Library

**Huhuanglian (Picrorhizae Rhizoma)**: Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver, Gallbladder, and Stomach meridians. Primarily treats cough due to Shanghan (Cold Damage), fever due to Wen Nue (Warm Malaria), bone-steaming labor heat (chronic consumptive fever), San Xiao (Three Wasting-Thirst syndromes) and five types of hemorrhoids; tonifies the Liver and Gallbladder, clarifies the eyes, stops diarrhea and dysentery, benefits complexion, treats pediatric Jing Qing Huo Luan (convulsions, malnutrition, and cholera-like vomiting/diarrhea), adult Wu Xin Fan Re (five-palm heat), and postpartum deficiency heat with palpitations in women. Adverse interactions occur with Juhua (Chrysanthemi Flos), Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), and Baixianpi (Dictamni Cortex); pork is contraindicated. It resolves Badou (Crotonis Fructus) toxicity. Authentic material yields dust like smoke when broken.
Commentary: Huhuanglian is bitter and cold, capable of draining fire from these three meridians; it is most suitable for children who often present with heat syndromes.

**Zelan (Lycopus Herba)**: Bitter in taste, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Small Intestine meridian. Promotes blood circulation in the Liver and Spleen; treats various diseases before and after childbirth; opens the nine orifices and unblocks Guan Mai (joint pulses). Also primarily treats Tou Feng Mu Tong (head wind and eye pain), epistaxis, and hematemesis. Treats carbuncles and promotes pus discharge; Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) serves as its guiding herb.
Commentary: Zelan can unblock and benefit the Small Intestine, thereby preventing stagnation and obstruction in the Liver and Spleen; thus, it can open the orifices and regulate the blood vessels. It moves blood without causing destructive purgation, nourishing... [text cuts off]
Leigong states: One must distinguish between male and female varieties, as their forms differ. Da Zelan (Large Lycopus) has round leaves and shape; it generates blood, benefits Qi, and harmonizes Ying and Wei; it is used together with Xiao Zelan (Small Lycopus).

**Gouji (Cibotii Rhizoma)**: Bitter and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Kidney and Bladder meridians. Primarily treats Kidney Qi deficiency, Bi syndrome caused by Wind-Cold-Dampness, weakness and soreness of the waist and knees, pain in bone joints, lack of nourishment and moderation in the elderly, and Lin Lu (leukorrhea and urinary disorders) in women. Use after steaming with wine; Bibi (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma) serves as its guiding herb; adverse interaction with Baijiang (Patriniae Herba).
Commentary: Gouji enters the Kidney meridian, hence it primarily treats bone diseases; it enters the Bladder meridian, hence it primarily treats dampness diseases.

**Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba)**: Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Heart meridian. Primarily treats bone-steaming labor heat, deficiency vexation with night sweats, clarifies the eyes, and kills parasites. Soak in child's urine for seven nights, then dry and use.
Commentary: Qinghao is bitter and enters the Heart meridian, thus it drains Bing-Ding (Fire) fire to regulate various diseases.

**Bibo (Piperis Kadsurae Fructus)**: Pungent in taste, greatly warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung, Stomach, Spleen, and Bladder meridians. Primarily warms the middle and directs Qi downward, resolves food stagnation and opens phlegm, treats Yin Shan (Yin hernia), stops Huo Luan (cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea), eliminates chronic diarrhea and dysentery, and treats cold pain in the heart and abdomen. Soak in vinegar overnight, scrape off the epidermal granules until clean, then use.
Commentary: Bibo’s pungency travels to the Lung home; its warmth suits the Spleen and Stomach; it relates to the Bladder and Lung, hence it largely enters these meridians.