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Qingxiangzi (Celosiae Semen)

Bitter in taste, neutral in qi, slightly cold in nature. Non-toxic. Grown in gardens and orchards, particularly abundant in the Jianghuai region. The stem is upright, resembling Artemisia with a greenish-red hue; leaves are large like willow leaves and soft. Flowers are red on top and white at the bottom, resembling a rooster's comb; (those of the wild celosia that are purely white are superior.) Seeds are black, flat, and glossy, similar in size to Amaranthus seeds. Harvested in the sixth lunar month, primarily used for treating ophthalmic diseases. Clears heat and toxicity from the Liver channel ascending upward, treating Qingmang (blurred vision or blindness) and eye swelling; eliminates fire pathogens from the Heart channel erupting suddenly, treating Chi Zhang (ocular congestion/obstruction) and blurred vision. At the lower part of the body, it strengthens sinews and bones, calms the Liver, benefits brain marrow, and enhances hearing. Stops bleeding from metal wounds and seals epistaxis (nosebleed).

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: The *Shennong Bencao Jing* records its name as "Caojueming" (Grass Cassia Seed), implying that its efficacy is specialized for treating eyes, thus borrowing an alias to praise it; it is not truly Juemingzi (Cassiae Semen). If this were true, why would the original title listed at the beginning of the bamboo slips not be written directly, but instead referred to only as Qingxiangzi? This is just like Shashen (Adenophorae Radix) being another name for Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), and Longyan (Longan Arillus) being another name for Yizhi (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus); names are the same but substances differ. Furthermore, the Juemingzi recorded in other entries has slightly larger granules and superior therapeutic effects. Physicians of the world do not understand this, sometimes adhering rigidly to one view, thereby obtaining one thing while losing another, greatly failing the potential of medicinal flavors. Fortunately, this one is called Caojueming, and that one is called Juemingzi. Although the two names are similar, there is a slight difference in the characters above and below; readers must recognize this distinction.

Muzei (Equiseti Herba)

Sweet and slightly bitter in taste. Non-toxic. The seedling grows over one chi long, with nodes at every inch. Produced in various commanderies of Qin and Long, it remains green and does not wither in winter. In late summer, stems are harvested, and impurities between nodes are rubbed off by hand. It can be decocted into liquid preparations or combined arbitrarily into powders and pills. Benefits the Liver and Gallbladder, reduces sudden onset of corneal opacity (pterygium/leukoma). Eliminates accumulations and masses, stops prolonged dripping of menstruation. It induces sweating easily and is highly effective in dispersing pathogenic factors. Combined with Moschus (Musk) and Cornu Bubali (Water Buffalo Horn), it treats dysentria (chronic intermittent dysentery); combined with Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Danggui Radix (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Yuyuliang (Yutianitum), it treats leukorrhea and metrorrhagia with blood and discharge. Combined with Auricula Judae (Auricularia Auricula-Judae) and Huai'e (likely referring to a specific preparation or herb related to Sophora), it treats intestinal wind with bloody stool. Combined with Huai Zi (Sophorae Japonicae Flos) and Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), it treats hemorrhoids with bleeding.