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[Qingfeng Teng]
Acrid, warm, slightly toxic.
Invention: Qingfeng Teng enters the Qi level of the Liver Meridian and treats rheumatic migration affecting joints (Lijie), knee deformity resembling a crane's knee (Hexi), numbness, and itching. Soaked in wine with Fangji, it treats rheumatic bi-syndrome pain and all types of wind diseases. Boiled into an ointment and taken with wine (one spoonful), followed by patting the patient's body, severe whole-body itching ensues. Urgent combing stops the itch, and drinking a mouthful of cold water resolves it; wind diseases are cured. Avoiding wind for several days ensures safety.

[Teng Huang]
Sour, astringent, toxic.
Invention: Teng Huang is highly toxic yet capable of attacking toxins; thus, it treats dental caries caused by worms, causing teeth to fall off upon application. Its toxicity can damage bones and kidneys, as is evident.

[Zexie]
Sweet, salty, slightly cold, non-toxic. The white variety is superior. Used raw to promote urination; if used in tonifying formulas, stir-fry with salt and wine. The oily variety damages stomach Qi and spleen function and should not be used.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It treats wind-cold-damp bi-syndrome and difficult lactation, nourishes the five Zang organs, boosts Qi and strength, promotes robustness, and eliminates water retention. Long-term use makes ears and eyes clear, prevents hunger, and prolongs life.
Invention: Zexie is sweet and salty, with a sinking and descending nature, representing Yang within Yin. It enters the Qi level of the Foot-Taiyang (Bladder) Meridian. *Suwen* treats "Jiu Feng" (wind induced by alcohol consumption, characterized by body heat and sweating) using Zexie, Baizhu (raw), and Mixian, because they drain damp-heat from the bladder. *Jingui Yaolue* treats dizziness and vertigo caused by fluid retention (Zhiyin) using Zexie Tang to expel phlegm-fluid from below the heart. For fluid accumulation causing irritability and thirst, difficulty in urination, or vomiting and diarrhea, Wuling San is used to drain pathogenic heat from the Taiyang meridian; its primary merit lies in promoting water metabolism. *Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions treating wind-cold-damp bi-syndrome, implying that when these pathogens adhere and cannot be expelled, swelling and strangury (urinary obstruction) occur. Using this herb to unblock the water passages removes these symptoms. Generally, when pathogens invade hollow orifices, it causes difficult lactation and fluid closure. Zexie specializes in opening orifices; once open, pathogenic heat clears. Without internal heat stagnation, organ Qi harmonizes, and the body becomes robust. Thus, individuals prone to damp-heat may benefit from long-term use with clearer senses, but overuse must be avoided. Excessive diuresis depletes Kidney Qi. Hence, Bian Que stated that excessive use harms the eyes. Currently, practitioners avoid Zexie for seminal emission due to deficiency-cold of the Kidney and Bladder failing to secure essence; Zexie's descending action exacerbates leakage. However, one must recognize that for Kidney deficiency with essence slipping and deficient Yang floating upward causing red eyes, Zexie is strictly contraindicated. Conversely, for eye swelling due to excess damp-heat ascending or seminal emission due to reckless movement of ministerial fire, Zexie clears these conditions, reducing swelling and securing essence, rendering no contraindication. Zhang Zhongjing uses Zexie in Bajun Wan to drain pathogenic factors from the Bladder, not to guide fire back to its source. Ancients combined draining herbs with tonics so that removing pathogens allows tonics to take effect effectively.