味辛甘，性微寒无毒，入诸阴经。主行血养血，安胎利产，消浮肿恶毒疔疮，治头风血
虚目疾，瘾疹发痒，堪作浴汤。子名茺蔚，益精明目，除水气，疗血逆大热，头痛心烦，下
腹中死胎，理产后血胀。
按∶益母本功治血，故入诸阴之经，行血而不伤新血，养血而不滞瘀血，所以为胎产圣
药。又能消疮肿者，取其行血，而且辛甘发散也。
味甘酸咸，性微温无毒，入命门经。兴阳道，益精髓，补劳伤，强筋骨，主男子精泄尿
血，溺有遗沥，女子症痛崩带，宫寒不孕，酒浸一宿，去浮甲，劈破中心，去白膜，蒸半日，
酥炙用。润而肥大者佳。
按∶苁蓉性温，为浊中之浊，故入命门而补火，惟尺脉弱者宜之，相火旺者忌用，多服
令人大便滑。
雷公云∶凡使先须清酒浸一宿，至明，以板刷去上沙土浮甲尽，劈破中心，去白膜一重
，如竹丝草样，是此偏隔人心，前气不散，令人上气不出。凡使先用酒浸并刷净，去蒸，从
午至酉出，又用酥炙佳。
味苦咸，性温无毒，入肾经。补阴虚，固髓，润大便燥结。宜酥炙用。
按∶锁阳咸温，宜入少阴，《本经》不载，丹溪续补，以其固精，故有锁阳之名。主用
与苁蓉相似，老人枯闭，最为要药。大便不实者忌之。
味甘，性寒无毒，入肝膀胱小肠三经。主淋沥癃闭，阴茎肿痛，湿疮泄泻。赤白带浊，
血闭产难。炒细研用，常山为使。根叶主金疮，功用同子。
按∶车前子利水，宜入足太阳；行血，宜入足厥阴。然逐水之剂，多损于目，本草云明
目者，以其清肝热，如釜底抽薪，非因泄水之功也。
[Leonurus Japonicus Herb]
Taste: Acrid, Sweet. Nature: Slightly Cold. Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Enters all Yin meridians. Main actions: Promotes blood circulation and nourishes blood, calms the fetus and facilitates childbirth, reduces edema, treats malignant sores and carbuncles, addresses cephalalgia due to wind-cold, visual disorders due to Blood deficiency, urticaria with itching; suitable for medicinal baths. The seed is named Leonurus Japonicus Seed (Chongwei Zi), which benefits essence and brightens the eyes, removes fluid retention, treats severe heat from rebellious Blood, headache, and restlessness, expels dead fetus in the abdomen, and regulates postpartum abdominal distension due to Blood stasis.
Commentary: The primary function of Leonurus Japonicus Herb is treating Blood disorders; thus, it enters all Yin meridians. It promotes Blood circulation without damaging new Blood, and nourishes Blood without stagnating Stagnant Blood, earning it the title "Holy Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology." Its ability to reduce swelling and sores stems from its Blood-moving action and the dispersing nature of its Acrid and Sweet flavors.
[Cistanche Deserticola Stem]
Taste: Sweet, Sour, Salty. Nature: Slightly Warm. Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Enters the Mingmen (Gate of Life) meridian. Actions: Stimulates sexual potency, benefits essence and marrow, tonifies exhaustion and injuries, strengthens sinews and bones. Indications: Nocturnal emission, hematuria, and dribbling urine in men; mass pain, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea in women; uterine cold causing infertility. Preparation: Soak in wine overnight, remove floating shell-like parts, split the center, remove the white membrane, steam for half a day, then stir-fry with butter. Those that are moist and plump are preferred.
Commentary: Cistanche Deserticola Stem is warm in nature and belongs to the "turbid within turbid," entering Mingmen to tonify Fire. It is suitable only for those with weak Chi pulse (Radial pulse at the deepest level); those with hyperactive Ministerial Fire should avoid it. Excessive consumption causes loose stools.
Lei Gong states: When preparing Cistanche Deserticola Stem, first soak in clear wine overnight. At dawn, use a board brush to remove all sand, soil, and floating shells. Split the center and remove one layer of white membrane resembling bamboo fiber grass. This is because if not removed, it blocks the heart, preventing the anterior Qi from dispersing, leading to inability to exhale properly. For best results, soak in wine, brush clean, steam from Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM) to You hour (5 PM-7 PM), then stir-fry with butter.
[Cynomorium Songaricum Stem]
Taste: Bitter, Salty. Nature: Warm. Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Enters the Kidney meridian. Actions: Tonifies Yin deficiency, secures marrow, moistens dry stool constipation. Preparation: Stir-fry with butter before use.
Commentary: Cynomorium Songaricum Stem is salty and warm, suitable for entering the Shaoyin meridian. It is not recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* but was supplemented by Danxi. Due to its ability to secure essence, it is named "Lock Yang" (Cynomorium). Its main indications are similar to Cistanche Deserticola Stem and it is a crucial medicine for elderly patients with dry impaction. Contraindicated in cases of loose stools.
[Plantago Asiatica Seed]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Cold. Non-toxic. Meridian Tropism: Enters the Liver, Bladder, and Small Intestine meridians. Indications: Stranguria, urinary retention, penile swelling and pain, damp sores, diarrhea, red and white leukorrhea with turbidity, amenorrhea, and difficult labor. Preparation: Stir-fry, grind finely, and use. Use Centaury Herb (Changshan) as an guiding herb. Roots and leaves treat traumatic injuries (Jinchuang), with functions identical to the seeds.
Commentary: Plantago Asiatica Seed promotes diuresis and is suitable for entering the Foot-Taiyang Bladder meridian; it moves Blood and is suitable for entering the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian. However, diuretic agents often damage the eyes. The materia medica states it brightens the eyes because it clears Liver Heat, akin to removing firewood from under the cauldron, rather than due to its diuretic effect.