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[Honghua (Carthamus tinctorius)]
Pungent, sweet, and bitter in taste; warm in nature; non-toxic. It enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. It eliminates postpartum lochia (residual blood and turbid fluids after childbirth) and unblocks stasis in the meridians. Its efficacy in invigorating blood and moistening dryness is profound, and it is highly effective in relieving pain and dispersing swelling.
It originates from Lianghan and the Western Regions, but is now cultivated everywhere. Sowing can be done in the second, eighth, and twelfth lunar months; scatter seeds after rain. The tender leaves and shoots at initial growth are edible. The flowers resemble those of Daji (Cirsium japonicum) but are red. Harvest the flowers in the early morning.
For all kinds of swellings and sores, take the expressed juice three times. (Verified Formula No. 1.)
For Houbi (sore throat with obstruction), use the same method. (No. 2.)
For fetal death due to febrile disease, decoct with wine and take. (No. 3.)
For retention of the placenta, use the same method. (No. 4.)
For postpartum blood fainting, chest oppression, and impending loss of breath, grind into powder and take with wine. (No. 5.)
For yellow discharge from the ears, mix with dried alum powder and insufflate into the ear. (No. 6.)

Honghua Wine
Treats sixty-two types of wind pathogens and also abdominal pain caused by blood and qi stagnation.

[Yanzhi (Red Rouge)]
Originated during the reign of King Zhou of Shang, made by condensing Honghua juice.
Sweet in taste; neutral in nature; non-toxic. Invigorates blood vessels and resolves bean toxicity; applies to E Kou (thrush/white patches in infant's mouth) and drips into the ear.
For cracked nipples, apply mixed with Ge Fen (shell powder). (Verified Formula No. 1.)
For pediatric E Kou, where white pus-like matter resembles paper, apply mixed with breast milk. (No. 2.)

Yanzhi Ointment
Decoct Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) in water, strain, and knead the residue to extract red juice. Mix with fine Xionghuang (Realgar powder) evenly and apply externally. Treats toxic acne causing locked eyelids (Suo Yan), nasal swelling obscuring vision (Meng Bao Bi), oral mucosal erosion (Kou Xiao Chun), and back abscesses resembling layered swallows' nests or coins (Yan Wo Die Qian). (Various Formulas No. 1.)

[Daji (Cirsium japonicum) and Xiaoji (Cirsium setosum)]
Daji grows in mountain valleys; Xiaoji grows in plains and marshes. They are commonly known as "Cici Cai" (thorny vegetables).
Sweet in taste; neutral in nature; non-toxic. The root and rhizome of Daji treat hematemesis, epistaxis, and metrorrhagia/metrostaxis, and also address leukorrhea (red and white vaginal discharge) in women. The leaves treat intestinal abscesses and traumatic injuries, and also manage severe sores, scabies, and tinea. It excels at resolving blood stasis and is particularly capable of calming the fetus. Xiaoji has weaker potency; it breaks stasis and generates new tissue, preserving essence and nourishing blood. It also clears heat and tonifies deficiency, opens the stomach, and promotes appetite. It relieves chest and diaphragm oppression and stops bleeding from metal wounds (Jin Chuang). Expressed juice taken internally clears summer-heat irritability; consumed as a vegetable, it treats generalized wind-heat.
For sudden bloody diarrhea, take juice from Xiaoji leaves. (Verified Formula No. 1.)
For miscarriage-induced bleeding, decoct roots and leaves of Xiaoji together with Yimucao (Leonuri Herba) and take. (No. 2.)
For bleeding from metal wounds, apply mashed Xiaoji seedlings externally. (No. 3.)
For nasal congestion, decoct Xiaoji in water and take. (No. 4.)
For pruritic tinea, take juice from Xiaoji leaves. (No. 5.)
For vulvar pruritus in women, wash with decoction of Xiaoji. (No. 6.)