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Caulis Gentianae Gracilis from Xinyang Jun
Caulis Gentianae Gracilis from Xiangzhou
Taste: bitter, astringent. Nature: very cold. The flavor and nature are both light, belonging to Yin. Non-toxic. It grows in mountains and wilds, with seedlings over one chi tall. The leaves resemble those of Solanum nigrum (Dragon Nightshade) but are slightly pointed; the rhizome resembles Achyranthes bidentata (Niuxi) and is extremely bitter, hence the name "Grass Gentian". The roots should be harvested near the winter month, soaked in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Licorice Root) decoction overnight, drained, and sun-dried for use. It acts as an assistant when combined with Cyathulae Radix (Guanzhong). It is incompatible with Cirsii Japonici Radix (Fangkui) and Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang). It stops diarrhea and dysentery, removes small parasites from the intestines, dispels fright and epilepsy, and benefits the Qi of the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. It can eliminate latent heat in the Stomach and the heat of epidemic warm diseases; it can resolve damp swelling in the Lower Jiao and jaundice-induced yellowish swelling caused by alcohol. It treats sudden loss of voice due to external pathogenic factors, and sores/ulcers on the mouth. It combats fright and epilepsy, kills parasites and toxins. When soaked in wine and used as an auxiliary to Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), it ascends to treat redness and pain in the eyes. It must be added to preparations containing Cynomorii Herba (Roucongrou); it is generally used for visual obstructions (cataracts/opacities). Do not take on an empty stomach, as it causes urinary incontinence.

Alisma Rhizoma (Zexie)
Taste: sweet, sour. Nature: cold. The flavor and nature are both dense, sinking and descending, belonging to Yin, with slight Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. Although it grows in the region north of the Huai River, it cannot be used as medicine. Only that produced in Hanzhong can be used to save lives. This is likely because its shape is large and long, with a tail having two branches, which is unique. However, it is prone to worm-eating and rotting, so it must be stored tightly. Processing follows the method of Lei Gong: soak in wine and sun-dry for use. It is inhibited by Meretrix Meretrix (Haige) and Venus Meretrix (Wenge). It enters the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. As the Sovereign herb in Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), its merit lies primarily in promoting water metabolism; as an Assistant herb in Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill), it guides Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) etc. to return to the Kidney meridian. It eliminates sweat from the yin regions and greatly promotes urination; it drains latent water while slightly nourishing new water. Thus, the classics state: it is a sacred drug for removing dampness and stopping thirst, and a divine elixir for unblocking strangury and promoting urination. Long-term use makes the body light; excessive use blurs the vision. Its leaves resemble the shape of the Kidneys, promoting blood vessels and circulation, moving breast milk, and inducing labor; its fruits treat wind-bi syndrome, remove dampness pathogens, strengthen Yin Qi, and benefit the Kidneys. Long-term use may lead to infertility, though the face may become radiant.
(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Although excessive use of Alisma Rhizoma blurs the vision, acute/heavy short-term use can also brighten the eyes. What is the rationale? It is because the salty taste can drain latent water, thereby expelling old accumulated matter retained in the uterus/bladder. Draining latent water and removing stagnation thus brightens the eyes; promoting urination depletes Kidney Qi, thus blurring the eyes. These two aspects must not be ignored.