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[Jing Sanleng from Zizhou]
Taste: bitter, pungent. Nature: neutral. Category: Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. Grows in the ponds and marshes of Jingxiang; roots are harvested near the Frost Descent solar term. Shape resembles a crucian carp; those that are yellowish-white and heavy in weight are of superior quality: processed by wrapping in flour and roasting over fire, then stir-fried with vinegar for enhanced efficacy. White color indicates affinity with the Qi level, specifically breaking Qi stagnation within Blood. Thus, it eliminates zheng jia (abdominal masses) and blood clots, while simultaneously driving away pain caused by Qi stagnation and accumulation. Decoctions are contraindicated for deficient patients to avoid damaging true Qi. There are three other varieties; their names are also listed here. Hei Sanleng (Black Samer) is dark like a dried plum, light in texture; after peeling, it resembles curved chicken claws with secondary roots growing on the main root. Shi Sanleng (Stone Samer) is yellow, heavy, and hard as stone. All three resolve accumulated Qi and share similar therapeutic indications.

[Peng Ezhu from Duanzhou]
[Peng Ezhu from Wenzhou]
Taste: bitter, pungent. Nature: warm. Non-toxic. Abundantly produced in various prefectures of Guangnan, or grows in fields and countryside of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Seeds resemble dried mulberries; leaves resemble lotus leaves. Stems are roughly the size of a coin in height; roots are ginger-like and tuberous. Lush roots grow oppositely at the base, varying in size like eggs, not fixed. Harvested in September, processed according to the aforementioned methods. Black color indicates affinity with the Blood level, representing Blood within Qi. Specifically drives out po pi (abdominal masses), stops heart pain, regulates menstruation, and resolves blood stasis. Treats huoluan (cholera-like disorder) and accumulation; regulates evil zhu (malignant pestilence) pathogenic injuries. When combined with Qi-regulating herbs, it enhances aromatic properties; in gynecology, it is truly an essential agent. Pills seek rapid effect; powdered form taken alone with wine.

[Gusuibu from Haizhou]
[Gusuibu from Shuzhou]
Taste: bitter. Nature: warm. Non-toxic. Grows abundantly in shady, moist valleys. Roots attach to trees and rocks with hairs; leaves have two small leaflets attached oppositely. (Each large leaf has small leaflets attached at the margins, jaggedly arranged in pairs.) Does not produce flowers or fruits; turns dry and yellow in winter. For medicinal use, roots are harvested and the hairs are scraped off before use. Repairs fractured bone joints; treats pain caused by Wind-Blood accumulation. Effective in breaking blood stasis and also effective in stopping bleeding. Originally named Gusunjiang (Old Sun Ginger); Emperor Xuanzong of Tang renamed it Gusuibu (Bone Mender) because it was found highly effective in treating fractures.