味苦、甘，平，无毒。主治腰背痛强，骨节风寒湿，周痹，恶疮不瘳，热气，伤中恚怒，
阴痿失溺，关节老血，老人五缓。一名赤节。生真定山谷。二月、八月采根，曝干。（薏苡
为之使，畏葵根、大黄、茈胡、牡蛎、前胡。）
今处处有，亦似菝 而小异，根大，不甚有角节，色小浅。（《大观》卷八，《政和》二
一三页）
味甘，平、温，无毒。主治腰背寒痛，风痹，益血气，止小便利。生山野，二月、八月
采根，曝干。
此有三种，大略根苗并相类。菝 茎紫，短小多细刺，小减萆 而色深，人用作饮。（《
大观》卷八，《政和》二一四页）
味苦、甘，平，无毒。主治劳热邪气，五癃闭不通，利小便水道。止烦，下气，通膀胱
满，补五劳，安五脏，去恶风，益精气。一名石 ，一名石皮。用之去黄毛，毛射人肺，令
人咳，不可治。生华阴山谷石上，不闻水及人声者良。二月采叶，阴干。（滑石、杏仁、射
干为之使，得菖蒲良。）
蔓延石上，生叶如皮，故名石韦。今处处有，以不闻水声、人声者为佳。出建平者，叶
长
味辛、甘，平，无毒。主去恶虫，除脾胃寒热，通利九窍、血脉、关节，令人不忘，
治脾疸，常欲眠，心烦，哕出音声，治耳聋，散痈肿诸结不消，及金疮，恶疮，鼠 ，
折， 鼻，息肉，堕胎，去三虫。一名附支，一名丁翁。生石城山谷及山阳。正月采枝，
阴干。
今出近道。绕树藤生，汁白。茎有细孔，两头皆通。含一头吹之，则气出彼头者良。或
云
[Bi Xie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome)]
Taste: bitter, sweet; Nature: neutral; Toxicity: non-toxic. Indications: lower back and back pain with stiffness, wind-cold-dampness in bone joints, generalized bi-syndrome (painful obstruction), malignant sores that do not heal, excess heat, internal injury leading to anger, impotence, and urinary incontinence, old blood stasis in joints, and the five slackening conditions of the elderly. Also known as Chi Jie (Red Joint). Grows in the valleys of Zhending. Roots are harvested in February and August and sun-dried. (Yiyi Ren (Coix Seed) serves as its guiding herb; contraindicated with Kuigen (Sunflower Root), Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), Zihu (Bupleurum Root), Muli (Oyster Shell), and Qianhu (Peucedani Radix).)
Now available everywhere, it resembles Baxianqian (Smilax Glabra Rhizome) but differs slightly; the root is larger, with less distinct angular nodes, and a lighter color. (Da Guan Ben Cao Vol. 8, Zheng He Ben Cao p. 213)
[Tong Cao (Tetrapanacis Medulla)]
Taste: sweet; Nature: neutral, warm; Toxicity: non-toxic. Indications: cold pain in the lower back, wind-bi syndrome, benefits blood and qi, stops frequent urination. Grows in mountains and wilds. Roots are harvested in February and August and sun-dried.
There are three types, generally similar in roots, stems, and leaves. Baxianqian has purple stems, short and small with many fine thorns, slightly smaller than Bi Xie but darker in color; people use it for tea. (Da Guan Ben Cao Vol. 8, Zheng He Ben Cao p. 214)
[Shi Wei (Pyrrosiae Folium)]
Taste: bitter, sweet; Nature: neutral; Toxicity: non-toxic. Indications: labor-heat and pathogenic qi, five types of strangury with blockage, promotes urination via the water passages. Stops thirst and irritability, directs rebellious qi downward, unblocks fullness in the bladder, tonifies the five labors (chronic deficiencies), calms the five zang organs, expels evil wind, and benefits essence and qi. Also known as Shi Ni, also known as Shi Pi. When used, remove the yellow hairs; if hairs penetrate the lungs, they cause coughing which is difficult to treat. Grows on rocks in the valleys of Huayin; those from places where no water sounds or human voices are heard are superior. Leaves are harvested in February and shade-dried. (Huashi (Talcum), Xingren (Apricot Seed), and Shegan (Belamcanda Rhizome) serve as its guiding herbs; works well with Changpu (Acorus Rhizome).)
It creeps over rocks, growing leaves like leather, hence the name Shi Wei. Now available everywhere, those from places without water or human noise are best. Those from Jianping have longer leaves.
[Ji Shi Teng (Caulis Paederiae)]
Taste: pungent, sweet; Nature: neutral; Toxicity: non-toxic. Main actions: expels harmful insects, eliminates cold and heat in the spleen and stomach, unblocks the nine orifices, blood vessels, and joints, prevents forgetfulness, treats pi-jaundice (a type of jaundice), constant drowsiness, heart irritability, hiccups with sound, deafness, dissipates abscesses and various unresolved nodules, treats metal wounds, malignant sores, shu-lou (scrofula/lymphatic tuberculosis), fractures, bi-yan (nasal sinusitis), polyps, induces abortion, and removes the three parasites. Also known as Fu Zhi, also known as Ding Weng. Grows in the valleys of Shicheng and Shanyang. Branches are harvested in January and shade-dried.
Now produced in nearby regions. It grows as a vine wrapping around trees, with white juice. The stem has fine holes open at both ends. If one end is held in the mouth and blown into, and air exits the other end, it is considered superior. Some say