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(Xi Cao category herbs) Enter the Liver meridian, eliminate blood stasis and stagnation, and kill parasites.

Ningshi (specifically enters the Liver meridian). Flavor: bitter; Nature: neutral. (It is the seed of *Achyranthes bidentata*, also known as Du Niuxi.) Its efficacy specifically targets the Liver meridian to resolve qi rebellion. Therefore, for any condition involving phlegm coagulation and qi stagnation throughout the body, its bitter flavor helps to diffuse and drain, causing the phlegm and qi to resolve instantly, leaving no place for parasites to reside. Moreover, parasites tend to subside when encountering bitter substances. For example, in cases of abdominal pain caused by roundworms biting in children, Ningshi is ground into powder, mixed with fat meat juice, and administered orally, after which the worms are naturally expelled. (Symptoms include pale complexion with red lips during worm-induced pain, with pain occurring intermittently.) If not for the expulsion of worms by bitter agents, how could such results be achieved? However, pharmacies often substitute Carrot seeds (*Daucus carota* seeds) for Ningshi, a distinction that must not be overlooked. (The *Qianjin Fang* states: Parasites growing in the human abdomen generally fall into nine categories. 1. Fu Chong (Hidden Worm), four fen long, the leader of all worms. 2. Hui Chong (Roundworm), one chi long; if excessive, it pierces the heart and causes death. 3. Bai Chong (White Worm), also known as Cun Chong, one cun long; offspring multiply, and the mother grows larger, reaching four or five zhang, also capable of causing death. 4. Rou Chong (Flesh Worm), resembling rotten apricots, causing irritability and fullness. 5. Fei Chong (Lung Worm), resembling silkworms, causing coughing. 6. Wei Chong (Stomach Worm), resembling toads, causing vomiting, stomach qi rebellion, and hiccups. 7. Ruo Chong (Weak Worm), also called Ge Zhong, resembling melon seeds, causing excessive salivation. 8. Chi Chong (Red Worm), resembling raw meat, causing chronic abdominal borborygmi. 9. Tiao Chong (Pinworm), extremely minute like vegetable worms, residing between the broad intestines; numerous infestations cause hemorrhoids, severe cases lead to leprosy-like conditions. Additionally, there are worms arising from skin sores, causing carbuncles, ulcers, tinea, scabies, and dental caries, engaging in various harmful activities.)

(Yu Mu category herbs) Clear heat, reduce accumulation, and kill parasites.

Leiwuan (Omphalia lapidescens / Thunderball Fungus) (specifically enters the Stomach meridian). Flavor: bitter, salty; Nature: cold; Slight toxicity. It is formed from the residual qi of bamboo, generated through the power of thunder, hence the name "Thunderball." Its efficacy specifically enters the Stomach meridian to clear heat, resolve accumulation, and transform/dissolve parasites. Therefore, for conditions involving internal depression of damp-heat, epilepsy with manic running, sweating with aversion to wind, severe parasitic accumulation, abdominal distension resembling drum, or even hearing human voices from intestinal worms, administration yields effective results. (Worms in the Liver cause fear and eye congestion/redness; worms in the Heart cause mental restlessness and dryness/irritability; worms in the Spleen cause laborious fever, swollen and stiff limbs; worms in the Lung cause coughing and wheezing.) Because it possesses a purely yin nature, combined with a very bitter taste, and has been influenced by thunder energy, it can dispel evil pathogens. Some claim it benefits men but harms women because women belong to yin, making them unsuitable for such yin-natured substances. (Bencao Zhi states: Long-term use causes impotence.) Upon investigation, if the condition is indeed due to Kidney heat, what harm would there be? However, it should not be used recklessly without parasitic accumulation. The best quality has black skin and white flesh; purple-black flesh is toxic and fatal. Preparation methods include soaking in Licorice water overnight, steaming with wine, or decocting. It is often used with Houpo (Magnolia Bark) and Yuanhua (Genkwa Flower). It is incompatible with Gegen (Pueraria Root). (Huang Gongxiu notes: Gangmu records Yang Xi having a small voice in his abdomen responding to people. Later, reading about Leiwuan in Bencao being ineffective, I realized this was likely an Echoing Worm affliction. This explanation is not without doubt.)