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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats warm malaria (Wen Nue), manic disorders accompanied by alternating chills and fever, zheng zha (abdominal masses), ji ju (accumulations of qi and blood stasis), ying qi (neck swellings/goiter), expels blood stasis, stops abdominal pain, and treats metal weapon wounds (Jin Chuang).
[Nuclear Commentary] It is said: Bald-head Elder (Baitouweng), also known as Bald-head Old Man or Wang Zhu Zhe, resides upright in the northern direction; it now grows in the Wu-Yue region. Although seen occasionally elsewhere, those from these two places are considered superior. In spring, it grows in clumps; stems branch out prominently above other leaves, with flowers at the stem tips resembling apricot blossoms. The leaves have white downy hairs on their surface, resembling the short hair of an old man, hence the name "Weng" (Old Man). There is also white down near the roots. The root resembles that of Vitex rotundifolia (Manjing), with a deep purple color. Its stems remain still when there is wind but sway spontaneously when there is no wind; its nature is similar to that of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Chijian), Angelica pubescens (Duhuo), and Podophyllum emodi (Guijiu). In Luoyang, Henan, and the mountains of Xin'an, many people consume this herb, claiming it promotes longevity. For processing, treating it with wine is beneficial. The flower, seed, stem, and leaf possess equal efficacy without distinction.
[Interpretation] It is named Bald-head Elder because of its resemblance in form and color. White inherits the function of Metal, and the head is the foremost yang organ. "Weng" implies having lived for many years and knowing all matters thoroughly; thus, it remains still in the wind and sways spontaneously without wind. This verifies its ability to stand firm in substance and move in function, allowing it to rise above common things and not be overcome by the Eight Winds. It is suitable for cleansing filth hidden within the middle jiao, eliminating goiters on the neck, treating manic states caused by warm malaria, resolving accumulations and aggregations, calming phlegm-masses caused by chills and heat, curing toxins from metal wounds, bringing peace to the hundred body parts, and extinguishing afflictions of the abdomen and heart.

(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats skin heat, ascites (large abdominal water accumulation), edema of the four limbs and face, and insufficient yin qi in men.
[Nuclear Commentary] It is said: Zeqi (Euphorbia helioscopia) originates from the streams and marshes of Mount Tai; nowadays, it is found in rivers, lakes, and flatlands. In spring, shoots emerge. One cluster branches out, growing soft stems in dense clusters with a jade-green color, resembling purslane (Machixian) or alfalfa leaves—round, yellowish-green, and somewhat like a cat's eye, hence the name Cat's Eye Grass (Maor Yan Cao). Five leaves crown the stem tip, from which five small stems sprout centrally. Each small stem bears tiny flowers, greenish-blue in color, supported by smaller leaves, arranged neatly and uniformly. Hence, it is also called Five-Phoenix Grass (Wufeng Cao) or Six-Leaf Green Flower Grass (Liuyelu Hua Cao). The stems exude a sticky white juice. The roots are also white, with a center hard as bone. Herbal texts stating it is the seedling of Euphorbia pekinensis (Daji) or Aconitum carmichaelii (Wutou) are erroneous.
[Interpretation] Water overflowing upwards forms a marsh (Ze); water flowing downwards yet wanting to stay viscous resembles lacquer (Qi). Thus, the substance and function of water are manifested in these two characters. Therefore, when water loses both substance and function, skin heat occurs; when water possesses only substance but fails in function, large abdominal water accumulation and edema of the limbs and face result. Because when a man's yin qi is sufficient, essence is stored, and movement is prompt; when function moves, substance arrives, and when substance arrives, function moves, the two do not hinder each other. Mr. Zhang Zhongjing, in his discussion in *Jingui Yaolue*, states that for cough with reversed qi, frequent expectoration of turbid matter, restlessness preventing sleep, and a sinking pulse, Zeqi Tang should be used. However, external cold damaging the form and cold drinks injuring the lungs cause the two pathogens to strike each other, leading to cough, abscesses, or flaccidity syndromes. This represents the mutual isolation of substance and function. Until kidney qi sinks alone to promote the draining function of water, thereby assisting the substance of water, the internal and external combined pathogens will dissolve like melting ice.