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[Bai Mao Gen (Rhizoma Imperatae)]
Flavor and nature: Sweet, cold. Non-toxic. Indications: Treats exhaustion injuries with emaciation, tonifies the middle and benefits Qi, removes blood stasis and blood obstruction, resolves alternating chills and fever, and promotes urination.
(Note: Cogon grass grows in fields everywhere. In spring, shoots emerge and spread on the ground like needles, commonly called "Mao Zhen" (Cattail Needle). Its leaves resemble spears, with sharp edges, also known as "Dao Mao" (Knife Grass). There are several types of cogon grass, including Bai Mao (White Cogon), Jian Mao, Huang Mao, Xiang Mao, and Ba Mao; their leaves are similar. The root of Bai Mao is very white, sweet like sugarcane, soft like tendons, hence another name "Di Jin" (Earth Tendon). When dry, it shines at night; when rotting, it transforms into fireflies. The leaves can be used for thatching roofs and for sacrificial wrappings.)
Bai Mao has a white color and sweet flavor, rigid above and soft below, with roots rich in juices, inheriting the transformative energy of Earth generating Metal, and Metal generating Water. It treats exhaustion injuries with emaciation because excessive labor causes internal injury, preventing body fluids from nourishing the exterior, leading to physical emaciation. Since Mao Gen inherits the essence of Water and is juicy, it treats exhaustion injuries with emaciation. To tonify the middle and benefit Qi: when the Middle Jiao (Spleen/Stomach) is internally deficient, Qi is insufficient. Since Mao Gen inherits the energy of Earth and has a sweet flavor, it can tonify the middle and benefit Qi. To remove blood stasis and blood obstruction: when Liver Qi is internally deficient, blood fails to nourish the meridians, resulting in conditions of blood stasis and blood obstruction. Since Mao Gen inherits the energy of Metal and is white in color, it removes blood stasis and blood obstruction. When Lung Metal Qi reaches the skin and hair externally, alternating chills and fever resolve spontaneously. When the Qi of skin and hair transmits downward to the Bladder, urination becomes smooth.

[Gou Ji (Rhizoma Cibotii)]
Flavor and nature: Bitter, neutral. Non-toxic. Indications: Treats stiffness of the waist and back, laxity or spasticity of joints, generalized Bi syndrome, knee pain due to cold-dampness, and is particularly beneficial for the elderly.
(Note: Gou Ji grows in valleys of Changshan mountains, Taihang Mountains, Ziqing, Meizhou, and wild areas, found everywhere. The stem nodes resemble bamboo but have thorns; leaves are round with red veins, opposite each other, with serrated edges. The root shape resembles the convex-concave spine of a dog, densely covered with golden hairs. Li Shizhen said: There are two types of Gou Ji; one has black roots like a dog's spine, the other has golden hairs resembling a dog form; both are named Gou Ji. The *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* calls it "Bai Mei" by shape; the *Bencao Jingjiu Jia Zhu* calls it "Qiang Lv" and "Fu Jin" by efficacy.)
Gou Ji roots are hard like bone, and leaves have red veins; it is a herb that primarily benefits bone joints and unblocks meridians. Treating stiffness of the waist and back and joint laxity/spasticity benefits the bone joints. Blood and vessel disharmony leads to generalized Bi syndrome; whether caused by Cold or Dampness, all can cause Bi syndromes. Treating generalized Bi syndrome and cold-dampness unblocks the meridians. It is also stated that knee pain refers to joint dysfunction causing knee pain. The elderly suffer from deficiency of Essence and Blood and joint dysfunction, so Gou Ji is particularly beneficial for them.