(Asellus) Salty and cold, with an urgent nature and toxicity, it promotes water metabolism. Above the waist, its action is astringent, capable of stopping urination and defecation; below the waist, its action is highly purgative, capable of unblocking urination and defecation.
(Jinxingcao) Salty, bitter, and neutral, with toxicity, it breaks blood stasis and treats accumulations of evil blood as well as erysipelas (Dan Du); it can also be used to dye beard hair black.
(Specific Herb) Pungent and cold, with toxicity, it specifically targets the lower orifices, expels foul matter, treats lithiasis (Shi Lin) and scrofula (Luo Li), corrodes necrotic tissue, induces abortion, expels dog poison, and externally corrodes dead flesh and applies to sores and scabies.
(Specific Herb) Sweet and neutral, with toxicity, it kills parasites, treats carbuncles and ulcers (Yong Ju), convulsions and epilepsy (Jing Xian), and toothache.
(Specific Herb) Sour and warm, slightly cold, treats Qi strangury (Qi Long), amenorrhea, blood masses (Xue Jia), and alternating chills and fever; it promotes water pathways and induces abortion.
(Specific Herb) Salty and slightly cold, with toxicity, treats blood stasis, Bi Qi, hardness and fullness under the hypochondrium, fractures, and metal wounds; it promotes lactation and treats eye diseases. The authentic variety is identified by walking backwards on its back.
(Specific Herb) Sour and cold, with toxicity, primarily treats epilepsy, abdominal distension, alternating chills and fever, and running piglet syndrome (Ben Tun); it treats sores and induces abortion.
(Specific Herb) Sweet and salty, with toxicity, has a penetrating nature good at dispelling wind, kills parasites, and wards off evil. It should be washed with soap pod water and roasted before use.
(Specific Herb) Salty and hot, with toxicity, serves as a potent agent for smallpox (Dou Chuang).
(Specific Herb) Bitter and neutral, dispels wind-dampness.
(Specific Herb) Pungent and warm, light and floating, brightens the eyes and treats headache due to wind (Tou Feng) and throat obstruction (Hou Bi).
(Specific Herb) Sweet and bitter, neutral, treats eye diseases; possesses the function of ascending and dispersing fire stagnation and damp-heat. Removing the nodes allows for sweating; excessive consumption damages the Liver.
(Specific Herb) Bitter and slightly cold, dispels wind-heat and treats eye diseases. Contraindicated in cases of dilated pupils.
(Specific Herb) Sweet, bitter, and salty, neutral, dispels wind-heat and treats eye diseases; when made into a pillow, it removes headaches due to wind.
(Specific Herb) Bitter and pungent, neutral, ascends and disperses to search out wind, unblocks the nine orifices, and treats deficiency-cold conditions of the head and face due to wind.
(Specific Herb) Sweet and cold, light and clear, disperses wind-heat, erupts measles and chickenpox, reduces corneal opacity (Mu Yi), treats skin sores and rashes, and childhood night crying. Locusta (Zha Chan) clears heat, treats childhood convulsions/epilepsy and night crying, and can expel the placenta.
(Specific Herb) Pungent and bitter, slightly toxic, treats malignant sores with parasites and oral/dental sores.
(Specific Herb) Bitter and slightly cold, specifically regulates carbuncles and ulcers, eliminates insect and snake venom, and treats convulsions and epilepsy.
(Specific Herb) Sweet, bitter, and cool, breaks blood stasis and reduces fever, treats hematemesis, epistaxis, and intestinal abscess. Dianthus superbus (Xiao Ji) has similar functions but weaker efficacy.
(Specific Herb) Pungent, bitter, and cold, drains heat and resolves toxicity, treating sores and ulcers.
(Specific Herb) Bitter, pungent, and sweet, cold, clears heat and drains fire-toxin, dissipates nodular qi, and treats sores and ulcers; it is frequently used in formulas that astringe sores. Polygonum multiflorum (Chi Lian) has the same function.
(Specific Herb) Pungent and cold, nourishes Yin, treats hematemesis and epistaxis.
(Specific Herb) Bitter and cold, drains heat and reduces swelling/toxicity, treats carbuncles and ulcers, and fresh Dan Shi toxicity.