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Kuan Dong Hua (Tussilaginis Flos)

Treats cough and resolves phlegm. The nature is warm, neutral, and not drying. It moistens the Metal (Lung) and unblocks Lung Qi. The taste is pungent with a slight sweetness. (Kuan Dong Hua: This flower blooms in winter. Although snow accumulates and ice is hard, its flowers bloom uniquely and brilliantly, containing Yang within Yin; hence, its nature is warm. All flowers are light and ascending, so they enter the Lung meridian. When pathogenic factors exist, it can disperse them; when none exist, it can moisten. Therefore, it can be used for all types of coughs. However, although its nature is warm and moistening, it ultimately belongs to dispersing herbs and lacks tonifying properties. Users should exercise caution. Kuan Dong Hua is warm but not drying, moistening but not cold, dispersing but not draining. Thus, regardless of deficiency or excess, cold or heat, it can be used for all coughs belonging to Lung diseases.)

Dong Kui Zi (Malvae Semen)

Slippery and unblocking for dysuria. Lowering lactation and inducing labor are all primary indications. Sweet and cold, entering the Stomach, it differentiates and eliminates dampness from the Large Intestine and Small Intestine (Water Fu organs). (Dong Kui Zi is a sweet, cold, slippery, and unblocking herb. Entering the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians, it eliminates breast abscesses, moistens stool, and facilitates childbirth by opening orifices, which are its strengths. As for promoting urination and leaching out dampness, these effects merely extend to the areas of the Small Intestine and Bladder. For early-stage breast abscesses, using two liang of Dong Kui Zi decocted with half wine and half water can resolve it immediately. This herb is only suitable for individuals with dry and stagnant Qi and Blood, and should not be applied to those with deficiency-cold constitutions, due to its sweet, cold, and slippery nature. Those with Spleen Qi sinking are especially contraindicated.)

Xuan Cao (Daylily Rhizome) [Note: Text refers to Xuan Hua/Daylily]

Ingestion promotes diuresis. Its sweet and cool nature relies on harmonizing the Spleen. Known as the "Worry-Forgetting Grass," its fragrance and slipperiness can soothe the chest and improve digestion. (Xuan Hua, also known as Yi Nan Cao or Wang You Cao, is the modern Daylily. Produced in low and humid lands, its sweet and cool nature excels at clearing damp-heat and promoting urination. Because its flowers have dispersing properties, although they promote urination and remove dampness, they are moistening rather than drying, thus capable of harmonizing the Middle Jiao and soothing the chest. It is primarily suitable for culinary use; although it has therapeutic effects, this is not its specialty.)

Bai Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus)

Moves blood stasis and breaks stagnation; searching out Liver Wind possesses the function of dispersion. The taste is bitter and pungent; descending Lung Qi while warming and diffusing is highly valuable. Inducing labor and lactation, reducing corneas, and removing nebulae. (Bai Ji Li resembles a rhombus, has three angles with thorns, is white and very small, and grows spreading on the ground. It excels at moving and breaking stagnation, specifically entering the Lung and Liver meridians. It diffuses Lung stagnation and疏解s Liver blood stasis, thus treating wind-bi, eye diseases, breast abscesses, and accumulations/masses. Bitter, warm, and pungent dispersing herbs are used for expelling pathogens and lack tonifying properties.)