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Artemisia Annua (Caohao) and Artemisia Scoparia (Jiaohao)

Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba) and Baihao (White Mugwort)
(Refers to Qinghao.) Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Non-toxic. Grows everywhere in valleys, rivers, and marshes. Leaves, fruits, roots, and stems are all suitable for medicinal use; harvesting stems and leaves in spring and summer is appropriate. Decocted with children's urine into a paste, it clears bone-steaming tidal fever. Crushed fresh and juice extracted, it treats heart pain and heat-induced jaundice. For polyps, swelling, and carbuncles, burn to ash and apply with thick decoction wash; for diarrhea, dysentery, and "ghost qi" (sudden severe illness), grind into powder and swallow mixed with rice water. In autumn and winter, use the roots and fruits. Fruits must be stir-fried; roots should be chewed/cut into pieces. It cures wind-rash and scabies, stops deficiency-related vexation and night sweats. Opens the stomach, brightens the eyes, expels evil, and kills parasites. Baihao is an alias for Penghao (Mugwort), (similar to Qinghao but with coarse leaves covered in white hairs that feel rough/astringent.) It has tonifying effects; Xiehao resembles Qinghao but is finer and softer, benefiting the intestines and stomach, promoting blood circulation, and effective in replenishing deficiencies. Mubai (Mugwort) leaves treat sores. Mugworts differ slightly from Cirsium japonicum (Xiaoji), promoting downward movement of Qi and breaking blood stasis. Tonghao (Chrysanthemum coronarium) is similar to Chrysanthemum indicum (Huangju), calming the mind and nourishing the spleen. There is also Pedicularis (Maxianhao), whose leaves resemble Leonurus japonicus (Chongwei). Commonly called Huma Chongwei. Annotation by Chen Jiamo: The proverb says, "In March Yinchen, in April Hao." People often recite this, suspecting the two herbs are the same plant, differing only in name due to maturity. However, although the leaves appear similar, they are different species. Caohao leaves are green on both sides and bear flowers and fruits; Yinchen leaves are green on top and white underneath, bearing no flowers or fruits. Moreover, Yinchen does not wither in harsh winter, sprouting new leaves on old stems in spring; because the stem is old and aged, it is named Yinchen (Old Stem). Caohao stems and leaves wither, and can be harvested in March; new shoots do not mature until April. This refers to the timing of harvest, not distinguishing by the maturity of the shoots.

Chanzhou Rhizoma Imperatae (Danzhou Maogen) and Dingzhou Rhizoma Imperatae (Dingzhou Maogen)

Sweet in taste, cold in nature. Non-toxic. Produced everywhere in open fields and plains. Originally used for roofing grass, commonly known as Guoshanlong (Mountain-Crossing Dragon). Harvesting method requires removing the skin; breaking is forbidden to avoid contact with iron tools. Sweet and edible, excellent for treating calculi (shell diseases). Promotes urination to relieve strangury, unblocks obstruction, and expels blood stasis. Clears exogenous heat in the intestines and stomach, stops hematemesis and epistaxis caused by labor injury. Relieves thirst, strengthens sinews, tonifies the middle, and benefits Qi. The young shoots break blood stasis and reduce edema; the flowers stop bleeding and treat metal wounds. There is also Maozhen (Mao bamboo shoot), also known as Maosun, which stops nasal hemorrhage. When applied to undrained swellings/toxins, one application causes drainage through one pore. Old roof thatch soaked in wine and boiled into a thick decoction. If hematemesis or epistaxis occurs, ingestion stops it immediately. Rotten thatch (from old roofs or wall coverings). Mixed with soy sauce and ground, it can be applied to treat eruptive rashes and insect bites. Collect thatch from the four corners of the house; particularly effective for treating epistaxis. Drinking water dripping from thatched roofs is known to counteract the toxicity of mica stone. Also, Shengjian flower (Sheng, pronounced 'jian'), sweet and warm, non-toxic. Also stops hematemesis and epistaxis, and can be applied to moxibustion burns.