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Possessing slight toxicity, cultivated and grown.

Yuanhua (Radix Genkwa) [originating from *Shennong Bencao Jing*]: Mainly treats cough with qi rebellion, wheezing in the throat, asthma, swelling and pain of the throat, and shortness of breath; treats insect toxins, ghost malaria, hernia, mass accumulation (*jia*), and carbuncles/swellings; kills parasites and treats fish poisoning. (The above content is marked in red ink from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Eliminates phlegm-fluids in the chest, causes frequent spitting (pronounced 'xi'), treats edema, five types of water retention in the five zang organs and skin, and cold-toxin and flesh-toxin in the lower back and waist. (The following black text records by famous doctors). The root treats scabies and can be used to poison fish.

[Aliases]: Qushui, Huang Daji, Du Yuan, Ercao, Duyu, Huang Yuanhua, Baihua.
[Root]: Shusanggen.
[Seedling/Leaf]: *Tujing* states: The old branches of the perennial root have purple stems, one to two chi long; the root penetrates three to five cun deep into the soil, is white in color, resembles elm roots, has yellowish-red bark like mulberry roots. In spring, seedlings and leaves emerge; the leaves are small and pointed, resembling willow leaves, and the branches also resemble those of Baqian. Purple flowers bloom in February, resembling the spike-like flowers of Cercis chinensis (Redbud), but finer like vine flowers. The flower stamens are small at the base; harvest before leaves emerge. When leaves appear in March, the flowers fall and become unsuitable for use. Currently, the variety produced in Jiangzhou has yellow flowers, called Huang Yuanhua.
[Origin]: *Tujing* states: Grows in valleys of Huaiyuan; now found everywhere.
[Authentic Origin]: Jiangzhou, Mianzhou, Chuzhou, Hanzhou.
[Seasonality]: [Growth] Spring emergence of seedlings and leaves. [Harvest] Harvest flowers on the third day of the third lunar month.
[Storage]: Dry in shade.
[Medicinal Part]: Flower.
[Texture]: Resembles vine flowers but finer.
[Color]: Purple.
[Taste]: Pungent, Bitter.
[Nature]: Warm, draining.
[Aroma/Flavor]: Strong aroma, thin flavor; Yin within Yang.
[Odor]: Rotten.
[Pharmacological Actions]: *Yaoxing Lun* states: Treats abdominal distension and fullness, cold-phlegm, nasal discharge and saliva like glue; promotes free flow of blood vessels, treats malignant sores, wind-bi-dampness, all toxic winds, limb spasms and inability to walk; can drain edema and distension.
[Ri Hua Zi states]: Stops cough, treats malarial fevers.

Baijiazhu: Mainly treats bites from mad dogs; take decoction to drink. Also, burn the tip of Baijiazhu to ash and apply to the wound; treats angular cheilitis (swallow's mouth sore). ○ Bark and leaves boiled for washing snake bites; can also be ground into powder and applied.

Mu: A woody plant, produced in Jiangnan. ○ Daoqiao (Knife Sheath): Non-toxic. Mainly treats sudden onset of "ghost strike" pain; take two or three cun, burn to ash, administer with water to induce expulsion. This refers to a long knife sheath. Waist knives are better. ○ Shu (pronounced 'yao'): Highly toxic. Mainly treats wind-bi, hemiplegia, tendon and bone contraction, paralysis, skin numbness, pain and coldness. Take branches and leaves, crush, steam in a large steamer until hot, spread on bed, lie upon it; replace when cool. This allows wind in joints to exit completely, inducing profuse sweating. Afterwards, take tonic medicines and gruel; avoid wind-cold and relapse due to overexertion. Produced in deep mountains of Jiangnan; leaves are long and dense, evergreen in winter; recognized by locals. ○ Danzhi Mu Pi (Bark of Danzhi Tree): Mainly treats yangfeng (leprosy or vitiligo-like skin diseases). Take a handful, remove black parts, crush, decoct until syrupy consistency, apply to affected area. Zhi mu resembles fir/cedar, produced in deep mountains of Jiangnan. ○ Jiesha: Fragrant taste, mainly treats head wind, removes dandruff, promotes hair growth, used in plasters. Produced in Western Regions. Tree flowers; Hu people apply sesame oil to heads. ○ Shao: If struck by someone causing tendon knots, hitting twice with Shao disperses the tendons. ○ Dongjia Jiximu (Chicken Roost Wood): Non-toxic. Mainly treats aphonia. Miscellaneous formulas state: Burn to ash, take one sheng, effect is immediate. ○ Tan Qinpi: Commentary by Su states: Tan resembles Qinpi. Analysis: Tan tree bark mixed with elm bark can be eaten to fast (abstain from grain). *Erya* states: Tan is bitter tea; its leaves can be brewed as drink. The tree is slender, suitable for axe handles. In summer, some do not grow; sudden leaf emergence predicts heavy rain; farmers use it to predict floods/droughts, called Shuitan. Another variety has leaves like Tan, grows 5-6 chi high on plateaus, blooms purple in April, also called Tan. Roots resemble Kudzu, mainly treats sores/scabies, kills parasites, slight toxicity. *Erya* does not mention "Tan Kucha", only "Kucha". Guo Pu's commentary: Tree small like gardenia, evergreen leaves, can be boiled for soup. Early harvested is tea, late harvested is ming. Also called Shu. Shu people call it Kucha. Ming/Kucha mentioned earlier; citing *Erya* here seems erroneous. ○ Shijing Luanjing: Commentary by Su states: Use Dangluan Jing, incorrect. Analysis: Shijing resembles Jing but smaller, grows by water; ash lye washes hair to promote growth. *Guangji Fang* states: Also called Shuijing, promotes long hair. Correct. ○ Muli Lu Loulu: Commentary by Tao states: Loulu also called Luli, grows south of mountains; southerners use seedlings, northerners use roots; efficacy in *Bencao Jing*. Muli Lu is toxic, not Loulu. Tree grows like Cornus tree, two chi high, toxic, kills parasites. Locals use for sores/scabies. ○ Gulua Kucai: Commentary by Tao states: There is also Gulua Mu, resembles tea; leaves decocted cause insomnia all night. Analysis: This tree is also called Gaolu, leaves large like tea, bitter/astringent taste; southerners brew as drink to quench thirst, brighten eyes, relieve irritability and insomnia, resolve phlegm and harmonize fluids, used as tea. *Guangzhou Ji* states: Xinping County produces Gaolu, leaves large and astringent. *Nanyue Zhi* states: Longchuan County has Gaolu, leaves like tea, locals call it Guoluo. ○ Various woods are toxic:hekou jiao (Clove) is toxic; white pepper is toxic; wood ear mushrooms contaminated by snakes crawling underneath are toxic; those growing on maple trees cause uncontrollable laughter; dried Gui that changes color is toxic; glowing at night is toxic; rotting wood that does not breed insects is toxic. All treated by crushing fresh winter melon vines and applying/administering.