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Receiving the clear and harmonious Qi of Heaven and Earth, it enters the Spleen, Lung, Liver, and Kidney meridians. Its taste is sweet and level (neutral), non-toxic.

Weirui (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma), also known as Yuzhu. It moistens the Lung and stops cough with phlegm, tonifies the Spleen and dispels damp-heat, nourishes the Liver and regulates tearing due to Liver injury, benefits the Kidney and eliminates lower back pain. In cases of Lung cold, it regulates Qi and Blood, expels wind-pathogen invading the four extremities causing Bi-syndrome (wind-dampness obstruction), tonifies Qi and strengthens the Middle Jiao, removes stagnation of Qi in the heart and abdomen and Yin-deficiency vexation. Entering the Spleen and Lung meridians, it augments Yang Qi of the Qi aspect; entering the Liver and Kidney meridians, it nourishes Blood of the Yin aspect. However, its nature is slow and its power weak, making it difficult to achieve rapid results.

Commentary: Although Weirui is said to nourish and benefit Yin essence, sharing the same function as Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) in augmenting Yang Qi, and possessing strength comparable to Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), it is moistening yet not slippery, harmonizing yet not biased. Like a person of great virtue, it is suitable everywhere. Therefore, Shennong classified it as a Superior Grade herb. However, its juice is thin and cannot be as thick and rich as Dihuang; its power is small and cannot provide major tonification like Renshen. Its nature is peaceful and slow, making it hard to seek urgent effects. It supplements both Yin and Yang but shows no specialized efficacy. Compared to Dihuang’s specific action of nourishing Yin or Renshen’s specific action of tonifying Primordial Qi, the difference is vast. How can one rely on this to replace herbs that rescue critical conditions!

Bitter in taste, slightly cold, non-toxic. It can treat soft legs and drive away wind resembling galloping horses, also known as Benma Cao. To clear the Heart and eliminate heat, use raw. To nourish Heart Blood and stop chest pain, stir-fry with Pig Heart Blood. To harmonize Heart Yin and regulate Heart Qi, stir-fry with Honey and Wine.

Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) specializes in regulating meridians and providing balanced tonification. It excels at managing joint pain, generating new blood, removing bad blood (blood stasis), expelling dead fetus, calming living fetus, breaking down accumulations and hardness, stopping metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, strengthening legs affected by Bi-syndrome and weakness, reducing redness and swelling of the eyes, calming the Spirit and dissipating nodules, tonifying Qi and strengthening Yin, dispersing goiters, warts, and malignant sores, discharging pus and generating flesh, warding off evil spirits and demons, nurturing righteousness and driving out pathogens, and treating intestinal murmurs that sound rolling downward like flowing water. Although its functions are numerous regarding Blood, it excels more in promoting Blood circulation. It is a herb for the Heart, Pericardium, and Liver meridians.

Commentary: Danshen’s color corresponds to the South Li Fire, entering exclusively into the Heart domain, specializing in governing Heart Blood. The ancients stated that Danshen alone possesses the efficacy of Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), praising its ability to nourish Yin. Although it can tonify Blood, it excels in moving Blood. Therefore, those with deficient-cold Stomach Qi should take it sparingly, and pregnant women should not take it without cause.