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Bai Xian (Dictamni Cortex)
Taste: bitter, salty. Nature: cold. Non-toxic. Grows in valleys and mountains; seedlings and stems are over one chi tall. (Young shoots can be eaten as vegetables.) The leaf tips are white, resembling sophora leaves but more abundant; flowers are pale purple (blooming in April), slightly smaller than hibiscus. Roots resemble turnips, with a solid center and white-yellowish bark. Harvest roots and take the bark in February; harvesting too late results in hollow and inferior material. Because it has a smell like mutton, the character "yang" (sheep) is added to its common name. (Commonly called Bai Yang Xian.) Contraindicated with Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Piao Xiao (Cuttlebone), Fu Ling (Poria), and Bi Xie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome). Treats generalized jaundice and damp-bi syndrome, where hands and feet cannot flex or extend. Treats all types of leprosy-like toxic wind sores, causing eyebrows and hair to fall out. Reduces vulvar swelling in women or residual pain after childbirth. Stops pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, as well as dribbling urination and coughing with reverse qi. For epidemic febrile diseases with mania and excessive thirst, decoction and oral administration are particularly suitable. Ge Hong treated rat-fistula with pus by preparing Bai Xian Pi paste; upon vomiting it out, the patient was immediately cured. Li Bingbu treated persistent pulmonary cough by formulating Bai Xian Pi Decoction; upon drinking it, the condition improved immediately.

Wei Xian (Acanthopanacis Senticosi Caulis / or related species depending on interpretation, here translated based on context of 'Mi Xian')
Taste: bitter. Nature: neutral, slightly cold. Non-toxic. Known as Mi Xian (Elk-Forage) in *Su Wen*; southern people call it Wu Feng Cao (Wu Wind Grass). Roots and stems are reddish-black; flowers are pale yellow. Leaves grow in clusters, resembling Perilla with hairs. There are two varieties distinguished by size. The larger is named Da Wu Feng Cao (Large Wu Wind Grass); the smaller is Xiao Wu Feng Cao (Small Wu Wind Grass). When elk are ill, they chew this grass to recover. The name in *Su Wen* originates from this. Produced in Hanzhong valleys and Yuanju Handan. (Belongs to Shaanxi.) Harvest stems and leaves in autumn and shade-dry. Must use Qin Pi (Ash Bark) as an adjuvant. Primarily treats wind-damp bi syndrome causing joint acid pain (li-jie soreness). Treats vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, epilepsy, rat-fistula, and carbuncles/swellings. Clears heat, eliminates flaccidity and cramping, expels water, and dissipates acute masses. Women who take it will have no offspring (sterilizing effect).
(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Among the herbs in *Shennong Bencao Jing*, those with spiritual efficacy number in the thousands. Why are only Mi Xian and Shi Li listed together in *Su Wen* and renowned? Master Hua’s *Du Chao* also discussed this, stating that Shi Li and Mi Xian treat human diseases. Do these two herbs truly possess abilities surpassing others, warranting such verbose praise? It is likely because ancient people valued simplicity, and diseases suffered were mostly excess pathogens. These two herbs specifically attack excess, matching the pathology, thus often effective, leading to their recording. Since the middle ages, people have indulged in wine and lust; diseases affecting the body are mostly deficiency and damage. Medicines should tonify and regulate, making aggressive attacks difficult. Therefore, Ji Shi Cui Jiu (Chicken Excrement Wine) is no longer swallowed. The name Mi Xian is completely unheard of. This is exactly what Mencius meant by "that time was then, this time is now." Otherwise, how could medicines beneficial in the past be detrimental later?