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(Fangji) It absorbs the yang qi of the earth and is simultaneously influenced by the dryness of mild autumn to grow; thus, its taste is pungent and bitter, its nature is cold, it is non-toxic, and it is a crucial herb for treating damp-heat excess syndromes in the blood level of the lower body. If the condition arises from dietary irregularities and overwork leading to yin deficiency with internal heat, or from stomach deficiency and kidney deficiency, or during pregnancy (pre-partum) and postpartum periods, or when heat pathogen resides in the qi level of the upper jiao, one must absolutely avoid using this yin-natured and potentially hazardous herb, lest it become the cause of chaotic disease progression.

Among Fangji varieties, Han Fangji primarily governs water qi disorders and serves as the Jun (Monarch) herb in formulas; Mu Fangji primarily regulates wind pathogens and serves as the Zuo-Shi (Assistant/Envoy) herb. Therefore, to treat damp-heat swelling and pain from the waist down to the feet, as well as Jiaoxie (foot strike/gout), and to promote urination and defecation, to retreat accumulated heat in the Bladder, and to dissipate abscesses and reduce swelling, only Han Fangji can achieve success. However, for treating lung qi rebellion with wheezing and cough, fullness and distension between the diaphragm, and for removing spasticity and urgency caused by Wind-Stroke, as well as Wind-Cold-Damp Malaria and heat pathogens, this relies entirely on Mu Fangji. It unifies the twelve meridians and is considered an immortal herb for dispersing damp-heat. Nevertheless, being pungent, bitter, and greatly cold, it is like a person who is dangerous yet vigorous. It can treat excess conditions but cannot treat deficiency conditions. For deficiency syndromes, it is appropriate to assist with Renshen (Ginseng), Fuling (Poria), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), and Cangzhu (Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome).

Indications (Integrated with Smallpox/Rash analysis): For smallpox/rash that has collapsed or receded due to damp-heat, it may be washed with wine, soaked, dried, and used.

(Madouling) It grows by absorbing the qi of winter; thus, its taste is pungent and bitter, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Bitterness facilitates downward drainage, pungency facilitates dispersion, and coldness eliminates heat. Its nature is light and ascending, and its shape resembles the lungs; therefore, it can enter the lungs to clear heat and cause lung qi to descend, thereby naturally calming wheezing and cough. Furthermore, since the Lungs and Large Intestine are exterior-interiorly related, clearing organ heat also resolves bowels heat, so hemorrhoids and anal fissures are both treated.

Madouling, when burned to smoke and applied to hemorrhoids, or decocted for drinking, can forcefully resolve phlegm accumulation causing wheezing and shortness of breath, remove lung heat, stop cough, clear lung qi, and tonify deficiency. Its root is named Qingmuxiang (Qingmu Xiang), which is also a qi-dispersing herb, making it essential for hernia cases, and it is even more effective against snake bites and gu poison.

Indications (Integrated with Smallpox/Rash analysis): The efficacy is the same as above. Remove the shell and membrane, taking only the inner seeds, stir-fry, and use. Because its substance and nature are light and floating, its action targets the highest organs (Lungs). For those with lung deficiency accompanied by cold, it should not be used excessively.

(Puhuang) It absorbs the yin qi of the earth and combines with the pungent flavor of Metal; thus, its taste is sweet and pungent, its nature is neutral and slightly cold, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Liver Meridian blood level, breaking stasis and promoting blood circulation. To cool blood, use raw; if hemostasis is desired, particularly for metrorrhagia, use charred black.

Puhuang, when stir-fried until black, stops hematemesis and hematochezia, nourishes blood damage, and treats consumptive fatigue; used raw, it breaks blood stasis and stagnation. It treats swollen toxic pain, dissipates stasis-induced masses, addresses reckless bleeding due to blood heat, regulates irregular menstruation in women, treats uterine lochia pain (Ezhen pain) in postpartum women, manages traumatic fractures and injuries, resolves wind-swelling and carbuncles, promotes urination, and is suitable for various blood disorders. Whether dealing with hematemesis, epistaxis, or intestinal wind, it further treats hematuria and bloody dysentery. However, for blood disorders caused by external factors treated according to their branch manifestations, it can achieve remarkable results. For hematemesis and epistaxis caused by internal injury and deficiency, it is difficult to achieve efficacy.

Indications (Integrated with Smallpox/Rash analysis): The efficacy is the same as above. It is temporarily used for smallpox/rash cases complicated by blood disorders.