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Pungent in flavor. Enters the Foot-Taiyin Splein Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Its function is specifically to break blood stasis and promote circulation. When combined with Chuanlianzi (Fructus Toosendan), it treats heat-jue heart pain. When combined with Huixiang (Foeniculi Fructus), it treats infantile intestinal colic. Its action is swift and forceful; it should be used concurrently with Qi- and Blood-tonifying herbs. It is contraindicated in cases of Blood-heat with Qi-deficiency. Wine-fried for promoting blood circulation; vinegar-fried for stopping bleeding; raw for breaking blood stasis; stir-fried for regulating blood.

Pungent in flavor. Enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Its function is specifically to invigorate blood and reduce swelling. When combined with wind-dispelling herbs, it treats sixty-two types of wind diseases. When combined with tonifying herbs, it generates new blood. Prepared as rouge, it invigorates blood and resolves toxicity. For carbuncles and sores that have been lanced, applying oil-soaked rouge externally is beneficial. Overconsumption leads to unceasing bleeding.

Bitter in flavor. Enters the Hand-Foot Jueyin Meridians. Its function is specifically to unblock meridians and collaterals. It treats syphilis. When combined with Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), it darkens hair. When combined with Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla) and Ce Bai Ye (Biota Tops), it treats postpartum retained lochia (defective blood). It is contraindicated in the absence of blood stasis. Also known as Rulu. Also known as Xuejianchou. The root can dye crimson. Contraindicated with iron.

Bitter in flavor. Enters the Hand-Foot Jueyin Meridians. Its function is specifically to cool blood and invigorate blood, benefiting the Large and Small Intestines. When combined with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), it treats constipation due to severe blood-heat and toxin in smallpox/variolous eruptions. Contraindicated in diarrhea. Remove the head and roots, wash with wine.

Sour in flavor. Enters the Hand-Foot Jueyin Meridians. Its function is specifically to move blood and clear fire. Combined with Dilong (Pheretima), Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), and Quanxie (Scorpio), it treats leprosy (severe wind disease). There are cases where it is used as the Sovereign herb for lung abscess. The flowers are powdered and mixed with Metuo seng (Lithargyri) and saliva for topical application to rhinophyma, which is very effective. Contraindicated in pregnancy. Also known as Ziwei. Inhaling its scent damages the brain.

Sweet and warm in flavor. Enters the Foot-Jueyin Meridian. Daji (Cirsii Japonici Herba) specifically breaks blood stasis. Xiaoji (Cirsii Herba) specifically reduces swelling. For cold qi invading the scrotum causing fullness, distension, and painful stasis, a single decoction of Daji brings immediate recovery. For metrorrhagia and metrostaxis that do not stop, a decoction of the roots of both Daji and Xiaoji with Baimao Gen (Imperatae Rhizoma) in wine is miraculous.

Sweet and bitter in flavor. Enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Its function is specifically to treat upper and lower hemorrhagic syndromes. When combined with Shengdi and Ejiao, it has rapid effects on hematemesis. It is an essential herb for traumatic injuries. Also known as Shanqi.

Bitter and sour, slightly cold in flavor. Nature is heavy and astringent. Enters the Foot-Jueyin Meridian. Its function is specifically to eliminate blood-heat. It treats hematemesis, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, and bloody dysentery caused by wind in the intestines. It is contraindicated in early-stage dysentery due to deficiency-cold and in cases of blood deficiency. It works well when combined with human hair. It is antagonistic to Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix). Use charred black.