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Bitter, cold. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its function is specifically to drain Heart Fire (Xin Huo). It treats sore throat and swelling of the throat. Toothache and swelling of the gums. Panting, chest fullness, and hot cough. Abdominal pain and diarrhea. Various sores from the five types of hemorrhoids. Resolves drug toxicity. Applied externally for tinea capitis and injuries from snake, dog, or spider bites. Treats acute jaundice in humans and horses. Contraindicated for those with Spleen deficiency and Stomach weakness. Especially contraindicated for those with poor appetite, loose stools, and cold constitution.

Acrid. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its function is specifically to dispel Wind from the Lungs. Benefits the pharynx and diaphragm. When combined with Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), it treats throat obstruction. When combined with Shengcao (Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), it treats retropharyngeal abscess and sore throat. When combined with Ganjie (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Platycodonis Radix), it treats throat eruptions and smallpox. When combined with Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), it treats wind-heat urticaria and erysipelas. Crushed and mixed with pig fat, applied externally for swellings and fungoid ulcers. The nature is cold and slippery. Contraindicated for those with deficiency-cold diarrhea. Also known as Shuniuzi. Also known as Eshi.

Sweet, slightly acrid, slightly toxic. Enters the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian and Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Its function is specifically to clear heat, dissipate nodules, and reduce swelling. Best when ground with vinegar for topical application. It also induces vomiting of wind-stroke phlegm-saliva.

Salty, bitter, cold. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Its function is specifically to dissipate heat and resolve toxicity. Unblocks meridians and promotes lactation. Drains pus and stops bleeding. Generates flesh and kills parasites. Treats spermatorrhea, hematuria, carbuncles, back sores, and toxin from chickenpox/smallpox. Steamed with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Used with Qiaoyao (Forsythiae Fructus) as a guiding herb.

Bitter, slightly cold, toxic. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Its function is specifically to resolve pathogenic heat. Treats metrorrhagia and leukorrhea. Postpartum Qi and Blood distension and pain. Breaks up masses and accumulations. Induces eruption of macules and pustules. Dissolves fish bones. Kills three types of parasites. Soaked in water, it removes dirt and repels toxins.

Acrid, bitter, slightly cool, toxic. Enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. Its function is specifically to dissipate stagnant Qi. Treats Bi syndrome of the throat and sore throat, to the extent that one cannot rest even slightly. Also treats malaria spleen enlargement (Nuomu). For throat obstruction, crush the root, extract juice, and swallow. Relief occurs upon bowel movement. Alternatively, grind with vinegar, extract juice, and hold in the mouth to induce salivation, which is also effective. Another prescription uses Zijhudiegen (Radix Bupleuri? *Note: Specific identification varies by text, literal translation used*) 1 qian, Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Shengcao (Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), and Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) each 5 fen, powdered. Mixed with water and taken in one dose for immediate cure. For sore throat closure and swelling due to Cold Damage (Shanghan), use fresh Shegan (Belamcandae Rhizoma) and pig fat, each 4 liang. Decoct together until charred. Strain. Hold a date-sized amount in the mouth for recovery. For early-stage mastitis, powder Shegan (Belamcandae Rhizoma), Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), and Xuancangen (Daylily Rhizome). Mix with honey and apply externally for miraculous effect.