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Puerariae Radix (Gegen, 葛根): Sweet and acrid, cool in nature. Enters the Yangming channel, and also enters the Qi level of the Foot Taiyin channel. In small doses, it stimulates Stomach Qi, generates body fluids, and relieves thirst. In large doses, it resolves the muscle layer, induces sweating to release the exterior, and reduces fever.

Indications: Yangming headache, irritability, heat, vomiting, and counterflow; resolves alcohol toxicity; treats warm malaria. Combined with Scallion White (Congbai), it treats Yangming headache. With spleen-fortifying herbs, it has the effect of awakening the spleen. With millet, it treats heat-thirst and deficiency-irritability. Combined with Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) and Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma), it has the power to dissipate fire. (When Yang Qi is constrained in the Spleen and Stomach, symptoms resemble exterior syndromes, but appetite remains normal.) Raw Pueraria juice resolves warm diseases and treats severe heat causing hematemesis and epistaxis. (If fresh root is unavailable, soak in boiling water, squeeze out the juice, and take orally.) Excessive use damages Stomach Qi (due to excessive ascending and dispersing action). Do not use at the initial stage of Taiyang disease (misuse draws pathogens inward, akin to "leading thieves to break into the house"). Contraindicated in cases of exterior deficiency with profuse sweating, and after the eruption of chickenpox or smallpox rashes.

Flower of Pueraria (Gegenhua): Acrid and sweet, enters the Foot Yangming channel. Eliminates alcohol accumulation, removes intestinal wind. Contraindicated in patients weakened by chronic alcohol consumption.

Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root (Tianmendong, 天门冬): Earth-rooted Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome (Dihuang, 地黄), Fritillaria Cirrhosa Bulb (Beimu, 贝母), and Wall Moss (Yuanyi) act as guides. Averse to Azurite (Zengqing) and Duckweed (Fuping). Avoid carp and ironware. Processed with Realgar (Xionghuang) and Cinnabar (Sha). Sweet and bitter, cold in nature. Enters the Qi level of the Hand Taiyin and Foot Shaoyin channels. Clears Lung Metal, descends Fire, nourishes Yin, moistens dryness, treats cough, eliminates phlegm, dispels irritability, and relieves thirst. Treats lung abscess, stops hematemesis. Relieves heat and pain in the soles of the feet, treats consumptive disease with bone-steaming fever. Ophiopogon Japonicus Root (Maidong) clears Heart Fire, while Asparagus Root nourishes Kidney and assists Yuan Qi; both share the function of preserving Lung Yin. Combined with Aster Tataricus Root (Ziwan) and Maltose (Yitang), treats lung flaccidity with cough. Combined with Lindera Root (Wuyao), treats hernia with testicular swelling on one side. Combined with Fritillaria Thunbergii Bulb (Chuanbei), stops hematemesis. Paired with Trichosanthes Root (Huafen), treats phlegm-heat binding in the chest. Paired with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), stabilizes deficiency wheezing. Assisted by Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen), treats mouth ulcers. Assisted by Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudi), tonifies Kidney Water. Remove heart and peel, stir-fry with wine, steam, and sun-dry for use. If carp is accidentally ingested after taking this herb, Duckweed juice can detoxify it. Contraindicated in patients with Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold.

Stemona Root (Bubai, 百部): Sweet and bitter, slightly warm. Enters the Qi level of the Hand Taiyin channel. Moistens Lung Qi, stops cough, kills parasites such as ascariasis, pinworms, and tapeworms, treats scabies, tinea, and venom from insect and silkworm bites. Combined with Ginger (Shengjiang), treats cold cough. Combined with Gentiana Macrophylla Root (Qinjiao), fumigate clothes to remove lice. Crush to extract juice, mix with honey, and boil into a syrup-like consistency to treat chronic cough lasting thirty years. Split with a bamboo knife, remove heart, peel, and flowers, soak in wine, and bake for use. Contraindicated in heat-cough and Yin deficiency with flaming fire.