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Lugen (Rhizoma Phragmitis Communis)
The medicinal property enters the Yangming channel. It is sweet and cold, clearing heat. Its function removes irritability and vomiting, moistening, descending, and harmonizing Yin. The stem clears and purifies the Upper Jiao (upper burner), curing Lung Abscess (a suppurative disease of the lung). The shoot resolves fish toxicity and clears heat in the Diaphragm. (Lugen is sweet and cold, entering the Stomach to clear heat. Heat causes Stomach Qi to rebel and become unsmooth, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and regurgitation. Regarding detoxification, it is also a function of its sweet and cold nature entering the Stomach. However, Lugen primarily descends, while the stem and shoot have an ascending tendency, hence they are used for Lung Abscess and Lung Atrophy. Lugen's coldness clears heat, and its sweetness nourishes Yin; thus, it is most suitable for patients with insufficient Stomach Yin and rebellious Fire Evil. It is contraindicated for those with Cold Stomach, loose stools, and vomiting.)

Hanliancao (Herba Ecliptae)
Sweet and sour, generating Yin. Cooling blood benefits the Kidney. Deeply cold and black in color, it darkens hair and strengthens teeth. (Hanliancao is sweet, sour, and cold. When broken, juice exudes, and its color is black, so it enters the Kidney. It cools blood, nourishes Yin, consolidates Ying (Nutritive Qi), and stops bleeding. However, due to its deeply cold nature, it is still contraindicated for those with Yang deficiency and loose stools.)

Daqing (Radix Isatidis)
Treats macules and rashes caused by Yang Toxin in Shanghan (Cold Damage). Enters the Heart, Stomach, and Liver, extending to the muscle surface. Treats epidemic febrile diseases and seasonal heat illnesses. Salty, cold, and slightly bitter, it directly enters the Ying (Nutritive) level. (Daqing is salty, bitter, and greatly cold, with a green color. It specifically enters the Blood aspect of the Heart, Liver, and Stomach channels. It treats epidemic warm-heat diseases causing macules, rashes, and erysipelas, which result from great heat entering the Stomach and disturbing Ying and Blood. Scattering pathogenic heat from the Blood aspect is its strength, though it is not commonly used in prescriptions.)

Baijiang (Herba Patriniae)
Drains pus and reduces swelling; Intestinal Abscess (suppurative inflammation of the intestine) relies on its acrid and bitter efficacy. Reaches the Stomach and moves the Liver; stasis-heat depends on its salty and cold power. (Baijiang is acrid, bitter, and salty, slightly cold. Also known as Kucai, its leaves resemble mustard greens, and its color is greenish-purple. It enters the Blood aspect, scattering stasis and accumulated heat in the blood. It enters the Hand and Foot Yangming and Jueyin channels. *Jin Gui Yao Lue* uses it to treat Intestinal Abscess, taking advantage of its intent to drain pus and break up blood stasis.)

Mabo (Sporocarpia Typhei)
Acrid and neutral, benefiting the Lung by dispersing pathogenic factors. Treats sore throat and throat ulcers. Its function scatters blood; light and bland, it resolves heat in the Upper Jiao, eliminating mouth canker and facial swelling. Its power can treat plague/epidemic diseases. (Mabo is a type of fungus formed by the steaming and condensation of damp-heat qi on the ground. Although it has the merit of lightly and clearly resolving pathogenic heat in the Upper Jiao, the toxins generated by damp-heat steaming and the qi of insects/snakes are unavoidable.)