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[She Mei (Duchesnea indica)]
Nature: Great Cold. Indications: Mainly treats persistent great heat in the chest and abdomen.
Tao Hongjing stated: It is also abundant in gardens and wild fields. The fruit is reddish, extremely resembling strawberries, but inedible; people do not use it as a medicine. It is effective for treating "stream poison" (Shi Du), "shooting worker" (She Gong - a type of toxic aquatic insect), and the great heat caused by Shang Han (Cold Damage).
Chen Yuxi et al., according to the Shu Ben Tu Jing (Illustrated Materia Medica of Shu), recorded: It grows in low and damp places. There are three leaves at the stem tip, yellow flowers, and red fruits resembling Rubus chingii (Fupenzi); when gathered, it resembles Polygonum multiflorum (Baijiang). Roots are harvested in February and August, and fruits in April and May. It is found everywhere.
Rihua Zi stated: Flavor is sweet and sour, nature is cold, and it is slightly toxic. It promotes menstruation, treats carbuncles and swelling, and is applied externally for snake and insect bites.
Shi Liao (Food Therapy) stated: It mainly treats heat qi in the chest and stomach, and conditions resulting from eating food contaminated by snakes. It treats infant lockjaw (Kou Jin); pouring the juice into the mouth can revive even those who appear dead.
Zhou Hou Fang (Essential Prescriptions Kept Up My Sleeve): Treats painful swelling of hands and feet caused by toxic qi attack. Take 3 he of She Mei juice, three times daily. Soak Wumei (Mume Fruit) in water until concentrated, add cliff honey, and drink.
Shang Han Lei Yao (Classified Essentials of Cold Damage): Treats severe heat in epidemic fevers with oral ulcers. Drink natural juice of She Mei; crush and squeeze one dou, decoct to obtain five sheng, and drink slowly in small amounts.
Yan Yi (Supplementary Meanings) stated: She Mei is found everywhere in fields and along roadsides today, growing close to the ground. Leaves resemble Rubus chingii but are smoother, smaller, and slightly wrinkled; flowers are yellow, slightly larger than Tribulus terrestris flowers. In late spring and early summer, it bears red fruits like lychees. Other details are as described in the Classics.

[Jin Xing Cao (Lysionotus pauciflorus)]
Flavor: Bitter. Nature: Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats carbuncles, sores, and toxins; detoxifies sulfur and Dan Shi (mineral drugs); treats back carbuncles and nodules. Decoct leaves and roots in wine and take orally. For those who have taken mineral drugs, this helps expel them completely. It can also be powdered and taken with cold water, or applied topically to back carbuncles and swellings, showing excellent efficacy. Crush roots, soak in oil, and apply to the head to promote hair growth. It is common in southwestern prefectures, with those from Rongzhou being superior. It prefers clean stones in shady areas, bamboo groves without sunlight, under large trees, or on old roofs. This herb has only a single leaf per stem, green in color, one to two chi long. In deep winter cold, yellow star-like spots appear on the back of the leaves, arranged in two opposing rows, golden in color, hence the name Jin Xing Cao. The root is coiled like bamboo rhizomes but finer; when broken, fibrous strands remain, resembling pig or horse bristles. It remains evergreen through winter, with no flowers or fruits. Harvested with roots in May and dried in the wind. (Newly Defined)
Tu Jing (Illustrated Canon) stated: Jin Xing Cao grows in Guan-Shaanxi, Chuan-Shu, and prefectures such as Tan and Wu. Also known as Jin Chuan Cao. Flavor bitter, nature cold, non-toxic. Leaves are green, mostly growing on clean stones in shady places, in bamboo groves with little sun, under large trees, or on old shaded tiled roofs. Initially dark green, leaves are one to two chi long. In deep winter, yellow star-like spots appear on the back, opposite each other, golden in color, hence the name. No flowers or fruits; leaves do not wither in winter. Roots are coiled like bamboo rhizomes but finer, with fibrous strands like pig bristles when broken. Harvested with roots in May and dried. It resolves sulfur and stone toxicity, and treats back carbuncles and nodules. Use half a jin of leaves and chopped roots, decoct in five sheng of wine in a silver vessel to obtain two sheng. Take all at once at dawn (Wu Geng); Dan Shi toxins will be expelled. Powdered form taken with cold water (one cun bi) or applied topically to back sores is also effective. Locals use it, often with verified results. Roots also promote hair growth; crushed and soaked in oil for topical application is good. Southerners often use the powder of this herb: decoct one sheng of water to half a sheng, add half a sheng of wine, boil briefly, and take warm to expel black toxic fluid; repeat if necessary. It can be used for any sore toxin. However, its nature is very cold; if diarrhea occurs after taking it, supplementation therapy is needed to restore balance. Elderly people should not take it casually.
Jing Yan Fang (Experienced Prescriptions): Treats Five Toxins Back Carbuncle. Wash Jin Xing Cao with roots clean, dry over slow fire, weigh four liang, add one qian of raw Gancao (Licorice Root), pulverize, and divide into four doses. For each dose, use more than one sheng of wine, boil three or two boils, then mix with three or two sheng of cold wine, seal in a bottle, and drink occasionally. Avoid raw/cold, greasy, and toxic foods.
Yan Yi (Supplementary Meanings) stated: Jin Xing Cao treats Dan Shi toxicity manifesting on the back, and all kinds of carbuncles and swellings. Each time, use one part root and leaf, decoct in one large cup of wine, and take the juice. It not only expels ingested mineral drugs but also removes toxicity and heals sores. If wine is not desired, take one or two qian of powder mixed with fresh well water, adjusting dosage until effect is achieved.