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*Genkwa Flos (Yuan Hua)*:
Grows everywhere. Its stems and trunks are not entirely woody, nor are they herbaceous. It is two to three chi high. In the first and second lunar months, old branches sprout new shoots that produce flowers. There are varieties with purple, red, yellow, and white colors. By the third month, after the flowers have completely fallen, the leaves emerge. The leaves resemble those of a willow but are green; as they thicken in color, they turn black. The root bark is yellow, resembling mulberry root bark. Flowers are harvested in the third month, specifically when the leaves are emerging; if the flowers bloom after the leaves have grown, they are unsuitable for use. Leaves are harvested in the fifth month, and roots in the eighth and ninth months. According to *Tu Jing*, *Rauvolfiae Radix* (Raohua) is likely the same as *Genkwa Flos* (Yuan Hua); detailed explanations can be found in *Bencao Gangmu*.

The taste is pungent and bitter, the nature is slightly warm, and it has slight toxicity. Internally, it searches out pathogenic factors in the intestines and stomach; externally, it reaches the pores. *Cassiae Semen* (Juemingzi) serves as its guiding herb (shi). It is incompatible with *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao). It primarily treats coughing and rebellious qi rushing upward.

[Discussion] Genkwa Flos sprouts in spring months, and its flowers function in relation to expectoration or purging, falling throughout spring. It fully inherits the qi of Wind-Wood, thereby applying its efficacy to disorders of fluid metabolism. *Shennong Bencao Jing* initially states... [Note: Original text appears fragmented here regarding "Pungent-Warm qi"...] Haizang (Zhang Yuansu) stated: Water metabolism is governed by the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney meridians, involving the distribution of the twelve meridians within the zang-fu organs. Upward to the head, middle to the limbs, downward to the waist and feet, outward to the skin... only then can it be used.

[Processing] Those stored for several years as aged material are superior. When using, boil in good vinegar for more than ten boils, discard the vinegar, soak in water overnight, and dry in the sun. This reduces toxicity.

*Ricini Semen (Bimazi)*:
Sprouts leaves in summer, produces fine flowers in autumn, and subsequently bears fruit.
The taste is sweet and pungent; it is toxic and hot in nature. It excels at absorbing and drawing out, opening orifices and collaterals. It treats hemiplegia, facial paralysis (deviation of mouth and eyes), aphonia, lockjaw, and wind-headache... The taste is rather... retained placenta remnants... should. (Danxi... external application often yields results... rub several times... overnight... Dantian. Right side. Right side... unbearable... grains, grind into oil... take the oil, make into a wick... remove, otherwise... upper. Insert. ...bearable. Ricini Semen...)

[Discussion] Zhu Danxi considered Ricini Semen to be Yin-natured, primarily responsible for absorbing and extracting tangible stagnant matter. However, observing that its seedlings and leaves flourish in summer and its fruits form in autumn... could it be related to... zang-fu... This substance, when pounded into a paste and applied with a tendon to the root of the tongue of geese, horses, and other livestock, causes them to cease eating; or if applied inside the anus, it causes fatal hemorrhage. Its toxicity is evident. Whenever ingested... thin intestines...

[Processing] Ricini Semen without spines is superior; that with spines is toxic. For use, boil in salt water for half a day, remove the husk to obtain the kernel, and grind for use.