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Amaranth Seed (Xian Shi)
Sweet in taste, cold in nature. Non-toxic. Widely cultivated in gardens, sprouting only in summer. For medicinal use, only the seed is taken. It eliminates pathogenic factors, promotes bowel movements and urination, brightens the eyes, and removes leukoma and amaurosis (vision impairment). It kills roundworms and alleviates alternating chills and fever. The leaves should not be consumed with turtle meat; they also enter the blood level to regulate menstruation. They are particularly effective in dispelling blood stasis and are most rapid in inducing abortion. Pregnant women near delivery may boil and eat them to facilitate labor. Do not consume excessively, as their cold nature may damage the spleen and stomach. A variety known as Purslane (Machi Xian) has a slippery nature and is most abundant in the wild; its indications are similar to Amaranth Seed, especially in treating sores. Applied externally, it disperses blood stasis for contusions from beating and draws out the root of carbuncles. (Apply hair combings to the affected area. Another prescription: burn to ash, mix with vinegar residue, moxa first then apply, the root will emerge.) Carbuncles, smallpox, and wind-induced sores are all cured by external application; bites from horses, horse sweat, and toxic exposure from "She Gong" (a mythical creature or environmental toxin) are healed by topical application. There are two types; those with small leaves and mercurial-like deposits at the nodes are superior (large-leaved varieties are inferior). As they absorb excessive Yin qi, if eaten raw, mixing with crushed garlic beforehand is recommended.

Pungent in taste, warm in nature. Slightly toxic. This is pickled mustard greens, commonly planted in winter. Avoid consuming with alcohol or tea; eating raw is best. It promotes Qi circulation in the lower abdomen and clears heat from the limbs. It opens the orifices of the heart, relieves headaches, dissipates sand-rash (miliaria), and aids digestion internally. It benefits the five Zang organs and regulates the intestines. For uneven eruption of chickenpox, decocting it in wine and spraying can help. Excessive consumption may trigger gout and axillary odor; long-term use damages spirit and causes forgetfulness. Consumed with Artemisia selengensis, it causes foul-smelling sweat. Eating the roots may aggravate chronic diseases; seeds boiled into oil can be applied to alopecia.

Water Dropwort (Shui Qin)
Sweet in taste, neutral in nature. Non-toxic. Grows abundantly in ponds and marshes, also known as Shui Ying. Leaves resemble Ligusticum wallichii (Chuan Xiong) and are very fragrant; flowers are white and fruitless. Insects often hide beneath the leaves (invisible to the naked eye). If accidentally ingested, misfortune may follow. When harvesting, do not neglect thorough washing. Pickled, it offers a sweet, refreshing taste; added to wine or sauce, it imparts a fragrant aroma. It tonifies Qi and nourishes essence, promoting robustness and appetite. It relieves thirst and irritability, detoxifies various mineral medicines, protects blood vessels, and reduces edema and acute jaundice. It benefits both large and small intestines and oral health; it stops bloody leukorrhea and metrorrhagia. It can treat sudden high fever in children and clear heat after alcohol consumption in adults. Do not consume with vinegar, as it may damage teeth. Eating it in the eighth lunar month may cause "Jiao Long Jia" (dragon-essence mass); this is because dragon essence enters the water dropwort during that time.