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Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) (41) Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia Root), with a bitter and sweet taste, has a cool nature. Its qi is light and thin while its flavor is dense; it sinks and belongs to Yin. The fresh form is cooler, while the dried form is slightly cool. It can generate and nourish blood, clear Heart fire, dissipate heat in the blood level, remove irritability and bone-steaming fever, treat dysentery with bloody stool, stop hematemesis and epistaxis, clear damp-heat in the Spleen, or treat women with blood-heat causing amenorrhea, as well as upper, middle, and lower Xiao (wasting-thirst syndrome) with heat and thirst. In short, its nature is quite cool; if there is cold in the Spleen and Stomach, its use should be considered carefully.

Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), with a sweet and slightly bitter taste, has a dense flavor and light qi; it sinks and belongs to Yin containing Yang. *Ben Cao* states that it enters the Jueyin and Shaoyin meridians of the Foot, greatly replenishing blood deficiency, nourishing Kidney water, filling the marrow, benefiting True Yin, and specifically tonifying Yuan Qi in the Kidney, while also treating meridians storing blood. Although this provides a general overview, it hardly exhausts its profound effects. Di Huang grows in the fertile lands of the Central Plains, obtaining the most concentrated Earth Qi. Its color is yellow, which is the color of Earth; its taste is sweet, which is the taste of Earth. Having obtained Earth Qi, if one says it is not a medicine for the Taiyin and Yangming meridians, I do not believe it. However, since the raw form is cool and the Spleen prefers warmth, those with insufficient Spleen Yang should use it with caution. As for the prepared form, its nature is neutral, possessing the virtue of extreme Yin, with pure and quiet qi and flavor, so it can tonify the True Yin of the Five Zang organs and is particularly important for blood-rich organs. Is it not a medicine for the Spleen and Stomach meridians? Moreover, human life depends on Qi and Blood. Qi governs Yang and moves; Blood governs Yin and is still. For tonifying Qi, Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) is primary, while Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) serves only as an assistant; for tonifying Blood, Shu Di Huang is primary, while Xiong (Szechwan Lovage Rhizome) and Gui (Cinnamon Twig) serve only as assistants. However, regarding Bai Zhu, Xiong, and Gui, there are situations where they should be avoided, whereas Ren Shen and Shu Di Huang are indispensable for Qi and Blood. Therefore, for deficiency of Yang Qi in any meridian, Ren Shen is essential; for deficiency of Yin Blood in any meridian, Shu Di Huang is essential. Ren Shen has the function of vigorous movement, while Shu Di Huang possesses the virtue of tranquility and compliance. Shu Di Huang and Ren Shen are Yin and Yang, exterior and interior, Form and Qi, mutually governing generation and transformation. Their nature and taste are central and correct, surpassing all others, truly irreplaceable.

For various deficiencies of True Yin, symptoms may include fever, headache, intense thirst, throat obstruction, cough with phlegm, asthma, or vomiting due to Cold reversal in the Spleen and Kidney; bleeding from mouth and nose due to deficient fire carrying blood; edema due to water overflowing; diarrhea due to Yin deficiency; mania due to floating Yang; or collapse due to Yin exhaustion. If Yin deficiency causes scattering of Spirit, only the stabilizing nature of Shu Di Huang can gather it; if Yin deficiency causes rising fire, only the heaviness of Shu Di Huang can descend it; if Yin deficiency causes restlessness, only the tranquility of Shu Di Huang can calm it; if Yin deficiency causes rigidity and urgency, only the sweetness of Shu Di Huang can relieve it. If Yin deficiency leads to flooding of water pathogenic factors, what else but Shu Di Huang can self-regulate? If Yin deficiency leads to loss of True Qi, what else but Shu Di Huang can return it to its source? If Yin deficiency leads to damage of both Essence and Blood, with residual thinness of fat and flesh, what else but Shu Di Huang can thicken the intestines and stomach?

Furthermore, there is a most profound and wondrous aspect: Shu Di Huang combined with diaphoretic agents can induce sweating. Why? Because sweat transforms from Blood, and without Yin, no sweat can be produced. Shu Di Huang combined with warming agents can restore Yang. Why? Because Yang is born from below, and without Yin returning, dryness prevails. However, Yang nature is rapid, so Ren Shen can succeed even in small doses; Yin nature is slow, so Shu Di Huang is difficult to be effective unless used in large amounts. Now, some fear its cloying and greasy nature; then why did Cui Shi use Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) to treat floating phlegm? Some fear its slippery and damp nature; then why did Zhang Zhongjing use Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) to treat Kidney diarrhea? Some claim Yang generates Yin, but Yin does not generate Yang. However, the principle of Yin and Yang is mutual root, requiring each other, neither can be lacking. Without Yang, Yin cannot be generated; without Yin, Yang cannot transform. Thus, *Nei Jing* states: "Essence transforms into Qi." Does this not show that Yin also generates Yang? Who claims Yang can grow while Yin cannot?

Regarding processing methods: using Ginger Juice stir-fried is suitable only when there is Middle Jiao Cold with vomiting; using Amomum processing is suitable only when there is distension and stagnation; using Wine stir-fried is suitable only when there is meridian congestion and stagnation. If these conditions are absent but one insists on processing, it shows ignorance that the purpose of using Shu Di Huang is precisely to utilize its tranquil and heavy virtues, while instead using dispersing and moving methods to disrupt its nature. This is like drawing legs on a snake.

Today, people who wish to use Shu Di Huang to tonify Yin must combine it with draining-dampness agents. How do they know that tonifying Yin does not benefit water metabolism, and draining water does not tonify Yin, and thus the method of tonifying Yin should not involve draining? Even when using it to tonify Blood, yet suspecting it is cloying, how do they know that Blood deficiency is like dry soil, where extreme drought longs for rain, and extreme dryness favors moistening? If this is not understood, then someone like Li Dongyuan still wants to combine it with draining agents. Who would dare to use it alone and let it play its full role? If one dares not use it alone in large doses, who would dare to assist it with sweet agents to maximize its strength? This is akin to giving up eating because of choking. Alas! The merits of Shu Di Huang have long been unrecognized in current times, and there are many more aspects that cannot be fully expressed in writing. I hereby highlight them, hoping that the enlightened will realize their value.

Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) (42) Tastes somewhat sweet, has a slightly cool qi, descends and is slippery, belonging to Yin. Avoid beef. Soak in wine and chew. It travels through the Twelve Meridians and assists the Yuan Qi of the whole body. It treats wind-bi and flaccidity due to blood-heat in hands and feet, spasms due to blood dryness; unblocks bladder difficulty and constipation, supplements marrow and fills essence, benefits Yin and invigorates blood; treats soreness and pain in waist and knees, nourishes withered and white beard and hair. Its nature descends rapidly, so it can unblock menstrual obstruction, break blood stasis, and guide other herbs downward. Used together with Moschus, it induces abortion quickly. Those with cold viscera and loose stools, or insecure Lower Yuan, should avoid it.

Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) (43) Tastes sweet and slightly bitter, nature is slightly cold, descending, Yang within Yin. Remove the heart to prevent irritability. Since it is sweet with little bitterness, it ascends to Lung and Heart, tonifies fluids in Upper Jiao, clears thirst and irritability in chest and diaphragm, resolves vomiting due to flaming fire, dissipates deficiency heat due to blood dryness; benefits essence and nourishes Yin, moistens skin and resolves dryness; treats Lung萎 (Lung atrophy) and Lung abscess, coughing and spitting blood/epistaxis; amenorrhea and lack of lactation, dry Lung with incessant cough; descends fire and clears Heart, eliminates phlegm and tonifies weakness. Restoring pulse requires Ren Shen; avoid in cases of loose stools and Middle Jiao Cold.

Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix) (44) Sichuan origin is gray-black, sharp and thin with many nodes, shaped like chicken feet, with cracked and wrinkled bark. Tastes bitter and astringent, bitter heavy and astringent light, qi slightly cool. Others are sweet with slight acridity and astringency. Use Sichuan origin for best quality. When using this herb, utilize its bitter and astringent properties. Its bitter and heavy taste allows entry into Blood level and regulation of blood vessels, reducing swelling and toxic sores/mastitis, scrofula, and hemorrhoids; treating metal injuries and falls, reconnecting sinews, bones, and blood vessels. Its astringent taste stops hematemesis, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, uterine bleeding, hematochezia, hematuria, regulates bloody dysentery, reduces urination frequency, and stops spermatorrhea and leukorrhea. Assisted by sweet herbs like Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Di Huang, Ren Shen, and Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), the effect is especially swift.

Shu Kui Zi (Malvae Semen) (45) Tastes sweet and is cold in nature. It promotes urination, relieves strangury, reduces edema, moistens Large Intestine, induces labor and aborts fetus, promotes lactation, and treats all sores and scabies, as well as scars and red spots. Seedlings and leaves can be eaten as vegetables; ancient texts regarded Malva as the chief of five vegetables, but it is no longer commonly used.

Huang Kui Hua (Yellow Malva Flower) Has a slippery and unblocking nature, largely similar to Shu Kui Zi. For treating various malignant sores with pus that do not heal for a long time, grind the flower into powder and apply externally for immediate healing; it is a key herb for sores. Infused in oil, it can be applied to burns and scalds.

Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) (46) Also known as Pi Yi, tastes sweet and slightly salty, qi is cold, enters Bladder and Liver meridians. Relieves hot strangury and painful urination, dispels wind-heat causing red eyes and corneal opacity; promotes urination to remove damp-bi, nature is very slippery and excellent for inducing labor, also treats damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery, and removes vexation and heat in chest and heart.

Gen Ye (Root and Leaves) Crushed fresh and juice drunk, treats all hematuria, epistaxis, and hot dysentery, especially driving out Qi accumulation and promoting urination.

Bai Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus) (47) Tastes bitter, slightly acrid and sweet, slightly cool. It breaks masses and accumulations, stops enuresis and seminal emission, treats Lung atrophy and abscess, corneal opacity and red eyes, removes throat obstruction, tinea, scabies, hemorrhoids, scrofula, vitiligo, generalized wet rotting sores, breast cancer, and leukorrhea; also used for inducing labor and stopping vexation, cooling blood and nourishing blood, and effectively tonifying Yin. For tonification, stir-fry until hot and remove spines; for cooling, crush fresh with spines. To dispel wind and detoxify, white ones are best.

Sha Yuan Ji Li (Astragali Complanati Semen) Nature is largely the same. For consolidating essence and tonifying Kidney, stopping dribbling urine and hematuria, reducing urination frequency, stopping thirst, removing dryness-heat, it can also be used.

Hong Hua (Carthami Flos) (48) Tastes sweet, slightly bitter and acrid, qi slightly cool, Yang within Yin. Enters only blood vessels, mostly used in Gynecology. Small doses invigorate blood and guide menstruation; large doses break blood and unblock stasis. Can expel dead fetus, treat blood syncope; helps acne with blood-heat difficult to erupt, dissipates macules and rashes with blood stagnation; moistens dryness and invigorates blood, stops pain and unblocks menstruation, also reduces swelling and toxins.

Zi Wan (Asteris Radix) (49) Tastes bitter, neutral, slightly acrid. Acrid enters Lung, bitter descends Qi, thus treating cough, rebellious Qi, and wheezing with phlegm. Only suitable for excess Lung with Qi congestion, or cough with pus and blood caused by Fire insulting Metal. Not suitable for cough, wheezing, and hemoptysis due to Lung-Kidney injury from overwork, Water deficiency, and Metal dryness. Tao Hongjing's *Bie Lu* claims it tonifies deficiency and treats Five Wastes and physical weakness; this is an exaggeration.

Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos) (50) (White Chrysanthemum Root is good for promoting urination; crush juice and mix with wine to treat urinary retention). Sweet-tasted and yellow-colored ones nourish blood and disperse wind, remove wind-heat from head and eyes, dizziness and pain, corneal opacity, and wandering wind/rash over the body. Made into pillows to brighten eyes; leaves are also usable.

Bitter-tasted ones are cool in nature, clearing stagnant heat in blood, brightening head and eyes, removing wind-heat causing eye swelling/pain and tearing. Roots and leaves are acrid and fragrant, resolving toxic sores and stopping pain.

Ye Ju Hua (Wild Chrysanthemum) (51) Also known as Ku Yi. Roots, leaves, stems, and flowers can be used together. Tastes bitter and acrid. Greatly disperses fire and Qi, resolves toxic sores, carbuncles, and scrofula, eye heat/pain, and breaks blood stasis in women. Sun Simiao’s formula for toxic sores uses wild chrysanthemum with roots and leaves crushed and decocted in wine, taken hot to induce sweat, with residue applied externally; or crushed with Xanthium and taken with hot wine. In winter, use dried form decocted or powdered and taken with wine.

Cao Wu (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix) (52) Tastes bitter, qi slightly cold, slightly toxic. This herb has potent qi and flavor, good at driving out wind-dampness and various toxins. Layer with honey and wine, steam nine times, sun-dry nine times, make honey pills, swallow with wine on empty stomach, dosage varies. Good for treating stroke with facial paralysis, removing damp-bi with limb flaccidity/pain/numbness. Raw decocted in wine drives out traumatic wind emergencies miraculously. Applied as powder for麻疔 (麻疔), malignant sores, edema, tiger/dog bites, spider/insect venom; crushed and applied, or decocted, or powdered and applied, all are good. Its sweeping power is such that it seems unsuitable for those with deficient Yuan Qi.

Yi Mu Cao (Leonuri Herba) (53) Seed named Chong Wei, tastes slightly bitter and acrid, slightly cold, nature slippery and unblocking. Excellent for regulating women’s pregnancy and postpartum conditions, hence the name "Beneficial Mother." Expels dead fetus, facilitates live birth, invigorates, cools, and moves blood; thus treats difficult labor, retained placenta, fetal death in uterus, irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia, hematuria, bloody diarrhea, and blood stasis. Suitable only for blood-heat and blood-stagnation, and difficult childbirth. Not suitable for those with inherent Qi/Blood deficiency and Cold, or sinking/unsecured conditions. Do not assume it is mandatory for women just because of its name. Using its slippery nature is fine, but seeking tonification is unfounded. *Ben Cao* claims long-term use benefits essence and lightens the body; this is unreliable. Additionally, reducing edema, draining water Qi, treating contusion stasis, and unblocking bowels/bladder are all due to its unblocking nature. For carbuncles, mastitis, erysipelas, and malignant toxins, crush juice to drink, residue applied externally.

Seed named Chong Wei, functions similar, but seed tastes slightly sweet and is slightly warm, thus cooling blood, tonifying blood, benefiting Yin Qi and brightening eyes.

Qu Mai (Dianthi Herba) (54) Tastes bitter, slightly cold, descending, nature slippery and unblocking. Promotes urination, descends Yin fire, removes Five Stranguries, benefits blood vessels. Combined with cooling herbs, reduces eye swelling/pain; combined with blood-invigorating herbs, unblocks menstruation, breaks blood, and expels fetus. Suitable for all Lower Jiao damp-heat pain diseases.

Yin Chen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) (55) Tastes bitter and slightly acrid, qi slightly cold, Yang within Yin, enters Foot-Taiyang meridian. Used for its ability to drain dampness and drive out heat, thus unblocking joints, resolving heat stagnation, treating epidemic febrile diseases, manic headache, and promoting urination. Specializes in treating jaundice, assisted by Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit). Jaundice with dampness often has edema, add draining agents; jaundice with dryness has friction, add cooling-moistening agents. Only Yin Jaundice, due to Middle Jiao Cold failing to transport, is unsuitable. Also resolves Cold Damage, miasma malaria, and fire-heat, dissipates heat-phlegm and wind-heat pain. Especially suitable for damp-heat dysentery.

Qing Hao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba) (56) Tastes bitter and slightly acrid, nature cold, Yang within Yin, descending with dispersing action. Governs blood-level diseases of Liver, Kidney, and Sanjiao, treats Yin fire lingering in bone joints, thus excellent for bone-steaming consumption fever, corpse-infecting ghost qi, descending fire and nourishing Yin, beautifying complexion, promoting hair growth, treating malaria with chills and fever, killing parasites/toxins, and malignant sores/wet scabies. Fresh crushed applied to metal wounds stops bleeding and pain. Kuan Dong Hua (Adenophorae Flos) (57) Tastes slightly sweet and acrid, warm, qi floats, Yang, enters Hand-Taiyin meridian. Warms Lung Qi, thus treating cough, Lung abscess/atrophies with pus/blood expectoration. Kou Zongshi said: Someone had chronic cough; advised to burn three liang of Kuan Dong Hua in a windless place, inhale smoke through a brush tube, and swallow when mouth is full; effective after several days.

Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) (58) Tastes slightly bitter and astringent, temperature warm and acrid, ascending, Yang. With its light and扬 (rising) flavor and acrid-warm nature, it reaches muscle surface, travels meridians, greatly disperses wind pathogens, removes cold toxins. Suitable for all epidemics, malaria, miasma, mountain vapors, and any Taiyang/Yangming exterior excess syndromes. If bitter-cold pathogens penetrate deeply into Shaoyin/Jueyin sinew-bone, only Ma Huang and Guan Gui (Cassia Twig) can drive them out. However, the method of using it is subtle, depending on assistants. Combine with Qi herbs to aid force, obtain Wei-level sweat; combine with Blood herbs to aid fluid, obtain Ying-level sweat; combine with warming herbs to aid Yang, drive out Yin-congealed cold toxins; combine with cooling herbs to aid Yin, resolve hot epidemic pathogens. This is the first essential herb for Cold Damage and Yin Malaria, hence Zhang Zhongjing places it first in his formulas, a unique insight of millennia. Later generations fear it as toxic and dare not use it; some say it is unsuitable in summer. These views are laughable. Although Li Shi-zhen warned that excessive use causes sweating leading to Yang collapse, and using it in spontaneous-sweating/exterior-deficient patients depletes Yuan Qi, these are results of misuse. If Yin pathogens penetrate deeply, it is most suitable regardless of season. Additionally, for Hand-Taiyin wind-cold cough, Hand-Shaoyin wind-heat rash, Foot-Shaoyin wind-water edema, Foot-Jueyin wind-pain/eye pain, for dispersing syndromes, this is best. Chai Hu and Ma Huang are both key dispersing herbs, but Yang pathogens suit Chai Hu, Yin pathogens suit Ma Huang; this must be distinguished. Processing: remove coarse roots, boil in rolling water for 3-5 boils, skim foam with bamboo slice, sun-dry. Otherwise, it causes irritability.

Ma Huang Gen (Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma) Tastes sweet, neutral, slightly bitter and astringent. Decocted with astringent herbs, it stops sweating. Mixed with Oyster Shell powder, rice flour, or pounded old banana fan powder in equal parts, stored in raw silk bag, used for dusting night sweats or summer hyperhidrosis, both are excellent.

Xuan Cao (Daylily) (59) Also known as Wang You (Forget Sorrow), Yi Nan (Suitable for Men), Lu Cong (Deer Onion). In *Shi Jing*, it is called Xuan Cao. Planting and playing with it relieves sorrow, hence "Forget Sorrow." Cooking shoots tastes like green onion, and deer like eating them, hence "Deer Onion." Women wearing its flower bear sons, hence "Suitable for Men." Flowers and leaves taste sweet and slightly cool, removing damp-heat, promoting urination for red/astringent urine, relieving thirst/alcohol-induced jaundice; calming Five Zang, benefiting chest/diaphragm, making one harmonious and joyful, also brightening eyes.

Root treats sand-strangury and turbid discharge, promotes water Qi, resolves alcohol jaundice; crush juice to drink. Treat hematemesis/epistaxis: crush juice (one large cup), mix with ginger juice, sip slowly. Treat breast engorgement/mastitis: crush with wine to drink, apply residue externally.

Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus) (60) Tastes bitter and slightly acrid, qi slightly cold, thin qi/flavor, light/clear and floating, ascending, Yin within Yang. Enters Hand-Shaoyin, Hand-Yangming, Foot-Yangming. Drains guest heat in Heart, descends damp-heat in Spleen/Stomach, removes tapeworms/roundworms, unblocks menstruation and Five Stranguries. Due to bitter-light taste, it reaches muscle surface, disperses rat-glands, scrofula, goiter, clustered heat, gu-toxin, carbuncle toxin, macules/rashes, treats sores/furuncles, stops pain/reduces swelling/expels pus, called "Holy Dan" by sores specialists. Due to acrid property, it travels meridians, unblocks blood stasis and Qi stagnation/accumulation, indispensable.

Xuan Fu Hua (Inulae Flos) (61) Tastes bitter, sweet, slightly acrid, Yin, descending, medicine for Hand-Taiyin Lung and Hand-Yangming Large Intestine meridians. Opens stuck Qi, descends phlegm, unblocks water pathways, reduces swelling/fullness, suitable for Qi congestion and damp-heat. But its nature is dispersing, so contraindicated in Loose Large Intestine, Qi deficiency, and Yang decline.

Shu Niu Zi (Arctii Fructus) (62) Also known as Niu Bang Zi, Da Li Zi. Tastes bitter and acrid, descending with ascending action. Treats wind-toxin macules/rashes, disperses carbuncle/swelling/toxic throat obstruction, and cold-stagnation Qi in waist/knees, as it travels Twelve Meridians and disperses while resolving.

Jue Ming (Cassiae Semen) (63) Tastes slightly bitter and sweet, nature neutral and slightly cool, weak force. Treats Liver wind-heat red eyes, red with tearing, and Liver fire blurred vision; can be assistant, but requires long-term use for effect. Or made into pillow for head wind, brightening eyes, superior to Black Bean.

Ting Li (Descurainiae Semen seu Lepidii Semen) (64) Tastes bitter, extremely cold, sinking, Yin, dense qi/flavor, toxic. Excellent at driving out water Qi, no less than Da Huang (Rhubarb Root), but Da Huang drains blood closure, Ting Li drains Qi closure; when Qi moves, water moves. For Lung water Qi fullness/distress, nothing else can remove it. But nature is urgent and purgative, avoid lightly in Qi deficiency. *Huainanzi* says: Da戟 (Kansui Root) removes water, Ting Li cures distension; careless use causes disease. There are sweet and bitter varieties; "sweet" is actually slightly bland, and slightly bland means slightly slower nature.

Xia Ku Cao (Prunellae Spica) (65) Tastes slightly bitter and acrid, qi floats and ascends, Yang within Yin. Resolves Liver Qi, nourishes Liver Blood, thus dissipating nodules and opening depression, great for scrofula/rat-glands, mastitis/goiter, head sores, and eye diseases. Lou Quanshan said: Xia Ku Cao treats eye ball pain worsening at night, miraculous; also miraculous for those whose eye pain worsens with bitter eye drops. A man had eye pain worse at night,黄连 (Coptis Rhizome) drops made it worse, other herbs ineffective. Used two liang Xia Ku Cao, two liang Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma), four qian Gan Cao, powdered, take one-and-a-half qian with clear tea, pain reduced immediately after swallowing, cured after 4-5 doses.