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Tianmendong (Asparagus Root, *Radix Asparagi*) [No. 105] Taste: bitter with slight sweetness; Nature: very cold. The flavor is rich and the qi is thin, sinking in nature, belonging to Yin. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians; eliminates internal heat from deficiency labor. Due to its bitter and cold nature, it clears upper heat to calm wheezing, descends lower heat to treat hot strangury, kills intestinal parasites via bitterness, moistens and nourishes bone marrow, relieves thirst and removes irritability, resolves phlegm and stops coughing, descends fire to protect the lungs, reduces fever and nourishes Yin, and greatly moistens dryness and constipation caused by blood heat. It is strictly contraindicated for deficiency-cold patterns, false-heat patterns, and loose stools due to Spleen and Kidney deficiency. Compatible herbs include Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb) and Dihuang (Rehmannia Root). Use after removing skin and heart.

Tusizi (Dodder Seed, *Semen Cuscutae*) [No. 106] Taste: sweet and acrid; Nature: slightly warm. Its function is solidifying; enters the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. First wash clean with sweet water, soak until swollen, then soak in wine, cook until done, sun-dry, stir-fry, and stir-fry again. Fills essence and adds Jing, assists Yang and secures leakage, reconnects severed injuries, nourishes Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst), reduces urination, stops nocturnal emission and turbid leukorrhea dribbling, warms cold pain in waist and knees, strengthens Qi, power, and sinews/bones, brightens eyes and opens appetite, promotes eating to fatten muscles, prevents "ghost intercourse" (nocturnal emissions with sexual dreams), and particularly calms sleep. Decoctions, pills, and powders can be used at will; ancients excluding it from decoctions was a loss. To stop wasting-thirst, decoct and drink freely.

Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry, *Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis*) [No. 107] Skin is sweet, flesh is sour; nature is neutral and astringent; core/kernel is bitter and acrid, nature is warm and warming; all possess salty taste, hence named "Five Flavors." Enters Lung and Kidney meridians. Southern variety treats wind-cold cough; Northern variety treats deficiency damage and labor injury. Used whole for its sourness: generates fluids, relieves thirst, stops diarrhea, removes irritability, treats consumption of Lung Metal, nourishes insufficient Kidney Water, converges deficient fire, and resolves alcohol toxicity. Crushed for its acrid-warmness: tonifies Original Yang, strengthens sinews/bones, assists Mingmen (Gate of Life), stops cholera. Contraindicated when cold pathogen first invades causing cough, fearing it traps pathogens. Contraindicated when Liver Qi is hyperactive with acid regurgitation, fearing it aids Wood to injure Earth.

Heshouwu (Polygonum Multiflorum Root, *Radix Polygoni Multiflori*) [No. 108] Taste: sweet, astringent, slightly bitter; Yin contains Yang; nature is warm. Sweetness tonifies, astringency secures, warmth nourishes Yang. Although known as a Liver-Kidney herb, white variety enters Qi level, red variety enters Blood level; wherever Qi and Blood exist, it reaches all Five Yin Zang organs. Thus, it nourishes Blood, Spirit, and Qi, strengthens sinews/bones, fortifies essence/marrow, darkens hair/beard, and treats women's leukorrhea/turbidity, hemorrhage, and postpartum deficiencies. Its effect is slow; short-term use may not show obvious results, requiring long-term use for longevity, fertility, and offspring assistance. It also stops malaria, cures chronic dysentery, invigorates blood, treats wind, heals carbuncles/lumps, rheumatic sores, and all cold qi/intestinal wind chronic diseases, owing to its warming, securing, and astringent power. When Blood/Qi are secured, True Yuan restores, and pathogens disperse. Li Ao wrote "Biography of Heshouwu"; Li Shizhen stated it is neither cold nor dry, superior to Dihuang and Tianmendong, which is true. Preparation methods vary: layered with black beans, steamed nine times and dried nine times; soaked in rice washing water for three nights, sliced, baked, and powdered; or mixed with milk from healthy people, dried three times, and raw-ground to powder. Generally, cooked is better than raw; soaking in rice water and steaming thoroughly is effective, possibly without milk or beans. After taking, avoid raw radish and blood-moving/dissipating foods.

Gualouren (Trichosanthes Seed, *Semen Trichosanthis*) [No. 109] Taste: sweet; Nature: cold. Flavor and Qi are dense; nature is descending and moistening. Descends excess heat-phlegm, opens depressed Qi blockage, resolves wasting-thirst, calms distension/wheezing, moistens lungs, stops cough. However, its flavor is harsh and moving; unsuitable for nausea/vomiting or Middle Qi deficiency. The claim in Bencao that it tonifies deficiency-labor is a major error.

Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes Root, *Radix Trichosanthis*) [No. 110] Is Gualou root. Taste: bitter; Nature: cold. Flavor and Qi are light, ascending and descending, Yin contains Yang. Most cooling to Heart/Lungs, excellent for resolving heat-thirst, greatly reduces upper diaphragm heat-phlegm, resolves mastitis/sores/hemorrhoids/furuncles, expels pus, generates flesh, removes traumatic blood stasis, regulates menstruation, removes fever/manic heat, clears jaundice, moistens dryness, resolves alcohol toxicity, unblocks Small Intestine, treats Liver Fire hernia pain.

Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle Flower, *Flos Lonicerae Japonicae*) [No. 111] Also called Rendong. Taste: sweet; Nature: neutral, slightly cold. Excellent at transforming toxins; thus treats carbuncles, sores, ulcers, ringworm, yaws, rheumatism, and various toxic conditions; indeed a key herb. Disperses unformed toxin, ruptures formed toxin. Its nature is slow, so dosage must be doubled. Can be decocted in wine, crushed juice mixed with wine taken at once, or mashed and mixed with wine for thick application. For lumps/scrofula and upper Jiao Qi-level toxins, use approx. 1 liang, decoct frequently for extreme efficacy.

Gegen (Kudzu Root, *Radix Puerariae Lobatae*) [No. 112] Taste: sweet; Nature: neutral-cold. Qi is lighter than flavor, floating and slightly descending, Yang contains slight Yin. Used for its cooling dispersion; although it reaches all Yang meridians, it is best for Yangming. Due to light Qi, it excellently releases exterior and induces sweating. Most exterior-releasing herbs are acrid-hot; this one is uniquely cool and sweet, thus treating warm-heat seasonal epidemics. Best for fever with thirst; should be used as Sovereign herb assisted by Chaihu, Fangfeng, Gancao, Jiegeng. Especially disperses constrained fire, treats headache, treats warm-malaria alternating chills/fever, uncovers rash, resolves alcohol, removes irritability, generates fluids, stops thirst, clears stomach heat-manial states, antidotes wild gecko, croton, poisoned arrows, and metal wounds. Its cool nature may induce vomiting; caution in Stomach Cold.

Qiancao (Rubia Root, *Radix Rubiae Cordifoliae*) [No. 113] Also called Guoshanlong. Taste: bitter-sweet; Nature: slightly cold. Yin contains slight Yang; essential herb for Blood. Bitterness moves stagnant blood; coolness stops active bleeding. Treats labor-injury hematemesis/epistaxis, eliminates deficiency-heat leakage/metrorrhagia, unblocks menses, treats mastitis, dissipates traumatic blood stasis, resolves gu-toxin/rotting liver blood, excelling in all blood-heat/stasis cases. For amenorrhea in women, decoct 1 liang in wine; flows within one day, very effective. Avoid in Qi deficiency failing to control blood, or Spleen Cold.

Tufuling (Smilax Glabra Rhizome, *Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae*) [No. 114] Also called Xianyiliang. Taste: sweet-bland; Nature: neutral. Strengthens Spleen/Stomach, strengthens sinews/bones, dispels wind-damp, benefits joints, separates water pathways, stops diarrhea/dysentery, treats spasms/bone pain, heals carbuncles/sore throat, eliminates systemic cold-damp foul sores, especially resolves yaws toxin and calomel residual toxins, ulceration/pain syndromes. Avoid tea, alcohol, beef, mutton, chicken, goose, and all wind-inducing/agitating foods during treatment.

Shijunzi (Quassia Fruit, *Fructus Quassiae Amarae*) [No. 115] Taste: sweet; Nature: warm; slightly toxic; nature good at killing parasites. Treats pediatric gan accumulation, cloudy white urine. For adults/children with worms, eat several on empty stomach early morning in first half of lunar month, or decoct shells and swallow; worms die and pass next day. Some say seven raw, seven roasted; also good. One per year of age. Avoid hot tea after eating, causes diarrhea. Do not use frequently/excessively in children as slippery nature harms Spleen. Li Shizhen noted: most parasiticides are bitter-acrid; only Shijunzi and Feizi are sweet yet kill parasites. Shijunzi targets roundworms; Feizi targets tapeworms.

Qianniu (Morning Glory Seed, *Semen Pharbitidis*) [No. 116] Also called Heichou. Taste: bitter-acrid; Nature: hot; Qi is vigorous/fierce; nature is urgent/rapid; toxic. Descends Qi, drives out water, unblocks bowel/bladder, moves vigorously in Qi level, unblocks water pathways, resolves Qi-excess/Qi-stagnation edema, attacks mass accumulations, aborts fetus, kills parasites, drains parasite toxins, removes damp-heat phlegm-fluids, opens Qi constipation/blockage. Ancient formulas use powders/pills; for emergencies, can assist other herbs in decoction. But severely depletes Original Qi; contraindicated in weakness.

Fangji (Stephania Root, *Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae*) [No. 117] Taste: bitter; Nature: cold, Yin, descending. Removes damp-heat edema, benefits bowel/bladder, resolves heat-obstruction swelling/pain in meridians, damp-heat podagra, unblocks nine orifices heat-closure, drives bladder/Liver/Kidney damp-heat, treats heat-toxin sores, damp-heat worm generation syndromes.

Bixie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome, *Rhizoma Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae*) [No. 118] Taste: slightly sweet-bland; Nature: warm. Warms Kidney, removes dampness, regulates impotence/yin-cold, urinary incontinence/leukorrhea, penile pain, limb paralysis/immobility, systemic wind-damp foul sores. Nature/flavor purely mild/slow; requires large doses.

Gouteng (Uncaria Ramulus cum Uncis, *Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis*) [No. 119] Taste: slightly sweet-bitter; Nature: slightly cold. Clears Fire of Hand-Jueyin (Pericardium), Wind-Heat of Foot-Jueyin (Liver) and Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder); specifically manages Liver Wind and Ministerial Fire diseases. Treats adult/childhood convulsions, epilepsy, vertigo, macules/rash "Heaven Hook," dizziness, irritability/heat; wind calms, fire rests, symptoms resolve.

Shandougen (Sophora Root, *Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis*) [No. 120] Taste: very bitter, very cold. Resolves drug heat-toxins, eliminates carbuncles/sores, kills tapeworms/etc. Hold in mouth and swallow juice for sore throat obstruction. Powder decocted 5-7 fen resolves internal heat wheezing/fullness/distension. Ground juice resolves heat-jue chest pain. Juice applied treats heat-toxin sores/swelling, insect heat-toxin injuries.

Weilingxian (Clematis Root, *Radix Clematidis*) [No. 121] Taste: slightly acrid-salty; Nature: warm; ascending/descending; Yin contains Yang. Drives various winds, moves Qi/Blood, travels meridians, vents five Zang, removes abdominal cold-stagnation, heart/diaphragm phlegm-fluids, masses/growths, Qi-blocks/accumulations, bladder retained water, cold-pain in waist/knees/limbs, treats fractures. Nature is sharp/moving; key herb for gout. Cui Yuanliang said it removes all winds, unblocks twelve meridians, morning dose evening effect. Method: harvest roots, shade-dry >1 month, powder, mix with warm wine, take 1 qianbi empty stomach; if tolerant, up to 6 qian, reduce if slight diarrhea occurs, stop when cured. Harmonizes well with other herbs, dislikes tea/noodle soup. Li Shizhen: Acrid drains Qi, Salty drains Water; rapid effect for wind-damp/phlegm-fluid in robust persons. Nature is largely harsh/sharp; long-term use damages True Qi; weak Qi persons should not take.

Madouling (Aristolochia Fruit, *Fructus Aristolochiae*) [No. 122] Taste: slightly bitter-acrid; Nature: cold, Qi thin, Yin contains slight Yang. Enters Hand-Taiyin Lung. Descends Lung Fire, clears Lung Qi, removes heat-phlegm cough, wheezing inability to lie down. Excessive use causes vomiting. For gu/toxic snake venom ingested causing foreign body sensation in throat, decoct 1 liang, vomit out toxin. For hemorrhoid swelling/pain, burn in jar and smoke affected area.

Qingmuxiang (Aristolochia Root, *Radix Aristolochiae)* [No. 123] Is Madouling root, also Tumu Xiang. Taste: bitter-slightly acrid; Nature: cold. Toxic, induces vomiting/diarrhea, do not overuse. Decocted juice vomits gu/toxin. Powder mixed with water applies to carbuncles/heat-toxic snake bites 3-4 times daily for immediate cure. Also applies to itching/alopecia.

Bailian (Mallow Root, *Radix Malvae*) [No. 124] Taste: bitter, slightly cold, nature astringent. Crush root to apply for carbuncles, facial sores, knife/arrows burns/scalds. For non-healing sores, generate flesh, relieve pain, apply powder. Pills/powders treat red/painful eyes, childhood convulsions, women's vulvar swelling/pain, red/white leukorrhea.

Mutong (Akebia Stem, *Caulis Akebiae Trifolatae*) [No. 125] Also Tongcao. Taste: bitter, Qi cold, sinking, descending. Benefits nine orifices, unblocks joints, reduces edema, clears fire/reduces fever, removes irritability/thirst/jaundice, treats deafness/eye pain, epidemic fevers, headache/nasal congestion/vertigo, drains Small Intestine Fire stagnation, benefits Bladder hot-strangury, guides phlegm-damp vomiting/hiccups, resolves carbuncle obstruction, heat-toxin foul sores, expels pus/relieves pain, unblocks Blood-heat amenorrhea, promotes lactation, resolves mastitis/blood clumps, induces labor/abortion. For urgent painful urination/hypogastric fullness, add scallion and decoct. For sore throat/obstruction, decoct strongly and gargle/swallow.