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Sweet and sour in flavor. Slightly warm in nature. Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats urinary frequency and incontinence. Reduces urination. Moisturizes the skin. Darkens beard and hair. Helps women conceive. Prepared as a paste with honey, it treats deficiency-cold of the Lung Qi.
(From *Bei Yao*)
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. It is a tonifying and astringent substance. (Also has tonifying effects: benefits the Kidneys to secure essence, tonifies Liver deficiency to brighten the eyes.)
[Preliminary Discussion] Kou Zongshi stated: This herb can contract urine; after taking it, one should cover the urinal (to prevent leakage), hence its name. Shicai stated: It strengthens the Kidneys without the bias of dryness and heat.
[Preparation] Lei Gong stated: When using this herb, wash away yellow leaves, skins, and stems. Steam with wine and sun-dry before use.
The above are the Grass Category of Astringent Agents.

Those with an aroma are named Chun (Toona sinensis); those with a foul odor are named Chu (Azadirachta indica or related species). Bitter in flavor. Cold in nature. Non-toxic. Born by inheriting the Yin Qi of the earth. Descending in action. Yin in nature.
[Indications] Primarily treats infantile malnutrition (Gan syndrome). The root bark of Chu is especially effective. (From *Kaibao Bencao*). Kills Gan parasites, roundworms, and scabies. Treats Gui Zhu, Chuan Shi, Gu poison, hematochezia, chronic dysentery with red and white discharge that does not cease. Removes chronic dampness from the Spleen and Stomach.
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. It is a substance for securing the intestines and drying dampness. (Bitter dries dampness, cold overcomes heat, astringent converges.)
[Preliminary Discussion] Zhu Danxi stated: Chun root white bark is cool in nature and can astringe blood. It is suitable for diseases caused by damp-heat. However, if dysenteric stagnation is not yet cleared, do not use it. Meng Shen stated: Fullness of Qi. Ao An noted: Li Shizhen considered Chu bark to have a draining nature, but Chu bark can also stop diarrhea; ultimately, it is an astringent drug.
[Contraindications] Miao Xiyong stated: Those with deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach, and those with metrorrhagia and leukorrhea due to true Yin deficiency of the Kidneys, should avoid it, as it is merely drying. Those with unresolved stagnation and accumulated Qi in dysentery (should also avoid it).
[Preparation] *Bei Yao* stated: When using either of these two barks, select those growing towards the east as superior. Remove the coarse bark. Use after stir-frying with vinegar or honey.

Bitter in flavor. Cold in nature. Non-toxic. Born by inheriting the high-cold Qi of the northwest. Descending in action. Yin in nature. Euphorbiae Radix (Daji) is the guiding drug. Adverse to Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu).
[Indications] Primarily treats Bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness. Expels chilling cold sensations. Clears heat. Treats green nebula and white membrane in the eyes. (From *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*). Treats oligospermia in men and leukorrhea in women.
Decoct in water for external application. (Source unclear, possibly refers to external use method)
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. Also enters the Kidney meridian. It is a converging substance. (Also has tonifying effects: Essential herb for ophthalmology.)
[Preliminary Discussion] Fan Wang stated: The efficacy of Qinpi lies in its ability to clear Liver heat and brighten the eyes. Therefore, it treats eye diseases and convulsions. Due to its astringent and cold nature, it treats metrorrhagia and leukorrhea.