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Promotes urination, moves water qi.
Bitter, cold in nature. Sinking and yin, directing downward. It has the same efficacy as *Da Ji* (Kansui Root) and *Gan Sui* (Euphorbia Lathyris Root). Treats edema and distension. (Swelling belongs to the Spleen, distension belongs to the Liver; when there is swelling, yang qi still circulates. If there is distension without swelling, it is called "Gu Distension" (Gu Abdominal Distension), caused by Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth, which is difficult to treat. Swelling that improves in the morning and worsens in the evening indicates Blood Deficiency; improving in the evening and worsening in the morning indicates Qi Deficiency; worsening at both times indicates Qi and Blood Deficiency. Swelling dissipating from the heart/abdomen to the limbs is auspicious; spreading from the limbs to the heart/abdomen is critical. In men, progression from lower to upper parts is difficult to treat; in women, progression from upper to lower parts is difficult to treat.) Treats hernia, mass formations, and carbuncles/swellings. Pharyngeal obstruction with inability to swallow/breathe. (Slice thinly, stir-fry with vinegar, and apply to the throat for good effect.) Promotes urination and defecation. Purges Gu toxin. Applies to malignant sores. Causes abortion. Edema is mostly due to Spleen Deficiency. If used mistakenly, although effective temporarily, the condition will recur shortly thereafter, and ultimately cannot be saved. Use the root of the white-flowered variety. (The red-rooted variety harms people; it can only be applied to the umbilicus. Mix with 3 fen of *Mo Xiang* (Musk), pound into a paste, and apply. When urination becomes smooth, the swelling subsides.) Scrape off the skin with a copper knife, soak in water overnight. Steam with black beans mixed in. Works well with garlic.

Strongly promotes urination, moves water qi.
Bitter, warm in nature. Removes water retention and phlegm-stagnation. Treats five types of water diseases in the five Zang organs, causing skin distension, panting, urgency, pain radiating to the chest and hypochondrium, cough, and malarial fevers. (The five water diseases are: Wind Water, Skin Water, Correct Water, Stone Water, and Yellow Sweat. When water accumulates in the bladder/uterus, becoming hard and full like stone, it is called Stone Water. When sweat is dark yellow like cypress juice, it is called Yellow Sweat. If not cured for a long time, it inevitably transforms into Taiyang syndrome of Cold Damage. If the exterior syndrome is unresolved, with water retention in the epigastrium causing cough, dry heaving, fever, or possibly panting or diarrhea, *Xiao Qing Long Tang* (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction) is the primary treatment. If the exterior syndrome is resolved, with occasional headache, sweating, aversion to cold, water retention in the epigastrium, dry heaving, pain radiating to both hypochondria, or possibly panting or coughing, *Shi Zao Tang* (Ten Jujube Decoction) is the primary treatment. Essentially, *Qing Long* (Blue Dragon) disperses exterior pathogens, allowing water to exit via sweat, which corresponds to the *Neijing*'s concept of "opening the ghost gates" (diaphoresis); *Shi Zao* purges interior pathogens, allowing water to exit via urination and defecation, corresponding to the *Neijing*'s concept of "cleaning the fu organs" (diuresis/catharsis) and removing stale accumulation. *Shi Zao Tang* consists of equal parts of *Yuan Hua* (Genkwa Flower), *Gan Sui*, and *Da Ji*, along with ten jujubes.) The toxicity is extremely potent. It achieves results most rapidly. If taken by patients with even slight deficiency, it often leads to premature death. Leaves resemble willow leaves. Blooms purple-green in February. Flowers fall after leaves emerge. Aged material is superior. Preferably boiled in vinegar, then sun-dried. Incompatible with *Gan Cao* (Licorice Root). The root treats scabies.