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Taste and Nature: Bitter, cold, non-toxic. Indications: Treats pathogenic factors in the heart and abdomen, five types of *gan* disease (childhood malnutrition syndrome), tonifies the middle jiao, benefits qi, and unblocks the nine orifices.
(Zicao [Lithospermum Radix] grows in the valleys of Dangshan as well as Xiangyang, Nanyang, and Xinye, where it is found everywhere; people sometimes cultivate it. The seedling resembles Lanxiang [Agastache rugosa], with red stems and green nodes. It blooms purple-white flowers in the second lunar month, bears white fruit, and its roots are harvested around the Spring She festival and dried in the shade. The root head has white hairs resembling down, and the root body is purple, which can be used for dyeing.)
Zi (purple) is an intermediate color between Cang (blue/green) and Chi (red). Zicao is purple in color, thus acquiring the Qi of Fire. The seedling resembles Lanxiang, thus acquiring the Qi of Earth. Since Fire and Earth generate each other, it can nourish the essence and fluids of the Middle Jiao, thereby harmonizing the upper and lower parts. Therefore, its taste is bitter and cold, and it treats pathogenic factors in the heart and abdomen. "Gan" means dryness, referring to the dryness of body fluids. The five types of Gan include Jing Gan (startle gan), Shi Gan (food gan), Qi Gan (qi gan), Jin Gan (tendon gan), and Gu Gan (bone gan). Zicao inherits the Qi of Fire and Earth, nourishes the San Jiao (Triple Burner), and thus treats the five types of Gan in children. "Tonifying the middle" refers to tonifying the Central Earth (Spleen and Stomach). "Benefiting qi" refers to benefiting the Qi of the San Jiao. The nine orifices are the passages for water Qi. By tonifying the Central Earth and benefiting the Qi of the San Jiao, the water Qi circulates like mist, like foam, and like ditches; therefore, it unblocks the nine orifices.

Taste: Bitter, slightly warm, non-toxic. Indications: Treats Jin Chuang (metal-induced wounds), Yong Zhong (carbuncles and swellings), and Chuang Nong (suppurating sores).
(Zelan [Epimedii Folium] originally grew beside the large marshes of Runan, but is now found everywhere. It mostly grows in wetlands below water marshes. Its leaves resemble those of Lancao [Orchid grass], hence the name Zelan. The stem is square and green, with purple nodes. The leaf margins have serrations, and leaves grow opposite each other. There is a slight fragrance at the nodes and fine white hairs on the branches and leaves. In the seventh lunar month, it forms calyxes that are purely purple, blooming purple-white flowers. Its roots are purple-black.)
Zelan originates from water and acquires the Qi of the Five Movements (Wu Yun); thus, it treats conditions caused by the Three Causes (San Yin). Growing in water marshes, its taste is bitter and warm, and its roots and calyxes are purple-black, inheriting the Water and Fire Qi of Shao Yin (Lesser Yin). The square stem and fragrant leaves, with fine white hairs and serrated edges, inherit the Earth and Metal Qi of Tai Yin (Greater Yin). The green stem and purple nodes, with leaves growing between branches and nodes, and the straight upward growth of the stem, inherit the Wood Qi of Jue Yin (Terminal Yin). Regarding its indications for Jin Chuang, Yong Zhong, and Chuang Nong: Jin Chuang is caused by knives and axes, constituting a condition of the "Neither Internal nor External" cause. Yong Zhong is caused by Cold pathogenic factors lodging in the meridians, constituting an external cause condition. Chuang Nong is caused by excessive Heart Fire and deficiency of blood vessels, constituting an internal cause condition. Thus, Zicao, inheriting the Qi of the Five Movements, treats conditions related to the Three Yin meridians in this manner.