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The Shenqu (Divine Leaven) used by the ancients was the same as the Qu (fermented starter) used for brewing wine. Its taste is sweet and acrid, its nature is warm. Its efficacy is specifically directed at resolving food stagnation and guiding it outwards; it moves stagnant Qi in the Spleen and Stomach, disperses Wind-Cold in the Zang-Fu organs, opens the appetite, resolves retained food and phlegm, breaks up accumulations, strengthens the Spleen, warms the Stomach, regulates the Middle Jiao, and directs Qi downward. These are its functions. Later generations chose to prepare it on the day when the "Six Deities" gather, and selected various herbs to symbolize the six deities, hence the name "Shenqu." The older it is, the more effective it becomes, and its efficacy surpasses that of ordinary wine Qu, because it contains additional herbs that resolve phlegm, promote urination, warm the Stomach, and direct Qi downward. It should be stir-fried until fragrant before use. Pregnant women should take it in small amounts, as it can break up accumulations and cause abortion. It is contraindicated in cases of insufficient Yin of the Spleen and excessive Fire of the Stomach, a restriction similar to that of Maiya (Germinated Hordeum Vulgare Fructus).

Shenqu directs Qi downward and regulates the Middle Jiao, stops diarrhea, opens the appetite, resolves food stagnation and phlegm. It is indicated for hardness and fullness in the chest and abdomen, dysentery with red and white discharge, fetal restlessness in pregnant women, and cessation of lactation after childbirth. The meaning of "Six Deities" is profound: the Spleen governs the Central Region (Zhongzhou); once injured, the Six Exogenous Pathogens (Wind, Cold, Summer-Heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) can all invade and cause disease.

Indications (referencing combined analysis of Smallpox and Rashes): Old Shenqu should be used, stir-fried until yellow. It opens the appetite, promotes eating, regulates the Middle Jiao, directs Qi downward, resolves food stagnation, and strengthens the Spleen. It can be used for diarrhea and fullness/stagnation in the Middle Jiao. However, it is contraindicated for fullness caused by toxin from smallpox/rashes.

Method for preparing Shenqu: On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, take 100 jin of white flour to symbolize Baihu (White Tiger); 3 jin of Xianxiancao juice (Ageratum conyzoides juice) to symbolize Gouchen; 4 jin of Yeliao juice (Polygonum aviculare juice) to symbolize Tengshe; 3 jin of Qinghao juice (Artemisia annua juice) to symbolize Qinglong; 4 jin of apricot kernels (Xingren), peeled and crushed, along with river water from the North, to symbolize Xuanwu; 3 jin of adzuki beans (Chixiaodou), boiled until soft, to symbolize Zhuque. Mix these six ingredients evenly, press firmly, adding Hengcao juice is even better. Process entirely according to the method of making Qu, allowing it to turn yellow, and hang in a ventilated place for use after one year.

Hongqu (Red Yeast Rice) tastes sweet and warm, is non-toxic. It primarily resolves food stagnation, invigorates blood, strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Stomach, and treats dysentery with red and white discharge, promoting the digestion of food and fluids. Hongqu is made by steaming and fermenting white japonica rice mixed with Qu mother, which is also a remarkable technique. When food and fluids enter the Stomach, they are steamed by the damp-heat of the Middle Jiao, their essence transforms, and turns red, becoming blood. Similarly, white rice accepts heat and dampness, undergoes fermentation, and turns red. This reflects the subtle mysteries of natural creation. Therefore, Hongqu's efficacy in treating the Ying-Blood of the Spleen and Stomach follows the principle of "similar energies seeking each other." Its ability to resolve food and strengthen the Spleen/Stomach is the same as Shenqu, but its ability to invigorate blood and heal injuries is unique to Hongqu, making it a crucial herb for treating bloody dysentery. Combined with Xiangjiang (Aquilaria wood), Tongcao (Tetrapanax papyrifer stem), Linli Jia (Manis pentadactyla scale), and Moyao (Myrrha), it treats upper body internal injuries, pain in the chest and diaphragm, and hematemesis due to anger; taking it with fresh urine yields miraculous results. Combined with Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Baibaidou (Phaseolus vulgaris seed), Lianrou (Nelumbinis Semen), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gange (Puerariae Radix), Wumei (Mume Fructus), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Huashi (Talcum), and Juhong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum), it treats lower jiao stagnation with divine efficacy. Combined with Xuduan (Dipsaci Radix), Xiangjiang, Yuanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Tongcao, Honghua (Carthami Flos), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Moyao, and Rushxiang (Boswelliae Resina), it treats pain due to blood stasis from internal injury. Combined with Zelan (Lycopus lucidus herba), Niuxi, Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Xuduan, Puhuang (Typhae Pollen), and Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), it treats prolonged lochia and abdominal pain after childbirth. Qingliu Wan is made by adding five qian of stir-fried Hongqu to Liuyi San (Six-to-One Powder), grinding into powder, mixing with steamed dough pills, shaping them like wu zi (size of a Chinese quince seed), taking 60-70 pills per dose with warm water, three times daily, to treat damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery. Mixed in equal parts with Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) and Rushxiang, ground into powder, and taken with wine, it treats heart and abdominal pain.

Hongqu is red in color and has the property of lubricating blood. Note that it also treats bloody dysentery. Regarding its role in transforming grain, the principle lies in this: food enters the Stomach, its essence flows freely, and it turns red daily, becoming Ying-Blood. The image of Hongqu matches this, following the principle of similar energies combining; thus, it can invigorate blood and transform grain without having a harsh draining or consuming effect.

Indications (referencing combined analysis of Smallpox and Rashes): It can be used in formulas that support the eruption of rashes/pustules, utilizing its power to invigorate blood and regulate the Middle Jiao.