(Suan / Sour substances): Flavor is sour and astringent, nature is warm; harmonizes the Spleen and regulates the Stomach, astringes the Lung and subdues the Liver, transforms food stagnation and relieves thirst, regulates Ying (Nutrient) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, benefits sinews and bones, eliminates damp-heat and reduces water swelling; for Qi collapse it can consolidate and retain, for Qi stagnation it can harmonize; however, if the astringent action is too severe, excessive consumption leads to strangury (difficulty in urination).

(Tie Lei / Iron preparations): Flavor is acrid, nature is neutral; calms the Heart Spirit, pacifies the Liver Yang, settles fright and treats mania, detoxifies. Tie Xiao (Iron filings), Tie Jing (Iron essence), Tie Xiu (Iron rust), and Tie Hua Fen (Iron flower powder) generally rely on the descending property of Metal to subdue the hyperactive Wood (Liver), without other profound meanings. Zhen Sha (Needle sand) eliminates edema and dissipates goiter/nodules.

(Qing Ru / Blue-green substances): Flavor is sour, nature is neutral; induces vomiting of phlegm-wind, eliminates wind-heat, stops bleeding from traumatic wounds, kills parasites and treats infantile malnutrition (Gan syndrome); however, it damages Blood. Its green color enters the Liver channel, specifically treating diseases of the East (Liver system).

(Mou Yao / Certain herb): Enters the Blood level, can subdue Liver Wood and dry Spleen dampness.

(Lu Jiao / Deer horn products): Flavor is sweet, nature is warm; purely Yin in nature, odor is fishy and foul; enters the Liver channel and Blood level, unblocks and benefits blood vessels; raw use disperses blood stasis, stir-fried use stops bleeding, dispels wind and kills parasites, transforms phlegm and dissipates accumulation, treats all pain due to Qi and Blood disorders and all Blood diseases. In northern regions, there is a bird called Hao Han Chong (Cold-calling insect); this refers to its feces. It should be used after soaking in wine to remove gravel/sand impurities.

(Mou Yao / Certain herb): Enters the Liver; when used as a guiding herb (Dao Yao) among various Blood-regulating formulas, it is acceptable, but if consumed regularly as food, it causes harm without benefit.

(Mou Yao / Certain herb): Flavor is salty, nature is warm; enters the Kidney and Liver Blood levels, unblocks blood vessels and expels cold-dampness, treats blood dryness with obstruction, diarrhea, and dysentery. Mo Yu Rou (Cuttlefish meat) has a sour flavor and neutral nature, tonifies Qi and unblocks meridians.

(Long Gu / Dragon bone): Flavor is astringent, nature is neutral; belongs to Wood and governs the Liver, calms the Heart Spirit and anchors the Soul, treats epilepsy and manic-depressive disorders.

(Dan Shen / Salvia miltiorrhiza): Flavor is bitter, nature is neutral; enters the Liver and Kidney channels, also clears blood from the Heart orifices, tonifies Yin, cools Blood, resolves stasis; treats various Blood diseases and epilepsy. Tai Fa (Fetal hair) washed with Gao Jiao Shui (Gleditsia sinensis fruit water) is particularly effective, capable of tonifying decline and depletion.

(Lei Gong Teng / Tripterygium or similar): Flavor is acrid and bitter, nature is warm; governs all Qi disorders, unblocks accumulated blood in the Liver channel, breaks blood stasis and moves Qi, attacks accumulations and unblocks menstruation.

(Da Huang / Rhubarb): Flavor is bitter, nature is neutral; potency is vigorous, enters the Liver channel and Blood level, breaks Qi within Blood, dissipates all blood stasis and Qi knotting, eliminates hard accumulations.

(Mou Yao / Certain herb): Flavor is acrid, sweet, and bitter, nature is warm; enters the Liver channel, breaks stasis and invigorates Blood, moistens dryness and reduces swelling; excessive use causes continuous bleeding. Yan Zhi (Rouge) invigorates Blood and resolves toxin from smallpox/variolous eruptions. Jiang Wei (Crimson warp) slightly possesses the power of Hong Hua (Safflower), can nourish Blood while borrowing the meridian-unblocking property of silk; most suitable for deficiency with blood stagnation.

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