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Tu Ling Feng (Smilax Glabra Rhizome)
Promotes diuresis and disperses dampness. It is generally believed that pathogens lingering in the lower part of the body are relieved by its ability to relax tendons and alleviate pain, which often arises from toxins latent within the meridians. Because it can restrain pathogens left behind by Calomelas (Calomel), and upon entering the stomach, it communicates with the Liver and Kidney, it serves as an excellent remedy for Chancre (a chronic ulcerative disease occurring on the external genitalia). Its nature is neutral, and its flavor is bland and sweet. It can assist the Earth element to strengthen the Spleen, and acting as a "remnant grain," it can substitute for staple food. (Tu Ling Feng is also known as Xian Yi Liang (Immortal Remnant Grain). With a sweet and bland flavor and neutral nature, it benefits the Spleen and Stomach and transforms damp-evil. Taking it can satiate hunger like eating grains, hence the name "Remnant Grain." Nowadays, people generally use it to treat severe sores such as Lues Cutis (Syphilitic Sores), and conditions where toxins invade bones and tendons or muscles ulcerate. This is merely based on the idea that Tu Ling Feng's sweet and bland flavor allows sweetness to detoxify and blandness to disperse pathogens, while also benefiting the Spleen and Stomach, making the Earth Qi robust to eliminate dampness so muscles heal naturally; it does not mean Tu Ling Feng itself directly cures sores.)

Qian Cao (Rubia Cordifolia Root)
Endowed with salty and warm qualities, it enters the Liver to break blood stasis. Its flavor includes pungent and bitter properties, promoting stagnation resolution and meridian unblocking. (Qian Cao has a pungent, bitter, salty, and warm nature. Its red color and drying property allow it to enter the Blood aspect of the Heart and Liver. It excels at breaking blood stasis and moving blood. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats Jaundice, and the *Mingyi Bielu* says it treats Gu Poison. All these are due to blood stasis formation. Hence, it is also named "Xue Jian Chou" (Blood Sees Sorrow), reflecting this meaning.)

Mu Bie Zi (Strychnos Nux-vomica Seed)
Bitter and cold, toxic, used mostly for external treatment. It dissipates blood heat to消 (eliminate) carbuncles, pursues wind toxins to reach the collaterals. Inserted into the nose, it causes nasal hairs to stand erect; blown into the ear, it can shift the position of pockmark eyes. Applied to painful hemorrhoids, they flatten immediately; smeared on thermal burns, it takes effect instantly. (There are two types of Mu Bie Zi: Fan Mu Bie and Tu Mu Bie. Both are bitter and cold, but Fan Mu Bie is more intense. Its cold toxicity, if ingested, causes muscle spasms and body tremors. It is a drug causing Mingxuan reactions (severe adverse reactions leading to recovery) and must not be administered recklessly. Whether for wind toxins invading collaterals or abscesses needing resolution, proper compounding and dosage adjustment are essential. Although Tu Mu Bie can treat conditions like Gan Accumulation, Pi Masses, and Jaundice, ultimately both types of Mu Bie Zi are suited for external treatment and are not appropriate for internal consumption.)