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[Xuan (Dispersing/Ascending)] Can eliminate stagnation and obstruction; herbs such as Ginger (Shengjiang, 生姜) and Citrus Peel (Chenpi, 陈皮) belong to this category. When Qi is depressed and fails to disperse, it is appropriate to use a Xuan formula to scatter it. Laypeople often mistake "Xuan" for a purgative, not realizing that among the Ten Formulas, there is already a specific "Tong" (Unblocking) category. The world generally claims: "Spring is suitable for Xuan," regarding it as a drug for downward purging, yet they fail to know that Zhang Zhongjing stated: "The general principle is that Spring is suitable for emesis," because in spring illnesses, the pathogen tends to reside in the head. Moreover, among the Ten Formulas, an "Emetic" category is conspicuously absent; could it be that "Xuan" refers to what is called an emetic? The *Neijing* states: "For pathogens located high, induce vomiting to expel them." This means Xuan agents lift and ascend. Just as a ruler summons ministers is called "Xuan," the meaning may be similar. For Shanghan (Cold Damage) with pathogenic factors in the upper jiao, Gouti San (Melon Seed Powder) is indicated. For headache, Congen Douchi Tang (Scallion Root and Fermented Soybean Decoction) is indicated. For post-Shanghan mental restlessness and discomfort, Zhizi Douchi Tang (Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction) is indicated. For mental confusion and lethargy, Zhizi Houpo Tang (Gardenia and Magnolia Bark Decoction) is indicated. From Gouti San downwards, all are emetic agents. This is a subtle secret of Zhang Zhongjing that has not been fully transmitted; people use them as mild formulas, and no one has revealed their mystery. I hereby reveal it, thus clarifying that they are indeed emetics. Therefore, for wind epilepsy, stroke, various excess patterns in the chest, phlegm-fluid retention, cold coagulation, and heat depression in the upper body that does not descend, if left stagnant for long, it will generate diseases such as wheezing, cough, distension, fullness, and edema. Only Xuan formulas can cure these.

[Tong (Unblocking)] Can eliminate stasis; herbs such as Akebia Caulis (Mutong, 木通) and Stephania Root (Fangji, 防己) belong to this category. When fluids remain without flowing, it is appropriate to use a Tong agent to promote circulation, which is defined as unblocking flow. For inability to urinate or defecate, herbs such as Mutong, Catharanthus Rosea Seed (Haijinsha, 海金沙), Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄), Amber (Hupo, 琥珀), and Bazheng San (Eight-Right Powder) are indicated. For tenesmus, frequent trips to the toilet without ease of defecation. Although "Tong" resembles "Xie" (Purging), generally Tong agents are mild while Xie agents are heavy. For any numbness, depression, or blockage in the meridians and collaterals, only Tong formulas can cure it.

[Bu (Tonifying)] Can eliminate weakness; herbs such as Ginseng (Renshen, 人参) and Mutton (Yangrou, 羊肉) belong to this category. When the body is weak and insufficient, it is appropriate to use a Bu agent to support it, replenishing what is lacking. Laypeople all know that Shanyao Wan (Chinese Yam Pill) and Lurong Wan (Deer Antler Pill) are tonics, but these are only suitable for the elderly with sinking Yuan Qi. Nowadays, they are often used on young people, which is extremely harmful! In ancient times, sweet-ping, sweet-warm, bitter-warm, and pungent-warm substances were all used as tonics; are only Sulfur (Liuhuang, 硫黄) and Aconite Lateralis Preparata (Tianxiong, 天雄) considered tonics? Moreover, each of the Five Zang organs has its own tonification and sedation methods: when Liver is excess, drain Heart; when Lung is deficient, tonify Kidney. The classics state: "When East is excess and West is deficient, drain South and tonify North." Generally, deficiency has six types: Exterior deficiency, Interior deficiency, Upper deficiency, Lower deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Yang deficiency. If Yang is deficient, use Dried Ginger (Ganjiang, 干姜) and Prepared Aconite Root (Fuzi, 附子); if Yin is deficient, tonify with Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄) and Mirabilite (Xiaoshi, 硝石). The world transmits that hot substances are tonics and cold substances are sedatives, but this view has persisted for days. Do they not know that sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty flavors each tonify their respective organs? The classics state: "When essence is insufficient, tonify with flavor." A skilled prescriber enables the patient to consume the five grains, truly grasping the way of tonification. If major pathogens have not yet been expelled, and the abdomen is full and stifling, Heart Fire is flourishing, and Kidney Water is depleted, suddenly discussing the use of Deer Antler (Lurong, 鹿茸) and Aconite (Fuzi, 附子)—how would such people understand what a true tonic is?

[Xie (Purging)] Can eliminate accumulation; herbs such as Lepidium Seed (Tinglizi, 葶苈子), Mirabilite (Xiaoshi, 芒硝), and Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄) belong to this category. When there is leisure but excess pathogens, it is appropriate to use a Xie agent to remove them, which refers to purging. All pain indicates excess; pain decreases with free flow. The classics state: "Excess should be purged." For solid excess, scatter and purge; for middle-jiao fullness, purge from within. Herbs such as Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄), Morning Glory Seed (Qianniu, 牵牛子), Kansui Root (Gansui, 甘遂), and Croton Seed (Badou, 巴豆) are all purgatives. One must be extremely cautious with Badou. Its nature is dry and hot, and its toxicity, if unchecked, generates other diseases. Even if unavoidable, it must be controlled by other herbs to mitigate its toxicity. Among thousands of cases, it might be used once or twice. Unless there is an acute emergency, Rhubarb, Morning Glory Seed, Kansui, and Mirabilite are sufficient. People often do not fear Badou due to its heat, but fear Dahuang due to its coldness. How do they understand what a true purgative is?

[Qing (Light)] Can eliminate exterior excess; herbs such as Ephedra Herb (Mahuang, 麻黄) and Kudzu Root (Gegen, 葛根) belong to this category. When excess causes Qi stagnation, it is appropriate to use a Qing agent to disperse it. When Wind-Cold pathogens first invade the skin, causing headache and fever, light agents such as Fengsan (Wind-Dispersing Powder) or herbs like Cimicifuga Rhizome (Shengma, 升麻) and Kudzu Root (Gegen, 葛根) are indicated. The classics state: "Because it is light, disperse it." Dispersing is what is called releasing the exterior. For scabies, tinea, acne, and prickly heat, releasing the exterior via sweating to vent pathogens and fumigation to detoxify are all light methods. Thus, Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi, 桂枝), Ephedra (Mahuang, 麻黄), and Saposhnikovia Root (Fangfeng, 防风) are also light agents. If suffering from common cold with headache and fever, using Shuangjie San (Double-Release Powder) and sneezing medicines within two days to release the exterior and induce sweat are applications of light agents.

[Zhong (Heavy)] Can eliminate timidity (floating Qi); minerals such as Magnetite (Cishi, 磁石) and Iron Powder (Tiefen, 铁粉) belong to this category. Timidity implies floating Qi, so it is appropriate to use a Zhong agent to anchor it, which is called descending and anchoring. These drugs include Cinnabar (Zhusha, 朱砂), Mercury (Shuiyin, 水银), Natrii Sulfas (Han Shuishí, 寒水石), and Minium (Huandan, 黄丹), because of their heavy weight. For chronic cough with phlegm flooding upward, throat discomfort, and emaciation where harsh attack is contraindicated, use these to anchor. Thus, the *Neijing* states: "For heavy conditions, reduce them gradually," emphasizing slowness.

[Hua (Slippery)] Can eliminate adherence; herbs such as Okra Seed (Dongkuizi, 冬葵子) and Elm Bark (Yubai Pi, 榆白皮) belong to this category. Astringency causes Qi to adhere, so it is appropriate to use a Hua agent to lubricate it. The *Zhou Li* states: "Slipperiness nourishes the orifices." For dry stool constipation and dysuria with dribbling, slippery agents are indicated. For dry constipation, perhaps Hemp Seed (Hren, 火麻仁) and Plum Seed (Yulizi, 郁李仁)? For dribbling dysuria, perhaps Okra Seed (Kuizi, 葵子) and Talcum (Huashi, 滑石)? For complete obstruction of both anterior and posterior orifices, this is named "Sanjiao Yue" (Contraction of the Triple Burner). "Yue" means binding. First, use slippery agents to moisten and nourish the dryness, then attack, and there will be no error.

[Sè (Astringent)] Can eliminate leakage; herbs such as Oyster Shell (Muli, 牡蛎) and Dragon Bone (Longgu, 龙骨) belong to this category. Slipperiness leads to Qi leakage, so it is appropriate to use a Se agent to consolidate it. For uncontrollable night sweats, use Ephedra Root (Mahuanggen, 麻黄根) to astringe. For incessant loose stools, use Cardamom (Doukou, 豆蔻), Calcined White Alum (Kubaifan, 枯白矾), Cuttlefish Bone (Wuzheyu Gu, 乌贼鱼骨), and Poppy Shell (Yangsuke, 罂粟壳) to astringe. All sour flavors act similarly to astringents, having a consolidating intent. For cough with rebellious Qi, using Shepherd's Purse Juice (Qizhi, 荠汁) or Sour Plum Decoction (Wumei Jian, 乌梅煎) to calm the Lung are all sour-astringent agents. However, these few types should treat the root to eliminate pathogens; do not rigidly stick to astringency alone, which ensures perfection.

[Zao (Drying)] Can eliminate dampness; herbs such as Mulberry Root Bark (Sangbaipi, 桑白皮) and Adzuki Bean (Chixiaodou, 赤小豆) belong to this category. Dampness causes heaviness, so it is appropriate to use a Zao agent to remove it. For accumulated cold and long-term chill, lack of appetite after eating, vomiting and diarrhea with foul odor, difficulty bending and stretching, and clear/cold excretions above and below, this is due to severe cold. Use Dried Ginger (Ganjiang, 干姜), Galangal (Liangjiang, 良姜), Prepared Aconite Root (Fuzi, 附子), and Pepper (Hujiao, 胡椒) to dry it. It should not be used for non-accumulated cold diseases. Long-term use causes blood hemorrhage, extreme dehydration, urinary retention, deafness, blindness, and debility. If some survive long-term use without these diseases, do not stubbornly believe this is correct. For every one case where disease does not occur, hundreds die from error. For damp diseases, Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu, 白术), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi, 陈皮), Aucklandia Root (Muxiang, 木香), Stephania Root (Fangji, 防己), and Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome (Cangzhu, 苍术) can remove dampness; these are also mild drying agents. As for Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian, 黄连), Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai, 黄柏), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin, 黄芩), and Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄), their taste is bitter. Bitter belongs to Fire and can dry dampness; this is the original intent of the *Neijing*. Yet the world has deviated for a long time. Alas! Are only Ginger and Aconite considered drying agents?

[Shi (Moistening)] Can eliminate withering; herbs such as Fluorite (Zi Shiy ing, 紫石英) and White Fluorite (Bai Shiy ing, 白石英) belong to this category. Withering manifests as dryness, so it is appropriate to use a Shi agent to moisten it. Moistening is similar to slipping but slightly different. The classics state: "Pungency moistens," because pungency promotes Qi transformation into fluids. Mirabilite (Xiaoshi, 硝石), though salty, belongs to True Yin Water and is indeed a superior drug for moistening withering. Diseases of withering, shriveling, and darkening are not solely due to Metal (Lung) transformation; often Fire attacks. Only Shi agents can cure this.