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Non-toxic, herbaceous plant.

Huangshu Kui Hua (Yellow Hibiscus Flower): Treats strangury and facilitates childbirth; also primarily treats various malignant sores with purulent discharge that fail to heal for a long time. Grind into powder and apply externally for immediate healing (Recorded by Famous Physicians). [Seedling] (According to *Tu Jing*): Seedlings emerge in spring, gradually growing up to about one zhang high. The stems and leaves are slightly hairy, quite similar to Shu Kui, but its leaves are narrower at the tip and more deeply incised. Flowers bloom in late summer, pale yellow. The fruit is cylindrical, over one cun long, with four or five petals, sharp at the top and round at the bottom, also slightly hairy. (According to *Yan Yi*): This is a different species from Shu Kui, not the yellow variety within Shu Kui. There is a purple sandalwood color under the heart of the leaf. After picking, split into several parts and dry in the sun; otherwise, it will rot. Currently, practitioners of sores use it as an essential medicine. [Origin] (According to *Tu Jing*): Found everywhere. [Season] (Growth): Grows in spring. [Usage]: Used when rotten. [Treatment] (Efficacy) (According to *Tu Jing*): The flower treats carbuncles and sores; grind into dry powder, mix with water, apply, and heal immediately. ○ The seed treats strangury and makes childbirth easier for women. (According to *Yan Yi*): Dry the flower, grind into powder, use for ulcerating sores. ○ For childbirth, take 49 seeds, grind until paste-like, mix with warm water, and drink to induce delivery. (According to *Bie Lu*): The seed promotes labor; bake dry, grind into powder, take three qian bi with well-water drawn at dawn. If no seed is available, finely slice the root, decoct until thick and slippery, let cool, and drink.

Non-toxic, herbaceous plant.

Shu Kui: Long-term consumption dulls mental agility. ○ The root and stem both treat external heat, promote urination, and disperse pus, blood, and foul fluids. ○ Burn the leaves into powder and apply to metal wounds; boil and eat to treat fever caused by mineral pills; crush and apply to fire burns. Boil roasted leaves and feed to children to treat dysentery due to heat toxicity and adult dysentery caused by mineral pills; crush and drink the juice is also acceptable. Fear abdominal pain, then drink it warm. ○ The flower is cold and non-toxic, treating infantile wind-rash. ○ The seed is cold and non-toxic, treating strangury, unblocking the Small Intestine, promoting labor, inducing abortion, treating edema, treating all sores and scabies, including scars and red spots. ○ White flowers treat malaria, expel evil qi; dry in shade, grind into powder, and consume (Recorded by Famous Physicians). [Names]: Jin Kui, Rong Kui. [Seedling] (According to *Tu Jing*): There are several types of Kui, including Shu Kui. What *Er Ya* calls "Rong Kui" is this one. Guo Pu said it resembles Kui, flowers like Hibiscus mutabilis. Rong and Shu are likely its origins, hence the name. ○ Carefully noted: Shu Kui grows from perennial roots. In early spring, shoots emerge and grow gradually. Stems reach nearly one zhang high, slightly hairy, leaves round and pointed. From May to June, flowers bloom, in deep red or light red, single or double-petaled, blooming sequentially from bottom to top on the stem until the tips, after which leaves wither, and seeds form. When ripe, seeds fall to the ground and sprout tender shoots, but they are never as vigorous as those from perennial roots. Another type, Jin Kui, has small purple and white flowers and produces fine seeds. Its cultivation and stems/leaves are very similar, but it is shorter and smaller, yet its efficacy is stronger. Although Kui comes in five colors, therapeutic functions vary according to color. Furthermore, according to *Zuo Zhuan*, Bao Zhuangzi's wisdom was inferior to Kui, yet Kui could still protect its feet. Now, the heart of Kui turns following the sunlight, always covering its roots, seemingly knowing what Confucius said: "Grain hangs ears pointing to roots, forgetting not its origin." Grain pointing to roots is benevolence (Ren); Kui protecting its feet is wisdom (Zhi). Benevolence preserves it; wisdom measures it. Thus, Kui is called Kui (measuring). [Origin] (According to *Tu Jing*): Originates from Rong and Shu, now found everywhere. [Season] (Growth): Spring shoots, summer flowers. [Harvest]: Autumn collection. [Preservation]: Shade-dry. [Parts Used]: Flowers, roots, stems, seeds, leaves. [Color]: Red. [Taste]: Sweet. [Nature]: Cold. [Qi]: Thin Qi, Yin within Yang. [Odor]: Fishy. [Treatment] (Efficacy) (According to *Yan Yi*): Single-leaf Kui root treats leukorrhea, expels pus, blood, and foul matter. (According to *Bie Lu*): Shu Kui treats headless carbuncles; pound into powder and apply. [Combined Treatment]: Mix Huangshu Kui Hua powder with wine, take one fang cun bi, treating breech presentation. ○ One liang of Bai Kui Hua, shade-dried and powdered, taken on an empty stomach with warm wine, two qian bi, treats female leukorrhea with cold pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions, sallow complexion, and gradual weakness. For red leukorrhea, use red flowers for verification. [Contraindications]: Do not consume if suffering from dog bite sores, as it will not heal; it can also dull human temperament.