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(Xi Cao) Greatly drains Heart heat and promotes urination.
Qumai (Primulae Herba) (Specifically enters the Heart channel, and also enters the Small Intestine channel). It has a bitter taste and cold nature. Its function is specifically to drain Heart heat and promote urination. Therefore, medical texts record that it can promote diuresis, resolve swelling and carbuncles, treat strangury with retention of urine, remove splinters from flesh, expel the placenta after difficult labor, and remove corneal opacity. However, its qi possesses pure Yang properties, implying that the Qi of the Small Intestine must be abundant; only by taking this疏泄 (dispersing and draining) substance can the disease be eradicated. (Strangury [Lin syndrome] can be either deficiency or excess. If the strangury is indeed caused by heat, the pain in the urethra is unbearable, pressing with the hand feels hot like burning, the blood/urine is bright red and not dark, and the urine flows out like sand or stones, accompanied by oppression and fullness below the umbilicus, irritability, restlessness, heat, and thirst, with the six pulses being deep, rapid, and forceful—this is truly an excess-heat pattern. If there is no pain in the urethra, the pain prefers pressure, or there is dragging pain after urination which stops after a short while, or difficulty and pain in urinating when using the toilet accompanied by dragging pain during defecation, sallow complexion, lack of appetite, lazy and timid speech, with the six pulses being deficient, floating, and weak—this is a deficiency pattern.) If the Small Intestine is inherently deficient, as the Classics state, if the Heart has heat, not only will the heat not be removed, but the deficiency will increase, inevitably leading to other symptoms. It is contraindicated for dysuria during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as edema due to Spleen deficiency. It is incompatible with Sepiae Endoconcha (Haopiaoqiao).

(Shi Cao) Clears Lung heat to promote urination.
Shiwei (Pyrrosiae Folium) (Specifically enters the Lung channel). It has a bitter and sweet taste and a slightly cold nature. Its function is specifically to clear Lung heat and move water metabolism. Whenever the water passages do not flow smoothly, and the source of transformation (Hua Yuan, referring to the source of fluid metabolism often linked to Lung dispersion and descent) is unclear, leading to further closure of the water passages. (If the source of transformation is unclear, the water passages close themselves.) Shiwei spreads over rocks, growing leaves like leather, with a bitter taste and cold qi. Bitterness allows qi to circulate and Lung metal to become austere (descending); coldness removes heat and facilitates water flow. Thus, for cases where labor damages fluids and latent pathogenic heat exists, resulting in urinary obstruction, or conditions such as back carbuncles, treatment should employ this herb to regulate. This ensures Lung qi descends and water passages open, thereby eliminating strangury and removing toxins. Remove the stems and yellow hairs, lightly roast before use. Those growing on tiles are named Wa Wei (Tile Leaf), and also treat strangury.

(Bang Ha) Promotes urination, unblocks channels, expels gu toxicity, and moves downward stagnant blood.
Zi Bei (Cypraeis Testa - Purple Cowrie Shell) (Specifically enters the Spleen and Liver channels). It is the reddish variety of Beizi (Cowrie Shell). It has a salty taste and neutral nature. This material originates from Yunnan; white parts enter the Qi level, purple parts enter the Blood level. (Characterized by purple spots and white bone.) Its function is specifically to promote urination and unblock channels, expel gu toxicity, and move downward stagnant blood. For patients suffering from beriberi (Hongxiujiao), children with exanthematous diseases or corneal opacity, five types of strangury and edema, gu toxicity, or ghost-biting ailments, this herb can effectively relieve these conditions. This is because saltiness has the power to soften hardness; for beriberi caused by damp-heat, this herb can penetrate bones to expel pathogens. (Because the shell bone is hard, it can penetrate bones.) When combined with other herbs, it induces profuse sweating to resolve the condition gradually. For corneal opacity, this herb can be powdered and applied locally, as it can eliminate damp-heat and allow Blood to nourish the upper orifices. However, many substances resemble Beizi, such as Ya Luo, which can cause confusion; they must be distinguished and used separately. (Song says: There are many types of shells; ancients considered them treasures, with Zi Bei being especially valuable. Later generations did not use shell money, and medicinal usage of shells became rare.) Those with deep purple backs and black spots are of good quality. Grind into fine powder raw for use.