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Rao Hua (Adonis Flower)

Bitter, acrid, cold or slightly cold, toxic. Mainly treats Shanghan (Cold Damage) and Wen Nue (Warm Malaria), promotes the drainage of water-dampness from the twelve meridians, breaks up accumulations and hard masses (Zheng Jia), clears retained pathogenic factors and food stagnation in the intestines and stomach, dispels cold-heat pathogenic factors, benefits the water passages, and treats cough due to Phlegm-Rheum (Tan Yin). Grows in the valleys of Xianyang and Zhongmu, Henan. Flowers are harvested in June and dried in the shade.

Tao Hongjing stated: Rao Hua from Zhongmu was previously transported down from the Yellow River. Its shape resembles Wuhua (Genkwa Flos) but is extremely fine, with white flowers. Due to recent isolation of transport routes, it has become nearly unobtainable.

The Annotation of Tang Bencao noted: The seedling of this herb resembles Hu Sui (Coriandrum sativum L.), the stem has no thorns, the flowers are small and yellow, harvested in April and May, and bears no resemblance to Wuhua. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to the Shu Ben Tu Jing, recorded: The plant grows about two chi tall, on hilltops; it is now available everywhere, with those from Yongzhou being of good quality. Yao Xing Lun recorded: Rao Hua serves as an assistant drug. It treats rebellious Qi causing cough and shortness of breath, swelling and fullness in the throat, Zhu Qi (infectious diseases) and Gu Du (poisoning), masses caused by Pi Qi (accumulated gas/phlegm), and reduces edema.

Yan Yi stated: Rao Hua is very common in the capital region and Luoyang today. Zhang Zhongjing used Rao Hua in the Shanghan Lun to treat diarrhea because it promotes water metabolism. Once the water is eliminated, the diarrhea stops; this is its rationale. However, when used today, one must exercise judgment to avoid excess or deficiency. It should only be used when the corresponding syndrome is present.

Ya Zi

Bitter, sour, cold, toxic. Mainly treats pathogenic heat and hot pathogens, scabies, itching, malignant sores, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and expels white roundworms. Also known as Ye Lang Ya (Wild Wolf Tooth), Ye Lang Chi, Ye Lang Zi, and Quan Ya. Grows in the valleys of Huainan and Yuanju. Roots are harvested in August and sun-dried. Those that have rotted due to dampness and developed fungal growth are lethal. (Wuyi (Carpesium abrotanoides) acts as its assistant; it is incompatible with Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix) and Zao Ji (Ziziphus spinosa flesh).)

Tao Hongjing stated: It is found everywhere along nearby roads. Its root teeth resemble the teeth of beasts. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to the Shu Ben Tu Jing, recorded: The seedling resembles She Mei (Duchesnea indica) but is denser and larger, with a deep green color. The root sprouts resemble beast teeth. It is now available everywhere. The roots are harvested in February and March and sun-dried. Yao Xing Lun recorded: Ye Lang Ya acts as an assistant drug, is bitter in taste, can treat wind-induced skin itching, kills Ascaris lumbricoides (Cun Bai Chong), and decocted juice can wash malignant sores. Ri Hua Zi stated: It kills all internal parasites, stops bloody and non-bloody dysentery, and is taken as a decoction.

Tu Jing stated: Ya Zi is Ye Lang Ya Zi. It grows in the valleys of Huainan and Yuanju and is now abundant in Jiangdong and Jiangdong prefectures. The seedling resembles She Mei but is denser and larger, with a deep green color. The roots are black like beast teeth, hence the name. Roots are harvested in March and August and sun-dried. Ancient formulas often used it to treat snake venom. The method: Take the single-stemmed Ye Lang Ya, pound it into a paste, mix with lard from the twelfth lunar month, and apply topically for immediate recovery. Yang Yan's Nan Xing Fang stated: Use leaves before June, and roots after June. Chew raw, wrap in wooden leaves, roast over fire until hot, and apply as a compress to the sore; stop when cool. Zhang Zhongjing also used it alone to treat female yin sores.

Sheng Hui Fang: A wash formula for yin sores: Use five liang of finely chopped Ye Lang Ya, boil in five sheng of water until reduced to three sheng, and wash the area while warm. Waitai Miyao: Fan Wang's formula for Ascaris lumbricoides: Five liang of Ye Lang Ya, pounded into powder, formed into pills the size of hemp seeds with honey. Fast overnight, and the next morning swallow one he of the pill with grain water. Take until cured. Another formula for traumatic injuries: Pound fresh stems and leaves of Ye Lang Ya grass and apply as a poultice; it also stops bleeding. Another formula for female yin erosion or ulceration: Cut three liang of Ye Lang Ya, boil in four sheng of water, strain, add vinegar equivalent to one chicken egg. Soak cotton in the decoction and drip onto the affected area four to five times daily until healed. Qianjin Fang: For pediatric yin sores, wash with a strong decoction of Ye Lang Ya grass. To treat She Gong (also known as Shui Nu Zi, likely referring to Schistosomiasis or similar parasitic infection caused by water exposure): Use Ye Lang Ya leaves or winter roots, pound thoroughly, and apply as a poultice.