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Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix)

Serves as the "boat and oar" to guide other herbs upward. It raises and lifts Lung Qi to disperse Wind-Cold, sweeps away pathogenic factors in the upper body, clears and benefits the throat, and calms cough and rebellious Qi. Its action ascends and then descends; it is effective in diffusing the chest and promoting comfort in the diaphragm. Bitter and acrid in flavor, neutral in nature, it is highly effective in draining depression and eliminating phlegm. (Jiegeng is bitter and acrid, neutral in nature, and enters the Lung meridian. It can be used for all cases of Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat affecting the Lungs. The dispersing action relies on its acridity. Its ability to descend Qi and eliminate phlegm relies on its bitterness. The Lung prefers clarity and肃ness (cleanliness and descending), with downward movement being favorable. When external pathogens constrain the exterior, Lung Qi cannot descend. If Lung Qi does not descend, phlegm is generated. Jiegeng treats this condition. However, it is contraindicated in cases of Yin deficiency with ascending Qi. Being white in color, Jiegeng is a specific herb for the Lung. It can treat all conditions such as Lung萎 (withering lung), Lung abscess, fever, chills, and cough.)

Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizome)

Bitter in flavor, cold in nature. Its substance is Yin and its texture is dry. It can transform Damp-Heat in the Heart and Spleen, completely resolving fullness and stagnation caused by accumulation. It can eliminate sticky Heat pathogens from dysentery, epidemics, parasites, and sores. For Fu Liang (a type of abdominal mass) forming accumulations, it can break them down and diffuse them. For red eyes and pterygium, it can clear heat and descend fire. Stagnant, depressed, and Fire pathogens are all resolved and recede; mouth ulcers and nasal polyps are all eliminated and cured. (Huanglian is extremely bitter, extremely cold, and extremely dry. It specifically enters the Heart and Spleen meridians. It clears excess Excess-Fire and transforms Dampness. To treat the Upper Jiao, it is stir-fried with wine; to treat the Middle Jiao, it is stir-fried with ginger juice; to treat the Lower Jiao, it is stir-fried with salt water. To target damp-fire in specific Zang-Fu organs, guiding herbs from corresponding meridians should be added. However, its bitter-descending property is predominant. Therefore, methods such as treating dysentery, eye diseases, and epigastric fullness should not be used lightly unless there is Excess-Damp-Heat and Excess-Fire. Those from Yazhou in Sichuan are superior. The aroma and flavor are very strong. It is suitable only for those with Damp-Heat and blood stasis in the Heart and Spleen. It is not only contraindicated for Yang deficiency but also for Yin deficiency with Fire pathogens, lest its bitter-dry nature aggravates the Fire transformation.)

Huhuanglian (Picrorhizae Rhizoma)

Deeply cold and entering the Liver and Gallbladder meridians with merit. It treats lingering Damp-Heat and pediatric Gan syndrome (malnutrition). Its bitter-dry nature is similar to Chuanlian (Huanglian). It regulates Lao Fu (relapse due to overexertion after febrile disease) in typhoid and Jaundice in men. (Huhuanglian comes from Hu regions. Its nature is similar to Chuanlian, but its bitter-cold potency is less intense than that of Chuanlian. Although ancients stated it enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, bitter-cold herbs inevitably affect the Heart and Spleen. Observing its treatment of pediatric Gan heat, adult relapse due to exhaustion, and jaundice, these are clearly Spleen Damp-Heat. Thus, one must not rigidly adhere to theories. Generally, the relationship between Chuanlian and Huhuanglian is like that between Chaihu and Yin Chaihu. Therefore, Yin Chaihu and Huhuanglian are often used together. The root of Huhuanglian is yellow outside and black inside, differing from the pure yellow of Huanglian. Hence, its efficacy in entering the Liver and Gallbladder is superior to that of Chuanlian.)