Library

Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba)
Light and clear, entering the Lung Meridian. Flavor pungent and warm, aroma fragrant. Disperses pathogenic factors in the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner). Clears the head and eyes, excels at diffusing Wind-Heat. (Bohe is pungent, warm, and aromatic with a penetrating quality. Its nature is warm but its action is cool. Entering the Lung Meridian, it rises lightly and floats upward, thus able to disperse Wind-Heat in the Upper Jiao; it is an exterior-releasing herb. It benefits the throat and dispels bad breath. Although its cool nature allows it to treat heat syndromes, it remains fundamentally a pungent-dispersing substance, so those with Yin deficiency and fire should avoid it. The properties, flavor, and functions of Bohe are similar to Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum). Its nature is warm but its action is cool. The "clear" referred to here denotes lightness and clarity, not coldness.)

Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix)
Serves as an exterior-releasing herb for the Stomach Meridian. Dispels Cold, dries Dampness, flavor pungent and warm. Diffuses Wind-Evil from the Lungs. Scatters swelling and drains pus with widespread efficacy. Its Qi ascends and floats, clearing the head and eyes. Through its fragrance and dryness, it can be used for metrorrhagia and leukorrhea. As for Changfeng (Intestinal Wind) and Zangdu (Visceral Toxin), these arise from turbid Dampness in the Yangming Meridian causing harm. Even applying it to moisten the face and apply to the skin addresses stagnation of stasis and evil in the muscles. (Baizhi is pungent, warm, and aromatic, white in color, entering the Hand-Yangming, Foot-Yangming, and Hand-Taiyin meridians. Dispelling Wind and overcoming Dampness is its strength, hence it serves as an exterior-releasing herb for these three meridians. Because it reaches up to the Lungs and down to the Intestines, it clears the head and eyes above and treats metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, and intestinal wind below. Regarding conditions such as draining pus, scattering swelling, and breast abscesses, these are all muscle diseases. Since the Yangming Meridian governs the muscles, Baizhi is also the principal herb for the Yangming Meridian.)

Gaoben (Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix)
Pungency can reach the exterior, warmth can circulate the channels. For pain in the vertex caused by Wind-Cold, reliance is placed on its dispersing action. For diseases of Yin-Dampness such as hernia and zhijia (masses), this helps to diffuse and eliminate them. Its aromatic nature travels exclusively to the Foot-Taiyang Meridian; its purple color allows it to move within the Blood level. (The root of Gaoben resembles Chuanxiong, is purple in color and hollow in form, pungent and warm in nature, vigorous and strong, with a rich and intense aroma. It enters the Foot-Taiyang Meridian and connects with the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). It is an herb that disperses Wind-Cold and removes Cold-Dampness. Its functions are similar to Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), but its aromatic property is unique, and its ascending nature exceeds that of Qianghuo. Regarding the treatment of women's conditions such as Cold-Dampness hernia and masses, this is also due to disease of the Du Mai.)