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Taste is sweet, nature is warm, non-toxic. It treats severe wind-pathogenic qi, damp-bi (dampness obstruction syndrome) and cold pain. Long-term consumption makes the body light and extends life, delaying aging. Also known as Dongkui Zi (Winter Okra Seed). Grows in rivers and marshes of Hedong region.

It is no longer used in prescriptions. The so-called "Guhuo Wan" (Solid Life Pill), the term "Guhuo" here refers to Yege (Wild Kadsura). The "Dongkui Zi" mentioned here is not the Dongkui Zi from Abelmoschus manihot (Okra); their therapeutic effects differ.

Taste is bitter, nature is slightly cold, non-toxic. It treats pain under the chest and hypochondrium, pathogenic qi, alternating cold and heat in the intestines, and Yin-bi (obstruction syndrome affecting yin channels). Long-term consumption makes the body light, benefits qi, and delays aging. Grows in rivers and marshes of Hanzhong region. Harvested in May.

It is no longer used in prescriptions, and people in the world do not recognize it. (Xinxiu Bencao p. 365, Daguan Bencao Vol. 30, Zhenghe Bencao p. 546)

Taste is sweet, nature is cold or neutral, slightly toxic. It treats lower-body rising heat, nourishes yin essence, makes the face lustrous and beautiful, and brightens the eyes. Long-term consumption makes the body light and delays aging. It can be used to make steamed wine for patients. Grows in flat marshes of Songgao region. Harvested in February and August.

It is no longer used in prescriptions, and people in the world do not recognize it. (Xinxiu Bencao p. 363, Daguan Bencao Vol. 30, Zhenghe Bencao p. 546)

Taste is bitter, nature is warm, non-toxic. It treats removing cold and heat between bones, promotes stomach qi flow, stops coughing with counterflow qi, and directs qi downward. Grows in valleys of Hejian and Yuanju (Nanyang), or on high embankments in Pingshou and Duxiang; Vitex negundo grows in fields. Fruits are harvested in August and September and dried in shade. (When treated together with Atractylodis Rhizoma, Platycladi Semen, and Celosiae Semen, it treats head wind; Saposhnikoviae Radix acts as its guiding herb; it is incompatible with Gypsum Fibrosum.)

Hejian, Yuanju, and Pingshou are all in the north, while Nanyang is in the west. Regarding Manjing (Vitex trifolia), it should correspond to the vitex used today for making sticks/canes, but the actual morphology does not match. Its seeds are extremely small, just like small hemp seeds, with a greenish-yellow color. However, the fruit of Vitex negundo is of such size. Vitex negundo fruits originate from the north, resembling black beans in size, perfectly round and black. Immortal prescriptions often use Vitex negundo, yet people today do not recognize it. Li Dangzhi's Yaolu annotates under Sousae Fructus: Sousae is also called Yinlu, also called Mouting, also called Kongshu. The bark is white, hollow inside, and has nodes occasionally. The seeds resemble Lycii Fructus (Goji berries), are red, taste sweet and bitter, ripen in winter, yet people in the world do not recognize them. This fruit should be considered the true substance, not the Yanglu found on fences and walls. Examining this description, the therapeutic indications of Sousae are completely different from those of Mouting, and their morphological categories are vastly dissimilar, which likely contradicts reality. Furthermore, immortal prescriptions use Mouting, claiming it can facilitate spiritual communication and seeing ghosts; not only is the fruit good, but the branches and leaves are also beneficial. It is also said that vitex trees have branches growing opposite each other; this is Mouting. If they do not grow oppositely, it is not Mouting. If it were the father plant, it should not produce offspring. In such cases, the truth and falsehood cannot be detailed without further extensive inquiry and verification. (Xinxiu Bencao p. 102, Daguan Bencao Vol. 12, Zhenghe Bencao p. 302)