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Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), originally produced in Hejian and Yuanju, is now found everywhere. In the second lunar month, shoots emerge; the leaves resemble those of Sesamum indicum (Sesame) or Sophora japonica (Pagoda Tree) and Salix (Willow); the stems are slender and greenish-purple. In the seventh month, it blooms with blue-green flowers; in the eighth month, it bears black seeds. There are also varieties with white flowers, square stems that are large and purplish-red with fine hairs, and nodes resembling bamboo, growing up to five or six chi tall; the leaves are palm-sized, pointed, long, and serrated like a saw. The roots are pointed and elongated, fresh ones being greenish-white, turning purple-black when dried; new roots are moist and greasy, with one root stock producing five to seven tubers. Harvested in the third, eighth, and ninth months, then sun-dried; some say steamed before sun-drying. Tao Hongjing stated: It is used by Daoists for incense blending. Currently, there is a transmitted method: Pound Xuan Shen and Casimiroa edulis (Gan Song Xiang) into powder separately, weigh them equally, place them in a large wine jar, add white honey to soak until the jar is seven or eight parts full, seal tightly, and boil in a pot over constant fire for one Fu period (approx. 12 hours), then stop heating. After cooling, break the jar, take out the contents, pound again until smooth. If too dry, mix with cooked honey, store in porcelain, bury underground in a cool place, and take as needed, adding Borneolum Syntheticum (Long Nao) to grind evenly. It can also be used to scent clothes.

Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix), grows in valleys and fields south of Ru River, and is now common near roadsides. Its root is yellow, about five to seven cun long, thick as two fingers; three to five stems grow together, with seedlings reaching three to two chi high; the leaves are finely divided and green, extremely similar to Sophora japonica leaves, hence the name Shui Huai (Water Locust); they sprout in spring and wither in winter; the flowers are yellowish-white, bearing fruit resembling small beans in July. Those grown in Hebei do not produce flowers or seeds. Roots are harvested in the fifth, sixth, eighth, and tenth months and sun-dried for use. In ancient and modern prescriptions, it is most frequently used to treat chuang zhen (skin eruptions/rashes) and le li (leprosy). The method: Take five jin of Ku Shen, slice it, soak in three dou of good wine for thirty days. Drink one ge per time, three times a day. Continuous consumption will alleviate bi syndrome (numbness/obstruction). Taking the powdered root bark is also effective.

Shi Long Rui (Ranunculus japonicus), grows beside rocks in streams and marshes of Mount Tai. Tao Hongjing said: It was once common near roadsides, but now only produced in Yanzhou. A clump has several stems, which are greenish-purple; each stem has three leaves, which are short, small, and deeply lobed/incised; the fruits resemble Thlaspi arvense (Ting Li) but are yellow. Harvest fruits in May; harvest bark in February and August, dry in shade for use. It can expel various wind pathogens and clear heart heat and dryness. Su Gong said: Commonly known as Shui Jin (Water Violet); its seedling resembles Polygonum multiflorum (Fu Zi - note: here referring to shape, not the herb Aconitum), and its fruit resembles Morus alba (Mulberry); it grows in low, wet places. This is actually Shui Jin, not Shi Long Rui. What is currently produced in Yanzhou matches exactly with the descriptions in the Ben Jing (Classic of Materia Medica) and Tao’s commentary, representing the true authentic variety.