Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) produced in Sichuan is of superior quality. Steamed with wine, it tonifies; used raw, it is also effective. It tonifies the kidneys and strengthens the four limbs. Niuxi from Huaiqing has a descending action.
Remove the heart, soak in wine to tonify, or soak in decoction for a slightly cold nature. It dispels heat-toxin edema, drains latent fire from the lungs, and calms the heart and abdomen.
Remove the heart, moisten with wine. Treats impotence, moistens the five zang organs, treats cough by resolving phlegm and descending fire, and dispels wind-heat causing restlessness.
Calms the soul and spirit, nourishes heart blood, and treats anxiety of the mind and spirit.
Breaks up stagnant qi, drains damp-heat from the heart, small intestine, and bladder, promotes urination through the orifices.
Steam thoroughly, then slice. Drains water, warms the spleen, generates fluids, stops diarrhea, clears deficiency heat, and opens the cou li (skin pores).
Opens the spleen, promotes appetite, broadens the middle jiao, and aids digestion.
Opens the stomach, aids digestion, and harmonizes the middle jiao.
Tonifies the lungs and spleen, removes dampness, reduces edema, and treats Hong Kong foot (podagra/foot swelling).
Stir-fry to treat spermatorrhea, turbid leukorrhea, benefit essence, support stomach qi, and brighten the eyes.
Remove the peel. For every jin (500g), use 3 liang (150g) of honey to coat and roast until the honey is fully absorbed. This is a herb entering the liver channel. Tonifies the center and benefits the kidneys, supplements liver deficiency, strengthens tendons, and fortifies willpower.
A purely yang substance, it guides fire back to its source and resolves yin-cold coagulation. The inner bark without peel is called Guixin (Cinnamomi Cortex), which is even purer. Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) has a horizontal nature, travels to the arms, and releases the exterior.
Regulates the yin aspect, resolves coagulation, cures malaria, moves blood, and unblocks hair follicles.
Historically produced in deep mountains, it was toxic; now cultivated by common people, it is non-toxic. Soak in water for one to two days, changing fresh water nightly to remove the salty taste. Wrap in dough and bake over fire, slice, and sun-dry. Tonifies yin deficiency of the liver and kidney, treats stroke paralysis, and yin-yang hernia.
For every jin, boil in five jin of aged yellow wine until soft, then dry. Named Shujun (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix). Treats dry constipation and heat-toxin, clears excess fire, purges accumulated food, and transforms stagnation. Raw and prepared forms have similar functions, but the prepared form is purer.
Greatly cold. Treats excess fire. For dysentery and eye diseases, if not caused by excess fire, mistaken use can be fatal; it is a drug that damages the stomach. It specifically treats fright and resolves toxicity of Croton seed (Badou) and Calomel (Qingfen). Huhuanglian (Picrorhizae Rhizoma) has similar properties.
Bitter and cold. Treats wind-phlegm, bone-steaming fever, throat obstruction, gallbladder abscess/toxins, nourishes yin, and subdues yang hyperactivity.
Remove peel, soak in child's urine, wash, sun-dry, crush, and stir-fry with vinegar and salt water. Resolves depression, dissipates abscesses, treats accumulations, phlegm-fluid retention, and regulates menstruation.