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[Anci]
Bitter in taste, slightly cold and slightly warm in nature. Non-toxic. The seedlings resemble Artemisia capillaris (Yinchen) and Artemisia argyi (Ai), growing densely everywhere. Fruits are harvested in the tenth lunar month and dried in the shade. Tinglizi (Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae) and Yiyiren (Semen Coicis) serve as guiding herbs. In the Jiangnan region, people also cultivate this plant to repel snakes. It promotes digestion, brightens the eyes, tonifies Qi, and lightens the body. It primarily treats dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea due to blood stasis in women, and impotence in men. It resolves water retention causing distension, dissipates blood stasis forming abscesses. It treats traumatic injuries and fractures, wind-cold-dampness bi syndrome. It alleviates heaviness and pain in the waist and knees, and soreness in bone joints. Frequent consumption leads to complete recovery and health; long-term use prolongs life and prevents aging.

[Gouji / Cibotium Barometz Rhizome]
Bitter and sweet in taste, neutral in nature, slightly warm. Non-toxic. It grows abundantly in deep valleys and is found everywhere. The rhizome resembles that of a golden-haired dog, hence the name "Dog Ridge"; it must be steamed with wine from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Shen hour (3-5 PM) before being prepared for decoction. It is incompatible with Baidujiang (Patrinia Scabiosifolia Herba) and uses Bibixie (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma) as a guiding herb. It treats stiffness and pain in the lower back, laxity or spasticity of joints. It regulates weakness in the legs and knees, tendon and bone injuries, irregular menstruation due to internal injury in women, and urinary incontinence in the elderly. It can cure generalized bi syndrome caused by cold and dampness.

[Yinchen Hao / Artemisiae Scopariae Herba from Kuanning Prefecture & Jiangzhou]
Bitter and acrid in taste, neutral in nature, slightly cold. Contains slight Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. It is produced everywhere, but those from Mount Tai are considered superior. Its leaves are slender and green like Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), yet differ in having white undersides. After autumn, the leaves fall, but the stems do not wither. In spring, old branches sprout again, hence the name "Yinchen Hao" (referring to its overwintering nature). It enters only the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. It specifically treats jaundice with yellowing of the skin, serving as the sovereign herb in prescriptions. Combined with Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), it differentiates between Yang-heat and Yin-cold patterns. Yang jaundice involves more heat, presenting with either dampness or dryness. For damp jaundice, Zhi Zi Da Huang Tang (Gardenia and Rhubarb Decoction) is added; for dry jaundice, Zhi Zi Ju Pi Tang (Gardenia and Tangerine Peel Decoction) is used. If seedlings suffer waterlogging, it results in damp jaundice; if drought-stricken, dry jaundice. This implies that dampness requires purgation, while dryness requires moistening. Yin jaundice involves more cold and presents as a single pattern; Fuzi must be added for successful formulation. It resolves high fever from Shanghan (Cold Damage), eliminates malarial fevers caused by miasma. It expels wind-heat, moves stagnation to relieve pain, opens the chest to resolve phlegm. Long-term use lightens the body, tonifies Qi, and enhances longevity.