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Shen Mao (Curculiginis Rhizoma)
Tonifies the Kidney, strengthens Yang, and eliminates chronic cold. Pungent in flavor, it dispels bi-syndrome and regulates wind pathogens. (The leaves of Shen Mao resemble those of common reed. When sheep consume it, their muscles become flexible like sinews. Humans consuming such sheep gain significant warming and tonification of essence and blood. This demonstrates that Shen Mao's efficacy lies in tonifying Mingmen (the root of Kidney Yang) and assisting Yang Qi; its power is quite robust. However, it is ultimately a pungent, warm, and toxic substance. It can be used to search out and eliminate wind-bi and chronic cold in the Lower Jiao, but should not be taken for tonifying Yang and adding essence. The heat and toxicity of Shen Mao can assist the rampant fire in the Lower Jiao, damaging Yin fluids and leading to conditions such as carbuncles, Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst/diabetes), and Qiang Zhong (priapism). Although its nature of supplementing fire and benefiting the lower body is similar to Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) and Fu Zi (Aconite Root), one obtains the correct balance while the other obtains a deviation.)

Bai Qian (Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma et Radix)
Relying on bitter and pungent properties to descend Qi and move phlegm. Leveraging slight coldness to clear Lung Metal and remove heat. (The root of Bai Qian resembles Bei Sha Shen (Adenophorae Radix) in shape, is white in color and cold in nature, so its functions are also similar. It specifically enters the Lung Meridian and excels at descending Qi and moving phlegm; it is not suitable for those without Lung Qi stagnation and excess. It differs from Bei Sha Shen, which nourishes Yin and clears heat with a slight tonifying property.)

Zi Can (Pseudostellariae Radix or potentially Salviae Miltiorrhizae var., context suggests a blood-moving herb distinct from Dan Shen)
Purple in color, enters the Liver; cold in nature, disperses blood. Moves stasis and breaks accumulations due to slight bitterness and pungency. Treats dysentery and unblocks menstruation, possessing both draining and descending actions. (Zi Can has bitter-cold properties, slightly combined with pungency, and lacks any tonifying effect. It can only enter the Liver to move and purify blood. It is applicable for bloody leukorrhea, bloody dysentery, as well as carbuncles and various sores where chest and abdominal accumulations exist with blood-stasis and heat. Also known as Mu Meng, it bears fruit in the fifth month and roots are harvested in the sixth. It is purple and resembles Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) in shape, with similar usage. However, Dan Shen is neutral in nature with a sweet taste, whereas this herb is cold with bitter and pungent tastes and lacks sweetness.)

Shan Ci Gu (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus)
Destroys gu-poison (parasitic toxins) and eliminates carbuncles. Toxic yet capable of resolving toxicity. Moves blood stasis and dissipates nodules; pungent and cold, also carrying sweet-cold properties. (Shan Ci Gu is pungent, cold, and toxic, belonging to dispersing and draining substances. It can only be used externally for applying to carbuncles. However, ding-chuang (carbuncles/furuncles) have various causes of onset; medication must be carefully selected after detailed examination. Even in sudden stroke with closed syndrome, toxic drugs should not be recklessly administered to attack and invite disaster. For instance, Jin Deng Hua Gen (Jateorhizae Rhizoma) resembles Shan Ci Gu and is used mostly in external dispersing herbs. In internal consumption formulas, it is found only in Yu Shu Dan (Jade Pivot Pill); otherwise, it is rarely seen.)