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Lingxiang (Lysimachia foenum-graecum) retains its fragrance even when completely dried and is highly effective in medicinal preparations. Women soak it in oil for hair decoration, producing an unmatched scent; this plant is indeed the Hui grass (Hui Cao).

Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) utilizes the rhizome. It requires assistance from other herbs as adjuvants or guides to manifest its efficacy, and dosage should be increased. Some people preserve it in honey as a confection or steam/boil it for consumption. Those who use Tianma will understand its principles through deep contemplation. The sprout of Tianma is called Chijian (Arisaema cum Bractea).

Bibo (Piperis Longi Fructus) disperses cold qi in the intestines and stomach, treating vomiting and abdominal fullness with pain. However, excessive intake depletes true qi, causing intestinal emptiness and a sensation of heaviness and bearing down at the anus.

(Purple color), dark black, with four prominent ridges and deeply lobed petals. The current texts refer to this as "prominent ridges and deep lobes," which seems difficult to comprehend. At the end of autumn and beginning of winter, people prepare to enter Dingzhou and Lizhou regions. Its kernel tastes like coconut flesh. The classic does not specify using the kernel but mentions using the peel. Upon analysis, "sweet taste" implies using the fleshy part; however, kernels are hard to obtain as they are extremely small. Current physicians sometimes use the shell along with it.

It is abundant in Lizhou Lu (Administrative Region). The leaves do not wither in winter, yet they differ from Ilex chinensis (Dongqing). The texture is soft and not glossy, the color is not deep green, flowers are fine and fragmented, with dozens of locules forming one flower head; it grows in winter and blooms in spring. This is a woody plant, yet it is currently classified in the Herb section, which may be imperfect.

The benefits and drawbacks of Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) have been detailed in previous texts. Zhang Zhongjing used it to treat heart qi deficiency manifesting as hematemesis and epistaxis. Xiexin Tang (Drain the Heart Decoction) employs Dahuang, Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma). One might ask: Since heart qi is deficient, why use Xiexin Tang instead of a formula to tonify the heart? The answer is: If there were merely heart qi deficiency, hematemesis and epistaxis would not occur. This condition arises because pathogenic heat takes residence due to the deficiency, leading to bleeding. Bitter herbs drain the heat, and simultaneously, the bitter flavor tonifies the heart, achieving a dual benefit. For patients presenting these symptoms, this prescription is invariably effective. Dosage must be adjusted according to the patient's deficiency or excess status.

It treats lung heat, rapid breathing, cough with rebellious qi, lung abscess, and pus discharge. Tao Hongjing stated: In folk prescriptions, this herb is named Jini (Adenophorae Radix). There is another herb also called Jini, known as the one that confuses Ginseng, which is not this Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix). The annotation in Bencao Tujing (Newly Revised Materia Medica) states: "Tao Hongjing citing Jini to confuse Ginseng is erroneous." Upon careful examination, this view is incorrect. Tao Hongjing's intent referred only to the root, hence saying it confuses Ginseng. The Bencao Tujing annotation refutes this based on the sprout, indicating an error in the original annotation.