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Shanglu from Bingzhou:
Shanglu from Fengxiang:
Taste is pungent, sweet, and sour; temperature is warm. It is toxic. Another name is Zhangliu (Phytolacca acinosa), mostly produced in suburbs and plains. Leaves are long and spreading like ox tongues (pure green color); stems are three chi high and soft/brittle (greenish-red color). In autumn, flowers bloom in clusters, with two colors: red and white. Flowers that are red correspond to red roots; flowers that are white correspond to white roots without difference. White roots enter medicine, specifically for promoting diuresis (promoting water metabolism) and can be decocted according to the syndrome; red roots can communicate with spirits, are highly toxic, and are suitable for external application to reduce swelling. If taken rashly by mistake, it will certainly cause bloody diarrhea and loss of life.

Supplementary explanation:
Roots sometimes resemble human forms with hands and feet, capable of communicating with spirits. Today, practitioners of divination often say: what is called "Zhangliu Spirit" is precisely this plant. It is indeed a herb that communicates with spirits; its flowers are particularly good. If dried in the shade, pounded into powder, and swallowed with water, it can treat human forgetfulness and propensity to make mistakes. After taking it, lying down and thinking about matters at hand, one's heart opens and memories become clear again. It also induces abortion; pregnant women must strictly avoid it.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: White roots treating edema are recorded in various formulas. Some take roots mixed with carp to boil soup; some chop pieces and mix with millet to cook porridge; some crush fresh juice and mix with wine; some combine with other herbs to make pills. Taken on an empty stomach, all can achieve efficacy. Red roots applied externally to reduce swelling also have different methods. For throat bi (obstruction/suffocation due to phlegm-heat or toxin) causing blockage, boil with vinegar and apply externally to the swollen area. For stone abscesses (hard tumors) hard as stone, crush and rub until soft and pus forms. If crushed and mixed with salt, it generally covers the treatment of unnamed swellings and toxins. Ancient praise says: Its taste is sour and pungent, its shape resembles humans, treating edema and reducing swelling externally, its effect is miraculous. These words summarize it completely.

Wangbuliuxing from Chengde Army:
Wangbuliuxing from Jiangning Prefecture:
(i.e., Jianjinhua / Lygodium japonicum or related species depending on context, literally "Cut Gold Flower") Taste is bitter and sweet; temperature is neutral. It belongs to Yin within Yang. It is non-toxic. It is found along roads near Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Stems are green, seven to eight cun long. Leaves are pointed like small spoon beans; flowers open yellow-purple. Seeds are like broomcorn millet, black grains slightly round. Collect roots and stems in March; collect flowers and seeds in May. First sprinkle with wine and steam for one fu (a period of time, approx. 2 hours); then soak in fermented grain water overnight. Dry with low fire, store for use. Mainly treats traumatic injuries, stops bleeding, and relieves pain; treats gynecological conditions, promotes labor, and regulates menstruation. Removes wind-bi (wind-dampness obstruction), wind-jing (wind spasms), internal cold; eliminates breast abscesses, back abscesses, external swellings. Extracts thorns, promotes lactation, stops epistaxis (nosebleed), and dispels irritability.