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Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen)
Enters the Liver channel, stores the Hun (Ethereal Soul), and calms the Spirit. Used to treat timidity and insomnia. Enters the Heart to astringe fluids and consolidate deficiency. Can treat spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency. The nature is quite smooth. The taste is sweet and sour. (All seeds can enter the Heart; sour substances generally enter the Liver. Sour and sweet with a neutral nature, it is a moistening agent, thus able to enter the Heart and Liver channels, astringe fluids, and consolidate deficiency. However, it tends to lubricate the Large Intestine. Regarding the saying that roasted Suanzaoren treats insomnia due to Gallbladder deficiency and raw Suanzaoren treats hypersomnia due to Gallbladder heat, this is merely a customary tradition. In reality, insomnia and hypersomnia have different etiologies; one cannot rely solely on Ziziphi Spinosae Semen to govern all such conditions.)

Guijianyu (Eucommiae Ulmoides Cortex Ramulus / Eucommia Twig)
Bitter in taste and cold in nature, it can break blood stasis. It kills parasites, dispels evil influences, and disperses wind. (Guijianyu gets its name because its shape resembles an arrow feather. Its functions include dispelling malevolent spirits, treating sudden severe illness (Zhong'e), killing parasites, and treating gu poison. However, examining its bitter-cold nature and the use of its branches and leaves, it primarily enters the Liver and Lung channels, and its main actions are dispelling wind and breaking blood stasis.)

Chuanjinpi (Hibisci Tiliacei Cortex / Corkwood Bark)
Bitter in taste and cool in nature. Although it can moisten dryness and harmonize the Ying (Nutritive) level, it is rarely used internally. It has a sticky texture and red color, capable of killing parasites and treating tinea corporis (ringworm). It is mostly required for external use. (The Sichuan-produced Chuanjinpi is superior; the locally produced one is known as Tu Jinpi, commonly called Jin Qia. It can be used as a barrier or planted as a hedge. The bark is thick and red, extremely sticky and slippery, with a sweet, bitter, and neutral taste, slightly cold. It enters the Blood levels of the Heart and Liver. Although it can moisten dryness and invigorate blood to treat conditions like intestinal wind and bloody dysentery, there are few internal prescriptions. It is primarily used externally for killing parasites and treating tinea.)

Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex / Cinnamon Bark)
Pungent, sweet, and greatly hot. It tonifies the Mingmen (Gate of Life), assists fire, and dissipates yin. Purple-red with abundant fragrance, it benefits the Liver and Kidney, unblocks meridians, and promotes blood circulation. For abdominal pain, hernia, and mass disorders, it can guide and warm. For various pathogens such as wind-cold and bi-syndrome caused by dampness, it can disperse and scatter. (Rougui is produced in southern regions such as western Guangdong and Annam. There are many varieties, generally those that are purple, thick-fleshed, sweet-tasting, and oily are considered best. However, the sweetness carries a pungency, naturally possessing a fragrant, penetrating, warm, and soothing qi. It enters the Blood levels of the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney channels, warming and dispersing cold pathogens in the blood, breaking blood clots, and eliminating masses. When used with kidney-tonifying herbs, it can tonify insufficient Yuan Yang of the Mingmen, as seen in conditions like Ge Yang (floating yang) and Dai Yang (crowning yang). It can also lead fire back to its source. If one wishes to tonify Heart Yang or benefit Spleen Yang, it can be combined with appropriate assistant herbs. Bai Shao stir-fried with Gui water greatly soothes the Liver. Rougui is the bark. Observing its nature and taste and examining its indications, whether the cold is internal or external, if located in the Ying level, it can be treated.)