味苦寒。主心腹邪气，去心腹热邪。五疸，湿热在血中。补中益气，荣家之热清，则
中焦和利。利九窍，诸窍不为邪热所闭。通水道。心气通于小肠。
紫草色紫而走心，心主血，又其性寒，故能治血家之热。
味辛寒。主暴热，得水之气，故能除热。身痒，湿热在皮肤。下水气，萍入水不濡，
故能涤水。胜酒，水气盛则酒气散矣。长须发，益皮毛之血气。主消渴。得水气之助。久服
轻身。亦如萍之轻也。
水萍生于水中，而能出水生，且其叶入水不濡，是其性能敌水者也。故凡水湿之病，皆
能治之。其根不着土，而上浮水面，故又能益皮毛之疾。
味苦微温。主乳妇内衄，清阳明经络湿热之邪。中风余疾，气温体轻，故能散余风。
大腹水肿，身面四肢浮肿，骨节中水，统治内外一切水病。金疮，痈肿疮脓。亦皆湿毒之病
。
泽兰生于水中，而芳香透达，节实茎虚，能于人经络受湿之处分疏通利，无所隔碍。盖
其质阴而气阳，故能行乎人身之阴，而发之于阳也。
味辛寒。主寒热，中风 、痉，惊痫邪气，皆肝气所发之疾。除症坚，瘀血留舍肠
胃，色赤走血，气香能消散也。安五脏，五脏皆血气所留止，血气和则无不利矣。疗痈疮。
清血家之毒火。
牡丹为花中之王，乃木气之最荣泽者，故能舒养肝气，和通经脉，与芍药功颇近。但
芍药微主敛，而牡丹微主散，则以芍药味胜，牡丹气胜。味属阴，而气属阳也。
味苦，性寒。主治心腹部的邪气，清除心腹部由热邪引起的病症。五疸（五种黄疸病），是由于湿热蕴结在血分所致。能补益中焦、益气，当营分之热清除后，中焦脾胃的功能就会调和顺畅。通利九窍（眼、耳、口、鼻等九个孔窍），使各窍道不被邪热闭塞。通调水道，因为心气与小肠相通。
紫草颜色紫红而入心经，心主血脉，加之其性质寒凉，所以能够治疗血分有热的病症。
味辛，性寒。主治突发的高热，因其得水的阴气，所以能清除热邪。身体瘙痒，是湿热郁积在皮肤所致。能下行水气，因为浮萍入水不湿，所以能涤荡水湿。能解酒毒，因为水气旺盛则酒气自然消散。能促进须发生长，补益皮毛的气血。主治消渴（糖尿病类症状），得益于水气的辅助。长期服用能使身体轻便，也如同浮萍一样轻盈。
水萍生长在水中，却能出水生存，且其叶片入水不湿，说明其性能克制水湿。因此，凡是水湿引起的疾病，都能治疗。它的根不着泥土，而是漂浮在水面，所以又能治疗皮毛部位的疾病。
味苦，微温。主治产后妇女的内出血，能清除阳明经络中的湿热邪气。治疗中风后的残余病症，因其气温体轻，所以能疏散残留的风邪。主治大腹水肿，即全身、面部及四肢浮肿，以及骨节间的水液停聚，统管内外各种水湿病证。治疗金疮（金属利器造成的创伤）、痈肿疮疡化脓，这些也都属于湿毒类的疾病。
泽兰生长在水中，但芳香透达，茎节实心而茎干中空，能在人体经络受湿之处进行疏通利导，没有阻碍。大概因为其质地属阴而气味属阳，所以能行于人身之阴分，而发散于阳分。
味辛，性寒。主治寒热往来、中风、痉挛、惊痫等邪气，这些都是肝气失调引发的疾病。消除症坚（腹内结块），瘀血停留于肠胃，因其色赤入血分，气味香窜能消散瘀滞。安定五脏，因为五脏都是气血停留汇聚之处，气血调和则无所不通利。治疗痈疮，清除血分中的毒火。
牡丹是花中之王，是木气中最荣华润泽的，所以能舒展滋养肝气，调和通畅经脉，功效与芍药颇为相近。只是芍药主要偏向收敛，而牡丹主要偏向疏散，这是因为芍药以味为主，牡丹以气为主。味属阴，而气属阳。
Bitter, cold in nature. Primarily treats pathogenic factors in the heart and abdomen, and eliminates heat pathogens from the heart and abdomen. Wujin (Five Jaundices), caused by damp-heat accumulating in the blood level. Tonifies the middle jiao and benefits qi; when the heat in the Ying (Nutritive) level is cleared, the middle jiao becomes harmonious and functional. Benefits the nine orifices, preventing them from being obstructed by pathogenic heat. Promotes the flow of water passages, as Heart Qi connects to the Small Intestine.
Zicao (Arnebiae Radix et Rhizoma) has a purple color and enters the Heart channel. The Heart governs blood, and its nature is cold; therefore, it can treat heat conditions in blood disorders.
Acrid, cold in nature. Primarily treats sudden high fever; having obtained the Yin energy of water, it can eliminate heat. Body itching is due to damp-heat stagnating in the skin. It promotes the downward movement of water qi; since Lemna minor (Shuiping, 浮萍) does not become wet upon entering water, it can cleanse water retention. It overcomes alcohol toxicity; when water qi is abundant, alcohol qi dissipates. It promotes the growth of hair and beard, benefiting the Qi and Blood of the skin and hair. It primarily treats Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting syndrome), aided by the energy of water. Long-term consumption lightens the body, similar to the lightness of Lemna minor.
Lemna minor grows in water but can survive out of water, and its leaves do not get wet when submerged, indicating its ability to counteract water-dampness. Therefore, it can treat all diseases caused by water and dampness. Its roots do not attach to the soil but float on the surface, so it can also treat diseases of the skin and hair.
Bitter, slightly warm in nature. Primarily treats internal bleeding in postpartum women, clearing damp-heat pathogens from the Yangming channels. Treats residual symptoms after stroke; its temperature is warm and its nature is light, so it can disperse lingering wind. Treats abdominal edema, including swelling of the whole body, face, and limbs, as well as water accumulation in the joints, comprehensively managing all internal and external water-dampness diseases. Treats Jin Chuang (metal weapon injuries), carbuncles, swellings, and suppurating sores, which are all diseases of damp-toxin.
Zelan (Euphorbiae Latifoliae Herba) grows in water but has an aromatic penetrating quality. Its nodes are solid while the stem is hollow, allowing it to unblock and promote drainage where dampness affects the meridians without obstruction. Its substance is Yin while its Qi is Yang, so it can circulate through the Yin aspects of the human body and manifest in the Yang aspects.
Acrid, cold in nature. Primarily treats alternating chills and fever, stroke, spasms, and fright epilepsy with pathogenic factors, all of which are diseases emanating from Liver Qi dysfunction. Eliminates Zheng Jian (hard masses); stasis blood lodging in the stomach and intestines is treated because its red color enters the blood level, and its aromatic fragrance can dissipate stagnation. Calms the Five Zang Organs, as they are the resting places of Qi and Blood; when Qi and Blood are harmonious, there is no obstruction. Treats carbuncles and sores by clearing toxic fire from the blood level.
Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) is the king of flowers, possessing the most flourishing and moistening Wood Qi. Therefore, it can soothe and nourish Liver Qi, harmonize and unblock the meridians, with effects quite similar to Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix). However, Shaoyao primarily focuses on astringency, while Mudanpi primarily focuses on dispersion. This is because Shaoyao's flavor is dominant, whereas Mudanpi's Qi is dominant. Flavor belongs to Yin, while Qi belongs to Yang.