Library

Qumai (Dianthus superbus)
Taste: bitter, pungent. Nature: cold. Action: descending, slightly yin within yang. Non-toxic. Grows in the valleys of Mount Tai; now found everywhere. Its fruit resembles wheat, hence the name Qumai. Harvested at Start of Autumn, dried in shade with airflow. Incompatible with Piao Xiao (Mantis Egg Case); compatible with Mu (Grass, Peony). It is the sovereign herb for promoting urination and an assistant herb for resolving carbuncles and swelling. It removes nebulae, expels fetuses, unblocks blood stasis, and discharges foreign bodies.

Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla)
Taste: sweet, bland. Nature: neutral. Taste is thin, action: descending, yang containing yin. Non-toxic. Produced in the valleys of Jianghuai, resembling a finger-sized vine stem. Harvested in the first lunar month, dried in shade for medicinal use. Named because its hollow nodes are connected, allowing air to pass through when blown. After peeling and slicing, it clears heat stagnation in the small intestine, unmatched by other herbs; promotes urination in cases of bladder water retention, equal in efficacy to Hupo (Amber). It reduces carbuncle swelling, treats spleen jaundice with somnolence. Relieves irritability and hiccups, opens deafness, restores voice, and unblocks nasal congestion. Promotes menstruation and lactation, induces labor and aborts fetuses. Its fruit resembles a small papaya, named Yanfu (White pulp, black seeds). It also treats regurgitation syndrome and clears heat from the Triple Burner.
The root treats goiter under the neck; juice is often taken in one dose. Another variety has a hollow gourd-like structure, similar to Jengcao (Cyperus rotundus); this is Tongduomu (Acanthopanax gracilistylus), specifically named as such, used after crushing. White, light, and void, it is lovely; female workers often cut it to decorate flowers. Promotes urination to harmonize the yin orifices, reduces swelling to relieve strangury.
Further note by Mo: Tongcao and Tongduomu, according to classics, promote water metabolism primarily benefiting the small intestine, and treat many other conditions. Since they are good medicines, errors should not be propagated. However, contemporary physicians often mistake Tongcao for another type of Mutong, and call Tongduomu "Tongcao." This causes merchants to sell genuine and fake products mixed, misleading many people. They do not know that the names in Bencao have specific meanings. Tongduomu gets its name directly from the gourd-like structure containing the woody core. Tongcao stems are not very long or large, so it is called "grass" (herb). Mutong refers colloquially to grapevine stems, which are large and long, hence the character "wood." Generally, both are "unblocking" due to their hollow nature, and both build efficacy in promoting water and benefiting intestines. However, for treating other conditions, even a hundred Mutong cannot match one Tongcao. How can they be considered equal? Moreover, Mutong is mostly cultivated in gardens, with thin but firm skin, truly being grapevine. Tongcao grows in valleys, with thick and soft skin, truly being Yanfu. Tongduomu is naturally light, void, and white, with bark and wood removed. The three are internally similar but externally different, easily distinguished. Names are correct and logical; how can they be violated? Only due to blind faith in hearsay, without carefully examining the classics' intent. Confusion and inversion occur, unaware of the error. Physician mistakes are tolerable, but patient harm is deeply pitiable.