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[Ba Ji Tian (Morinda officinalis)]
Pungent, sweet, slightly warm, non-toxic. It treats severe wind-pathogen diseases, impotence with inability to erect, strengthens the sinews and bones, calms the five zang organs, tonifies the middle jiao, enhances willpower, and benefits qi. It treats wandering wind on the head and face, pulling pain in the lower abdomen and genitalia, directs qi downward, tonifies the five types of deficiency exhaustion, benefits essence, and is beneficial for men. It grows in the valleys of Ba Commandery and Xiapi. The roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the shade. (Rubus chingii serves as an guiding herb; it is incompatible with Chaosheng, Polyporus umbellatus, and Salvia miltiorrhiza.)
Currently, those from Jianping and Yidu are also used. They resemble Peony but are finer, with a red exterior and black interior. When used, they must be crushed and the heartwood removed. (Da Guan Bencao, Vol. 6; Zhenghe Zhenglei Bencao, p. 165)

[Di Yu (Sanguisorba officinalis)]
Pungent, bitter, neutral, toxic. It primarily nourishes Kidney qi, treats internal injury leading to decline of yin qi, benefits the sinews, bones, skin, and hair. It treats weakness of the legs, pathogenic factors in the five zang organs, and clears heat. Women should not take it for a long time, as it may cause thoughts of men. The fruit/seeds: kill gu poison, break up accumulations and masses, and expel wind-bi. Also known as Gui Mu. It grows in the valleys of Huayin. The leaves are harvested in February and April, and the fruits in August, then dried in the shade. (Acanthopanax gracilistylus serves as an guiding herb.)
It is now available in Lujiang and Dongjian, with leaves resembling those of Loquat. Its clinical use is also rare. (Xinxiu Bencao, p. 151; Da Guan Bencao, Vol. 14; Zhenghe Zhenglei Bencao, p. 351)

[Bai Wan (Inula japonica or similar)]
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. It treats aversion to cold caused by wind-cold, cholera-like disorder, diarrhea and dysentery, borborygmus with pain moving unpredictably, convulsions and epilepsy, and various cold-heat disorders. It treats lung injury with cough, counterflow qi, and sweating; chronic cold in the Bladder causing fullness; and illnesses triggered by drinking alcohol or eating at night. Also known as Bai Wan, Zhi Nü Wan, or Yuan. It grows in the river valleys of Hanzhong or on sunny slopes. Harvested in January and February, dried in the shade. (It fears salty substances.)
Recently, medical formulas have ceased using this herb. It is rarely found in markets, nearly becoming extinct. There is another herb called Bai Wan that resembles Zi Wan, which is not an alias for this one. (Da Guan Bencao, Vol. 8; Zhenghe Zhenglei Bencao, p. 237)

[Yu Chi]
Bitter, sweet, sour, slightly cold, non-toxic. It treats breast abscesses in women, seven injuries, twelve types of leukorrhea, stops pain, removes foul flesh, stops sweating, and treats metal-wound injuries. It stops pus and blood, treats various malignant sores and hot sores, resolves alcohol intoxication, eliminates thirst (xiao ke), repairs severed injuries, treats postpartum internal obstruction, and can be made into a plaster for metal wounds. It grows in the valleys of Tongbai and Wanqu. The roots are harvested in February and August and sun-dried. (Hair enhances its efficacy; it is incompatible with Ophiopogon japonicus.)
It is now common in nearby regions. The leaves resemble Elm leaves but are longer, spreading along the ground when young. The flowers and seeds are purple-black like fermented soybeans, hence the name Yu Chi. It has a single straight stem. The roots can also be used to brew wine. Daoists burn it to ash, which can corrode stones. When tea is scarce, the leaves can be used as a beverage, which is also good. (Da Guan Bencao, Vol. 9; Zhenghe Zhenglei Bencao) II