Library

Erercao (Flos Petasitis)
Taste: Sour. Nature: Hot. Non-toxic. Found everywhere in suburbs, fields, and by ponds. In spring, seedlings grow over one chi tall; in summer, yellow flowers bloom. The leaves resemble those of Portulaca oleracea (Purslane), being small and fine with slight white hairs. Commonly called Huanghao (Yellow Mugwort), people often harvest it. When pounded into a paste and mixed with rice flour to make food, it is flexible (soft in the middle), aromatic, delicious, and edible. As an ingredient for medicinal preparations, it must be sun-dried before use. Used with Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot Flower) as a guiding herb, it treats cold coughs and phlegm. It particularly expels cold from the lungs and greatly raises lung Qi. Do not take excessively, as it may damage the eyes and cause blindness.

Denglongcao (Herba Petasitidis Japonicae / or similar local species referred to as Lantern Grass)
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Greatly Cold. Non-toxic. Grows everywhere, harvested in August. Flowers, fruits, roots, and stems are all suitable for medicinal use. The plant grows about three to four chi high, with red flowers resembling lanterns, hence its name. It specifically governs heat coughs. This is because bitterness eliminates dryness-heat, and its light nature treats disorders of the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner). Zhu Danxi once said: Denglongcao treats heat-phlegm coughs, while Erercao treats cold-phlegm coughs.

Sanbaicao (Herba Saururi Chinensis)
Taste: Sweet, Pungent. Nature: Cold. Slightly toxic. Originates from Xiangzhou (belonging to Huguang region), growing near pools and marshes. Every early summer month, the tips of the leaves turn half-white like frost. Farmers monitor this to transplant rice fields; when the Sanbai grass blooms, planting occurs. Hence the praise, only the root is used. It promotes urination and defecation, drives out qi stagnation in the feet and knees. Eliminates fullness and palpitations, removes malaria, breaks up hard accumulations and dispels phlegm. Dingzhong (carbuncles and sores) still dissipate, and jiju (accumulations and masses) are especially driven away.

Dengxincao (Caulis Junci)
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Cold. Associated with Metal and Fire. Non-toxic. Grows densely in swampy areas of Jiangnan, with round, slender, straight stems. Often harvested, steamed, and sun-dried. The central white pith is extracted to burn lamps for night illumination. This is called "cooked grass" and is not included in medical prescriptions. It is essential to use raw, peeled material for best results; crushed and decocted into liquid, it is effective. It unblocks yin orifices and promotes urination. Eliminates longbi (difficulty in urination) forming lin syndrome (dysuria), and reduces edema caused by water-dampness. When ground in a mortar with a small amount of Boswellia carterii (Frankincense), the oily lubrication is completely stored in jars. With increased amounts of Borneolum Syntheticum (Bingpian), the dosage does not diminish. Decocting and taking the root yields superior efficacy. Denghua (lamp wick ash/flower) stops infant night crying and can also treat adult Houbi (throat obstruction/swelling). Applied to jinchuang (metal wounds/cuts), it stops bleeding and promotes flesh regeneration.