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Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex) absorbs abundant Yang Qi and dense Metal Qi, thus possessing a pungent and sweet taste, neutral nature, slightly warm property, and non-toxicity. It enters the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and concurrently the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. Its efficacy is specialized in the Liver and Kidney; therefore, its indications are all diseases of the sinews and bones, specifically used for tonifying the Kidney. It is typically stir-fried with light salt water. When combined with herbs that regulate and tonify sinews and bones, it is used raw or stir-fried with wine; when combined with herbs that dispel dampness and remove bi-syndrome, it is stir-fried with ginger and wine. Combined with tonifying herbs, it benefits the Qi and Blood of sinews and bones; combined with wind-dispelling herbs, it removes wind-dampness from sinews and bones. In summary, its indications never depart from sinews and bones.

Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex) benefits the Kidney and replenishes Essence, treats severe lower back and spinal pain with difficulty in extension, tonifies the Middle Jiao and strengthens willpower, stops nocturnal emission and dribbling urine, assists the Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones, eliminates genital itching, removes scrotal dampness, is essential for flaccidity, bi-syndrome, and paralysis/weakness, is effective for foot pain preventing standing/walking, tonifies Kidney Qi, and moistens Liver dryness. Huai Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) primarily governs the lower body's Blood aspect, while Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex) primarily governs the lower body's Qi aspect; thus, they are often used together as complementary agents. Li Dongyuan stated: "Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex) can cause sinews and bones to adhere closely."

Note: Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex) is warm but does not aid fire, allowing for long-term use. Its efficacy specializes in the Kidney and Liver meridians, acting directly on the lower body, specifically the Qi aspect of sinews and bones. Huai Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) acts directly on the lower body's meridian Blood aspect. Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) nourishes the internal Essence and Marrow of the Liver and Kidney sinews and bones. Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix) regulates and tonifies the Qi and Blood between the joints of sinews and bones. Therefore, these herbs are often used together as complementary agents to meet the needs of sinew and bone Qi and Blood, assisting each other to achieve success.

Cypress (Bai Zi) responds to the Autumn season, deeply receiving the most concentrated Metal Qi, remaining evergreen through winter. Its texture is hard and its aroma extremely fragrant; thus, its fruit (Bai Zi Ren) has a sweet taste, neutral nature, and is non-toxic. It enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and also the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. It specifically treats deficiency of both Heart and Kidney. Because its fragrance is pleasing to the Spleen and Stomach, and its moisture is suitable for both Liver and Kidney, the Five Zang Organs are pacified, and Qi and Blood naturally benefit. With damp-bi removed and complexion improved, one can naturally become lighter and prolong life. Cypress Leaf (Ce Bai Ye) tastes bitter, is slightly warm, and non-toxic. It is best harvested from the East in Spring, South in Summer, West in Autumn, and North in Winter. For tonification, it undergoes nine steaming and nine sun-drying processes; for stopping bleeding, it should be charred. Relying on its bitter-warm nature, it excels in dispelling damp-phlegm and bi-syndrome, clearing heat, and stopping bleeding.

Bai Zi Ren (Platycladi Semen) enters the Heart to nourish the Spirit, enters the Liver to stabilize will and nourish Qi and Blood. It eliminates mental confusion and deficiency wasting. It consolidates sweat and sharpens hearing, expels wind-cold-damp bi-syndrome and relieves pain, treats cold Kidney and cold lower back, as well as cold accumulation/pus and retained water in the Bladder, moistens Kidney dryness and bodily dryness, including dry, rough, and lusterless facial skin, heaviness and pain in the lumbar region associated with Bi syndrome affecting multiple joints (Li Jie), promotes sexual function, wards off various pathogens, stops palpitations/fright, and stabilizes the Five Zang Organs. For headache due to wind and vertigo/pain, it can also be decocted and taken. Long-term use moistens the skin, prevents hunger and aging, prolongs life, and lightens the body. However, it should not be used by those with loose bowels. Ce Bai Ye (Cupressi Cacumen) must be harvested according to the season to be effective. It stops hematemesis, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, and dysentery. It is an essential herb for tonifying Yin and a miraculous pill for drying dampness. If decocted with Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), pediatric worm-dysentery is cured immediately. Wine made from its branches/joints treats Li Jie wind-bi syndrome and scabies in humans and animals.

Note: Cypress leaves grow facing west, inheriting the righteous Qi of Dui Metal, which can restrain Liver Wood. Wood governs ascending, Metal governs descending. The coordination of ascending and descending harmonizes the relationship between husband and wife, allowing blood to return to the Liver. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing used it for persistent hematemesis. However, its flavor and qi have no direct affinity with the Blood aspect; it merely relies on Metal Qi to restrain Wood and uses charring to stop red discharge (bleeding). How can it be used to regulate and tonify Qi and Blood, or to nurture spirit?