consumption of cold drinks, or autumn injury by dampness, it is appropriate. If there is fire-heat punishing Metal (Lung), or Lung qi scorched and full, it might further consume and damage healthy qi.

(Shennong Bencao Jing, Middle Category)
[Flavor and Nature] Acrid, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats headache caused by wind-stroke invading the brain, cold bi-syndrome (Han Bi), tendon spasms or flaccidity/tightness, metal wounds (Jin Chuang), and blood obstruction in women leading to infertility.
[Verification] It is said: Xiongqiong is the root of Miwu. Those from Sichuan are superior; those from Hu Rong regions are called Hu Xiong; those from Guanzhong are called Jing Xiong; those from Shu are called Chuan Xiong; those from Tiantai are called Tai Xiong; those from Jiangnan are called Fu Xiong; all named after their place of origin. After Qingming Festival, perennial roots sprout seedlings, branching out and buried horizontally in the soil, generating roots and seedlings at each node. After August, Xiongqiong begins to form under the root. Leaves resemble celery, slightly narrower with forks, also resembling Bai Zhi but finer, or similar to Huxu (Coriander) but stronger. One variety has leaves resembling Shechuangzi but slightly thicker. Stems and leaves are both aromatic, stem nodes are fine yet large, slender, soft, green, and neat, appearing lush and weak. Cultivated roots are large, solid, and oily; wild-grown ones are thin, lean, acrid, and bitter. Collect seedlings in May, roots in October; harvesting out of season results in empty, foul quality, unsuitable for medicine. When using the root, select large pieces from Sichuan, white in color, not greasy, tasting acrid and bitter when chewed, shaped like sparrow brains, which are best. Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) serves as its guiding herb. It fears Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma). It is subdued by Cihuang (Realgar). Combined with Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), it treats metal wounds and stops pain. Combined with Muli (Ostreae Concha), it treats head wind and vomiting/rebellious qi.

[Commentary] It is said: Xiongqiong is a phonetic compound. "Qiong" means high; "Ji" means extreme/end; "Qiong" means ultimate/conclusion, referring to the profound nature of its therapeutic action. Thus, it primarily treats wind affecting the head/brain, whether brain pain alone or head and brain together. This is because wind qi connects to the Liver, and indeed, spring qi diseases manifest in the head. Its power can directly reach the function of the Liver, penetrating from the heel to the crown; when righteous qi surges, evil qi naturally ceases. Wind combining with cold forms tendon bi, causing spasms, flaccidity, or tightness; this belongs to obstruction, and treating it involves straightening and unblocking. It also treats metal wounds because such injuries require dynamic movement to establish stability. Blood obstruction (Xue Bi) is driven away and unblocked, allowing Si-Hai to combine to form the fetal sac, and Yin-Shen to intersect to produce seeds; these are all meanings of ultimate profundity and height.
(Wind qi connects to the Liver; things follow their own kind. Spring qi diseases manifest in the head, akin to the time when fish tread on ice?)
(When Si and Hai combine, Jueyin begins to form the fetal sac; when Yin and Shen intersect, Shaoyang begins to nourish milk.)