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Congbai (Scallion White) inherits the Yang Qi of Heaven and acquires the Metal flavor of Earth. Its hollow center resembles the Lung organ. It tastes Pungent and Neutral; "Neutral" here implies a Cool nature, and it is non-toxic. Scallions are categorized into Cold and Hot types: Congbai is Cold, while the green part is Hot. Therefore, in decoctions for treating Shanghan (Cold Damage), the green part is not used. It enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Because Pungency can disperse and release the muscle layer, and can unblock the Yang Qi of the upper and lower body, it governs all disorders caused by external obstruction and stagnation. It serves the function of being Pungent-Cool, Pungent-Moistening, opening orifices, dissipating constraint, and promoting circulation.

Congbai enters the Lung and Stomach meridians. It induces sweating to unblock joints, treats headache due to Shanghan, promotes bowel and bladder movements, disperses edema of the face and eyes, relieves acute pain in the heart and abdomen, removes Hou Bi (obstruction of the throat), calms pregnancy, and treats Hongxiangjiaoqi (Gouty Arthritis/Chronic Edema of the legs), requiring boiling with roots attached. For Tuo Yang Jue Ni syndrome (collapse of Yang with cold extremities), stir-fried Congbai is applied hot to the navel. For fresh skin abrasions with exudate, it is applied topically to treat trauma and metallic injuries. It must not be used together with Honey, Songcai (Pine vegetable), or Changshan (Radix Dichroae), otherwise it may cause death. The leaves, when decocted, can wash sores, scabies, and swelling/pain due to Wind-Water. The seeds tonify deficiencies, warm the middle, and benefit essence. The root treats headache due to Shanghan.

Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rash): When smallpox/rash initially presents with fever, this herb releases the muscle layer; however, it is contraindicated in summer.

Commentary: Congbai is extremely pungent and acts on the Lung. Excessive consumption causes mental confusion and hair loss, leading to the upward rush of deficient Qi, likely due to its penetrating and draining properties.

Machi Xian (Portulaca Oleracea) inherits the Yin-Cold of Heaven and combines with the Metal Qi of the earth. Hence, its leaf nodes contain mercury-like substances due to abundant Metal Qi. It tastes Pungent and Bitter, has a Cold nature, and is non-toxic. Its Pungent-Cold nature allows it to cool blood and dissipate heat. Thus, it treats carbuncles, sores, furuncles, alopecia barbae/capitis (white baldness), and thirty-six types of wind-contracted furuncles. Applied topically as a paste, it reduces swelling and extracts the root of the furuncle. Taken as juice, it expels pathogenic matter, promotes urination and defecation, eliminates insect-heat, reverses corneal opacity (cataract/macular degeneration), and facilitates childbirth. These effects result from its Pungent-Cold, slippery, and draining actions. It is contraindicated in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold and loose stools. Do not use with Biejia (Tartar Testudinis), as it may transform into a small turtle causing injury. To treat Chi Bai Xia Li (Dysentery with red and white discharge), regardless of age or pregnancy status, take 3 he of fresh juice mixed with one egg white, warm slightly, and drink at once. Recovery occurs within two doses. For chronic malignant sores unresponsive to other treatments, or those with wandering pain, apply crushed paste topically; healing occurs within two to three applications. For furuncles and toxic swellings, mix Machi Xian (2 parts) with Duanshi (Calcined Alumen, 3 parts), powder them, and apply with egg white for cure.

Xianshi (Amaranthus Seeds) dispels evil pathogens, promotes bowel and bladder movements, brightens eyes, removes white films and blindness, kills warts/insects, and resolves chills and fever. The leaves enter the Blood level, unblock meridians, and excel at expelling blood stasis. They most rapidly induce abortion. Pregnant women near delivery may boil and eat them to facilitate labor, but should not consume excessively, as coldness damages the middle and abdomen. Contraindicated with Turtle. Machi Xian is slippery in nature. Its indications are similar to Xianshi, especially in dermatology. It dissipates blood stasis in whip-mark injuries, extracts the root of furuncles, and heals carbuncles and smallpox toxins via topical application. It also cures horse bites, horse sweat poisoning, and She Gong Du (archerfish/spider venom).

Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rash): Machi Xian treats carbuncle toxins and promotes bowel/bladder movements. It should not be taken in large amounts to avoid damaging Stomach Qi. For post-smallpox gingival ulcers, calcined Machi Xian powder should be insufflated.