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Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
(Actions) Reaches the Lung Meridian. Releases the exterior and dispels cold; effective in moving freely throughout the body. Enters the Stomach Fu-organ, warms the middle jiao and stops vomiting; its pungent and hot nature possesses multiple functions. Removes turbidity and unblocks the spirit; resolves phlegm and descends rebellious qi.
When roasted until cooked, its action becomes mild and descending, treating deficiency-cold abdominal pain of the middle jiao. When honey-fried, it becomes moistening and additionally has a dispersing function, scattering wind-phlegm coughs of the Lung. Ginger juice resolves phlegm and unblocks collaterals; its substance and function differ considerably. Ginger peel scatters water and strengthens the Spleen; its warming and cooling properties are slightly different. (Ginger is pungent in flavor and warm in nature, entering the Lung and Stomach meridians. It disperses cold and releases the exterior, and excels at disseminating rebellious qi in the chest and diaphragm; thus, ginger is the supreme medicine for treating vomiting. It can detoxify Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Xingren (Arisaematis Rhizoma), and other fungi poisons, expelling evil and averting malignancy; hence, the Sage advocated not removing ginger from meals. However, its pungent dispersing power is excessive; overconsumption depletes Qi and Blood and aids Fire pathogenic factors, so caution is necessary. Wrapped in wet paper and roasted, it loses its dispersing property and only warms the middle and descends rebellious qi, treating cold stagnation abdominal pain. For example, when treating cough due to Wind-Cold invading the Lung, if one desires its dispersing effect but fears its pungent heat damaging the Lung, honey-fried ginger is used. Ginger juice opens phlegm and disseminates collaterals. Ginger peel scatters water and moves within the skin; its warming and cooling natures vary, and main indications differ. One cannot assume that a single herb can be used indiscriminately.)

Scallion White (Cong Bai)
(Actions) Circulates through the Lung and Stomach meridians to unblock Yang; can warm and disseminate to induce sweating. Pungent in flavor and hot in nature, it dissipates Qi and clouds the eyes. (Scallion white refers to the white stem near the root of the scallion. It is pungent in flavor and warm in nature, ascending and floating upward, entering the Stomach and Lung meridians. Its hollow structure allows it to externally scatter Wind-Cold and internally unblock Yang Qi. It can also move Blood and dissipate stasis, stop abdominal pain, and reduce swelling and toxicity, all functioning through moving Qi. This is referred to as the interconnectedness of the Three Jiao and the unity of Qi. However, it easily dissipates essence, clouds vision, damages will, and injures the spirit; deficient persons should use it with caution.)

Garlic (Da Suan)
(Actions) Pungent and warm in nature with an offensive odor, it benefits the Spleen and Stomach significantly. It breaks accumulations to disperse cold, wards off evil pathogens, and kills parasites (anciently termed "killing ghosts"). For yin abscesses and masses, moxibustion combined with this herb is effective; mashed and applied externally, it is used as appropriate. Although it has effects in resolving summerheat and treating gu-poison, it inevitably harms Yin and damages the eyes. (The pungent, hot, and foul nature of garlic exceeds that of reeds and leeks, making it the chief among the Five Pungent Vegetables. It has slight toxicity. Although extremely odorous, it can repel bad smells; thus, when cooking any fishy or foul substances, using garlic can neutralize them. Entering the Spleen and Stomach, it repels malignant qi, disperses cold pathogens, transforms meat accumulations, and eliminates masses. However, its fierce nature causes much depletion and dispersion. Daoists claim that consuming it damages the spirit and vitality, suggesting external application is superior. Small amounts can stimulate appetite and promote food intake.)