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Jianghuang (Curcuma Longae Rhizoma)
Enters the Liver and Spleen meridians, breaking Qi stagnation and promoting blood circulation. Its taste is bitter and acrid, dispelling Bi syndrome and dissipating swelling. The sliced form acts laterally in the limbs and arms. Its temperature is warm, resolving and expelling Wind-Cold. (Jianghuang resembles Yujin in shape, but differs in its yellow color. With a bitter, acrid, and warm nature, it enters the Spleen and reaches the Liver. Its bitterness breaks Qi and moves Blood, eliminating abscesses and treating abdominal masses. Its acridity acts laterally in the limbs and arms, thus expelling disorders such as Wind-Bi and Cold-Dampness. The flat-shaped variety is called Pianzi Jianghuang, not a distinct species. Jianghuang is yellow and fragrant, a herb for blood disorders. It unblocks Qi within the Blood, ensuring Qi flows without stasis, thereby explaining that its treatment of Wind-Bi etc. stems from its ability to move Blood and regulate Qi. It is contraindicated for Wind-Bi caused by deficiency.)

Sharen (Amomi Fructus)
Opens the Spleen and Stomach to broaden the Middle Jiao. Its acrid and warm nature is effective. It expels Cold coagulation and smooths Qi; its fragrance and dryness offer multiple benefits. It treats vomiting and abdominal pain, dissolving stagnant cold phlegm. It guides Qi to the Kidney region, resembling "Suosha Mi" (Condensed Sand Cardamom) due to its tight attachment to the root. (Sharen resembles Longan but is smaller, with a yellow color specifically entering the Spleen and Stomach. Because it grows attached to the root, it also enters the Kidney. Acrid, warm, and aromatic/piercing, it harmonizes the Stomach, disperses rebellious Qi, awakens the Stomach, strengthens the Spleen, stops vomiting, and eliminates foul odors. It is applicable to all Cold-coagulation and Qi-stagnation patterns of the Middle Jiao. Although less potent than Caodoukou or Baidoukou, its acrid, aromatic, and drying properties make it unsuitable for those with Yin deficiency. Sharen is tightly hidden within the root, guiding various Qi to gather downward, hence the name "Suosha Mi." Currently used to process Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), it not only prevents cloying but also embodies the meaning of gathering and storing, aligning with the Kidney.)

Yujin (Curcumae Radix)
Resolves depression and broadens the chest, communicating with the Heart and Lungs, and reaching the Liver. Acrid opens, Bitter descends; it expels Blood stasis and promotes Qi movement. Due to its aromatic quality, it clears phlegm from the Heart orifices. Its nature is considered cold and drying, treating epilepsy originating in the Liver. Varieties from Guangzhou are yellow, excelling in moving Qi with efficacy in the Lung; varieties from Sichuan are purple, capable of breaking Blood and reaching the Ying (Nutritive) level. (Yujin is acrid, bitter, and cold, excellent at disseminating and descending. It enters the Upper Jiao Heart and Lung meridians. Its function specializes in breaking Blood and moving Qi; when Qi moves, Blood opens, depression resolves, and phlegm descends. Its removal of phlegm and evil Blood from the Heart orifices relies on acrid dispersion and bitter descent. Sichuan varieties are purple and hard, showing slight differences. Yujin's efficacy derives from its bitter, acrid, aromatic, and drying properties to expel stasis and move Qi. It is contraindicated if the etiology is due to deficiency.)