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Pungent in flavor, neutral in qi, entering the Yang aspect, it then enters the Blood aspect.

Kalimeris indica (Malan), breaks down old blood stasis, nourishes new blood, stops bloody dysentery, resolves alcohol-induced jaundice, treats various bacterial and蛊 (gu) poisons, alleviates pain from Jiaochangsha (intestinal colic/spasm), reduces edema and urinary difficulty, and dissipates postpartum sores and erysipelas.

Absorbing the essence of water, its flavor is sweet, nature is neutral, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Kidney meridian and the Liver meridian; it is a crucial herb for resolving toxicity and cooling blood. Therefore, it is of primary importance in treating Ruyong (acute mastitis) and Luyan (breast cancer). Boiled in water for internal administration or external application, it yields miraculous effects. When included in prescriptions combined with Toukucao, Fumu (Fritillaria), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), Gualugen (Trichosanthes root), Jiuye (Tangerine leaf), Tougou (Scalp dirt), Moushufen (Mole feces), Shandougen (Sophora tonkinensis), and Shancigu (Gloriosa superba rhizome), it specifically treats Luyan. The white juice from its rhizomes and stems can be applied to malignant sores and swelling/toxins; applying three to four times daily disperses toxicity and reduces swelling.

Pugongcao (Dandelion), also known as Huanghua Didingcao (Yellow-flowered Viola/Herb), penetrates hardness, reduces swelling, and eliminates tubercles, achieving remarkable results repeatedly. It resolves food poisoning, disperses stagnant Qi, and all achieve miraculous efficacy.
Main indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rash): For residual toxins after smallpox/rash, and for carbuncles, it can be used.

Absorbing the Qi of Earth and Metal, and additionally the dryness of Heaven, Fire and Metal contend with each other; thus, its flavor is pungent, neutral, bitter, and warm, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridian, Foot-Yangming Stomach meridian, and Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder meridian, and also enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart meridian. Pungent and warm, it excels at dispersing; therefore, it governs Cold Damage pathogens located between the exterior and interior. Bitter, it excels at descending and purging; therefore, it clears Zhiyin (fluid retention under the heart), removes Phlegm-heat distension/fullness and rebellious Qi in the diaphragm, and serves as a supreme medicine for dispelling dampness, separating fluids, strengthening the Spleen, and opening cold-damp Phlegm-Qi stagnation. Its greatest contraindications are conditions of Yin deficiency, Blood deficiency, and insufficient body fluids.

Banxia (Pinellia), for Fire-Phlegm which is black, and old sticky Phlegm, should be combined with Qin (Scutellaria) and Lian (Coptis). For Cold-Phlegm which is clear, combine with Jiang (Ginger), Fu (Aconite), Chenpi (Tangerine peel), and Cangzhu (Atractylodes). For stroke-induced Phlegm disorders, use Nanxing (Arisaema) and Zaojiao (Gleditsia); for Phlegm-fluid hypochondriac pain, there are specific treatments. It treats vomiting and regurgitation, eliminates cold Phlegm in the intestines and abdomen, and disperses rebellious Qi. It removes nausea and vomiting, opens obstructed Qi, restores voice, stops Spleen diarrhea, and consolidates Heart sweating; it is a supreme medicine for all types of Phlegm-Jue headache and vertigo. However, patients with Blood disorders, Xiaoze (wasting-thirst/diabetes), and pregnant women are forbidden to take it.
It is most suitable for Spleen-dampness generating Phlegm syndromes, but strictly contraindicated for Yin-deficiency generating Phlegm syndromes.
Main indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rash): Treats vomiting, hiccup, and poor appetite due to deficiency-cold after smallpox/rash; transforms Phlegm-saliva, dries Spleen-dampness, and harmonizes Spleen and Stomach. However, caution is advised as it may dry the throat and harm pregnant women; it is contraindicated during the pustule-filling stage. Those without damp-Phlegm should avoid using it.
Commentary: Wang Ji stated: "When Spleen-Stomach has damp-heat, saliva transforms into Phlegm; without Banxia, how could this be treated? If substituted with Beimu (Fritillaria), one would merely wait for death." Li Shizhen stated: "The Spleen does not generate Phlegm without retained dampness; thus, the Spleen is the source of Phlegm generation, and the Lung is the vessel storing Phlegm." Banxia treats Phlegm because its texture is slippery and its nature is warm. Saliva's slipperiness moistens; pungency and warmth disperse and also moisten. Thus, it moves dampness to unblock the large intestine and benefits the orifices to promote urination. This is what is meant by 'Pungent travels through Qi to transform fluids' and 'Pungent moistens.' Zhu Danxi said: "Banxia can make the stool moist and urine abundant." Cheng Wuji said: "Banxia moves Water-Qi and moistens Kidney dryness." The Banshu Wan (Half-Sulfur Pill) in *Ju Fang* treats elderly deficiency constipation, taking advantage of its slipperiness and moisture. The common people consider Banxia to be drying, not realizing that it promotes water metabolism and dispels dampness, thereby drying the earth, rather than being inherently drying. However, if used when the pathogen is not damp-heat, it will further deplete body fluids, which is indeed inappropriate. If one violates the prohibitions despite indications, it seems to contradict the ancient saying that Banxia has three prohibitions: for those with blood disorders, thirst, and sweating. Nevertheless, its functions include stopping vomiting via the Foot-Yangming, eliminating Phlegm via the Foot-Taiyin, assisting Chaihu to treat aversion to cold via the Foot-Shaoyang, and assisting Huangqin to dispel heat via the Foot-Yangming. Alternating chills and fever occur between the exterior and interior; thus, using this herb implies a concept of 'half-exterior, half-interior' resolution.