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Gouteng (Uncaria rhynchophylla) inherits the Qi of spring to grow; therefore, its taste is sweet and slightly bitter, its nature is neutral and slightly cold, and it is non-toxic. It is an essential herb for the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. The Shaoyin governs Fire, and the Jueyin governs Wind. When Wind and Fire contend with each other, it results in alternating chills and fever, convulsions, and epilepsy. This herb's sweet and cold flavor directly targets these two meridians; when the wind subsides and fire extinguishes, the Liver and Heart become tranquil, and the symptoms of chills, fever, convulsions, and epilepsy are naturally eliminated.

Gouteng relaxes the sinews and eliminates dizziness, directs rebellious Qi downward and expands the middle jiao. It treats alternating chills and fever, convulsions, spasms of the hands and feet (chi zong), fetal wind, and sudden fright (ke wu), as well as twitching of the mouth and eyes. It enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian (which governs Wind) and the Hand Juexin Pericardium Meridian (which governs Fire). Since it treats wind-fire dryness, diseases such as spasms and contractures heal themselves. When combined with blood-nourishing herbs, its miraculous efficacy becomes even more apparent. Due to its slightly cold nature, it is highly valued in pediatrics, but adults without heat syndromes should not use it in large doses.

Indications (Integrated with Smallpox/Rash Diseases): Treats convulsions triggered by chills and fever; expels Liver Wind without causing dryness. It is a harmonizing agent. However, prolonged decoction renders it ineffective. It should be added to the boiling decoction of other herbs for only one or two minutes before removing. Its efficacy is significantly enhanced if the stems are removed and only the tender hooks are used, increasing potency tenfold.

Dan Zhuye (Lophatheri Herba) inherits Yin Qi to grow; therefore, its taste is sweet, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian and the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian.

Dan Zhuye clears upward-rebellious Qi causing cough and asthma, resolves phlegm-heat in the chest causing cough, reduces deficiency heat, relieves irritability and insomnia, and treats thirst caused by exogenous heat in the Yangming channel. It specifically cools the Heart Meridian and clears the Lungs and Stomach. It promotes urination and eliminates phlegm. Its action is dispersive without retaining, so it cannot tonify the body. Pregnant women should avoid it. The inner yellow bark scraped from the bamboo stem is called Zhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam). It treats hiccup due to Stomach Heat, dysphagia, vomiting, and morning sickness during pregnancy, showing miraculous effects. Although Zhuru and Dan Zhuye share the same source, Zhuru obtains more Earth Qi; thus, its taste is sweet and slightly cold, and it specifically enters the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian.

Indications (Integrated with Smallpox/Rash Diseases): Cools the Heart and eliminates heat, resolves irritability and quenches thirst. It is generally used for cough with phlegm-heat, palpitations with inability to speak, and irritability in the chest. However, it is unsuitable during the initial eruption and pustule-filling stage of rashes. Furthermore, bamboo can damage Qi; hence, ancients referred to bamboo shoots as "intestine-scraping combs," indicating they should be used temporarily rather than long-term.

Zhu Xu (Bamboo Borers' Frass): Refers to the frass found in old, withered bamboo. The residual Qi of bamboo remains; its taste is sweet and neutral, and it is non-toxic. Sweetness detoxifies, and neutrality disperses. Bamboo has the coolest nature among plants, making it a divine herb for draining pus and promoting tissue regeneration. Combined with Ivory (Elephantis Dentis Massa), Pearl (Margarita), and Alum (Alumen), it can eliminate fistulas. For foul-smelling purulent discharge from the ear, mix equal parts of Zhu Xu and Carminous Embryo (Carmeni Foetum), add a small amount of Moschus (Moschus), grind into powder, and insufflate into the ear. If ear pus causes pain due to water entering the ear, mix 1 qian of Zhu Xu, 1 qian of Calomelas (Hydrargyri Chloridum Commune), and 5 fen of Moschus into powder. Clean the ear canal thoroughly with a cotton swab, insert the medicine, and block the ear with cotton. Allow any foul matter to drain out. Severe cases will heal after three applications. For damp-toxemia sores, mix equal parts of Zhu Xu and Phellodendri Cortex (Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex). Wash the lesion with scallion and pepper tea, pick at it, and apply once daily for effectiveness. For burns and scalds, applying Zhu Xu powder also leads to healing.