Inula Flower

original: Xuanfuhua (旋復花). These are the flowers of Inula japonica, known in medicine for treating coughs and reducing phlegm. The name literally translates to "Turning-and-Returning Flower."

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Grass Wormwood

original: Caohao (草蒿). This refers to a specific variety of wormwood, identified here as being synonymous with Sweet Wormwood (Qinghao or Artemisia annua), famously known in modern medicine as the source of the anti-malarial compound artemisinin.

Grass Wormwood is the same as Sweet Wormwood original: Qinghao (青蒿). It grows in the valleys and marshes of Huayin A region in modern-day Shaanxi Province, near the sacred Mount Hua, though today it can be found everywhere. In the spring, it produces sprouts with extremely fine leaves. When the plant is young and tender, people often harvest it to mix with various aromatic vegetables for food. By summer, it reaches a height of four to five feet. After autumn begins, it opens small, pale yellow flowers. Below the flowers, seeds form that are about the size of millet grains. Between the eighth and ninth lunar months, the seeds are harvested and dried in the shade.

The roots, stems, seeds, and leaves are all used for medicinal purposes. When the plant is dried and roasted to make a beverage, its fragrance is exceptionally fine. Sweet Wormwood is also known by the name Square-Collapse original: Fangkui (方潰).

In the preparation of this medicine, one must follow strict rules:

• If using the seeds, do not use the buds original: jiong (莔); likely referring to the immature flower heads or the specific leafy bracts surrounding them.
• If using the leaves, do not use the roots.