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Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae)
Sweet in taste, neutral in nature. Harmonizes the middle jiao and detoxifies. Raw use has the function of clearing deficiency heat; it tonifies while containing draining properties. Honey-fried use assists spleen yuan qi, guarding the interior with constancy. Considering its ability to moderate urgency and relieve spasm, it is widely applicable, thus suitable for assisting in various diseases. Moreover, it harmonizes other herbs, making it suitable for all prescriptions. It is effective for treating surgical swelling, toxins forming sores, and carbuncles. The tip (Gancao Shao) stops penile pain and alleviates turbid urinary discharge. (Gancao is yellow in color and sweet in taste, belonging to Earth, and is the principal herb for the Spleen and Stomach. It can tonify various deficiencies and resolve hundred toxins. This is based on the principle that herbs meet sweetness to be tonified, and hundred toxins meet Earth to be transformed. All sweet herbs can moderate the middle; Gancao is extremely sweet, so when combined with hot herbs, it moderates their heat; with cold herbs, it moderates their cold. Combined with tonifying herbs, it tonifies; with draining herbs, it drains. It moderates all fire and stops all pain. However, it should not be used for fullness in the middle caused by pathogenic stagnation. It is most suitable in surgical formulas. But since Gancao's sweetness is too strong, if taken alone or in large doses, it causes qi rebellion and fullness in the middle, leading to vomiting.)

Huangqi (Radix Astragali Membranacei)
Consolidates Wei Qi and strengthens the skin and hair. Astringes sweat and pushes out pus from sores; raw use is effective. Tonifies the Middle Jiao to nourish the Spleen and Lungs. For Yang deficiency and blood collapse, honey-fried use is superior. Sweet in taste, warm in nature, yellow in color with dense aroma. ("Qi" means old/elder. As the chief among tonifying herbs, it is named thus. Raw Huangqi, although tonifying the middle, effectively moves in the Wei level, benefiting Qi and consolidating the exterior. When combined with Fangfeng, it tonifies without stagnation and moves without leakage, enhancing its efficacy. Combined with Danggui, it harmonizes Ying and reaches Wei. Honey-fried use greatly tonifies Middle Qi, following the principle that Yang generation leads to Yin growth. Huangqi's tonification effectively reaches the exterior, benefits Wei Qi, warms the muscle spaces, and thickens the interstices, allowing Yang Qi to flow smoothly and abundantly, naturally generating fluids and blood. Thus, it is a sacred herb for surgeons, as harmonious Ying, Wei, Qi, and Blood naturally prevent stasis.)

Yuanzhi (Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae)
Opens the heart orifices and drains heat to expel pathogens. Bitter and acrid in taste, also capable of dispersing swelling. Unblocks Kidney Qi to calm the spirit and benefit willpower. Warm and dry in nature, also treats forgetfulness. (Yuanzhi is bitter, acrid, and drying, specifically entering the Heart and Kidney meridians. "Yuanzhi" implies distant will; since the Kidneys store Will (Zhi), Yuanzhi can drain Kidney pathogens. When pathogens adhere, Will is unsettled; when pathogens are removed, Will becomes far-reaching. It unblocks Kidney Qi to ascend to the Heart, causing Kidney Water to ascend to Li (Fire), creating the image of Ji Ji (Already Completed/Interaction). Thus, it benefits wisdom and treats forgetfulness. However, it is essentially a draining product without tonifying power. Therefore, for all external conditions like carbuncles and jaundice caused by internal depression of Seven Emotions and disharmony of Qi and Blood, both external application and internal administration can treat them.)