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Xie (Allium macrostemon): Pungent in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic.
The leaves of Xie resemble those of chives but are slightly broader and smoother; the white roots are of superior quality. Consuming it with beef may lead to the formation of Jia masses (abdominal lumps). It eliminates cold and heat, harmonizes the middle jiao (digestive system), removes damp-fluid accumulation, dissipates nodules, and treats chronic dysentery and cold diarrhea. For Qi stagnation in the Yangming channel, it disperses blood and calms the fetus; it treats leukorrhea (red and white vaginal discharge), edema caused by wind-cold, and fish bones stuck in the throat. Red Xie mixed with honey and applied externally as a poultice can heal metallic wounds immediately.

Born from the Qi of Fire and Metal, with a pungent taste and warm nature, its property is considered toxic. It enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Its pungency and warmth can repel evil pathogens and scatter pathogenic factors, penetrating everywhere throughout the body. Thus, it primarily expels wind pathogens, kills toxic vapors, removes cold-dampness, dissipates carbuncles and swelling, resolves accumulations, warms the spleen and stomach, promotes the movement of various Qis, treats tinea, stops cholera-like symptoms, and resolves warm epidemics. Although it can promote Qi flow and clear the diaphragm, excessive pungency and warmth mean that long-term consumption damages the spirit, scatters Qi, and depletes Blood. Individuals with blurred vision, Qi deficiency, or Blood weakness should strictly avoid eating it. Applied externally, it causes blisters on the skin; its action of scouring the intestines can be inferred.

Hu (Garlic): Strongly warm in odor and taste, associated with Water, and toxic. For medicinal use, single-clove garlic is preferred. Combined with Coptis Chinensis Pills, it treats Changfeng (blood in stool); added to Pingwei San, it treats Yeqi (dysphagia or rebellious Qi); inserted into both nostrils, it extracts fish bones; when roasted and applied, it dissipates early-stage abscesses and sores; applied to snake or insect bites, it eliminates Lao Nue (chronic malaria) and Pi masses (abdominal lumps), wards off pestilence and epidemics, and counters snake or dog bites. If sudden cold pain occurs at the Zhongwan point (CV12), chewing it provides relief; if heatstroke toxin strikes suddenly during travel, it can dispel it. For persistent epistaxis (nosebleed), apply crushed garlic to the sole of the foot: left nosebleed applies to right sole, right nosebleed to left sole, bilateral bleeding applies to both soles; it also resolves Gu poison, kills parasites. Hua Tuo used it to expel snake-shaped parasitic toxins, further resolving meat accumulations and aiding digestion. Li Shi used boiled garlic to induce vomiting of saliva containing chick embryos. Although its hot nature can benefit the diaphragm, it actually damages the Spleen, Lungs, Blood, and Eyes, and should not be consumed long-term.

Gua Di (Melon Stem/Stalk): Influenced by the intense heat of the season and endowed with hidden Yin from the earth, it is bitter in taste and cold in nature, with slight toxicity. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Its extreme bitterness and upward-rushing nature allow it to induce vomiting of有形 (solid/visible) damp-heat and stagnant food/fluid in the Upper Jiao. It reduces edema and fluid retention in the body, face, and limbs, treats jaundice, cough with rebellious Qi, nasal polyps, and all diseases caused by damp-heat located in the upper part of the body. However, for patients with deficient Stomach Qi and weak constitution, or those without excess pathogenic stagnation, ingestion will damage the Stomach, injure Blood, deplete Qi, and harm the Spirit.

Tian Gua (Sweet Melon): Primarily treats Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome/diabetes mellitus), promotes urination, eliminates excess irritability, and unblocks congestion in the Three Jiao. Excessive consumption treats Hong Kong Jiao (podagra/foot-gout) with phlegm generation and induces damp-pruritic sores. Avoid melons with two stems connected or those that sink in water, as the latter can be fatal. Gua Di serves as an emetic, reducing edema in the face and limbs, acute obstruction of the throat due to fluid retention, wind-phlegm, Gu Zhu (parasitic infections), and stopping cough with rebellious Qi. With a very bitter taste and cold nature, it clears jaundice and damp-heat, and cures headaches in damp-patterns [text implies resolution of nasal congestion or similar symptoms].