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Gao Ben (Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix) from Ninghua:
Gao Ben (Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix) from Jingzhou:
Taste is pungent and bitter, nature is warm. The qi is strong while the taste is light; it ascends and disperses, belonging to Yang, non-toxic. It is widely produced in Hedong, and also grows in Hangzhou. Harvested in spring, the roots are dried for thirty days to complete processing. Because its root is above and shoots below, resembling grain seedlings, it is named "Gao Ben" (Rhizome). It is incompatible with Ru (likely a textual error or specific taboo, often cited as fearing Qingxiangzi), and fears Qingxiangzi (Celosiae Semen). Its qi and force are vigorous, universally applicable for wind-dampness. It stops headache at the vertex, and disperses cold pathogens in the Taiyang Meridian (Greater Yang Channel). When combined with Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) to make facial grease, or used together with Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) to ward off mist and dampness. It is actually praised as "Guiqing" (Ghost Minister), primarily treating wind pathogens flowing into the four limbs.

Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba):
Taste is pungent and bitter, nature is warm. Both its qi and taste are light; it floats and ascends, belonging to Yang. Non-toxic. Also known as Jisu (Chicken Su), it is cultivated everywhere. The variety from Longnao in Suzhou is considered the best. (Longnao is a place name in Suzhou Prefecture; those planted near the Confucian Temple there have a very fragrant and penetrating aroma, hence the name. Ancient formulas include Longnao Jisu Wan [Dragon Brain Chicken Su Pill], which refers to this.) It is harvested and dried on the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu) in May. It pairs well with Xiebai (Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus); stir-frying it with honey to make candied fruit is even better. It enters the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. It directs qi downward to eliminate distension and fullness, and induces sweating to facilitate joint mobility. It clears heat at the convergence of the Six Yang meridians on the head, and drives out various heat-induced wind. It退 bone-steaming fever, relieves fatigue and weakness, and is good at guiding other herbs into the Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) levels. Due to its nature favoring ascent, it is a particularly important herb for pediatric wind-phlegm. It is contraindicated for patients recovering from acute illness, lest it cause deficiency sweating and loss of Yang. If cats accidentally ingest it, they become instantly dazed and drunk, which is due to mutual interaction between substances.

Xiangru (Moslae Herba):
(Pronounced 'Rou') Taste is pungent, nature is slightly warm, non-toxic. During the Sanfu (Dog Days) period, it can be eaten as a vegetable; it is also commonly planted in the two capitals. For medicinal use to save lives, it can be collected anywhere. Varieties with large leaves are superior, and aged ones act more quickly. It primarily treats colicky pain in the middle jiao caused by Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome), and treats difficult, scanty urination caused by Summerheat injury. It dissipates edema with the effect of clearing both upper and lower parts; when the Lungs receive it, their clearifying and transforming functions operate, and heat naturally drains downward. It removes bad breath with the subtlety of dispelling turbidity and restoring clarity; when the Spleen receives it, stagnant fire descends, and qi does not rebel upward. It resolves heat, eliminates irritability, harmonizes the middle, and warms the Stomach. There is another type called Shixiangru (Rock Mosla), which grows near water and cliffs in Yansheng; its leaves are fine, and its pungent fragrance is even stronger. Nowadays, this type is mostly collected, and its therapeutic efficacy is also excellent.