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Taste: Bitter. Nature: Slightly cold. Toxicity: Toxic. Indications: Convulsive epilepsy (Jing Xian), head shaking and tongue protrusion, heat qi in the abdomen.

(Zaoxiu is named Ziheche in Tu Jing, Chonglou and Jinxian in Tang Bencao, later people call it Sanceng Cao, also known as Qiyeyi Zhihua. It is found everywhere, mostly growing in deep mountains in shady and damp places. A single stem grows upward alone, over a chi high, the stem passes through the center of the leaves, the leaves are green like Shaoyao, divided into two or three layers, each layer has seven leaves, the stem tip blooms in summer, one flower with seven petals, flowers are yellow-purple, stamens are red-yellow, three to four cun long, with golden threads hanging down from above, bears red fruits in autumn, roots resemble fat ginger, skin is red and flesh is white. The proverb says: "Qiyeyi Zhihua, deep mountains are my home; for carbuncles and sores that linger, it is as easy as picking them up." Additionally, Daoists have a method of consuming the root of Ziheche, saying: "It can stop grain consumption.")

One is the generating number of Water, seven is the completing number of Fire, three is formed by combining odd and even numbers. Zaoxiu has three layers, one layer with seven leaves, one flower with seven petals, inheriting the essence of innate Water and Fire, thus treating convulsive epilepsy, head shaking and tongue protrusion. Convulsive epilepsy with head shaking and tongue protrusion refers to fetal shock and fetal epilepsy in children. Fetal shock and fetal epilepsy result from heat-toxin qi acquired in the mother's womb, hence it is said: "heat qi in the abdomen."
I observe: Zaoxiu is also named Heche. Consuming this herb can also stop grain consumption; it is a medicine for cultivating Yuanzhen (primordial truth), Taixi (fetal breathing), and longevity. Therefore, it treats diseases caused by innate heat in children. Scholars extending this principle can treat postnatal diseases in both adults and children.
(According to Ri Hua Bencao, Ziheche treats fetal wind causing hand and foot spasms. Thus, Yin'an explains: "heat qi in the abdomen" refers to heat-toxin qi acquired in the mother's womb. Tongue protrusion is caused by internal heat in children, without needing a deeper interpretation. Su Gong said: "Grinding with vinegar and applying externally is very effective for carbuncles, swelling, and snake venom.")

Taste: Bitter, neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Carbuncles and swellings, malignant sores and necrotic ulcers, injury to Yin and dead muscle, evil qi in the stomach, removal of thief wind and ghost pathogens, flaccidity and inability to contract.

(Baiji is found everywhere in nearby regions. Sprouts emerge in spring, leaves resemble Shengjiang and Lilü, in March and April a stalk emerges, blooming with red-purple flowers about one cun long, the center protrudes like a tongue, resembling an orchid, now called Ruolan by people in Zhejiang. After flowering, it bears fruit, ripening in July, yellow-black, roots resemble water caltrop, yellow-white. When ground into powder and made into paste, its nature is thick and sticky, difficult to remove.)
Baiji has a bitter and neutral taste, red flowers and white roots, acquiring the Qi transformation of Yangming and Shaoyin. Shaoyin governs storing Essence, while Essence fluid is generated in Yangming, thus treating carbuncles and swellings.