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Coicis Semen (Yiyiren): Sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature. It primarily treats tendon tension, spasms with inability to flex and extend, wind-dampness bi-syndrome, and descends qi. Long-term consumption lightens the body and benefits qi. Its root expels three types of parasites. Also known as Jielie (解蠡). Grows in marshes, ponds, and fields.

*The Classic of Famous Physicians* records: Also known as Wu (屋), also known as Qishi (起实), also known as Gan (赣). Produced in Zhending. Harvest the seeds in August; harvest the root at any time.

Research: *Shuowen Jiezi* states: "Yi, Coicis seed; alternatively, Yi Ying." Gan is alternatively Coicis seed. *Guaya* states: "Gan is Qishi, the fruit of Coicis." *Wuyue Chunqiu* records: Gun married a daughter of the Youxin clan, named Nuxi. In her prime, before bearing children, she played on Dishan Mountain, picked up a Coicis seed, swallowed it, felt as if influenced by a spirit, and consequently became pregnant. *Book of Later Han · Biography of Ma Yuan* records: While in Jiaozhi, Ma Yuan often consumed Coicis seeds, which enabled him to lighten his body and reduce desires.

Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie): Sweet in taste, cold in nature. It primarily treats wind-cold-dampness bi-syndrome and difficult lactation. It promotes urination to eliminate water retention, nourishes the five zang organs, benefits qi and strength, and makes the body robust. Long-term consumption clarifies the ears and eyes, prevents hunger, extends life, lightens the body, brightens the complexion, and was traditionally believed to enable walking on water. Also known as Shuixie (水泻), also known as Mangyu (芒芋), also known as Hexie (鹄泻). Grows in ponds and marshes.

*The Classic of Famous Physicians* records: Produced in Runan. Harvest the root in the fifth, sixth, and eighth lunar months, and dry it in the shade.

Research: *Shuowen Jiezi* states: "Zexie means water flowing out"; *Erya* states: "Zexie." Guo Pu says: The current Zexie is also called Niufu (牛肤). Guo Pu further says: *Mao Shi Zhuan* states it is Shuixie (water flow), resembling Duanxuan (Achyranthes bidentata), having nodes every inch, and restoring itself when pulled. *Mao Shi* states: "Gathering its Zexie." The *Zhuan* commentary states: "Zexie is Shuixie." Lu Ji says: The current Zexie. Its leaves are as large as those of Plantaginis Seed (Cheqiancao), and its taste is similar; people in Xuzhou and Guangling consume it.

Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi): Bitter in taste, warm in nature. It primarily treats cough with reverse flow of qi, damage to the middle jiao, tonifies deficiencies, eliminates pathogenic factors, unblocks the nine orifices, enhances wisdom, clarifies the ears and eyes, improves memory, strengthens willpower, and increases physical strength. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prevents aging. The leaves are named Xiaocao (Little Grass), also known as Jiwan (棘菀) (Lu Deming's *Erya Yinyi* cites it as Xian), also known as Rao (绕) (*Taiping Yulan* writes it as Yaorao), also known as Xicao (Fine Grass). Grows in mountain valleys.

*The Classic of Famous Physicians* records: Produced in Mount Tai and Yuanju. Harvest the roots and leaves in the fourth lunar month, and dry them in the shade.

Research: *Shuowen Jiezi* states: "Yuanzhi is Jiwan." *Guaya* states: "Wan is Yuanzhi." The aerial part above ground is called Xiaocao. *Erya* states: "Rao is Yuanzhi." Guo Pu says: The current Yuanzhi resembles Mahuang (Ephedra), has red flowers, and sharp yellow leaves.