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Da Ji (Cirsii Japonici Herba) and Xiao Ji (Cirsii Setosae Herba), with sweet and bitter tastes, cool nature, and non-toxic properties. They enter the Lung and Spleen meridians. Their ability to break blood stasis and stop bleeding is remarkable; they are also effective in reducing swelling and stabilizing miscarriage/bleeding, and miraculous in detoxification. However, they are only applicable to initial-stage blood disorders, where they yield extraordinary results, but cannot treat blood disorders caused by long-term injury. This is because their nature is overly cool, which is not favored by the Stomach; they can descend fire but cannot tonify Earth (Spleen/Stomach).

A question arises: Da Ji and Xiao Ji are both holy medicines for stopping bleeding, and using fresh herbs is particularly good for acute conditions. If fresh herbs are unavailable, can dried ones be used? Since fresh herbs are not readily available, dried ones must be used. However, one must first decoct Da Ji and Xiao Ji in water to extract the juice, then decoct blood-tonifying, blood-generating, and hemostatic herbs together, and drink them mixed. This is superior to fresh herbs, which can be used directly after crushing and extracting juice.

Another question: Both Da Ji and Xiao Ji are substances affecting the Blood level. Which is better? Comparing their merits, Da Ji is inferior to Xiao Ji. Where Xiao Ji is used at 1 liang, Da Ji requires an additional 5 qian; their functions are essentially the same.

Another question: In the North, Da Ji and Xiao Ji are often effective for treating hemoptysis, whereas in the South, they rarely show efficacy. Why? Because these two herbs are overly cold and cool. People in the North have a robust constitution; unless suffering from heat syndromes, they do not easily experience hemoptysis. People in the South have a delicate constitution; even without heat pathogens, they may experience hemoptysis. Thus, they are suitable for the North but not the South. However, northerners who suffer hemoptysis not due to heat may not find them appropriate; southerners who occasionally suffer hemoptysis due to heat may still find them suitable.

Another question: Since Da Ji and Xiao Ji are distinguished as large and small, should their effects not differ? Are they completely identical? The answer is: They share the function of stopping bleeding, but differ in clearing heat. Da Ji clears heat effectively, whereas Xiao Ji’s power is insufficient. Therefore, in cases of heat syndromes, it is advisable to use 1-2 qian of Da Ji to clear heat without disturbing the blood.

Liu Ji Nu (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), with a bitter taste, warm nature, and non-toxic properties. It enters the Heart, Spleen, and Bladder meridians. It directs Qi downward, stops epigastric and abdominal pain, promotes the discharge of blood, reduces swelling, resolves carbuncle toxins, treats burns and scalds, and manages traumatic injuries from metal weapons. Various texts in Ben Cao state that it can eliminate residual postpartum ailments; this is a significant error. Liu Ji Nu has a property of moving swiftly and penetrating; entering the Bladder, it specializes in driving out water retention. For symptoms of turbid urine (Bai Zhuo), using a few qian combined with diuretics like Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) and Fu Ling (Poria) brings immediate relief. This indicates a "moving without staying" property. Postpartum involves a great deficiency of Qi and Blood; if there is blood stasis, how can such a swift, draining herb be used? A herb that moves without staying cannot stop bleeding from traumatic wounds. Essentially, Liu Ji Nu does not stop bleeding but drives out blood. When blood attempts to exit externally, Liu Ji Nu drives it, preventing external hemorrhage. This is a method of contrary treatment.

A question arises: Liu Ji Nu is famous for treating traumatic wounds, yet you claim it is not a medicine for such wounds. Is this not merely seeking novelty? Liu Ji Nu stops bleeding by driving out blood, which aligns with the theory of treating traumatic wounds. However, its effect on traumatic wounds is not rapid, whereas its effect on turbid urine is truly miraculous. I suspect that when Liu Ji Nu was originally used for traumatic wounds, other herbs might have been involved, or perhaps this was a means to deceive the world. Heroes may deceive people; one should not believe everything entirely.