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Lishi (Vicia sativa) serves as the guiding herb for Qianghuo and Shengma.

[Qianghuo]
Pungent, bitter, warm in nature; its aroma is potent and dispersing. Enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian to treat wandering wind pathogens. It treats headaches due to Wind-Dampness binding (Benjing headache), soreness and pain in bone joints, generalized body pain, aphonia, deviation of the mouth and eyes, red eyes with itchy skin, carbuncles, sores, and blood-related skin lesions. Combined with Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) and Songjie (Pinus Massoniana Joint), decocted in wine, it treats Lijie Feng pain (painful joint syndrome). As the sovereign herb combined with Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), it treats headache, rigidity of the spine, and jue-ni (cold extremities). (Involves pathologies of the Taiyang, Shaoyin, and Du Mai meridians.) Guided by Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), it treats Shaoyin headache. (Shaoyin meridian ascends to the vertex.) Stir-fried together with Laifuzi (Raphani Semen) until fragrant, taking only the powder of Qianghuo, two qian per dose, taken with warm wine, it treats Fengshui edema (wind-water swelling).
The processing method is the same as that of Duhuo. For dispelling Wind-Dampness, a heavy dose is appropriate; for releasing exterior Wind-Cold, a light dose is required. Contraindicated in cases of Qi and Blood deficiency with generalized body pain.
Strange symptom: Eyes suddenly droop to the nose like black horns, with unbearable astringent pain, or frequent bloody stools with severe pain, this condition is named "Gan Zhang" (Liver Distension). Use one liang of Qianghuo decocted and taken orally.
Currently, whenever fever and headache occur, Qianghuo Tang is often employed indiscriminately. One must not know that pungent-dispersing herbs are effective for Wind-Cold; if used to treat epidemic toxic fire blazing intensely, they will only increase dryness and heat, leading rapidly to the desiccation of Stomach Yin and death. However, if epidemic qi resides in the Membrane Source (Moyuan) and overflows into the Taiyang, adding a few fen of Qianghuo to Zhaoyuan Yin may be acceptable.

[Shengma]
Pungent, slightly bitter, slightly warm. Enters the Qi aspect of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. When wind pathogens lodge in the Yangming meridian, they cannot be dispersed without ascending. When Yang Qi sinks to the extreme Yin level, it cannot be lifted without ascending. It eliminates carbuncles and sores and resolves hundred toxins. Combined with Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) and Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), it relieves tension of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel). Assisted by Gange (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), it treats toothache due to Stomach Fire. Combined with Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), it treats Fire Depression in Spleen Earth. (Caused by Cold damaging the Stomach, leading to Yang Qi stagnation transforming into Fire.) Combined with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Rongzhu (Cistanches Herba), and Huainiuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), it treats constipation due to deficiency-dryness.
Those with a white interior and black exterior, tight and solid, are considered superior and are named "Guilian Shengma" (Ghost-Face Shengma). Heavy use leads to dispersion; light use leads to ascending. Honey-processing prevents sudden excessive ascending action.
Chaihu guides the clear Qi of Shaoyang upward; Shengma guides the clear Qi of Yangming upward. Contraindicated in four conditions: early-stage Shanghan (Cold Damage) affecting the Taiyang meridian, appearance of markers in smallpox/rash diseases, insufficiency of the Lower Yuan (Kidney Essence/Qi) (ascending and dispersing further depletes Yuan Qi), and Yin deficiency with flaming-up of Deficient Fire.