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Wangbuliuxing (Vaccariae Semen)
Enters the Yangming channel and reaches the blood level. Bitter and pungent, neutral in nature. Promotes lactation by moving Liver Qi. It moves without staying fixed. Rheumatic bi syndrome, strangury with pain are all relieved by internal administration. Carbuncles, sores, and metal wounds are effective when applied externally. (Wangbuliuxing often grows in wheat fields, also commonly known as Qiaoyaozi. Sweet, bitter, and pungent, neutral in nature, it specifically enters the blood aspect of the Yangming channel. Moving blood and invigorating blood are its specialties; hence it can treat wind-bi, breast abscesses, and metal wounds. When used for external treatment, it is also because it has much dispersing blood efficacy, thus it can also enter the Liver channel, as the Liver stores blood, so it treats amenorrhea and red turbidity. In short, this herb excels in being slippery and unblocking.)

Qumai (Dianthi Herba)
Bitter and cold, reaches the Bladder channel to separate clear from turbid and eliminate pathogens. Its function specializes in promoting urination. Descending in action, it unblocks the closure and stagnation of the Small Intestine; its power can move blood stasis. Guiding turbidity requires relying on it; it is powerful in treating strangury. (Qumai is black in color, able to enter the blood aspect of the Heart, Liver, Small Intestine, and Bladder channels. Its bitter-cold nature and ability to break blood and open orifices sufficiently describe it; the key lies in the practitioner's understanding. The nature of Qumai descends, and its blood-driving action is quite fierce. If there is no blood-heat closure in the Small Intestine or Bladder, as well as in pregnant women, postpartum women, and deficient persons, it should be prohibited.)

Difuzi (Kochiae Fructus)
Treats strangury and dysuria caused by damp-heat in the Taiyang channel. Bitter and cold in nature, Yang qi naturally descends. It transforms the dark diseases caused by Yin-dampness overflowing in the Spleen region. Its function lies in separating and draining water, and secretly eliminating turbid pathogens. (Difuzi is bitter and cold, with a descending nature, entering the Spleen and Stomach channels, descending to the Bladder, dispelling damp-heat and turbid filth in the Lower Jiao. Opening orifices and promoting water movement are its fundamental functions. As for treating skin sores and ulcers, it is also due to transformation by damp-heat. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states that it tonifies the middle, benefits essence and Qi, and long-term use makes eyes and ears bright, lightens the body, and increases longevity; these words imply that after pathogenic factors are removed, healthy Qi is at peace, not that Difuzi itself has tonifying properties.)

Juemingzi (Cassiae Semen)
Slightly cold, non-toxic. Treats the pathogen of Water deficiency and Wood excess (Kidney Water deficiency with Liver Fire hyperactivity). Sweet, bitter, and salty in taste. Cures diseases of red swelling and photophobia of the eyes. (Juemingzi is also named Matijueming. Its shape resembles a bean, color is green-black, taste is sweet, bitter, salty, and cold. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels, with slight tonifying properties. Therefore, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* honors it as a superior grade. Generally, it does nothing more than nourish Kidney Water and clear Liver Fire; when Water generates and Fire retreats, the eyes become bright naturally, hence this name.)