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Endowed with the rushing Yang Qi of Earth, and simultaneously influenced by the harmonious Qi of Spring in its formation, its taste is sweet and neutral, and it is non-toxic. Its Qi is light while its Flavor is strong, representing Yin within Yang.

It enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, as well as the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian; thus, it is a herb for regulating the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, and Kidney meridians. One should select those that are long and slender, with a sweet rather than bitter taste, and a solid center. These are considered superior. They should be washed with wine and dried before use. Do not mistakenly use *Dendrobium nobile* (Muhuo), which has a very bitter taste and damages the body when ingested.

Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), dispels fright and stabilizes the mind, benefits Essence and strengthens Yin, fortifies sinews and bones, tonifies deficiency and emaciation, strengthens the feet and knees, drives out cold-bi obstruction, clears exterior pathogenic heat from the skin, and clears deficient fire in the Stomach. It thickens the intestines and stomach, lightens the body, promotes muscle growth, and directs Qi downward. However, its therapeutic power is shallow and thin; it achieves efficacy only when combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma). Relying on it exclusively yields no rapid effect.

Main Indications (Referencing Smallpox and Rash Conditions): Entering the Stomach, it clears damp-heat, thereby treating Bi syndrome and diarrhea. Entering the Kidney, it strengthens Yin, thereby treating essence depletion and bone pain. Its ability to calm the spirit and stabilize fright is also a manifestation of its heat-clearing and Yin-strengthening power, extending to the Heart. In post-smallpox regulation, this herb is frequently used in prescriptions; it is ultimately an excellent medicine for harmonizing Stomach Qi. Authentic material should be long, yellowish, slender, firm, sweet-tasting, and not bitter. Select fresh specimens, remove branches and nodes, wash with wine, steam, and then use.

Endowed with the supreme Yin Qi of Heaven and Earth, its taste is bitter with a slight sweetness, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. When used in heat-clearing formulas, it should be used raw. When used in Kidney-nourishing formulas, it should be stir-fried with salted wine.

Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), tonifies Kidney Water, drains rootless fire pathogens, reduces edema, and serves as an assistant drug to promote urination. It can eliminate pain below the umbilicus in initial dysentery and remove severe irritability and fever in chronic malaria. It treats consumption fever with sweating (bone-steaming), and addresses transmissible wasting diseases (Chuan Shi Zhu Bing). It moistens dryness and relieves thirst, stops thirst and resolves phlegm, clears Lung Metal and drains fire from above, and moistens Kidney dryness and nourishes Yin from below. It is a Qi-level herb for these three meridians; long-term use is inadvisable as it may cause diarrhea.

Main Indications (Referencing Smallpox and Rash Conditions): Treats surging Yin fire from smallpox toxins, persistent heat syndromes, thirst with a desire to drink cold water, and drains fire from the Qi level. However, rash specialists often use it for smallpox treatment, but it is only suitable for nourishing Yin and retreating Yang during the post-smallpox recovery phase.

Commentary: Zhimu drains excess fire in the Kidney meridian and is suitable only for cases of extreme hyperactive Yang. If used to drain fire in cases of Kidney deficiency, it will further deplete the righteous Qi and exacerbate deficient fire. Moreover, since cold nature damages the Stomach and moistening nature slides the Intestines, its harm to humans is hidden and profound. It is like a petty person who appears compliant and gentle on the surface but brings deep disaster, often without one realizing the error.