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(This text is from *Xueyi Suibi* [Notes on Learning Medicine], copied and attached from the version by Dong Xianchen.)

*Kunbu* (Thallus Laminariae seu Eckloniae). Originally called *Lunbu*. "Lun" is pronounced like "Guan". Due to a miswriting of "Lun" as "Kun", it came to be called *Kunbu*. Li Dongyuan used it for treating *Feiqi* (masses in the hypochondrium) and *Piqi* (epigastric masses). Generally, the *Qianjin Fang* [Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold] contains statements about breaking up accumulations. Reading the *Guangji Fang* [Broad Relief Formulas], one finds it treats bladder qi stagnation, urgently requiring qi-descending methods; *Kunbu* is used to descend qi. When harmonized and prepared as food, it is extremely effective in descending qi. Thus, *Kunbu* is a principal herb for the Taiyang channel. This aligns with Mi Xiyong's statement that salty flavors can soften hardness, its nature is moistening and downward-flowing, and its cold property can treat heat and dissipate nodules. Therefore, it governs twelve types of edema, goiter, and clustered sores. This represents the combined use of the three Yang channels. However, among the five formulas, *Kunbu* is used only in *Feiqi Wan* and *Jiajian Piqi Wan*, and not elsewhere. This is because its slipperiness can break accumulated blood.

*Ezhu* (Rhizoma Curcumae). Also known as *Guangshu*. It is used for moving qi, breaking blood, eliminating accumulations, and dissipating nodules. It belongs to the Qi level of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Channel. It strongly breaks blood within qi. For those with deficient qi and blood, taking it causes significant harm. Li Shizhen states that Sun Shangyong used it to treat shortness of breath where breathing cannot continue (*Duanqi*). The *Neijing* says: "For shortness of breath insufficient for respiration, use purgation." This likely refers to this condition. However, the deficiency or excess of Middle Qi differs as much as heaven and earth; it must be examined in detail. This character "short" refers to the stomach being obstructed by accumulation, causing breath to be unsmooth and seemingly unable to continue; it is not shortness of breath due to deficiency of Middle Qi. If one uses this herb for deficiency-induced shortness of breath, would it not kill the patient? It is also said to enter Qi herbs and emit the fragrance of various aromatics, indicating it can also enter the Yangming channel.

*Chuanwu* (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii). Pungent, warm, highly toxic. Its nature is light and dispersing; it warms the spleen and expels wind. For cold conditions, *Fuzi* is used; for wind conditions, *Wutou* is used. It can serve as an assistant or guide alongside other herbs. Its efficacy is similar to *Fuzi* but slightly milder. Zhang Yuansu stated it tonifies insufficiency of the Gate of Vitality and deficiency of Liver Qi.

*Badou* (Semen Crotonis). Also named *Gangzi* and *Zouyangzi*. It originates from Bashu and resembles a bean in shape, hence the name. Pungent, warm, toxic. It is a gastrointestinal herb. Li Shizhen stated its nature is hot and flavor pungent; raw it is fierce, cooked it is mild. It can induce vomiting or purging, stop or promote movement, ascend or descend. Used aggressively, it has the merit of quelling chaos and seizing disease; used mildly, it has the subtlety of soothing and regulating the Middle Jiao. It fears *Dahuang* and *Huanglian*, yet predecessors' formulas for treating accumulations often use them together. Is this the meaning of soothing and regulating the Middle? It is also a key herb for the throat, utilizing its pungency to dissipate nodules and its fierce energy to seize phlegm and open pathways. My late father said *Dahuang* removes accumulated water through scouring; *Badou* removes accumulated fire through blazing. It should not be used recklessly by those without robust Qi. When used, the heart and skin must be removed, stewed until yellow-black, pounded into paste, and added to medicine. The husk and oil can both be used to treat illness; fresh ones are best.

*Zaojia* (Fructus Gleditsiae Sinensis). Also known as *Zaojiao*. [Text error/variant: Weihu], *Wuxi*, *Xuandao* are all its names. Pungent, salty, warm, slightly toxic. It is a Qi-level herb of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Channel and Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Channel. Zhang Yuansu said it enters the Qi level of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Channel. Because it benefits the upper orifices and opens the two bowels, it has the meaning of draining and venting. Thus, it is also said to search out Liver wind and drain Liver Qi. However, Zhang Yuansu originally mentioned using *Zaojia* to introduce into the Jueyin channel in the context of the *Zhengyang San* formula, hence this view. Li Shizhen stated *Zaojia* belongs to Metal, its flavor is pungent, its nature is dry. Metal overcomes Wood, dryness overcomes wind, thus it also enters the Foot-Jueyin channel. Examining the *Renhuo* [Manual of Experience], it only mentions treating Yin-Du Cold Damage, listing symptoms does not include retraction of the genitals. Even if Zhang Yuanshu cited the Jueyin example, the formula commentary in *Renhuo* appears in the Yin Syndrome discussion and does not use *Zhengyang San* to treat genital retraction. Further checking the *Renhuo* Q&A section on genital retraction, *Zhengyang San* is also not mentioned. Then what was Zhang Yuansu's basis for citing *Zhengyang San* as a Jueyin example? In his discussion of Jueyin irritability, fullness, and genital retraction, he only said warmth and purgation were suitable, again not mentioning *Zhengyang San*. In Wang Haogu's discussion, the section on genital retraction first cites Bian Que and Sun Simiao, then *Renhuo*, then Zhang Yuansu, but lists only two formulas: *Zhengyang San* and *Huiyang San*, indeed treating *Zhengyang San* as the specific formula for genital retraction. One wonders what his basis was. Was it because Zhang Yuansu attributed *Zhengyang San* to Jueyin, and since genital retraction is a symptom of Jueyin, he used it to treat it generally? In the Eighteen Questions on Yin Syndromes, four formulas are listed, none including *Zhengyang San*. Only in the Twenty Questions, under the item "cold limbs and umbilical/abdominal throbbing cold," it appears once. It also states: if the pulse beats seven times per breath or more, moxa the Guanyuan point 200-300 moxibustions, and concurrently take *Zhengyang San*; this is the second appearance. *Renhuo* originally considered genital retraction a fatal Jueyin syndrome. Zhang Zhongjing originally had no treatment method, so he merely said he sought formulas based on intuition to imitate treatment, but ultimately did not list any. Consequently, Xu Chunyi and others from Laiyang Bo did not make further revisions or discussions, but simply classified it under lower Yin-Du. Zhang Yuansu's attribution to Jueyin largely stems from the definition of Yin-Du: excessive Yin Qi alone, sudden extinction of Yang Qi constitutes Yin-Du. This can occur in all three Yin channels. But the *Zhengyang San* listed in the book treats symptoms such as blue face, gasping with mouth open, hardness below the heart, body not hot, only sweat on the forehead, incessant irritability and thirst, black tongue, excessive sleepiness, and cold limbs in all four extremities. These are predominantly Jueyin symptoms, so it is listed in the Jueyin section. Thus, there is the saying in decoctions that *Zhengyang San* uses *Zaojia* to introduce into the Jueyin channel.

*Zhengyang San* (Urging Yang Powder)
*Fuzi* (Prepared Lateral Root of Aconite) *Ganjiang* (Dried Ginger) *Shexiang* (Musk) *Zaojia* (Fructus Gleditsiae Sinensis) *Gancao* (Licorice Root)