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Tonifies the Kidney and secures essence. Bitter with much sweetness, it can restrain downward leakage. Nourishes Yin and brightens the eyes. Warm in nature, it nourishes Water (Kidney) to generate Liver Wood. (Shayuanzi is produced in Tongguan and other places in Shaanxi Province. Also known as Tongjili. Its shape resembles a bean. Its color is greenish-blue. Chewing it reveals a slight fishy odor. The taste is sweet with bitterness. Its nature is slightly warm. Therefore, it is a herb for tonifying the Kidney. It can treat syndromes such as lower back pain and seminal emission. Although it is a product of weak potency, it should still not be used for syndromes of blazing Fire at the Gate of Life (Mingmen), damp-heat strangury, or turbid urine, due to its warm and astringent nature.)

Xuanfuhua (Inulae Flos)
Salty flavor softens hardness. Eliminating fluid retention and resolving phlegm are both effective. Bitter flavor directs downward. Unblocking the intestines and guiding water out are all achievable. It possesses the merit of disseminating and descending Lung and Stomach Qi. Intractable belching. Relies on its acrid dispersing action. It has the power to mediate the chest region. Liver pathogenic factors lodged and obstructed. Borrowing its warming and unblocking properties. (Xuanfuhua is also known as Jinfeicao. It blooms small yellow flowers in June. Its fragrance resembles chrysanthemum. There is white fuzz inside. It is suitable for use wrapped in silk. With salty, warm, acrid, and bitter properties, it can benefit the Large Intestine, soften hard phlegm, dissipate knotted Qi, purge the Liver, and drain the Lung. From the Stomach to the Intestines, the merits of Xuanfuhua all lie in salty moistening. Xuanfuhua is originally a Lung herb. Because it dissipates knotted Qi and softens hard phlegm, causing Metal Qi to descend, it can extend to the Liver and Intestines.)

Honghua (Carthami Flos)
Red in color and warm in nature. Reaches both the Heart and Liver. Sweet and bitter in taste. Acrid dispersing actions are excellent. Regulating blood vessels can remove stasis and generate new blood. Treating traumatic injuries and regulating pre- and postpartum conditions. (Honghua is a circulating and dispersing product. It specifically enters the Blood aspect of the Heart and Liver. Breaking stasis and invigorating blood are its strengths. As for methods like reducing swelling, treating wind, managing injuries, and healing obstetric/gynecological conditions, it depends on the skilled application by the practitioner. Honghua blooms in midsummer. Although its taste has acrid and sweet qualities, ultimately it is bitter, warm, and red in color, making it a primary herb for the Heart. Used in small amounts, it harmonizes blood; used in large amounts, it moves blood. Those treating wind disorders note that all flowers disperse. Furthermore, when blood moves, wind extinguishes itself.)

Xiaoji (Cephalanoplis Herba)
Breaks blood and promotes circulation. Enters the Heart and Liver meridians, bitter and cool in nature, non-toxic. Promotes urination and treats turbidity. Effective in the Taiyang division for promoting diuresis. Daji (Cirsii Japonici Herba) then has superior dispersing power. For eliminating abscesses, its function is more outstanding. (Xiaoji’s efficacy specializes in breaking blood and treating strangury. It is an herb for the Heart, Small Intestine, and Bladder. Daji has a slight acrid flavor. Although it can eliminate abscesses, it is merely due to its blood-dispersing effect. Both share bitter and cool natures. The roots used are identical. Only the stems and leaves differ in size. The flowers and leaves of both Daji and Xiaoji are similar. The leaves have thorns. Daji grows in high, dry places in valleys. Xiaoji grows in low, swampy places in plains. Inferring from this, Xiaoji’s ability to break blood and promote water metabolism surpasses that of Daji.)