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[Jin Cao (Arthratherum japonicum)]
Bitter in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats chronic cough with rebellious Qi and wheezing, palpitations caused by long-standing cold, scabies with crusts, alopecia areata, ulcerative skin conditions, and kills small insects on the skin.
It can be used to dye yellow or golden color. Grows in the valleys of Qingyi River. Harvested in September and October. (Averse to Porcellio scaber.)
Tao Hongjing stated: Qingyi is located west of Yizhou. The Commentary on Tang Bencao notes: This herb has leaves resembling bamboo but thinner and finer, and its stems are round and small. It grows beside plains, marshes, and streams. People in Jingxiang boil it to dye cloth yellow, producing a very bright and beautiful color. It is effective for washing sores. Commonly known as Lvru Cao. The *Erya* states: This is what is called Wangchu. Ministers Yu Xi et al. carefully examined the commentary on *Erya*: "Lv" refers to Luru. Now it is called Chijiaosha. The *Book of Songs · Wei Feng* states: "Look at the bend of the Qi River, where green bamboos flourish," referring to this.

[Pu Gong Cao (Taraxaci Herba)]
Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats breast abscesses and swelling in women. Boil in water, drink the juice, and apply externally; it dissipates immediately. Also known as Junou Cao.
The Commentary on Tang Bencao notes: Leaves resemble Sonchus oleraceus, flowers are yellow, white latex exudes when broken, and people eat it. (First attached in Tang Bencao) Ministers Yu Xi et al. carefully examined the Shuben Tujing: Flowers are like chrysanthemums but larger. Stems and leaves exude white latex when broken and are suitable for raw consumption. Grows in plains, marshes, and fields. Harvested in April and May.
The Tujing states: Pu Gong Cao was not previously recorded regarding its place of origin; now it is found everywhere in plains, marshes, and fields. In early spring, shoots emerge; leaves resemble Sonchus oleraceus with fine spines. A single stem emerges from the center, bearing a flower at the tip, yellow like gold coins. When the stem is broken, white latex flows out, and people also consume it. Commonly called Pu Gong Ying. The pronunciation evolved into Pugong KT. Boiling in water and drinking the juice treats female breast abscesses. Crushing and applying externally to sores is also excellent. It also treats thorn prickles and fox urine prickles; take the root, apply the white latex from the stem; frequent application leads to immediate recovery. This prescription comes from Sun Simiao's *Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold*, in whose preface he wrote: On the night of July 15th in the fifth year of Zhenguan, I accidentally touched a tree in the courtyard with the back of my left middle finger. By dawn, I suffered unbearable pain. After ten days, the pain deepened, the sore became higher and swollen, colored like cooked mung beans. Having heard elders discuss this prescription, I followed it for treatment. It healed instantly, pain ceased, and the sore recovered within ten days. Yang Yan's *Nanxing Fang* also records its efficacy.
Meishi Fang treats postpartum inability to breastfeed, where accumulated milk forms an abscess. Take Pu Gong Cao, crush it, and apply to the swelling, changing it three to four times daily.
Yanyi states: Pu Gong Cao is now called Diding. It blooms throughout the year. After flowering, it produces fluff containing seeds, which sprout wherever they fall, hence in courtyards...