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[Actions] Promotes blood circulation, resolves edema.

[Properties, Flavors, Meridian Tropism & Mechanisms] Bitter flavor drains heat; sweet flavor harmonizes blood; pungent flavor disperses stagnation; fragrance soothes the Spleen Qi. Enters the Foot-Taiyin Splein Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian (Spleen, Liver). Opens the nine orifices, benefits the joints, nourishes Qi and Blood, promotes muscle growth, breaks up old blood stasis, regulates menstruation, dissipates masses and accumulations (using *Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix* [Fangji] as a guiding herb), and reduces edema.

[Indications & Applications] Treats lower back pain after childbirth due to incomplete lochia discharge (residual blood stasis), hematemesis, epistaxis, eye pain, wind-headache, carbuncles, sores, and traumatic injuries. Its characteristics are tonifying without causing stagnation, and moving blood without being harsh. It is an essential herb for gynecology (many ancient formulas contain *Eupatorii Herba* [Zelan]).

[Li Shizhen's Discussion] Li Shizhen stated: *Lancao* (Orchid Herb) and *Zelan* (Eupatorium Herb) are two varieties of the same genus, both growing in damp, low-lying areas. They share purple stems, white branches, red nodes, and green leaves, with opposite leaf arrangement at the nodes and serrated margins. They are distinguished by: *Lancao* having round stems, long nodes, smooth leaves with forks; whereas *Zelan* has slightly square stems, short nodes, and hairy leaves. When tender, both can be picked and worn as ornaments, as referred to in the *Chu Ci* ("threading autumn orchids to wear") (Zhuxi, in his *Li Sao Bianzheng*, noted that only those with fragrant flowers and leaves that retain scent regardless of dryness or moisture should be worn. Modern orchids, though fragrant in flowers, lack scent in leaves, are weak, and wither easily, making them unsuitable for wearing). The people of Wu call it "fragrant grass," commonly known as "Child Chrysanthemum" (picked in summer, placed in hair to prevent greasiness; soaked in oil for hair application to remove dirt and add fragrance, hence the name *Zelan*). *Lancao* enters the Qi level, thus benefiting water passages, resolving phlegm retention, killing parasites, dispelling evil qi, and serving as a good remedy for Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst syndrome) (Medical classics state: frequent consumption of rich and sweet foods transforms into Xiao Ke; treating it with Orchid removes stale Qi). *Zelan* enters the Blood level, thus resolving edema, applying topically for carbuncles, breaking blood stasis and dissipating masses, and serving as a key herb for women's diseases. Identifying current "Shanlan" (Mountain Orchid) as the correct herb is erroneous. Using *Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix* [Fangji] as a guide (Kou Zongshi and Zhu Danxi identified Lancao as the leaf of Shanlan; Li Shizhen critiqued this based on various sources. Another version states: Orchid leaf is sweet and cold, clears the Lung, opens the stomach, resolves phlegm, benefits water passages, relieves depression, and regulates menstruation; Fujian-produced ones are more potent. If Fujian-produced is superior, it refers to Jianlan. Li Shicai said: Orchid leaf inherits Metal and Water Qi, entering the Lung organ; used in Dongyuan's formulas. This aligns with the *Neijing* statement about using Orchid to remove stale Qi, which I have verified repeatedly. Li Shizhen further claimed Dongyuan used Lancao. He compiled various views: Chen Dunzhai's *Xianlan* suggested the Orchid in Chu Ci might be Duliang Xiang, Zelan, or Yilan, but Zelan is正统 (orthodox). Current cultivation resembling Ophiopogon japonicus is Youlan, not true Orchid, leading Chen Zhizhai to write a critique on "stealing the name." Since named Youlan, it fits the *Sao Jing*. Fang Xugu's *Dinglan Shuo* argued ancient Lancao is modern Qianjincao (Child Chrysanthemum); current "Orchid" with grass-like leaves has roots called Tuxuduan, named for its fragrance. Yang Shengan noted that identifying reed-like plants as Orchid has long slandered the Nine Wan Orchids. Wu Caolu's *Youlan Shuo* stated Orchid is a superior medical herb with roots and stems. Current "Orchid" lacks branches/stems, wrongly attributed to *Li Sao* due to Huang Tingjian's praise. Kou's Materia Medica followed folk custom, doubting Gui's theory. Medical classics serve practical use; how can they be slandered? Can current Orchid really benefit water, kill insects, and resolve phlegm? It thrives in Fujian; Zhu Xi, a Fujian native, surely knew local produce yet辨析 (analyzed) this way. People still mistake non-Orchid for Orchid, how confused! Wang Ang's Note: Zhu Xi cited *Li Sao*'s "threading" as proof, but I consider "threading" merely poetic imagery. Just as "drinking morning dew from Magnolia" or "eating fallen autumn chrysanthemum petals" are not literal, nor is "making clothes from lotus leaves." Song Confucians were too rigid in interpreting classics, likely not definitive. However, since *Li Sao* mentions Autumn Orchid, it is clearly not Spring Orchid. Since *Benjing* mentions Zelan, it is clearly not Shanlan. Thus, Autumn Orchid in *Li Sao* must correspond to Zelan in *Benjing*. Yet, does *Li Sao* not say "Spring Orchid and Autumn Chrysanthemum"? Does it not say "tying Youlan and waiting"? Does it not say "scattering Shilan for fragrance"? If Autumn Orchid is Zelan, what are Spring Orchid, Youlan, and Shilan? Are they not Shanlan? What kind of Orchid would they be? Moreover, Shanlan is among the finest flowers, ranked before Plum and Chrysanthemum by critics throughout history. Now it is demoted below Child Chrysanthemum and accused of name-stealing. While base herbs are recorded in Materia Medica, why exclude the noble Shanlan? Many insecticides in Materia Medica are unverified, but promoting water flow and resolving phlegm is indeed within the power of Shanlan leaves. Li Shizhen, Chen, Fang, Wu, Yang, etc., stuck to Chen Cangqi's view that Zelan and Lancao are one genus, two species, thereby doubting *Li Sao*. Elevating Zelan while suppressing Shanlan rendered Lancao useless. Did they not consider that if they were one genus, the *Benjing* entry for Lancao would be redundant? Why is Lancao listed in the Superior Grade while Zelan is in the Middle Grade? Furthermore, one enters the Qi level, the other the Blood level, distinctly different. Also, *Li Sao* mentions five types of Orchid. Besides Magnolia, if Spring, Autumn, You, and Shi Orchids are all Child Chrysanthemum, then not only one genus two species, but four types one species. Is it reasonable to claim the Nine Wan Orchid was slandered? *Benjing* mentions Zelan to distinguish from Mountain Orchid; mentions Lancao to specify using leaves, not flowers; *Li Sao* mentions Autumn Orchid to distinguish from Spring; mentions Shilan to distinguish from Zelan. I believe Autumn Orchid belongs to Zelan, while Spring and Shi Orchids are definitely Shanlan. Youlan is an alias for Shanlan, as it grows in deep mountains. How can Kou and Zhu's theories be entirely dismissed? I attach my view here for scholars' consultation.)