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Mao Gen (Rhizoma Imperatae), grows in the valleys and fields of Chu region, and is now found everywhere. In spring, it produces seedlings that spread on the ground like needles; commonly known as "Mao Zhen" (Mao Needle), it is also edible and highly beneficial for children. In summer, it bears white flowers, fluffy in appearance, and withers in autumn; its rhizome is extremely white and sweet, collected in June for medicinal use. Nowadays, people use Mao Zhen to apply to traumatic wounds caused by metal instruments, to stop epistaxis (nosebleed), and to treat acute hematochezia (blood in stool) and hematuria (blood in urine), with remarkable efficacy. Liu Yuxi's *Chuanxin Fang* treats carbuncles with heads by requiring an incision at the site, taking one whole Mao Zhui (tip of the rhizome), boiling it for about ten times until boiling, and administering it orally, causing immediate suppuration. If two are used, two holes will form; or if one stem is broken into two, two holes will also form. Bai Mao Hua (White Imperata Flower) also treats traumatic wounds and stops bleeding. There is also a plant called Jian, which belongs to the same category as Mao. Lu Ji's *Caomu Shu* states: Jian resembles Mao but is smooth and hairless; within five cun below the root, there is white powder, making it flexible and tough, suitable for making ropes, especially after retting. The unretted variety is named Ye Jian (Wild Jian), referred to in the *Shi Jing* (Classic of Poetry) as "Bai Mao Jian Xi." Its medicinal efficacy is equal to that of Mao. Old thatch used for roofing for a long time treats sudden hematemesis (vomiting blood); finely cut three sheng, soaked in wine, boiled, and one sheng administered orally, leading to recovery.

Bai He (Bulbus Lilii), grows in the rivers and valleys of Jingzhou, and is now found everywhere along nearby roads. In spring, it produces seedlings several chi high, with stems as thick as arrows; leaves grow on all four sides, resembling chicken spurs or willow leaves, green in color, slightly purple near the stem, and blue-white at the stem tip; in April and May, it bears red and white flowers, larger than pomegranate calyxes; the rhizome overlaps like garlic bulbs, consisting of twenty to thirty scales. Collected in February and August, then dried in the sun. People also steam and eat it, which greatly tonifies Qi. Another variety has yellow flowers with black spots and fine leaves, with black seeds among the leaves, unsuitable for medicinal use. Xu Kai's *Suoshi Guangji* records the method for planting Bai He in February: using chicken manure is suitable. Some say Bai He is transformed from earthworms, yet prefers chicken manure, the reason for which is unknown. Additionally, Bai He made into flour/paste is most beneficial to humans; take the rhizome, dry it, grind it into fine powder, sieve it, and consume it according to proper methods. Zhang Zhongjing treated Baihe Bing (Lily Disease) with four formulas: Baihe Zhi Mu Tang (Lily and Anemone Decoction), Baihe Huashi Daizhe Tang (Lily, Talcum, and Hematite Decoction), Baihe Jizi Tang (Lily and Egg Yolk Decoction), and Baihe Dihuang Tang (Lily and Rehmannia Decoction). The disease is named Baihe Bing, and Bai He is used to treat it; I do not understand the rationale behind this.