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Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), Gancao (Licorice Root), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) are substances that tonify the Middle Qi (Qi of the Spleen and Stomach). Therefore, for conditions where vomiting has injured the Middle Qi, Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill) is used, which consists of four ingredients: Renshen, Gancao, Ganjiang, and Baizhu. Fuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix, possessing the efficacy of restoring devastated Yang and supplementing fire to assist Yang) is used to assist the generating Qi of the Lower Jiao (Kidney and Mingmen). Thus, for symptoms such as cold extremities and a faint pulse nearly imperceptible, Sini Tang (Reverse the Extremity Decoction) is employed, comprising three ingredients: Fuzi, Ganjiang, and Gancao.

To stimulate the generating Qi of the Lower Jiao, raw Fuzi should be used. To tonify the primal Qi of the Lower Jiao, or in cases of incessant sweating with Yang about to escape externally, cooked Fuzi should be used to secure and tonify the primal Qi. This is because primal Qi originates from the Lower Jiao, passes through the Middle Jiao, and reaches the four limbs. Therefore, when the generating Qi at the Lower Jiao is on the verge of exhaustion, Fuzi from the Lower Jiao must be combined with Gancao and Ganjiang from the Middle Jiao, or supplemented with Renshen and Baizhu. If only the Middle Qi is injured while the generating source of the Lower Jiao remains intact, one should use only Lizhong Wan without the need for Fuzi. Those who fail to investigate the distinction between the properties of herbs affecting the Middle and Lower Jiao, and fail to comprehend the intent of the ancient sages in formulating prescriptions, propose using raw Fuzi paired with Ganjiang, claiming it offers "tonification with dispersion." Others claim that Fuzi is not hot without Ganjiang and becomes mild in nature when combined with Gancao. By treating Jiang (Ginger) and Fu (Fuzi) as similar categories, they confuse later generations, causing significant errors. In situations where the generating Qi at the Lower Jiao is exhausted and urgent warming is required, if one does not use Fuzi but instead tests with Ganjiang, rescue will be impossible! Zhu Danxi of the Yuan Dynasty stated, "I dare not use Fuzi, so I first substitute it with Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig)," which is also a grave error.

In ancient times, medicines were prepared according to the climate governing the year, termed obtaining the essence of Heaven and Earth. When Jun Huo (Monarch Fire) and Xiang Huo (Minister Fire) governed the year, hot-natured herbs like Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), and Fuzi were collected. When Taiyang Han Shui (Taiyang Cold Water) governed the year, cold-natured herbs like Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Lianhua (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) were collected. When Taiyin Tu Qi (Taiyin Earth Qi) governed the year, earth-natured herbs like Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Fuling (Poria), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), and Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma) were collected. When Jueyin Feng Mu (Jueyin Wind-Wood) governed the year, wind-natured herbs like Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), and Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) were collected. When Yangming Zao Jin (Yangming Dryness-Metal) governed the year, dry-natured herbs like Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Sangbai Pi (Mori Cortex), and Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) were collected. Generally, by receiving the Qi of the governing year to assist them, the efficacy of these substances becomes doubly concentrated. In the middle antiquity, since one could not prepare medicines according to the governing year's climate, processing methods were used to substitute for the Qi of Heaven and Earth. For example, processing Fuzi by roasting, and processing Cangzhu and Sangbai Pi by stir-frying, uses fire to enhance heat and stir-frying to enhance dryness. Processing Baizhu by mixing with soil, and processing Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) by soaking in water, both serve to enhance their respective attributes. Recently, some process Fuzi by boiling in water, termed "Yin processing"; stir-fry Cangzhu with sesame seeds and mix Sangbai Pi with honey, termed "moistening dryness"; stir-fry Huangqin and Huanglian with ginger and wine; and make Banxia into pill cakes. These practices stem from hesitation and lack of conviction. As noted, in the formulas of *Shanghan Lun* and *Jingui Yaolue*, Huangqin and Huanglian are all used raw.

In the past, Xu Zhicai, Prime Minister of Qi, discussed herbs, categorizing them into ten types: Xuan (Dispersing), Tong (Unblocking), Bu (Tonifying), Xie (Draining), Qing (Light), Zhong (Heavy), Hua (Slippery), Se (Astringent), Zao (Dry), and Shi (Moist). Wang Andao of the Yuan Dynasty added two more: Han (Cold) and Re (Hot). When cold herbs are indicated, one should specifically select those with cold properties; when hot herbs are indicated, one should specifically select those with hot properties; when astringency is needed, one should specifically select dry herbs; when draining is needed, one should specifically select slippery herbs. If one reverses the nature of the herbs and uses them contrary to their inherent properties, what difference is there from binding someone's hands and feet and forcing them to fight?