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Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) inherits the metal qi of the earth and combines with the yang qi of heaven; therefore, its flavor is pungent, temperature is warm, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Hand-Yangming, Foot-Yangming, and Foot-Taiyin meridians. It primarily circulates in the Qi level but also enters the Blood level, with ascending and dispersing actions predominating over descending ones, thus belonging to Yang. Its nature is good at expelling wind and can also corrode pus and dry dampness.

Baizhi is a key herb for treating Yangming headache and resolving wind-cold. It stops eye itching and tearing, pain in the supraorbital ridge, toothache, nasal sinusitis (Bi Yuan), leukorrhea (red and white discharge), and blood stasis pain in the heart and abdomen. Externally, it dissipates all types of mastitis and carbuncles; internally, it supports the expulsion of pus from intestinal wind and hemorrhoids/fistulas, drains pus, and promotes flesh regeneration. It is a crucial herb for expelling wind and drying dampness. However, it should be avoided by those with Yin deficiency and hyperactive fire. After the ulceration of carbuncles and sores, the dosage should gradually be reduced.

Main indications (integrated with smallpox/rash diseases): Specifically treats headache during the initial heat stage, smallpox lesions that lack pus and itch, failure to erupt due to deficiency-cold, failure to form scabs, or symptoms of ulceration and pockmarks. However, due to its pungent and drying nature, it is unsuitable during the blood-deficient stage requiring fluid filling (pus formation), except temporarily when itching is severe. It is also used for toxic swellings on hands and feet after smallpox. It is contraindicated in cases of Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire.

Commentary: Baizhi is white in color and pungent in taste, acting on the Hand-Yangming Geng-Metal meridian; its warm nature and thick aroma act on the Foot-Yangming Wu-Earth meridian; its aromatic quality ascends, entering the Hand-Taiyin Xin-Metal meridian. Thus, its therapeutic scope is confined to these three meridians. It works by one means: warming and dispersing cold pathogens in the interstices (Couli); and by another: resolving and supporting the expulsion of accumulated abscesses/swellings. Both utilize its pungent-warm dispersing properties. However, dryness consumes blood, and dispersing damages Qi; therefore, it should not be used by those with Yin deficiency and hyperactive fire.

Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) inherits the clear, ascending Yang qi of heaven and earth. Its flavor is sweet and neutral, its nature is ascending, and it is non-toxic. As the vital Qi ascends, it generates Yin Qi. The sweet flavor represents the harmonious Qi of Earth, corresponding to the Shaoyang energy of spring, combined with slight coldness, thus resolving various toxins. It specifically enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and is a key herb for resolving Yangming warm diseases and heat pathogens. Moreover, its light, clear, ascending, and dispersing nature gives it characteristics similar to wind-dispelling herbs.

Gegen is a medicine for the Foot-Yangming Meridian. It treats exterior syndromes of Shanghan (Cold Damage) by releasing the exterior and relaxing the muscles, eliminates alternating fever and chills in Wenmalaria (Warm Malaria), disperses pain from external rashes, resolves toxicity from Croton seed (Badou) and wild kudzu (Yege), and detoxifies alcohol. It can lift Stomach Qi, clear Stomach heat, and generate fluids, thereby stopping thirst caused by Stomach deficiency. It disperses heat in the muscle layer and various heat toxins, opens the interstices, and induces sweating. It can also generate Yin Qi, disperse stagnant fire, resolve alcohol toxicity, kill multi-drug toxicity, encourage Stomach Qi to ascend, benefit Yang, and generate fluids. For thirst and diarrhea caused by Spleen and Stomach weakness, this herb is indispensable. While most wind-dispelling herbs are drying, Gegen alone can stop thirst precisely because it lifts the sinking Qi of the Stomach, transports it upward to the Lung Metal, and generates Water. Furthermore, if clear Qi sinks below, it causes undigested stool diarrhea (Sunxie); using Gegen to lift the clear Qi of the Yangming meridian stops this. Fresh juice of Gegen is very cold and treats Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) and high fever in Shanghan. The flower resolves alcohol toxicity.

Main indications (integrated with smallpox/rash diseases): Disperses wind-cold, excels at relieving heat in the muscle layer, and stops thirst due to Stomach deficiency. During the initial heat stage, it is used to relax the muscles and support the eruption of smallpox. However, when combined with Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), it is contraindicated for patients with sweating, convulsions/fright, pale lips, or redness at the outer corners of the eyes. Its Qi is light and floating, encouraging Stomach Qi to ascend, generating fluids, and relieving muscle heat, which is truly miraculous. It is strictly contraindicated for those with excessive spontaneous sweating in late summer.

Commentary: The various therapeutic effects of Gegen are focused solely on the Yangming Meridian. If a headache occurs during the initial stage of Taiyang disease without entering the Yangming meridian, it should not be taken immediately, as this would be like inviting thieves into the Yangming territory. Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is a medicine for the Taiyang Meridian and additionally enters the Lung Meridian, where the Lung governs the skin and hair; Gegen is a medicine for the Yangming Meridian and additionally enters the Spleen Meridian, where the Spleen governs the muscles and blood. Although their dispersing functions are similar, the meridians they enter are distinctly different.