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[Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma)]
Taste: bitter, sweet, pungent. Nature: warm. Non-toxic. The bitter and pungent flavors are heavy while the sweet flavor is light; therefore, its efficacy in drying dampness and eliminating pathogens is sufficient, but its merit in tonifying the middle jiao and supporting the spleen is insufficient. It is suitable to soak the whole rhizome in turbid rice-washing water overnight, slice it, dry it in the sun, and stir-fry it until deep yellow.

Cangzhu eliminates phlegm nodules and cyst-like accumulations, relieves a sensation of narrowness in the chest, treats wind affecting the body and face, wind-induced vertigo, and headache. It repels mountainous miasma and pestilential qi, prevents epidemics and seasonal infectious diseases, warms the stomach and calms the fetus, relaxes the middle jiao to promote appetite, expels accumulated gas masses, and stops abdominal distension and pain. Its function of tonifying the spleen and drying dampness is similar to that of Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma); however, Baizhu is primarily tonifying and can also consolidate the exterior to stop sweating, whereas Cangzhu has a pungent and acrid nature and can induce sweating. Baizhu possesses a mild and harmonious nature, directly securing the clear yang and middle qi; Cangzhu tends to be dry and harsh, with functions specialized in drying dampness and dispelling wind. It should not be used by those without dampness, let alone those with dryness syndromes.

Indications (referencing smallpox/variolae): Dries dampness, tonifies the spleen, expels evil qi, relaxes the middle jiao, promotes eating, and warms the stomach. It can be used for varicelliform eruptions presenting as wet ulcers or failing to form scabs. However, its nature is too drying, so it should not be administered in large doses. It is especially contraindicated during the stage of eruption swelling and pus formation. Some burn it to smoke, using it to repel malignant qi; this may be done temporarily but not frequently, due to concerns about its drying nature.

Commentary: Cangzhu is an essential remedy for patients with dampness and phlegm disorders. Its pungent and warm nature dispels pathogens, likely endowing it with the upright qi of heaven and earth. However, it is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with dry stools, thirst, and hyperactive fire.

[Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix)]
Taste: sweet, bitter. Nature: very cold. Non-toxic. It grows from the qi of mid-winter (the eleventh lunar month) and develops yellow roots from the harmonious qi of the earth, which is the proper color of Earth. Sweet flavor enters the spleen, and bitter flavor enters the heart; thus, it enters both the heart and spleen meridians. After steaming and sun-drying until black, its cold nature is reduced, and it specializes in tonifying the essence and blood of the kidney. For individuals with yin deficiency and hyperactive fire accompanied by weak spleen qi, it is suitable to slice the root, soak thoroughly in wine, stir-fry until dry, and then combine it with spleen-tonifying herbs such as Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) to achieve therapeutic success together.

When combined with Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Shengdi enters the heart and kidney meridians. When stir-fried with Jiangzhi (Zingiberis Rhizoma Juice), it does not obstruct thick phlegm in the chest. It mainly treats injuries from overwork causing obstruction of urination and defecation, nourishes yin to subdue yang, clears heat from the heart fire, blood heat, bone-stealing fever, and consumptive fever, soothes five-palm heat, treats hematemesis, epistaxis, blood disorders, eye sores, amenorrhea or menorrhagia in women, bleeding during pregnancy, threatened abortion, and metrorrhagia. It is used when the pulse is surging and hot, except for those with cold in the spleen and stomach, who should use it sparingly.

Indications (referencing smallpox/variolae): Its sweet and cold nature moves blood, nourishes blood, and cools blood. It specifically treats varicelliform eruptions with red-purple discoloration caused by blood heat. Its applications include four aspects: cooling blood heat from heart fire, draining damp-heat from spleen earth, stopping epistaxis, and removing five-palm heat. It must be washed with wine before use. It is suitable for cases where varicelliform eruptions exhibit blood heat and dry, shriveled lesions. However, due to its cold, cooling, and moistening nature, it is contraindicated in those with weak intestines and stomach or deficient spleen qi.