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[Mutong]
In ancient times, it was called Tongcao. It inherited the qi of clear autumn and combined with the sweet and bland nature of earth; thus, its taste is pungent, sweet, and bland, its qi is neutral, its flavor is thin, and it is slightly cold in nature. It descends and belongs to yin within yang. It enters the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) and Foot Taiyang (Bladder) meridians, as well as the Hand Shaoyin (Heart) and Hand Taiyang (Small Intestine) meridians. It can assist the descending function of Western autumn qi; therefore, it promotes urination and specifically resolves Qi stagnation.

Mutong has a sweet and bland taste and a light, empty texture. It reaches up to pericardium, descends Heart Fire, clears Lung Heat, drains fire郁结 (stagnant fire) in urine, unblocks water closure in the bladder, eliminates pain from carbuncles and sores, treats lethargy caused by spleen carbuncles, relieves vexation and hiccups, opens deafness, restores voice, unblocks nasal congestion, promotes menstruation and lactation, induces labor and abortion, opens blockages to guide out damp-heat, unblocks joints and blood vessels, opens the nine orifices and five types of strangury. It is a herb for the Pericardium, Small Intestine, and Bladder meridians. Whenever the Lung is affected by heat pathogen, causing the source of Qi transformation to cease and cold water flow to stop, this sweet and bland herb should be used to assist the descending of autumn qi. If Ministerial Fire (Xianghuo) acts as the pathogen, Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome) should be used. However, since Mutong is cold and purgative, it is contraindicated for those with seminal emission, Qi deficiency, internal absence of damp-heat, and pregnant women with deficiency syndromes.

Main Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rash): Promotes urination, drains fire, and unblocks Qi and Blood. For cases of heat closure and obstruction, or Heart Meridian heat accumulation causing palpitations and fright, it drains the pathogenic heat of the Heart Meridian, allowing it to exit via the Bladder, functioning similarly to Dengxincao (Juncus Effusus Pith). In the initial stage of fever, if heat toxin sinks downward causing diarrhea and urinary retention, this herb is used for dredging. If the rash fails to crust over, it is used to facilitate the downward movement of moistening qi from pus and serum. When taken by nursing mothers, it serves as a guiding herb. Regarding post-smallpox carbuncles, the nodes of Mutong are washed with wine, dried, and used to leverage its power to unblock joints and blood vessels.

[Xuanshen]
It primarily inherits the water qi of the North and combines with the harmonious qi of spring Yang; thus, its taste is bitter and salty, slightly cold, and non-toxic. Copper vessels should be avoided. If used in pills, it should be steamed, dried, and roasted in earthenware vessels.

Xuanshen treats bone-steaming consumption, disperses floating fire, nourishes Yin and tonifies the Kidney, clears and benefits the throat, resolves phlegm and stops coughing, and also brightens the eyes. It treats Shanghan (Cold Damage) with body heat and chest/flank fullness, where the patient feels dazed as if unaware of surroundings; it treats Wen Nue (Warm Malaria) with alternating chills and fever and frequent shivering. It treats residual diseases after childbirth in women and bone-steaming infectious wasting disease in men. It drives out firm blood masses in the intestines, dissipates phlegm nodules and carbuncles under the neck, regulates Qi above and below to prevent turbidity, dissipates misty qi in the air, and is most effective for Rootless Fire in the Kidney Meridian. However, while it can temporarily treat excess fire, for consolidating the root and nourishing water, Shu Dihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) is heavier and more suitable than Xuanshen. It is contraindicated for scanty blood causing blurred vision, retained fluid with chills and fever, blood deficiency abdominal pain, and Spleen deficiency diarrhea.

Main Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rash): For early-stage smallpox with abundant heat toxin, it is used to clear and benefit the throat. It is contraindicated for all heat toxin carbuncles, phlegm-heat in the neck, sore and swollen throat, and residual toxins after smallpox are suitable for treatment. However, it is forbidden for Kidney Meridian smallpox and contraindicated for Spleen deficiency.

Commentary: Xuanshen is black in color and salty in taste, so it travels to the Kidney Meridian. Therefore, many people use it to treat Upper Jiao fire syndromes, precisely addressing the concept that "Water cannot overcome Fire," leading to hyperactivity and usurping upward. By strengthening the master of Water (nourishing Kidney Yin), one controls the Solar Flare (hyperactive fire). However, its nature is inherently cold and slippery. It must be steamed and sun-dried to slightly reduce its coldness and should not be used for a long time. It is prohibited for those with diarrhea.