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The seedlings resemble *Platycodonis Radix* (Jiegeng, 桔梗). The root resembles *Adenophorae Radix* (Shashen, 沙参). Therefore, dishonest merchants often use it to pass off as *Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma* (Renshen, 人参). It is also known as Xingshen (Apricot Root), which is *Adenophorae Radix* with apricot-like leaves. Another name is Baimian (White Flour). The root and stem are greenish-white in color. The leaves resemble apricot leaves but are smaller, with slightly pointed tips. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are white. At the tips, flowers open with five petals resembling small white bowls; some are also blue-green. The root shape resembles wild carrots and is quite fleshy. The skin color is grayish-black, with white hairs in the center. Some roots have one "lu" (node/rhizome scar), while others have three or four. Roots with a single node are of superior quality.

The root has a sweet flavor and cold nature. It primarily resolves the toxicity of various medicines, kills gu poison (parasitic toxins), treats heat-induced mania and warm febrile diseases, benefits lung qi, harmonizes the middle jiao, brightens the eyes, and relieves pain. It treats xiaodan (wasting-thirst syndrome/diabetes mellitus). Applied externally, it seals ding sores (carbuncles/furuncles) and treats poisoned arrow wounds. It heals snake and insect bites. (Recorded in various Bencao materia medica texts)

Among herbs, only Jiqing (Shepherd's Purse) can resolve multiple toxins simultaneously. Drink two sheng of its thick juice, or boil and chew it. It can also be made into a powder.

Attached Formulas: For ding sores and swelling/toxicity. Crush fresh Jiqing root, take one he of the juice orally, and apply the dregs topically. Not more than three doses are needed for recovery. To resolve various gu poisons. Powder the Jiqing root, take one fangcun bi (a measure roughly equivalent to a tablespoon) with water, and recovery will be immediate. For Qiangzhong syndrome (priapism/abnormal erection), xiaoke (wasting-thirst), where the penis remains erect and vigorous, and semen leaks without intercourse. After xiaoke develops, carbuncles and ulcers may appear. (Caused by excessive sexual desire or ingestion of mineral drugs). Use Jiqing Wan (Shepherd's Purse Pill). Ingredients: Jiqing, Soybean (*Glycine max*), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Shihu (Dendrobium), Cishi (Magnetitum), Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Gualougen (Trichosanthis Radix), Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Lurong (Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum) each 1 liang; Renshen (Ginseng), Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum) each 5 qian. Grind into powder. Clean and boil pork lard until soft, crush and mix to form pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 70 pills per dose, on an empty stomach with salted water. There is also Zhushen Jiqing Tang (Pork Kidney Shepherd's Purse Decoction). Ingredients: One pork kidney, Jiqing and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) each 3 liang; Renshen, Fuling (Poria), Cishi, Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Gualougen, Gancao (Licorice) each 2 liang; Heidoudou (Black Soybean) 1 sheng. Water 1 dou 5 sheng. First boil the pork kidney and soybeans, obtain 1 dou of liquid, remove dregs, add remaining herbs, boil down to 3 sheng, divide into three doses. (Later generations named this Shizi Jiqing Tang).

[Discussion] Jiegeng and Jiqing look similar and are easily confused. However, Jiegeng tastes bitter and acrid, while Jiqing tastes sweet and cold. Distinguishing them by taste makes it clear. Jiqing and Shashen have similar-looking roots at the base, also distinguished by taste. Shashen is sweet, bland, and cold, with some sources stating it is sweet and slightly bitter. If Jiqing root is extremely sweet and capable of resolving toxins, its combination of extreme sweetness and coldness allows it to even better resolve the toxic heat of various medicines. (Since Shashen is sweet and slightly bitter, it cannot resolve all toxins. Therefore, when using Jiqing, one must investigate its morphological similarities and be precise in assessing its taste to avoid errors.)