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Also known as Xianlingpi (Immortals' Spirit Spleen) or Qizhangcao (Cane-Abandoning Grass). Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium Herba) derives its nature from Metal and Earth, and further receives the Yang Qi of Heaven above. Therefore, its taste is Pungent and Sweet, its temperature is Warm, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Jueyin Meridian (Pericardium/Liver) and is a crucial herb for tonifying Mingmen (Gate of Vitality/Kidney Yang); it also enters the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) and Foot Jueyin (Liver) meridians. Its Pungency moistens the Kidney, and its Sweet-Warmness benefits Yang Qi; thus, it primarily treats impotence and the exhaustion of Yang.

Yin Yang Huo strengthens sinews and bones, tonifies the waist and knees, treating men with exhausted Yang who cannot achieve erection, and women with exhausted Yin who cannot conceive. However, the claim that long-term use by men leads to infertility is likely due to excessive Yang leading to excessive sexual desire, thereby depleting Jing (Essence).

Main Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rashes): Treats smallpox cases where Yang Qi is exhausted and fails to rise.

Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitidis Semen) grows by absorbing the transformational heat of the South; therefore, its taste is Pungent and Hot, and it possesses slight toxicity. It primarily directs Qi downward, promotes urination and defecation, reduces edema in the legs, expels parasites, and drives out accumulations. This reveals its harsh, draining power and rapid action. It can only purge the Lung to remove Damp-Heat from the Qi level; thus, diseases in the Lower Jiao Blood level should not be lightly treated with it, lest both Qi and Blood be damaged. Moreover, it is not listed in the divine Shennong Ben Cao Jing but appears in the annotations of *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians). Later sages have earnestly warned that prolonged and heavy use will deplete Yuan Qi (Original Qi).

Qian Niu Zi treats water retention in the Lung causing wheezing, fullness, and swelling; stagnation in the Lower Jiao causing heaviness in the waist and back; wind-type constipation and Qi-type constipation in the Large Intestine; promoting urination and defecation; reducing leg edema; and treating masses, gu-poison, and Damp-Heat. Guided by Qi-invigorating herbs, it enters the Qi level; guided by Blood-invigorating herbs, it enters the Blood level. It severely drains Yuan Qi. Those without fullness or constipation should not use it lightly. Its taste is Pungent and Hot, derived from the Fire transformation of the South, entering the Hand Taiyin Lung, Hand Yangming Large Intestine, and Foot Yangming Stomach meridians, specifically purging Damp-Heat from the Qi level of the Lower Jiao.

Main Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rashes): Select black seeds, stir-fry them, and grind into powder for pills. It is suitable for black-depressed smallpox cases with obstruction of urination and defecation and severe restlessness. It must not be used indiscriminately for other conditions.

Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) is born from the Yin-Cold Qi of Heaven and Earth. Its taste is purely Bitter, its temperature is Cold and sinking, it is purely Yin and non-toxic. Thus, it is a key herb for drying Dampness, clearing Heat, killing parasites, and treating scabies and leprosy.

Ku Shen clears Heat and dispels Dampness, promotes urination, strengthens teeth, treats intestinal wind bleeding, severe pain from hot dysentery, delirium from warm diseases, and critical conditions like heart irritability and chest binding. For red leprosy with eyebrow loss, it has merit in driving out Wind; for jaundice and enuresis, it is effective in draining Water. It eliminates generalized pruritus and rashes, stops sudden acute chest pain, removes carbuncles and scabies mites, breaks up mass formations and stagnant Qi, nourishes Liver Qi, brightens eyes, stops tearing, benefits Kidney Essence, relieves thirst, generates fluids, opens the nine orifices, and unblocks urination and defecation. However, Ku Shen is a harsh, Bitter-Cold, and austere herb. While suitable for treating Damp-Heat, scabies, and leprosy, using it for tonification causes significant harm. It damages the Stomach and cools the Essence; those with Kidney and Liver deficiency-cold should strictly avoid it.

Main Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rashes): Remove skin, cut finely, soak in wine, steam twice, and dry in shade. For smallpox with itching and ulceration resembling leprosy, in patients with intense toxin load and strong constitution, administer as pills. For severe sore throat, use raw, finely ground powder.