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Acorus tatarinowii (Shichangpu), originally growing in the ponds and marshes of Shangluo and Yandao of Shu Commandery, is now found everywhere, but those from Chizhou and Rongzhou are considered superior. In spring, it produces green leaves about one to two chi long; the center of each leaf has a midrib, resembling a sword blade; it does not flower or bear fruit. The roots are harvested in May and December and dried in the shade. Currently, harvesting is often done on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The roots are knotted and jointed, roughly the thickness of a horse whip. From a single main root, three to four lateral roots branch out; the joints on these lateral roots are particularly dense. Roots with nine joints per cun are preferred, though some have twelve joints per cun. Freshly dug roots are soft and hollow, becoming firm only after sun-drying. When broken, the center is slightly reddish; chewing yields a pungent, fragrant taste with little residue. It is commonly planted in dry, sandy, or stony soil, and transplanting in the twelfth lunar month ensures high survival rates. Ancient prescriptions also include cases of single-herb administration. Select tight, small roots with scales resembling fish skin. For processing approximately one jin: soak in water and rice wash for one night, scrape off the skin, slice, sun-dry, crush, and sieve. Mix evenly with glutinous rice porridge, add cooked honey, and knead into pills the size of wutong seeds. Store in a kudzu bag and dry in a ventilated place. Take thirty pills with wine every morning, and twenty pills before bed. Consistent use yields results as described in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Additionally, people in Shu use it to treat cold qi pain in the heart and abdomen: take one to two cun of root, crush it, decoct with Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu) in water, and drink the soup. People in Qian and Shu regions often carry it with them; for sudden heart pain, chewing one to two cun of root and swallowing with hot water or wine is effective. Those growing in remote mountain valleys are especially good. Cultivated varieties are usable but lack the pungency and firmness of wild-harvested ones. This is the Shi Changpu used in medical formulas. There is also Water Acorus (Shui Changpu), which grows abundantly in streams and marshes. Its leaves are similar but lack a central midrib. After drying, it is light, spongy, and fibrous, far inferior to Stone Acorus, and unsuitable for internal medicinal use. It can only be crushed into powder, mixed with oil, and applied topically to treat scabies and itching. Modern pharmacies often mix these two types, making them difficult to distinguish.

Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi), originally growing in the valleys of Mount Tai and Yuanju, is now also found in He, Sha, and Jingxi prefectures. The root is yellow and resembles Artemisiae Radix (Haogen). The aerial part is called "Xiaocao" (Little Grass); it looks like Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) but is greener, and somewhat like Pisum Sativum (Bidou). Leaves vary, some resembling Isatidis Folium (Daqingye) but smaller. It flowers white in March. Roots can grow up to one chi long. Roots and leaves are harvested in April, dried in the shade, though currently, sun-drying is common. Those from Sizhou have red flowers and larger roots and leaves than others; those from Shangzhou have black roots. Folk tradition holds that Yuanzhi from Yimen is the best. Ancient formulas generally used both Yuanzhi and Xiaocao, but modern physicians primarily use Yuanzhi, rarely using Xiaocao. *Jin Gu Lu Yan* and Fang Wang's prescriptions treat chest bi syndrome, heart pain, rebellious qi, and fluid retention in the diaphragm preventing swallowing. Xiaocao Pill: composed of Xiaocao, Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guixin), Zanthoxyli Fructus (Shujiao, de-oiled), Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang), Asari Radix (Xixin), each 3 fen, and prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix (Fuzi) 2 fen. These six ingredients are crushed, sifted, and bound with honey into pills the size of wutong seeds. Take three pills with rice broth before meals, three times daily. If ineffective, gradually increase the dose until therapeutic effect is achieved. Contraindications include pork, cold water, raw green onions, and vegetables.