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Having absorbed the qi of late summer and early autumn, and possessing the flavors associated with Fire and Metal, its taste is bitter and acrid, its nature is warm and non-toxic, representing a descent of Yin within Yang. It enters the Qi aspect of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, capable of breaking blood stasis caused by Qi stagnation; thus, it is effective for all types of pain resulting from Qi and Blood coagulation.

Peng'ezhu (Curcuma zedoaria) alleviates heart pain, unblocks menstruation, eliminates blood stasis, and breaks down accumulations and masses. It is a herb that moves Blood within Qi. To act primarily on Qi, it should be used after being roasted over fire; to act primarily on Blood, it should be used after being stir-fried with vinegar.

Note: Pengzhu has a fierce and cutting action, truly serving as a herb for grinding down accumulations. However, if taken by persons with deficiency, without resolving the stagnation, it will daily deplete the original Yuan Qi. Only when combined with Renshen (Ginseng Root) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizome) does it cause no harm. Only those with robust Yuan Qi can withstand it, allowing the medicine to overcome the disease.

Also known as Houjiang. It grows by absorbing Metal Qi and Stone Qi, with a bitter and acrid taste and warm nature. It prefers shady places, thereby acquiring abundant Yin Qi. It enters the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and governs the bones. It is effective for toxic vapors in the bones, wind-blood pain, five exhaustions and six accumulations, numbness of hands and feet, upper heat and lower cold, kidney deficiency toothache, tinnitus, dysentery with weak feet, strengthening bones and securing teeth—all of which are manifestations of its entry into the Kidney to govern bones. Upon harvesting, yellow-red hairs are scraped off with a copper knife, sliced finely, mixed with honey, steamed, and dried for use.

Gusuibu (Drynariae Rhizoma) repairs fractured bone joints, treats wind-blood accumulation pain, has merit in breaking blood stasis, and is also effective in stopping bleeding. It specifically enters the Kidney Meridian; therefore, it treats various bone and kidney conditions such as kidney diarrhea, bone atrophy, tinnitus, and toothache. In the past, the son of Governor Wei suffered from chronic diarrhea and was near death; various medicines were ineffective. By taking this herb ground into powder stuffed inside a pig kidney, roasted and eaten, he recovered immediately. Since the Kidney governs the two yin openings and controls retention, chronic diarrhea belongs to Kidney deficiency and cannot be solely attributed to the Spleen and Stomach.

Endusu inherits the Qi of early summer and the acrid flavor of Metal; thus, its taste is acrid and warm, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and also the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Its warm nature allows it to circulate and unblock; its acrid flavor allows it to moisten and disperse. Therefore, it is an essential herb for moving Qi and invigorating Blood. However, its nature tends to move outward and cannot retain; thus, it is contraindicated in cases of premature menstruation, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, and all conditions involving Heat in the Blood or Blood deficiency. For the upper part of the body, stir-fry with wine; for the middle part, stir-fry with vinegar; for the lower part, stir-fry with salt water.

Yanhusuo (Corydalidis Rhizoma), due to its acrid and warm taste, breaks blood stasis and directs Qi downward. It regulates menstrual irregularities, Qi stagnation and Blood coagulation, postpartum blood rushing and fainting, sudden heart and abdominal pain, lower abdominal distension and pain, promotes menstruation and expels the fetus, relaxes sinews, and treats hernia. Its efficacy is wonderful and indescribable, making it the premier herb for invigorating Blood and directing Qi downward.

Note: Yanhusuo moves Blood stasis within Qi and Qi stasis within Blood, regulating pains throughout the upper and lower body. It often yields significant results when used alone, hence it is commonly used in formulas for regulating menstruation. However, since it lacks the quality of tonifying Qi and rarely possesses the meaning of nourishing Ying (Nutritive) Qi, relying solely on its acrid and warm nature to attack凝 (coagulation) and drive out stagnation, persons with deficiency should use it concurrently with tonic herbs; otherwise, it will only damage without benefit.