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[Mudanpi (Cortex Moutan)]
Flavor: Acrid, Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Manages alternating chills and fever, wind-stroke with convulsions, epilepsy; expels pathogenic factors; eliminates fixed masses (Zheng Jian) and blood stasis; prevents stasis from lodging in the intestines and stomach; stabilizes the five Zang organs; treats carbuncles and sores.
(Mudanpi originally grew in the valleys of Shu and Hanzhong. Today it is found throughout Jiangnan and Jiangbei, with Luoyang being the most prominent. In winter, the buds are purple; in early spring, leaves unfurl; flowers bloom in March in colors including red, white, yellow, purple, peach blossom pink, light pink, Buddha-head green, and duck-head green. Varieties include double-petaled, single-petaled, tiered, and flat-headed types. For medicinal use, only the root bark of wild single-petaled red or white varieties is taken. Single-petaled varieties concentrate their efficacy in the root, whereas multi-colored double-petaled varieties are merely for ornamentation. Double-petaled varieties do not produce seeds; only single-petaled varieties produce black seeds the size of chicken beans. Although seeds form, branches still sprout from the root, hence the name "Mu" (male); the red color enters the Heart, hence the name "Dan".)
Branches grow from the roots of Mudanpi; the bark is reddish-purple on the outside and powdery white inside. Named Mudanpi, it is a herb that governs the Heart's control over blood vessels. Originating in the northwest, its acrid and cold flavor reflects the qi transformation of Metal generating Water. Regarding alternating chills/fever, wind-stroke, convulsions, epilepsy, and pathogenic factors: "Pathogenic factor" refers to pathogenic wind qi invading the body, damaging blood vessels, causing alternating chills and fever, convulsions of the limbs, and facial manifestations of epilepsy. Mudanpi, imbued with Metal qi, treats wind in the blood vessels, thus managing these conditions. Regarding fixed masses (Zheng Jian) and blood stasis lodging in the intestines and stomach: when blood in the meridians fails to seep into the collaterals, it lodges in the intestines and stomach, forming fixed masses of blood stasis. Mudanpi is acrid to dissipate and cold to clear, thus eliminating this stasis. The flower blooms in five colors, thereby stabilizing the five Zang organs; by regulating blood vessels, it treats carbuncles and sores.

[Diyu (Radix Sanguisorbae)]
Flavor: Bitter, slightly Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Treats postpartum spasms in women, seven injuries, leukorrhea, five types of leakage, pain relief, sweating cessation, removal of foul flesh, and treatment of metal wounds.
(Diyu grows in plains and marshes everywhere. Its perennial roots remain in the soil. Seedlings emerge in March, initially spreading along the ground, then growing as a single straight stem three to four chi high. Leaves resemble elm leaves but are narrow and serrated. The root is black on the outside and red on the inside. Also known as Yuchi or Suanzhe.)
Diyu, also known as Yuchi, has an odor that includes acidity and a color resembling ochre; thus, *Bielu* also calls it Suanzhe. It is likely imbued with the qi transformation of Jueyin Wood and Fire, capable of nourishing Liver blood. Regarding postpartum spasms: this refers to spasms caused by wind-strike due to blood deficiency after childbirth and nursing. Diyu benefits Liver blood, thus treating this condition. Regarding the "seven injuries": these are dietary injury, emotional injury, beverage injury, sexual injury, fatigue injury, and injury to meridians, Ying, and Wei qi. Internally there is dry blood, the skin is rough like scales, and the eyes are dark. Diyu receives the qi of early spring, thus nourishing the five Zang organs and treating the seven injuries. Regarding leukorrhea and five types of leakage: the discharge varies in five colors, resembling blue mud, red fluid, white mucus, cucumber juice, or black blood. Pain relief refers to stopping nine types of pain in women: 1. Pain in the yin organ; 2. Painful dribbling in the yin organ; 3. Pain during urination; 4. Cold pain; 5. Abdominal pain during menstruation; 6. Foot pain when Qi stagnation occurs; 7. Pain in the yin organ during sweating, feeling like insect bites; 8. Skin pain under the hypochondrium; 9. Lower back pain. Diyu, imbued with Wood and Fire qi, dissipates blood stasis from downward leakage and resolves pain caused by Yin coagulation. Cessation of sweating refers to stopping sweating due to blood deficiency after childbirth. Removal of foul flesh and treatment of metal wounds occur because vigorous generation of Yang qi causes foul flesh to naturally fall away, and harmonized Qi and Blood allow metal wounds to heal.