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Wang Lianshi stated: This herb grows on islands; its qi-moving property is the strongest, its taste is extremely pungent and intense, its color is green like jade. It can enter both the Qi and Blood levels, eliminate stagnant Qi, dissipate constrained Blood, and knit bones and sinews. Locals decoct it into a plaster to treat diseases, curing all internal and external conditions. Its juice is Asafoetida (Wei). Recently, some quacks have collected resin from Ye Jiayuan in Houying Dazhixiang to pass off as this herb for profit, and others use Cortex Fraxini (Qinpi) as a substitute. The genuine article is now rarely seen.

(Sixty-five species included, with sixteen supplementary species)

Tu Bei (Fritillaria Thunbergii Bulb)
Currently known as Xiang Bei. Remove the heart and stir-fry. *Baicao Jing* states: Zhe Bei originates from Xiangshan, commonly called Xiang Bei Mu. The skin is rough, the taste is bitter, it consists of a single bulb without scales, the top is round, and the center is slanted. For medicinal use, select those that are round, white, and small. Ye Yinzhai stated: The Fritillaria produced in Xiangshan, Ningbo, also divides into two scales, tastes bitter but not sweet, has a flat and non-pointed top, and does not resemble the stamen of a lotus flower like Chuan Bei. Locals pick out one or two bulbs from Xiang Bei that resemble Chuan Bei, soak them in water to remove the bitterness, dry them, and sell them as Chuan Bei. However, Chuan Bei and Xiang Bei have different properties; Xiang Bei is bitter and cold, detoxifies, benefits phlegm resolution, and opens/disperses Lung Qi. It is suitable for cases where the Lung is complicated by Wind-Heat with Phlegm. Chuan Bei is sweet and tonifies the Lung; it is not as good as using Xiang Bei to treat coughs due to Wind-Heat and Phlegm. For deficiency-cold coughs, Chuan Bei is appropriate.
Zhang Jingyue stated: It is extremely bitter and cold, Yin in nature, descending. It acts on the Hand Taiyin (Lung), Shaoyang (Gallbladder), Foot Yangming (Stomach), and Jueyin (Liver) meridians. It primarily treats Lung abscess, Lung flaccidity, coughing and wheezing, hematemesis, and epistaxis. It best descends Phlegm-Qi, excellently opens constraints and dissipates nodules, stops pain, eliminates distension and fullness, clears Liver Fire, brightens the eyes and ears, removes irritability and fever from seasonal pathogens, jaundice, stranguria, urinary obstruction, hematochezia, and hematuria. It resolves heat toxins, kills various parasites, and treats throat obstruction, scrofula, mastitis, back carbuncles, all sores and ulcers, damp-heat malignant sores, hemorrhoids and fistulas, traumatic bleeding, burn pain. When ground into powder, it can be applied externally; when decocted in water, it can be taken internally. Its nature and flavor are both strong. Compared to the clearing and descending efficacy of Chuan Bei Mu, it is several times stronger. It is incompatible with Aconitum (Wutou) and can resolve Fire in the Upper Jiao (Lung and Stomach).
Zhang Shiwan in *Benjing Fengyuan* stated: Zhejiang-produced Beimu treats hernia, masses, throat obstruction, mastitis, traumatic wind-spasm, and all sores/ulcers; it can be used together with Sophora Root (Kushen) and Angelica Sinensis (Danggui). To treat difficult urination during pregnancy, it can be used together with Indigo Naturalis (Qingdai) to treat malignant facial sores. Used together with Forsythia (Lianqiao) to treat cervical lymphadenopathy. All these utilize its ability to open constraints, dissipate nodules, resolve phlegm, and detoxify.
Chui Hou San (Throat Blowing Powder): From *Jingyan Guangji*, effective for eighteen types of throat disorders. Take large black dates, remove the pits, insert one gum arabic (Wubeizi) free of insects, grind finely. Take one Tu Bei (Xiang Bei), remove the heart, grind finely. Wrap in mud and roast until carbonized (preserving properties). Grind all together into an extremely fine powder. Add a small amount of Mint Leaf (Bohe Ye) powder and a small amount of Borneol (Bingpian). Store in a porcelain bottle. When needed, blow onto the affected area. Allow the patient to vomit out phlegm and saliva several times, and it will heal.
Duikou Sore (Opposite-to-umbilicus Carbuncle): Verified prescription by Yang Chunya: Grind Xiang Bei Mu into powder and apply externally. Miraculous effect.