甘，寒，无毒。入手太阴肺。利小便而清心，除寒热而凉肺。根主催生堕胎。
处处原野有之。苗高数寸，细茎绿叶。其根一窠数十须，须上结子，与麦冬一样，但坚
硬耳
茎，结小长穗。
竹叶汤 竹叶 桔梗 生姜 附子 葛根 桂枝 甘草 防风 人参 大枣
治产后中风，发热面赤，喘而头痛。（诸方第一。）
石膏汤 竹叶 石膏 麦冬 大米 人参 半夏
治大病瘥后，虚羸少气，气逆欲吐者。（第二。）
甘，寒，淡滑，无毒。润燥利窍，下乳坠胎。通营卫而滋气脉，行津液而通关格。最利
二便
处处有之。有紫白二种，以白茎为胜。大叶小花，紫黄色。最小者名鸭脚葵。其实大如
指，
顶皮薄而扁，实内有子轻虚如榆荚仁。四五月种者可留子，六七月种者为秋葵，八九月种者
为冬葵，经年收采。正月复种者为春葵，而宿根至春亦生。古人种为常食，而今人不复食，
亦无种者矣。
赤者治赤带，白者治白带。蜀葵似冬葵，处处人家种植。初春布种，宿根亦生。嫩苗时
亦可
食。高五六尺，花似木槿而大，有紫、黑、红、白之异，惟红、白二色入药。
治五淋症。天葵即菟葵，状如冬葵，叶大如钱而浓，面青被紫。
俗名苦菜子。
辛，苦，微寒，无毒。入足厥阴肝。调产后之恶露，解带下之赤白，止吐衄之血逆，却
心腹
之瘀痛。兼排痈脓，最破瘀血。
处处原野有之。春生苗叶布地，夏秋茎高一二尺而柔弱。数寸一节，节间生叶四散。顶
开白
似柴胡。
产后腰疼，同芎、归、肉桂服。（验方第一。）
产后腹痛如刺，水煎四两服。（第二。）
Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Enters the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin (Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian). Promotes urination and clears Heart fire, dispels chills and fever, and cools and moistens the Lungs. The root is primarily used to induce labor and abort fetuses.
It grows in fields and wilderness everywhere. The seedlings are several inches high, with slender stems and green leaves. The root system consists of a cluster with dozens of fibrous roots; fruits form on these roots, resembling Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong, 麦冬) but harder.
Small, elongated spike-like inflorescences form on the stems.
Zhuye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction): Composed of Zhuye (Bamboo Leaves), Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), Gegen (Kudzu Root), Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Gancao (Licorice Root), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Renshen (Ginseng Root), and Dazao (Jujube Fruit).
Treats postpartum wind-stroke, characterized by fever, red face, wheezing, and headache. (Ranked first among formulas.)
Shigao Tang (Gypsum Decoction): Composed of Zhuye (Bamboo Leaves), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Damii (Rice), Renshen (Ginseng Root), and Banxia (Pinellia Tuber).
Treats conditions after severe illness has resolved, featuring emaciation, shortness of breath, and rebellious Qi causing nausea or vomiting. (Ranked second among formulas.)
Sweet, cold, light and slippery, non-toxic. Moistens dryness, unblocks orifices, promotes lactation, and induces abortion. Harmonizes Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), nourishes Qi vessels, circulates body fluids, and opens blockages. It is most beneficial for promoting bowel and urinary movements.
It grows everywhere. There are purple and white varieties, with the white-stemmed variety being superior. It has large leaves and small flowers, appearing purple-yellow. The smallest variety is named Yajiao Kui (Duck-foot Hibiscus). Its fruit is as large as a finger, with a thin, flat top skin; the seeds inside are light and hollow, resembling Ulmus seeds (Yujia Ren, 榆荚仁). Those sown in April or May can be saved as seeds; those sown in June or July are called Qiu Kui (Autumn Hibiscus); those sown in August or September are called Dong Kui (Winter Hibiscus), harvested annually. Re-sown in January, they are called Chun Kui (Spring Hibiscus), while perennial roots sprout again in spring. Ancients cultivated it as a common food, but modern people no longer eat or plant it.
The red variety treats leukorrhea with blood (red discharge); the white variety treats leukorrhea without blood (white discharge). Shu Kui (Hibiscus Mutabilis) resembles Dong Kui and is planted in households everywhere. Sown in early spring, perennial roots regenerate. Young shoots are edible. It grows five to six chi tall, with flowers similar to but larger than Hibiscus mutabilis, varying in purple, black, red, and white colors; only the red and white varieties are used medicinally.
Treats Wu Lin syndrome (Five types of strangury). Tian Kui (Anemones Radix) is also known as Tu Kui, resembling Dong Kui. The leaves are as large as coins and thick, green on the surface and purple underneath.
Commonly known as Kucaizi (Bitter Vegetable Seeds).
Pungent, bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic. Enters the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin (Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian). Regulates postpartum lochia, resolves leukorrhea with both red and white discharge, stops bleeding from vomiting and epistaxis due to rebellious blood, and eliminates stasis pain in the heart and abdomen. It also expels pus from carbuncles and is most effective at breaking up blood stasis.
It grows in fields and wilderness everywhere. In spring, seedlings and leaves spread over the ground. In summer and autumn, stems grow one to two chi tall and are tender. Each segment is several inches long, with leaves growing radially from the nodes. White flowers open at the apex, resembling Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu, 柴胡).
For postpartum lower back pain, take together with Xiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root), and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark). (Verified formula ranked first.)
For postpartum abdominal pain feeling like stabbing, decoct four liang in water and consume. (Verified formula ranked second.)