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Non-toxic. Vine-like growth.

Ge Fen (Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma Powder) mainly suppresses the toxicity caused by Dan Shi (mineral drugs), removes irritability and heat, promotes urination and defecation, and relieves thirst. For children suffering from epigastric fullness due to heat, drinking the juice extracted from soaked and pounded Ge Gen (Puerariae Radix) is effective. (Recorded by Famous Physicians) [Seedling] (According to *Tu Jing* (*Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica*): Ge Fen is made from Ge Gen. It is now commonly consumed and is very beneficial to humans.) (According to *Yan Yi* (*Expanded Meanings*): In Li and Ding regions, fresh Ge Gen is collected in winter, rubbed in water to extract starch, which settles into blocks. The soup is boiled until bubbling, then the blocks are broken apart and added to the boiling soup. After a while, the color becomes gelatinous, and the texture is very tough. Locals use it for tea, likely for its sweet and pleasant taste.) [Origin] (According to *Tu Jing*: Grows in the valleys of Mount Wen; now found everywhere.) [Authentic Origin]: Abundant in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, with the best quality in Nankang and Luling. [Season] (Growth): Sprouts in spring. (Harvest): Roots dug up in winter. [Processing]: Sun-dried. [Usage]: Use the powder. [Texture]: Similar to bean flour but tougher. [Color]: White. [Taste]: Sweet. [Nature]: Great Cold. [Qi Property]: Thin Qi, Yin within Yang. [Odor]: Fragrant. [Indications]: Irritability, thirst relief. [Meridian Tropism]: Foot-Yangming Meridian. [Preparation]: Rubbed in water to form powder for use. [Treatment] (Chen Cangqi states: Treats pediatric heat sores.) (According to *Bie Lu* (*Additional Records*): For poisoning by Zhen Du (poison gas) where vital energy is about to cease, administering this is effective.) [Combination Therapy]: Boiled with millet to treat chest irritability or thirst with dry heart; drunk with porridge to treat high fever, persistent vomiting, and food-induced fright seizures in children; mixed with honey and a little fresh ginger is especially good for treating heatstroke and post-alcohol thirst. [Contraindications]: Excessive consumption promotes urination and causes diarrhea.

Non-toxic. Vine-like growth.

Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthis Radix) (From *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* (*Divine Farmer's Materia Medica*)). Main indications: Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), body heat, irritability and fullness, severe heat, tonifying deficiency, calming the Middle Jiao, healing severe injuries. (The above red text is from *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing*). Clears stubborn heat in the stomach and intestines, treats the Eight Jaundices, yellowing of the body and face, dry lips and mouth, shortness of breath, regulates menstruation, and stops excessive urination. (The above black text is recorded by Famous Physicians) [Names]: Di Lou, Ze Gu. [Seedling] (According to *Tu Jing*: Vines sprout in March and April, bearing leaves like sweet melon leaves in a fork shape, with small flowers. Pale yellow flowers bloom in July, resembling gourd flowers, with fruits developing below the flowers. The roots are best when old and deeply embedded in the soil; those growing in saline-alkali land are toxic.) (Tao Hongjing states: A vine plant resembling Tu Gua (wild melon), with forked leaves. Roots penetrating six to seven chi deep and two to three inches in diameter are usable.) [Origin] (According to *Tu Jing*: Found in valleys and shady hillsides of Hongnong.) [Authentic Origin]: Best from Hengzhou, Junzhou, and Shanzhou. [Season] (Growth): Sprouts in spring. (Harvest): Collected in February and August. [Processing]: Sun-dried for thirty days. [Usage]: Select firm roots. [Texture]: Resembles Bai Yao (white medicinal powder). [Color]: White. [Taste]: Bitter. [Nature]: Cold, with draining properties. [Qi Property]: Thin Qi, strong Taste, Yin. [Odor]: Fishy. [Indications]: Clears heat, generates fluids, dissipates swelling, detoxifies. [Assistant Herb]: Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus) acts as its assistant. [Incompatibilities]: Incompatible with Wu Tou (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata); feared by Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) and Gan Qi (Dryobalanops aromatica resin); repelled by Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma). [Preparation]: Peel scraped off, chopped/crushed before use. [Treatment] (According to *Tu Jing*: Stops Wasting-Thirst.) (According to *Tang Ben Zhu* (*Supplement to Tang Materia Medica*): Made into powder to clear deficient heat.) (Ri Hua Zi states: Unblocks the Small Intestine, discharges pus, reduces swelling and detoxifies, generates flesh, heals trauma and blood stasis, treats manic heat, epidemic diseases, breast abscesses, back carbuncles, hemorrhoids, and boils.) (According to *Bie Lu*: Pounded and applied externally for fractures/sprains, wrapped in thick cloth; heat dissipates and pain stops.) [Combination Therapy]: Ground into powder and mixed with strong vinegar to apply for treating erysipelas with redness and swelling; fresh root pounded for juice, mixed with honey and taken warm to treat infantile jaundice; boiled to make wine, long-term consumption treats deafness; burnt to ash and taken with rice drink to treat lack of lactation.