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Bai Fu Zi (Typhonii Rhizoma)

Enters the Yangming channel to treat pathogenic wind in the head and face. Pungent, sweet, and bitter in flavor. The nature is drying and toxic; it treats cold-dampness in the Stomach organ. It has warming, dispersing, and ascending properties. (Bai Fu Zi is pungent, sweet, and warm, with slight toxicity. Unlike Chuan Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), it is not as acrid and fierce. Although its flavor and nature are similar, its therapeutic indications differ. Its shape resembles Tian Xiong (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix) and is elongated; when dried, it has nodes. It enters the Yangming channel to treat wind-phlegm and dry out cold-dampness. Its efficacy is primarily located in the Upper Jiao, thus it can treat wandering wind (You Feng) in the head and face. Unlike Chuan Fu Zi, which can reach the Lower Jiao, it is less effective than Nan Xing (Arisaematis Rhizoma) in dissipating hardness and reducing swelling. It moves swiftly and can enter the Liver and Spleen channels.)

Zao Xiu (Paris Polyphylla)

Can eliminate carbuncles and toxins. Bitter and cold in flavor, it dissipates nodules. Heat and blood stasis can be resolved. It eliminates insect accumulations and unblocks the Liver channel. (Zao Xiu is bitter, cold, and toxic. Its stem grows straight up, with seven leaves per layer, flowering at the apex. The root resembles that of Chang Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma). It enters the Liver channel, cools the blood, and dissipates stasis, thereby eliminating carbuncles and insect toxins. Regarding its ability to treat conditions such as fright-phlegm, this is largely due to resolving stagnant heat.)

Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma)

Sinking and descending in nature. Bitter and cold, with toxicity. It unblocks the intestines and purges the stomach, draining the retention of excess heat. It breaks down accumulations and promotes blood circulation, sweeping away the closure and knotting of various pathogens. When processed by stir-frying, it tends to promote urination, effectively distributing fluids and guiding them to the Zhou Du (Bladder). (Da Huang is bitter and cold, with a sinking nature. Its aroma and flavor are both strong. It enters the Blood aspect of the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine. It can purge excess pathogens characterized by retained stasis, knotting, and heat, driving them downward directly. It breaks hard accumulations and removes masses (Zheng Jia). For cold-stagnation accumulations, there is a method of warming and purging; for deficient individuals with accumulations, there is a method of tonifying and purging simultaneously. Thus, warming and tonifying herbs can complement each other and be used according to circumstances. If processed with wine, steamed, or stir-fried, it specifically acts on the Small Intestine and Bladder to treat conditions such as strangury caused by damp-heat. Hence, raw and cooked forms have different uses.)

Shang Lu (Phytolaccae Radix)

Bitter and pungent, with toxicity. Enters the Spleen and Stomach to expel water and unblock the intestines. Sinking and predominantly cold in nature. It regulates the Zang-Fu organs, dissipates hardness, and reduces swelling. (Shang Lu is bitter, pungent, and cold, with a yin-sinking nature and high toxicity. It enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine to drain water and reduce swelling. Its intense toxicity is similar to that of Da Ji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix) and Gan Sui (Kansui Radix). However, it is only suitable for treating Yang-water excess patterns. It should not be used for Yin-water conditions caused by Spleen and Kidney deficiency-cold. There are two types: red and white. White Shang Lu acts on the Qi level, while red Shang Lu acts on the Blood level. Although both expel water, only the red variety can be applied externally to treat carbuncles and swellings.)