Library

Experiencing the Qi transformation of spring and summer, and simultaneously inheriting the metallic nature from the earth, its taste is bitter, acrid, and warm, with no toxicity. It enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and concurrently enters the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. The bitter flavor drains downward, the acrid flavor disperses outward, and the warm nature promotes circulation. Since the acrid flavor first enters the Lung, it treats various symptoms of Lung Qi rebellion. Wash with clear water to remove soil, slice, steam with honey, and bake dry.

Zi Wan (Asteris Radix), after steaming with honey and baking dry, combined with Kuan Dong Hua (Flos Farfarae), primarily treats cough with rebellious Qi, phlegm and wheezing, lung abscess with pus and blood expectoration, eliminates phlegm and relieves thirst, treats wheezing, coughing with pus and blood, shi zhu (chronic wasting disease), lao shang (consumptive injury), unblocks and benefits the Small Intestine, can open throat obstruction (hou bi), treats pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, alternating chills and fever, and stagnant Qi. For deficiency and exhaustion, it can dispel gu poison (parasitic toxins) and treat flaccidity syndromes and厥逆 (reversal cold). Still, assist with Bai Bu (Stemonae Radix) and Kuan Dong Hua, ground into powder, taken with Ginger and Smoked Plum Decoction, jointly treating chronic cough, immediately achieving miraculous results (Bai Bu 5 qian, Kuan Dong Hua and Zi Wan each 1 liang, ground into powder; take 3 qian per dose, once after meals and once before sleep).

Note: Zi Wan, bitter and warm to direct Qi downward, acrid and warm to moisten the Lung, is thus classified as a top-grade herb for hemoptysis and consumption. Although the Lung is the highest organ in the body, Zi Wan can also guide Qi downward, allowing Qi transformation to reach the Zhou Du (Bladder), resulting in free urination, which people often do not know. However, its nature is slippery and should not be used for long periods; moreover, being acrid and warm, it is unsuitable for patients with Yin deficiency and Lung heat when used alone. It must be combined with Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber).

Inheriting the Yin-cold Qi of heaven and earth, and simultaneously possessing the nature of Metal and Water, it stands out uniquely amidst ice and snow. Its taste is acrid, sweet, and warm, with no toxicity. It contains Yang within Yin and has a descending action. Acridity can disperse and moisten; sweetness can moderate and harmonize. Moderation allows smooth circulation without stagnation, so it excels at descending and treating cough with rebellious Qi ascending. For all types of cough, regardless of cold, heat, excess, or deficiency, it can be applied.

Kuan Dong Rui (Bud of Flos Farfarae), combined with Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) and Zi Wan, treats lung abscess with pus, blood, foul odor, stops pulmonary cough with thick sticky sputum, moistens the Lung and drains fire pathogenic factors, directs Qi downward to calm wheezing, resolves heart deficiency palpitations, expels pathogenic heat-induced convulsions, tonifies emaciation, removes vexation, cleanses Liver pathogenic factors to brighten the eyes, and further drives away chronic cough. Burning the smoke to inhale is also an excellent method.

Note: Kuan Dong Hua possesses pure Yang nature, hence it blooms brilliantly in winter. Therefore, its therapeutic actions rely on the power of acrid-warmness to open and resolve. Its subtlety lies in being warming without aiding fire. One must use buds that have not yet bloomed, remove the calyx, lightly bake with honey-water to gain clearing and moistening efficacy. However, the world often substitutes it with Pi Pa Hua (Loquat Flower); since the substances differ, their effects naturally diverge.