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Jianghuang (Turmeric):
It inherits the qi of Fire and Metal; therefore, its taste is bitter and pungent, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. It belongs to Yin within Yang and has a descending property. It enters the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. The bitter taste can drain heat, and the pungent taste can dissipate nodules; thus, it is an essential herb for breaking blood stasis and directing Qi downward, serving as a key medicine for both the Blood and Qi levels.
Jianghuang's medicinal nature is more potent than that of Yujin (Curcuma aromatica). It enters the Heart to treat blood disorders and also enters the Spleen, simultaneously regulating Qi and breaking blood stasis, making it the most rapid agent for descending Qi. It treats all types of stagnant Qi, accumulated Qi, masses (Zheng and Jia), blood stasis, amenorrhea, and carbuncles and sores. Its pungent and warm nature can disperse; it specifically regulates blood within Qi, internally harmonizing chest and abdominal fullness, and externally treating arm pain. However, if abdominal or arm pain is caused by Blood deficiency rather than blood stasis stagnation, using this herb will aggravate the condition.

Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix):
It inherits the Yin Qi from the earth and combines with the slight Yang Qi from heaven; therefore, its taste is bitter, sweet, and sour, its nature is slightly cold, and it is non-toxic. Its aroma is light while its flavor is strong; it sinks and descends, belonging to Yin. It enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. It is an essential herb for treating damp-heat in the lower jiao, intestinal wind with bloody stool, blood-heat, bloody dysentery, and pediatric malnutrition dysentery. It is suitable for use after being stir-fried with wine.
Although Diyu can regulate blood disorders, it is primarily used to treat leukorrhea and metrorrhagia in women due to lower jiao pathology, continuous menstruation, pediatric malnutrition dysentery, intestinal wind with rectal bleeding, and hemorrhoidal fistula bleeding. However, for loose stools due to deficiency-cold, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea, it must be strictly contraindicated.

Baihe (Lilii Bulbus):
It inherits the Qi of Earth and Metal, combined with the clear and harmonious Qi of Heaven; therefore, its taste is sweet and neutral, its nature is slightly cold, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, and also the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian.
Baihe nourishes the Zang organs, benefits the will, moistens the Lungs, calms the Heart, dispels palpitations and epidemic febrile diseases, eliminates pathogenic heat and reduces swelling, arrests chronic cough, treats lung abscess/empyema (Fei Wei), stops rhinorrhea and lacrimation, promotes urination and defecation, and possesses functions beyond merely protecting the Lungs. Zhang Zhongjing formulated Baihe Tang to treat Baihe disease (Lily Disease), which further demonstrates its efficacy in calming the Spirit and clearing the Heart.
Note: Individuals with chronic cough inevitably have deficient Lung Qi. Deficiency requires astringency; the sweet astringent property of Baihe is superior to the sour astringent property of Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus). The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states: "Restlessness in walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, as if possessed by spirits, is called Baihe disease." Zhang Zhongjing treated it with Baihe Tang. This illustrates its ability to clear the Heart and calm the Spirit. Long-term consumption brings joy and harmony to the mind and will, but it should not be used by those with loose bowels.