气味苦微寒，无毒。主治邪气，皮肤中热，风瘙身痒，杀三虫。子，气味同，主治唇
青。
（青葙处处有之，乃野鸡冠也。子名草决明，花叶与鸡冠无二，但鸡冠花穗或团或大而
扁，此则稍间出穗状如兔尾，
水?色，亦有黄白色者，穗中细子黑而光亮，亦与鸡冠子及苋子无异。）
青葙开花结实于三秋?得秋金清肃之气，故主清邪热，去风瘙，杀三虫。《辨脉篇》曰∶
唇
口反青，四肢 习者，此为肝绝也。青葙花开黄白，结黑子于深秋，得金水相生之化，以养
肝木，故子治唇口青。肝气得其生化，故今时又用以明目。
气味苦，微寒，有毒。主治腹中邪热气，诸毒，杀三虫。
（贯众所在山谷有之，多生山阴近水处，数根丛生，交相贯穿，故《本经》名贯节，又
名百
头。形如大瓜，直而多枝，皮黑肉赤，黑须丛簇。春生赤苗，圆叶锐茎，黑毛布地，冬夏不
死，四月花白，七月实黑。）
贯众气味苦寒，色多赤黑，盖禀少阴水火之气。主治腹中邪热气，诸毒，禀水气也。杀
三虫
气味苦，微寒，无毒。主治惊痫寒热，邪气除热，金疮疽痔，鼠 恶疮，头疡。
（蛇含草始出益州山谷，今处处有之，生土石上或下湿地，蜀中人家亦种之辟蛇。一茎
五叶
或七叶。有两种，细叶者，名蛇含，一名紫背龙牙。大叶者，名龙含。含，一作衔。含、衔
二字义同通用。陶隐君曰∶当用细叶、有黄花者。李时珍曰∶龙含亦入疮膏用。抱朴子曰∶
蛇含膏连已断之指。）
蛇含草始出西川，气味苦寒，花开黄色。西川，金也。苦寒，水也。黄色，土也。禀土
金水
之气化，金能制风，则惊痫之寒热可治也。寒能清热，则邪气之热气可除也。土能生肌，则
金疮可治也。禀土金水之气，而和在下之经脉，则治疽痔。禀土金水之气，而和在上之经脉
，则治鼠 ，恶疮，头疡。
[Qingxiang / Celosia Seeds]
Taste and Nature: Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic.
Indications: Treats pathogenic factors, heat in the skin, generalized itching caused by wind-rash (Feng Sao), and kills three types of parasites (San Chong).
Seeds: Taste and nature are the same; treats blueness of the lips.
(Celosia grows everywhere; it is the wild chicken-comb plant. The seeds are named Caojueming [Grass Cassia Seed]. The flowers and leaves are indistinguishable from those of the common celosia (Jiguanhua), but while the flower spikes of common celosia are either globular or large and flat, Qingxiang's spikes emerge more sparsely, resembling a rabbit's tail. They are water-red in color, with some being yellowish-white. The tiny seeds within the spikes are black and lustrous, also indistinguishable from celosia seeds or amaranth seeds.)
Celosia blooms and fruits in the autumn, acquiring the clear and肃 (solemn/clearing) Qi of Autumn Metal. Therefore, it clears pathogenic heat, removes wind-rash, and kills parasites. The *Bian Mai Pian* (Chapter on Pulse Differentiation) states: "If the lips and mouth turn unusually blue and the limbs twitch, this indicates the exhaustion of Liver Qi." Celosia flowers yellowish-white and bears black seeds in late autumn, undergoing the transformation of Metal generating Water, thereby nourishing Liver Wood. Hence, its seeds treat blueness of the lips and mouth. Since Liver Qi receives its source of generation and transformation, it is currently also used to brighten the eyes.
[Guanzhong Gen / Cyrtomium Rhizome]
Taste and Nature: Bitter, slightly cold, toxic.
Indications: Treats pathogenic hot Qi in the abdomen, various toxins, and kills three types of parasites.
(Guanzhong is found in valleys across regions, often growing in clusters near water on shady mountain slopes. Several rhizomes grow together, interpenetrating each other; thus, it was named Guanjie [Interpenetrating Joint] in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, and also called Baitou [Hundred Heads]. It resembles a large melon, upright with many branches, having black skin and red flesh, with clustered black rootlets. Red shoots emerge in spring, with round leaves and sharp stems; black hairs cover the ground. It does not die in winter or summer, blooms white in April, and bears black fruit in July.)
Guanzhong has a bitter and cold taste, and its color is predominantly red-black, suggesting it inherits the Qi of Water and Fire of the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) channel. It treats pathogenic hot Qi in the abdomen and various toxins due to its inheritance of Water Qi. It kills three types of parasites...
[Shehan Cao / Ophioglossum Herb]
Taste and Nature: Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic.
Indications: Treats convulsive epilepsy with alternating cold and heat, eliminates heat caused by pathogenic factors, golden wounds (metal injuries), carbuncles, hemorrhoids, scrofula (Shu Luo), malignant ulcers, and head sores.
(Shehan Cao originally grew in the valleys of Yizhou, but is now found everywhere. It grows on or under earth and stones in damp places. Families in Shu also cultivate it to repel snakes. Each stem has five or seven leaves. There are two varieties: the one with fine leaves is named Shehan, also called Zibeilongya [Purple-backed Dragon's Tooth]. The one with broad leaves is named Longhan [Dragon Holding]. 'Han' is sometimes written as 'Xian'. The characters Han and Xian have identical meanings and are used interchangeably. Tao Hongjing stated: One should use the variety with fine leaves and yellow flowers. Li Shizhen stated: Longhan is also used in ointments for sores. Baopuzi stated: Shehan ointment can reconnect severed fingers.)
Shehan Cao originally grew in Western Sichuan. Its taste is bitter and cold, and its flowers are yellow. Western Sichuan corresponds to Metal. Bitter and cold correspond to Water. Yellow corresponds to Earth. Inheriting the Qi transformations of Earth, Metal, and Water: Metal controls Wind, so the cold and heat of convulsive epilepsy can be treated. Cold clears heat, so the hot Qi of pathogenic factors can be eliminated. Earth generates flesh, so golden wounds can be treated. Inheriting the Qi of Earth, Metal, and Water harmonizes the meridians in the lower part, treating carbuncles and hemorrhoids. Inheriting the Qi of Earth, Metal, and Water harmonizes the meridians in the upper part, treating scrofula, malignant ulcers, and head sores.