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[Arctii Fructus] Arctii Fructus (Niu Bang Zi, 牛蒡子) is also known as the seed of burdock. It grows in the plains of Lushan and is now found everywhere. The leaves resemble those of taro but are longer; the fruit resembles a grape pit and is brownish. The outer shell is like a chestnut bur, small and thorny. When rats pass by, it attaches to them and cannot be removed easily, hence it is called "Shu Nian Zi" (Rat-Adhering Seed). This naming convention is similar to that of Xuan Fu Hua (Cocklebur Flower). The roots can be very large and are particularly beneficial when consumed as vegetables. Seeds are harvested in autumn for medicinal use. The roots and leaves can also be freshly crushed, mixed with a little salt crystals, and applied externally to treat swelling and toxicity. Additionally, roots are harvested in winter, steamed, sun-dried, and used medicinally. Liu Yuxi's *Chuan Xin Fang* records a treatment for sudden wind-stroke using tight and slender burdock roots. When harvesting, one must avoid wind. Scrape off the soil with a bamboo knife or a荆 (Jing) knife, wipe clean with raw cloth, crush, and squeeze out one sheng (approx. 200ml) of juice. Mix with four he (approx. 800ml) of good honey, warm it, and divide into two doses. Walk five or six li between doses. If sweating occurs after the first dose, the illness will subside. This prescription was obtained from Vice Minister Zheng of Yue-E. Zheng once served as the magistrate of Yang. After eating a meal of hot meat, he suffered a sudden wind-stroke. His nephew Lu from Shi County provided this prescription. He took it immediately, sweated, and recovered quickly, showing miraculous efficacy. Another source, *Qie Zhong Fang*, states: For unbearable pulling pain in the head and brain, apply ointment massage. Take burdock stems and leaves, crush to obtain two sheng of thick juice, mix with one sheng of unadulterated wine and a spoonful of salt crystals. Boil over fire until it becomes a thick paste. Massage the painful area. As the wind-toxin disperses, the pain stops naturally. It also treats epidemic headaches. During massage, exert force to generate heat for rapid effect. In winter, when no shoots are available, roots can be used instead.

[Xiao Ji Gen] *Ben Jing* does not specify the provinces where it grows; it is now found everywhere. Its common name is Qing Ci Ji (Green Thorn Thistle). The seedlings are over a chi (approx. 33cm) high, with thorny leaves. Flowers emerge from the center, resembling Carthamus flowers but in blue-purple hues. People in the north call it Qian Zhen Cao (Thousand-Needle Grass). When seedlings are two to three cun long in February, both the shoots and roots can be eaten as vegetables and are delicious. Shoots are harvested in April, roots in September. Both are dried in shade for medicinal use. Alternatively, fresh roots can be crushed and juiced for drinking to stop hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, all of which show verified efficacy. Da Ji Gen (Radix Cirsii Japonici) has similar roots and shoots but is larger. However, its efficacy differs; besides invigorating blood and breaking stasis, it also treats carbuncles and swellings. Xiao Ji (Radix Cirsii Japonici) specifically treats blood disorders.