Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel): Also known as Shiluo (Dill). Flavor is pungent, nature is slightly warm. It awakens the Spleen and treats hernia, being significantly superior to Da Hui Xiang (Anise). Use after stir-frying with salt water.
Hu Su (Coriander/Cilantro): Nature is sweet and neutral. It broadens the Middle Jiao and disperses stagnation. There are two varieties, yellow and red, with efficacy not greatly differing. Seeds: Treat epidemic dysentery.
Qin Cai (Celery): Nature is sweet and cool. It clears heat and dispels wind, benefiting the teeth and gums as well as the Large and Small Intestines. It can be used as a vegetable; pickle it until cooked and eat with vinegar.
Shui Qin (Water Dropwort): Nature is sweet and neutral. It relieves vexation and dissipates nodules, purges heat and reduces goiter. Used as a vegetable boiled for food, similar to Qin Cai.
Tong Hao (Crown Daisy/Glebionis coronaria): Ancient name Tong Hao. Flavor is sweet and pungent, nature is slightly cool. It resolves phlegm and harmonizes the Stomach, clears the Heart and benefits the Intestines. It is an excellent vegetable.
Bai Cai (Chinese Cabbage): Also known as Song Cai. Nature is sweet and pungent. It relieves vexation and benefits the Intestines. Contraindicated for those with loose stools. Huang Ya Cai (Yellow Sprout Cabbage): Sweet and pleasant, with less risk of causing loose stools. Often used in delicacies.
Bo Cai (Spinach): Spinach. Nature is sweet, warm, and slightly slippery. It stops thirst and moistens dryness, nourishes the Stomach and benefits the Intestines. The roots are also effective. Contraindications are the same as Bai Cai.
Ji Cai (Shepherd's Purse): Nature is sweet and warm. It harmonizes the Middle and benefits the Zang organs. Ash from burning it is good for treating bloody and non-bloody dysentery. Ji Cai Zi (Seeds of Shepherd's Purse): Also known as Xi Li Shi, which is Xi Ming Zi (Thlaspi seeds). Nature is sweet and neutral. Clears heat, dispels wind, and brightens the eyes. Flowers: Also treat bloody and non-bloody dysentery.
Ma Chi Xian (Purslane): Flavor is sweet, cold, and slippery. It opens orifices and promotes fetal delivery, clears heat and treats dysentery. Contraindicated to eat with turtle; pregnant women should avoid it.
Ku Cai (Sonchus oleraceus): Nature is sour and cold. It purges heat and disperses blood stasis, detoxifies and kills parasites. Seeds can brighten the eyes.
Wo Ju (Lactuca sativa): Also known as Bai Ju. Nature is bitter and cold. It unblocks meridians and relieves obstruction, clears heat and benefits the Intestines.
Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion): Nature is bitter and cold. Its efficacy is close to Bai Ju, but it is especially effective in promoting lactation, killing parasites, and resolving snake venom. Seeds: Also promote lactation; use after stir-frying and grinding.
Zi Hua Di Ding (Viola yedoensis): Also known as Huang Hua Di Ding. Flavor is bitter and sweet, nature is cold. It purges heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and treats carbuncles. It is a specialized herb for external surgical application. It can also be used as a guiding drug.
Chao Cai (Vicia sativa): Chao Cai. Nature is pungent and neutral. Benefits the Zang organs and brightens the eyes; clears heat and dispels wind. Commonly named Hua Cao. Hua Cao Zi (Seeds of Vicia sativa): Promotes blood circulation and brightens the eyes. People often falsely call it Sha Li Ren.
Che Qian Cao (Plantago asiatica): Also known as Ma Ti Cao. Nature is sweet, cold, and slippery. It purges heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and treats sores. It is a commonly used food when there is severe toxicity in surgical conditions.
Tu Chuang Cao (Herb for bald sores): Tu Cai. Nature is bitter and cold. Mash and apply to the head to treat bald sores; extract juice to remove dandruff caused by wind.
Hong Cai Tou (Beetroot): Hong Cai Tou. Nature is sweet, bitter, cool, and slippery. It unblocks the Intestines and benefits the Zang organs, clears heat and treats wind disorders. Mash and apply for animal bites. Seeds: Soak in vinegar and rub on the face to remove facial powder residue.