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[Chrysanthemum]
Taste: Bitter, Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Treats Tou Feng (Head Wind), dizziness, swelling and pain in the head, sensation of eyes protruding, lacrimation, dry and dead skin, aversion to wind, and Bi syndrome due to dampness. Treats lower back pain with wandering sensations, clears heat and irritability in the chest, calms the stomach and intestines, unblocks the five meridians, and harmonizes the four limbs. Long-term consumption promotes the flow of Qi and Blood, lightens the body, resists aging, and prolongs life. Also known as Jie Hua (Joint Flower). Also known as Ri Jing (Sun Essence), Nu Jie (Female Joint), Nu Hua (Female Flower), Nu Jing (Female Stem), Geng Sheng (Reborn), Zhou Ying (Complete Abundance), Fu Yan Nian (Assisting Longevity), and Yin Cheng (Yin Completion). Grows in streams, marshes, and fields of Yongzhou Province. Roots are harvested in the first lunar month, leaves in the third, stems in the fifth, and flowers in the ninth. There are two types of Chrysanthemum: one type has purple stems, a fragrant aroma, and a sweet taste; its leaves can be used for soup and food, which is considered the true variety. The other type has green stems that are large, smells like Mugwort (Ai Ye) or Wormwood (Hao), and tastes bitter. Seeds can be planted to obtain it. There is also White Chrysanthemum, whose stems and leaves are similar, but the flowers are white, harvested in the fifth lunar month. It also treats wind-induced dizziness and prevents hair from turning white. [Immortal's Classic]

[Glycyrrhiza]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Treats cold and heat pathogenic factors affecting the Zang-Fu organs of the five viscera and six bowels, strengthens sinews and bones, promotes muscle growth, increases strength, treats metallic wounds (Jin Chuang), and detoxifies. Warms the Middle Jiao, directs rebellious Qi downward, relieves fullness and irritability, shortness of breath, cough caused by organ injury, thirst, unblocks meridians, promotes the flow of Qi and Blood, resolves toxicity of various herbs, and is called the "Essence of the Nine Soils." It harmonizes seventy-two types of mineral drugs and twelve hundred types of herbal drugs. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life. Also known as Mi Gan (Honey Sweet), Mei Cao (Beautiful Grass), Mi Cao (Honey Grass), and [missing character] Cao. Grows in river valleys, Jisha Mountain, and Shangjun Commandery in Hexi. Roots are harvested on the 'Chu' days (days of purification/cleansing) in the second and eighth lunar months, dried in the sun, and processed over ten days. (Atractylodes, Dried Paraplegia Lacquer, and Sophora Root act as guiding/adjuvant herbs; it is incompatible with Polygala Root, and antagonistic with Euphorbia Lathyris Root, Genkwa Flower, Kansui Root, and Sargassum.) Markets between Hexi and Shangjun no longer interconnect. Currently, it is produced in Shu and Hanzhong, all coming from the Yi tribes of Wenshan. Those with red skin, broken texture, and appearing solid are called Baohan Cao, which is of the best quality. "Baohan" is a place name of the Qiang people. Some are dried by fire roasting, having a loose and spongy texture. Some resemble carp intestines, cut open by knives, losing their quality. There is also Purple Glycyrrhiza found in Qingzhou, which is slender and solid, usable when others are scarce. This herb serves as the master among many medicines; few classical formulas do not use it, just as Agarwood is essential among incenses. "Guo Lao" (State Elder) is a title equivalent to the Emperor's Teacher. Although not the ruler, he is revered by the ruler; thus, he can harmonize herbs and minerals and resolve various toxins.