甘，平。
产远江州者，花绝白茎，高至尺余，最胜他处。
甘、酸，平。六月采，楝青嫩无泥土者，不用洗，摘去黄叶用。
淡，平。蒸熟待干折其瓤，是谓熟草，可然灯，不蒸生剥为生草，可入药。灯心最
以粳米粉浆染过，晒干研末，入水澄之，浮者是灯心也，晒干用。
甘，寒。取肥者去须并赤黄皮用其露出及浮水中者并不堪。
甘、咸，微寒。色白，实重者佳，去毛，酒洗一宿曝干用。畏海蛤、文蛤。
辛，温，山中生水石间，根须络石，略无少泥土者良。露根不可用。十二月采根，
以铜刀刮去毛，微炒用。秦皮、秦艽为使，恶地胆麻黄，忌饴糖、羊肉，犯铁器，令人
菖蒲有数种，生于池泽，蒲叶肥根高三四尺者泥蒲也，名白菖。又有花菖蒲类燕子花，娇艳
可爱，自有数
小者溪荪也，
花成穗者石菖蒲也，惟以此种
四五寸，叶如韭，甚则根长二三分，叶长寸
伤，不可用也。又山中泉石间自有根苗纤细，一寸不啻九节或至
然不必拘也，但当以深山穷谷水碛上生者为佳，人家栽于园亭者不
甘、淡，平。市者多以黄柏末假之，极害人。松黄、黄蒿与之相似，味粗损人，破血
肿生用，补血止血炒用。
辛、酸，寒。拣紫背浮萍以竹筛摊晒，下置水一盆映之，即易干也。
[Shilongruizi (Seeds of Coptis chinensis var. teanifolia)] Bitter, neutral in nature. Acts as a guiding herb with Daji (Knoxia root); adverse to Zhuyu (Cornus fruit) and Shetuipi (Snake skin).
[Shuiping (Duckweed)] Sweet, neutral in nature.
Those produced in Yuanjiang Prefecture have pure white flowers and stems reaching over one chi in height, superior in quality to those from other regions.
[Lianshi (Fruits of Melia azedarach)] Sweet and sour, neutral in nature. Harvested in the sixth lunar month; select tender green fruits free of soil, do not wash, remove yellow leaves before use.
[Dengxincao (Juncus effusus pith)] Tasteless, neutral in nature. Steamed until ripe, dried, and broken to extract the pith is called "cooked grass," suitable for lamp oil; raw peeled pith without steaming is called "raw grass," suitable for medicinal use. The finest Juncus pith is dyed with rice starch paste, dried, ground into powder, suspended in water, clarified, and the floating portion collected and dried for use.
[Baimaogen (Rhizome of Imperata cylindrica)] Sweet, cold in nature. Select plump rhizomes, remove roots and reddish-yellow skin; parts exposed above water or floating are unsuitable.
[Haijinsha (Spores of Lygodium japonicum)] Sweet and salty, slightly cold in nature. White color and heavy weight indicate good quality; remove hairs, soak in wine overnight, then dry in sun. Adverse to Haige (Clam shell) and Wenge (Tegula shell).
[Luoshiteng (Stem and twig of Trachelospermum jasminoides)] Pungent, warm in nature, grows among flowing water and rocks in mountains; roots entangle stones, minimal soil attachment indicates good quality. Exposed roots are unusable. Harvest roots in the twelfth lunar month, scrape off hairs with a copper knife, lightly stir-fry before use. Guided by Qinpi (Phellodendron bark) and Qinjiao (Gentiana macrophylla root); adverse to Didan (Euphorbia humifusa) and Mahuang (Ephedra stem), contraindicated with Yitang (Maltose) and mutton, avoid iron vessels as it causes injury and is unusable.
[Changpu (Rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii)] Several varieties exist, growing in ponds and marshes. Those with thick leaves and roots three to four chi high are Mud Changpu, also known as Bai Changpu. There is also Flower Changpu resembling Swallowwort, delicate and lovely, comprising several subtypes. Smaller ones are Xisun; those with spike-like flowers are Shi Changpu (Acorus tatarinowii), which is the only variety suitable for medicinal use. Its rhizome is four to five cun long, leaves resemble leeks; smaller specimens have rhizomes two to three fen long and leaves one cun long. Naturally growing rhizomes in mountain springs and rocks are slender, often having more than nine nodes per cun, but this should not be rigidly applied; the best are those growing in deep valleys on sandy banks near water. Cultivated plants in gardens are unsuitable.
[Songhuang (Pollen of Pinus massoniana)] Sweet and tasteless, neutral in nature. Market versions are often adulterated with Huangbai (Phellodendron bark) powder, which is harmful. Songhuang and Huanghao (Artemisia annua) are similar but coarse-tasting and damaging to the body. Raw form breaks blood stasis; stir-fried form tonifies blood and stops bleeding.
[Fuping (Herb of Lemna minor)] Pungent and sour, cold in nature. Select purple-backed duckweed, spread on bamboo sieve for drying; place a basin of water underneath to reflect light, facilitating faster drying.