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Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily tonifies the five Zang organs, supplements Qi, reconnects sinews and bones, promotes muscle growth, and expels various Bi syndromes (obstruction syndromes). Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents hunger, delays aging, and clarifies the mind (Shenming). Also known as Wu. Grows in the valleys of Mount Tai.

It is a vine-like plant, with a trunk resembling that of a grapevine, leaves like *Prunus pseudocerasus* (Guitao), creeping over trees, with white juice. Nowadays, physicians and pharmacists no longer recognize or use this herb; the *Xianjing*... (He) page 187)

Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats pathogenic factors, wards off toxic epidemics, warm diseases, and malevolent spirits, strengthens willpower, and treats enuresis and leakage. Treats Qi deficiency and weakness, coldness in the muscles, insufficient Qi, detoxification, killing malevolent entities, treating warm malaria, gu poison, and acting as a guiding agent to enhance the efficacy of other herbs. Long-term consumption prevents nightmares and sleep disturbances, lightens the body, and leads to immortality. Also known as Mixiang. Grows in the valleys of Yongchang.

This is Qingmuxiang (Aristolochia contorta root). Yongchang no longer offers it as tribute; now it arrives via foreign merchant ships, reportedly from Daqin (Rome). It is effective in treating toxic swellings and eliminating foul qi.

Nowadays, it is primarily used in making blended incense and is not commonly used in medicinal preparations. It is only used in making anti-moth pills and for boiling water for bathing, which is highly beneficial. (*Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 6, *Zhenghe Bencao*, page 160)

Bitter in flavor, cold to very cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats cold-heat sensations between the bones, convulsions and epilepsy, pathogenic factors, reconnects severed injuries, stabilizes the five Zang organs, kills gu poison. Clears latent heat in the stomach, seasonal warm-heat diseases, heat-induced diarrhea and dysentery, removes small intestinal parasites, benefits Liver and Gallbladder Qi, and stops fright and tremors. Long-term consumption enhances intelligence, prevents forgetfulness, lightens the body, and delays aging. Also known as Lingyou. Grows in the valleys of Qu Mountain in Qi and Wanqu. Roots are harvested in February, August, November, and December, and dried in the shade. (*Guanzhong* is its assistant herb; avoid *Fangkui* and *Dihuang*.)

Currently produced in nearby regions, those from Wuxing are superior. The shape resembles Niuxi (Achyranthes root), and the taste is extremely bitter, hence the name "Dan" (Gallbladder/Bile). (*Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 6, *Zhenghe Bencao*, page 163)

(As the Sovereign Herb)

Bitter and sour in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats cold-damp Wei-Bi syndromes (flaccidity and obstruction), limb contracture, knee pain with inability to flex or extend, expels blood stasis and Qi stagnation, treats sores caused by fire-heat toxins, and induces abortion. Treats internal injury leading to Qi deficiency, male genital atrophy/thirst, elderly urinary incontinence, tonifies the Middle Jiao, reconnects severances, fills the marrow, eliminates headache in the brain and lower back/spine pain, treats amenorrhea in women, blood stasis, benefits essence, promotes Yin Qi, and stops premature graying of hair. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging. Also known as Baibei. Grows in the valleys of Henei and Linqu. Roots are harvested in February, August, and October, and dried in the shade. (Avoid *Yinghuo*, *Luying*, *Guijia*; wary of *Baiqian*.)

Those produced in Caizhou, near the main roads, are the largest, longest, softest, and most moist. Its stem has nodes, resembling Niuxi, hence the name. It is said to have male and female varieties; the male variety has purple stems...