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[Flavor and Nature] Flavor is pungent and bitter. Nature is cold. Non-toxic. It acquires the yang qi of the earth and simultaneously feels the dryness qi of autumn to grow. It descends. It is yin within yang. It is incompatible with Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) [Note: Original text says "Xi Xin" (Asari Radix), translation adjusted to match original "Xi Xin" -> Asari Radix/Xixin]. It fears Biji Rhizome (Bixie, 萆薢), Nv Kou (Nvkou, 女寇 - likely a textual variant or error for Ligusticum/Walnut/etc., kept as transliteration), and Lu Jian (Halite). It subdues Nux Boracis (Xiaoshi, 硝石).

[Indications] [Han Fangji (Stephania Tetrandra)] Primarily treats wind-cold warm malaria. Heat qi causing various epilepsy syndromes. Eliminates pathogenic factors. Promotes urination and defecation. (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats edema and wind-swelling. Removes bladder... (Original text has gaps/disorder here: "Qu Pangguang Xie. Shi'er Jing." Translated literally: Removes bladder obliquity/slant. Twelve meridians.)

[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Bladder Meridian. It is an agent that dispels wind and promotes water metabolism. (Primary herb of the Taiyang Meridian; essential herb for treating Fengshui [Wind-Edema]; circulates through the twelve meridians; drains damp-heat from the blood aspect of the lower jiao).

[Preliminary Discussion] Zang Qi said. It originates from Hanzhong. The root is large and hollow. The center has flower-like patterns. Those with yellow color are named Han Fangji. Those grown elsewhere are greenish-white and soft. It is a medicine for drying dampness and regulating meridians. Li Dongyuan said. To clear accumulated heat in the bladder, this herb is indispensable. It is truly a celestial medicine that travels through meridians, with no substitute. However, if there is damage from diet and overwork, leading to yin deficiency generating internal heat, and yuan qi and grain food are already depleted, using Fangji to purge stool will severely destroy blood. This is the first reason it cannot be used. If there is excessive thirst with drinking, this indicates heat in the qi aspect of the upper jiao. Percolating and draining should be used, whereas Fangji is a medicine for the blood aspect of the lower jiao. This is the second reason it cannot be used. External injury from wind-cold, where pathogens transmit to the lung meridian qi aspect, causing damp-heat and yellow-red urine, even to the point of obstruction. This is a disease of the qi aspect in the upper jiao; blood aspect medicines are contraindicated. This is the third reason it cannot be used. Only when damp-heat flows into the twelve meridians causing obstruction of the two yin openings (urethra and anus) should it be used cautiously. Zhao Haogu said. Wood... [Text fragment] fen shi re. Miao Zhongchun said. Whenever using Fangji in medicines for damp-heat in the lower part, one must also use Dendrobii Caulis (Shihu, 石斛) and Coicis Semen (Yiren, 薏苡仁) etc. tonifying medicines as assistants, with Fangji as the principal medicine. For those with heel pain, it belongs to kidney deficiency and should not be discussed together with Hongjiaojiao (Hongjiaojiao/Gout/Foot Qi).

[Contraindications] Xue Ji (Author of *Bencao Jing Shu*) said. For those with stomach deficiency and yin deficiency, spontaneous sweating, night sweating, bitter taste in mouth, dry tongue, kidney deficiency with difficult urination, and blood deficiency before and after childbirth. Even if there is damp-heat in the lower jiao, all are contraindicated.

[Processing] Li Shizhen said. When using it, remove the skin, chop/crush, wash with wine, and sun-dry for use.
Above belongs to the Tongji Grass Category.