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Aconite (No. 126): Flavor is acrid and sweet; pickled ones are extremely salty. Nature is greatly hot, belonging to the Yang within Yang. It is toxic. It is inhibited by Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Phaseoli Semen Nigricans (Heidou), Mung Bean (Lvdou), Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), Child's Urine (Tongbian), Allium victorialis var. purpureum (Wujiu), and Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng). Its nature floats with sinking properties, moving freely without staying put. Because it excels at traversing all meridians, it is said to have similar efficacy to wine. It can eliminate deep-seated cold in both exterior and interior, treat cold limbs and chills, warm the middle jiao and strengthen yin essence, warm the five zang organs, restore yang qi, eliminate vomiting and hiccups, cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, regurgitation and dysphagia, heart and abdominal pain, distension and diarrhea, limb spasms, cold pathogenic dampness, stomach-cold roundworms, cold phlegm and cold hernia, wind-damp numbness, yin abscesses and sores, chronic cold ulcers, floating yang sore throat, urinary and fecal retention due to yang deficiency, as well as menstrual irregularities due to cold in women, and slow convulsions in infants. It greatly guides fire back to its source, controls deficient heat, and assists Ginseng Radix (Renshen) and Astragali Radix (Huangqi) effectively, especially enhancing the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudihuang). Whether for exterior or interior syndromes, whenever the pulse is fine and spiritless, and there is qi deficiency without heat, it should be used urgently. Therefore, Yu Bo stated: "Aconite possesses a robust quality and the momentum of breaking through gates and capturing generals. It can guide qi-tonifying herbs into the twelve meridians to recover lost primordial yang; guide blood-nourishing herbs into the blood level to nourish insufficient true yin; guide dispersing herbs to open the interstices to expel wind-cold in the exterior; and guide warming herbs to the lower jiao to dispel cold-dampness in the interior." Wu Shou stated: "Aconite is a crucial herb for yin syndromes. Whenever Shaoyang disease transmits to the three yin meridians, or when cold strikes with hidden yin, even if the body is very hot but the pulse is deep, it must be used; or if there are cold limbs and a deep, fine pulse, it is especially urgent to use it. It has the power to drive out yin and restore yang, bringing the dying back to life. In recent times, practitioners often hesitate to use it for yin-type cold damage due to uncertainty, waiting until yin is exhausted and yang is depleted before using it, which is already too late. Moreover, in cold damage with hidden yin, both interior and exterior are yin; abandoning this herb, how can one save the patient? The words of these two gentlemen are profound truths that must not be overlooked. However, pregnant women must avoid it, as it causes rapid abortion. Mixing scallion juice with saliva and packing it into the ear can also treat deafness."

On Processing Methods: Regarding the processing of Aconite, ancient methods include boiling alone with child's urine, using ginger juice and salt water, using Licorice Root (Gancao) and Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian), or combining several ingredients. The appropriateness of each must be carefully distinguished. Aconite's nature is hot and rigid, moving freely without staying put. Locals pickle it with heavy salt, making its flavor salty and its nature descending. Now, we use it precisely to utilize its hot nature to restore primordial yang, tonify spleen and kidney, and perform the functions of Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Astragali Radix (Huangqi), and Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudihuang). If processed with Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian), how can it assist in restoring yang? If processed with salt water, it further aids its descending nature. If processed with child's urine, it inevitably retains an urine odor, which not only enhances its descending nature but also easily induces vomiting and hiccups in those with severe spleen qi deficiency; upon smelling it, nausea arises, causing harm before the medicine even enters the mouth. Furthermore, its sinking action is too rapid to reach the spleen. Only processing with ginger juice is somewhat acceptable, though using acrid to aid acrid seems unbalanced. If indeed treating direct invasion of yin-cold syndromes where its heat is desired, this method is good; however, for routine use seeking its tonifying effect, this method is unnecessary. Regarding boiling: if not soaked until swollen before boiling, the center will not cook thoroughly; even if soaked, by the time the center is cooked, the skin and edges will be overcooked and lose their potency. Even cut into four pieces, boiling is uneven. Moreover, boiling produces liquid, in which much potency is lost; none of these are proper processing methods. Proper Processing Method: Use Licorice Root (Gancao) in amounts proportional to the Aconite. Decoct the Licorice Root into a very thick, sweet syrup, soak the Aconite for several days, peel off the skin and navel, cut into four pieces, add more thick Licorice Root syrup, and soak for another two to three days until soft throughout. Chew into slices, then stir-fry in a pot over gentle heat until nearly dry. This ensures even cooking and roasting; when chewed, it should still have a spicy taste, indicating the correct degree. If fried too dry, it becomes overly cooked, loses all spiciness, and completely loses its hot nature. Thus, over-processing renders it merely nominal, with no verifiable efficacy. The reason Licorice Root (Gancao) is essential is that Aconite's nature is urgent; with Licorice Root, it becomes缓和 (soothing); Aconite is toxic; with Licorice Root, the toxicity is resolved; Aconite moves; with Licorice Root, it benefits heart and spleen; Aconite scatters; with Licorice Root, it harmonizes Ying and Wei. This is simply using benevolence to temper its bravery. For urgent use, wrap in thick paper, pour Licorice Root syrup, or roast/bake until soft, cut open, wrap again, frequently moisten, and bake until cooked. Wrapping in flour and roasting is also acceptable. If truly suffering from direct yin-cold invasion with impending collapse due to cold limbs, where processing takes too long, use roasted Aconite alone without other processing.

On Toxicity: Aconite's nature is rigid, urgent, and hot. Improper processing and use mean it cannot be considered non-toxic; thus, proper processing is required. Among methods to neutralize toxins, none is superior to fire. Fire neutralizes toxins because it alters the nature of substances. Gas meets fire and loses its gas; flavor meets fire and loses its flavor; rigidity changes its rigidity; softness loses its softness. Therefore, the method of processing Aconite involves boiling in plain water until thoroughly cooked. Then, it loses all spiciness and hot nature, becoming edible like a radish, leaving no cause for concern regarding toxicity. Today, we use Licorice Root (Gancao) in processing to preserve its nature while softening its rigidity. People only know Aconite is fearsome but do not know that overcooking renders it useless. Thus, for any toxic food, if cooked thoroughly, it should be harmless; even pufferfish or raw crabs, which harm humans, do so because they are undercooked and retain their raw nature. This logic applies to all toxic foods. As for medicinal herbs that require fire processing, why is this so? Substances经过 fire processing become salty and astringent. The purpose of fire processing is either to remove the raw, rigid nature or to utilize the salty-astringent flavor. Whether to retain or discard the nature depends on suitability. Thus, herbs requiring fire processing can be understood by analogy.

Regarding toxic herbs, how can they be avoided? Although the *Bencao* states some herbs are toxic and others are not, I strongly disagree, knowing that no herb is entirely non-toxic. Hot herbs have hot toxicity; cold herbs have cold toxicity. If used improperly, anything that causes disease is toxic. Even daily tea and food, originally wholesome, can become toxic if misused or overused, let alone herbs with biased flavors and natures. Toxins vary in magnitude, and usage requires discretion; this must be examined. Although Aconite is said to be toxic, it actually lacks great toxicity. If processed correctly and used appropriately, what toxicity remains? Modern people do not appreciate its wonders and fear it alongside Ginseng Radix (Renshen) and Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudihuang). Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudihuang), Aconite, and Rheum Palmatum (Dahuang) are the four pillars of medicine. When illness reaches a critical stage beyond the capacity of ordinary remedies, these four are indispensable. Hesitation leads to failure. Using Aconite only as a last resort means the situation is already hopeless. Blaming Aconite when treatment fails suggests it is useless?

Alas! Human life depends on Yang Qi and Zheng Qi. Death results from Yin Qi and Xie Qi. Ginseng Radix (Renshen) and Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudihuang) are capable ministers in peaceful times; Aconite and Rheum Palmatum (Dahuang) are capable generals in chaotic times. Armies cannot be used indefinitely, so capable generals are used temporarily; chaos must not forget governance, so capable ministers are indispensable. Although Aconite is fierce, its nature supports Yang, unlike Mang Xiao (Mirabilite) and Dahuang (Rhubarb). Mang Xiao and Dahuang seem mild but have Yin-draining natures, unlike Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) and Aconite. Hua Yuanhua said: "Those who obtain Yang live; those who obtain Yin die." The *Neijing* states: "If the gates are not secure, the granaries cannot store. Those who maintain security live; those who lose security die." Today, people tread on Mirabilite (Mangxiao) and Rhubarb (Dahuang) as if on flat roads, yet view Ginseng (Renshen), Aconite (Fuzi), and Prepared Rehmannia (Shudihuang) as snakes and scorpions. Are they foolish or wise?

White Arisaema (Bai Fuzi) (No. 127): Flavor is sweet and acrid, nature is greatly warm, slightly toxic. Its nature ascends, guiding medicinal effects upward. It dispels head wind and various winds, cold qi heart pain, wind-phlegm dizziness, leukorrhea, treats infantile convulsions with phlegm, facial migratory wind, wild spot wind thorns, removes facial marks, can be made into facial cream, also treats tinea and wind sores, genital dampness and itching, and various wind-damp diseases. Almost all require processing before use.

Rhubarb (Dahuang) (No. 128): Flavor is bitter, nature is greatly cold. Both flavor and qi are dense, belonging to Yin within Yin, descending. It is toxic. Its nature pushes out the old to bring forth the new, moving straight without staying put. It breaks earth stagnation and obstruction, shatters accumulations and hard masses, treats epidemic fever with mania, eliminates jaundice and delirium, cleanses solid phlegm, guides out blood stasis, opens water passages, clears damp-heat, opens dry constipation, and reduces carbuncles and swelling. Due to its fierce momentum, it sweeps away accumulated filth in an instant. For rapid effect, use raw: soak in decoction and swallow. For mild effect, use cooked: decoct with other herbs. For qi deficiency, combine with Ginseng Radix (Renshen), named Huanglong Tang (Yellow Dragon Decoction). For blood deficiency, combine with Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), named Yuzhu San (Jade Candle Powder). With Licorice Root (Gancao) and Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) as assistants, its movement slows; with Mirabilite (Mangxiao) and Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo) as assistants, its锐气 (sharp energy) increases. Dosage depends on the patient's excess or deficiency; using it mistakenly for false excess is akin to drinking poison (Zhen).

Dichroa (Changshan) (No. 129): Flavor is greatly bitter, nature is cold, toxic. Attacks warm malaria and phlegm malaria, as well as cold-heat alternating in cold damage, phlegm accumulation with rebellious qi, manic epilepsy, and sudden fainting. Suitable only for cases with chest/abdominal stagnation, pathogenic excess, strong qi, and malaria. Elderly and weak persons must avoid it. This herb is fierce, excelling at driving out phlegm-fluids; with Licorice Root (Gancao) it induces vomiting upwards; with Rhubarb (Dahuang) it induces diarrhea downwards. Also treats ghost toxins and gu poisons, as well as cervical lymphadenopathy (Luoli) and rat sores (Shuluo).

Pinellia (Banxia) (No. 130): Flavor is greatly acrid and slightly bitter, nature is warm. Can ascend and descend, Yang within Yin. Toxic. Texture is slippery, nature dries dampness and descends phlegm, entering Spleen, Stomach, and Gallbladder meridians. Raw chewing irritates the throat; processed with Ginger (Shengjiang). Descends Lung qi, opens stomach and strengthens spleen, eliminates phlegm-fluids and fullness, stops cough and rebellious qi, heart and hypochondriac pain, eliminates vomiting and regurgitation, cholera with leg cramps, dizziness and abdominal distension, insomnia and qi stagnation, phlegm nodules and protrusions, removes phlegm-cold headache, disperses wind-closure hoarseness, treats spleen-damp diarrhea, seminal emission and leukorrhea, reduces carbuncles and sores, kills centipede, wasp, and insect venom. Nature can induce abortion; pregnant women should avoid it. However, for stomach disharmony with persistent vomiting, add ginger juice and slight stir-frying; use is safe. Contraindicated in thirst with烦热 (restless heat) and yin-deficiency blood disorders. Li Shizhen said: "Banxia treats phlegm-fluids and abdominal distension because its texture is slippery, flavor acrid, and nature warm. Slippery moistens; acrid-warm disperses and moistens, thus moving dampness to unblock large intestine, opening orifices to drain small intestine. Acrid moves qi, transforms fluids, 'Acrid moistens' is so." Danxi said: "Erchen Tang moistens stool and increases urine." She Yun said: "Banxia is acrid and dispersing, moves water and moistens kidney dryness." Also, *Ju Fang* uses Banshu Wan (Half-Sulfur Pill) for elderly constipation due to deficiency, taking advantage of its slipperiness. Common belief that Banxia and Nanxing are drying is wrong. Removing dampness dries the earth, stopping phlegm production; it is not their nature that is drying. Ancient formulas for sore throat, hematemesis, and hematochezia often use them; they are not contraindicated. They also disperse blood, treating traumatic injuries.

Arisaema (Nanxing) (No. 131): Flavor is bitter and acrid, nature is warm, can ascend and descend, Yang within Yin. Nature is fierce and toxic, processed with Ginger Juice (Jiangzhi). Excels at moving Spleen and Lung, settling excess phlegm in stroke, benefiting chest and diaphragm, descending qi, attacking hard accumulations, treating convulsions and epilepsy, dispersing blood and inducing abortion. Water-grind to bind snake/insect bites; mix with vinegar to reduce swelling. For wind-stroke from trauma, knife wounds, fractures, and blood stasis, grind and apply. Efficacy similar to Banxia; use酌情 (discretionarily).

Star Arisaema (Danning) (No. 132): Seven or nine processes are best. Extraordinarily effective in descending phlegm caused by fire; essential for infantile acute convulsions. Generally, for excess phlegm and excess fire obstructing upper jiao with asthma, restlessness, intense thirst, and distension, it is mandatory. Compared to Nanxing, it is bitter and cool, thus dispersing wind-phlegm and heat stagnation.

Belamcanda (Shegan) (No. 133): Flavor is bitter, slightly cold, toxic. Yin, descending. Treats cough with rebellious qi, sore throat and pain, dissipates stagnant qi causing breathing difficulty, clears chest/abdominal evil heat and distension, clears liver and brightens eyes, eliminates accumulated phlegm and tubercles, pleuritic heat hernia, descends excess fire, benefits large intestine, resolves blood stasis, unblocks female amenorrhea. Grind with vinegar for topical application to reduce toxic swelling.

Euphorbia (Daji) (No. 134): Flavor is bitter, greatly cold, toxic. Incompatible with Licorice Root (Gancao). Nature is harsh and draining, excels at driving out water pathogens and phlegm-fluids, drains damp-heat distension, reduces acute pain, breaks knots, evacuates bad blood, attacks accumulations, unblocks bowels and bladder, kills gu and drug poisons, treats epidemic malaria and jaundice, as well as neck/axillary abscesses. However, it greatly drains Lung and damages true qi; not suitable for light use unless there is significant excess and hardness. If poisoned, only Calamus Rhizome (Changpu) can antidote it.

Kansui (Gansui) (No. 135): Flavor is bitter, nature is cold, toxic. Incompatible with Licorice Root (Gancao). Specializes in moving water, reaching water accumulation sites directly. For water accumulation in chest, nothing else removes it. For retained phlegm, fluid, and undigested food, hard accumulations, it drives them all out. Thus, it excellently treats abdominal and leg scrotal swelling, removes facial/eye edema, unblocks bowels/bladder, drains bladder damp-heat, and treats phlegm-rebellious epilepsy, dysphagia, and痞塞 (obstruction). However, its nature is fierce and damages yin; do not use recklessly.

Genkwa (Yuanhua) (No. 136, incompatible with Gancao): Flavor is bitter, slightly warm, toxic. Specifically drives out water from five zang, removes water-fluids, cold phlegm, and phlegm-piles, hypochondriac pain, cough with rebellious qi, heart/abdomen/limb distension, miasma malaria, wet/cold toxins, gu/meat toxins, insect/fish toxins, eliminates hernia/masses/abscesses, drives out bad blood, reduces throat swelling. Roots treat sores/tinea and can poison fish. Soaked thread can tie off hemorrhoids. Due to high toxicity,虚弱 (deficient) persons must not use lightly.

Hosta (Yuzan) (No. 137): Flavor is sweet and acrid, nature is cold, slightly toxic. Use root crushed for juice to resolve all toxins, pass all bone obstructions, and apply to reduce carbuncles/sores. For early-stage mastitis in women, crush root in wine, drink, and apply residue to swelling for immediate resolution. However, it damages teeth, so it can also extract teeth.

Impatiens (Fengxianhua) (No. 138): Flavor is slightly bitter, nature is slightly warm, slightly toxic. Seed is named Jixingzi (Acute Son). Treats difficult labor, reduces masses, opens dysphagia, passes bone obstructions. Excels at penetrating bones and opening orifices, hence also named Tougucao (Bone-Penetrating Grass). To extract teeth, grind seed into powder, add a little Realgar (Pishi), apply to painful tooth root to extract. However, this plant repels insects and butterflies, suggesting it is not non-toxic.

Castor Bean (Bimazi) (No. 139): Flavor is sweet and acrid, nature is hot, toxic. Drives out wind and disperses toxins, treats facial paralysis, aphasia, toxic swelling, carbuncles, needles embedded in flesh, stops pain and reduces swelling, draws out pus and toxins; all can be ground and applied. For tongue swelling and sore throat, grind, roll in paper, burn for smoke inhalation for immediate relief. To induce labor, mix with Musk (Shexiang) and Croton Seed (Badou), grind, and apply to umbilicus.

Li Shizhen said: One person with hemiplegia unable to move limbs was cured using this oil mixed with sheep fat, musk, and Pangolin Scales (Chuanshanjia) as ointment, rubbed several times daily, combined with wind-searching and blood-nourishing herbs. Another with arm swelling/pain was cured overnight with paste application. Another with qi-stagnation headache was cured overnight applying mixture of myrrh and salt to Taiyang point. A postpartum woman with uterine prolapse had uterus restored overnight by applying kernel to Dantian. This herb yields miraculous results externally but must not be taken internally lightly. Some say grinding paste and touching the tongue root of geese/ducks/livestock stops eating; touching anus causes fatal bleeding, revealing its toxicity. Anyone taking Castor Bean must never eat roasted beans for life, or they will die of bloating.

Spurge (Xuisui Zi) (No. 140), also known as Qianjinzi: Flavor is acrid, nature is warm, toxic. Drives out blood stasis, eliminates phlegm/food accumulation, masses/piles, removes gu toxins and ghost infections, water/cold qi, heart/abdominal distension/pain, various abdominal diseases, benefits intestines, removes evil stagnation, and treats female blood clots/stasis. Crushed and taken with wine, no more than three seeds, will evacuate bad matter; severe cases ten seeds. If diarrhea is excessive, stop with sour plum water or thin vinegar porridge. Can also be ground for tinea/sores. Its strength lies in draining water and killing insects, similar to Gansui and Daji.

Momordica (Mubie Zi) (Another No. 140): Flavor is bitter, slightly sweet/acrid, qi is strong but inferior, nature is greatly cold, highly toxic. *Bencao* claims it is sweet/warm and non-toxic, which is erroneous. Seeing dogs poisoned by it die instantly proves its high toxicity. Humans ingesting it suffer cold-induced chills with no rescue. Liu Ji's *Feixue Lu* states: "Mubie Zi is toxic, inedible." A man from Jimen had two sons with痞 (masses); after eating it, both died. Caution is essential. Its function is limited to grinding with vinegar for external application to toxic swelling, mastitis, hemorrhoid swelling, and sore throat. Swish vinegar solution in throat to induce phlegm expulsion and clear heat toxin; do not swallow. Mixed with Cinnabar (Zhusha) and Mugwort (Aiye) rolled in tubes, fumigation for tinea/insects is most effective. Or boiled castor oil for tinea is also good.

Strychnos (Fan Mubie): Flavor is extremely bitter, nature is greatly cold, highly toxic. Functions similar to Mubie Zi, but its cold/fierce nature is even more severe.