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Zelan (Radix Agrimoniae): Bitter, sweet, and pungent in flavor, with a strong aroma. Its nature is slightly warm, and its action is mild and gentle. It enters the blood aspect of the Liver and Spleen meridians to promote blood circulation. It uniquely enters the Sea of Blood (Chong Mai), attacks stagnated pathogens, unblocks menstruation, breaks blood stasis, dissipates constraint, and soothes the Spleen Qi.

Shengtoucao (Herba Lycopi): Aromatic and pungent in flavor, with a cool nature. It enters the Qi aspect to regulate Qi, generate blood, and nourish Ying (Nutritive) Qi. It promotes diuresis, eliminates phlegm, and treats Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst). This is the herb referred to as "Lan removes stale Qi" in the classics.

Malan (Herba Kalimeritidis Indicae): Pungent and cool in nature. Its efficacy is similar to Zelan. It enters the blood aspect of the Yangming meridians.

See Sanjiao He.

Pungent, warm, aromatic, and drying. It harmonizes the Stomach and awakens the Spleen, moves Qi and regulates the Middle Jiao, unblocks stagnation, digests food, and resolves alcohol intoxication. It treats Pi Zhang (fullness and distension) and disperses floating heat. When combined with Tanxiang (Sandalwood) and Doukou (Cardamom), it enters the Lung; when combined with Renshen (Ginseng) and Yizhiren (Yi Zhi Ren), it enters the Spleen; when combined with Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark) and Fuling (Poria), it enters the Kidney; when combined with Baishizhi (Kaolin) and Chishizhi (Red Kaolin), it enters the Large and Small Intestines. It moistens Kidney dryness and guides various herbs to return to the Dantian. For Kidney deficiency causing Qi failing to root, using it as a guiding herb is most reliable.

See Fei He.

Pungent, sweet, and slightly warm. Clear, harmonious, and intensely aromatic. It enters the Spleen and Lung, moves Qi and harmonizes the Middle, opens the appetite, stops vomiting, and removes foul odors and pathogenic stagnation in the Upper and Middle Jiao.

Pungent, warm, and aromatic with a dispersing action. It warms the Stomach and strengthens the Spleen, dispels cold and dries dampness. Due to its pungent and drying nature, it is contraindicated for those with blood disorders.

See Gan He.

Sweet, warm, and aromatic. It regulates all Qi, opens Spleen constraint, and excels at awakening the Spleen and treating foul odors.

See Wei He.

See Xin He.

See Fei He.

See Wei He.

See Fei He.

Pungent and neutral in nature. Enters the Spleen and Stomach. Digests meat accumulation, removes foul odors, and kills parasites. Its strong odor may damage the Stomach. It is made from boiled resin of Xifanmuzhi (Western Fir Resin); nowadays, Hubaisuanbai (White Garlic) is used to counterfeit it.

Sweet, bland, and neutral. The white variety enters the Qi aspect, benefits the Spleen, calms the Heart, and leaches out dampness. Its function focuses on promoting water metabolism. It can connect Heart Qi to the Kidney, enter the Lung to drain heat, and descend to unblock the Bladder. Chifuling (Red Poria) enters the Heart and Small Intestine, specifically draining damp-heat. Other parts are similar to Baifuling (White Poria). Fulingpi (Poria Peel) specifically promotes water metabolism.

See Fei He.

See Fei He.

See Fei He.

Sour, sweet, and slightly warm. Strengthens the Spleen and moves Qi, dissipates blood stasis and transforms phlegm, digests meat and milk accumulations. Excessive consumption depletes Qi; smaller fruits are used for medicinal purposes. The seeds digest food and grind down accumulations, treat Shan (Hernia), and facilitate childbirth.

See Gan He.

Bitter and neutral in nature. Assists the Spleen and Stomach to raise and develop Yang Qi. It dissipates blood stasis while preserving healthy blood.