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[Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix)] Bitter, salty, slightly cold; purely yin. Enters the Kidney meridian to drain rootless floating fire. For conditions of ministerial fire flaming upward, this herb is used to nourish water to control the fire.

[Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix)] Greatly bitter, greatly cold; sinking and yin, primarily enters the Kidney. Dampens dryness, overcomes heat, nourishes the Liver and Gallbladder, benefits the nine orifices, expels wind, drives out water, detoxifies, and kills parasites.
(See Liver Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma)] Pungent, bitter, cold, and slippery. Enters the Qi level of the Lung and Kidney meridians. Drains pathogenic heat from the Bladder and residual fire in the Lower Jiao, preventing ministerial fire from flaring up to scorch Lung Metal, thereby maintaining the clear descending function of the Lung. It also drains Stomach heat, moistens dryness, nourishes Yin, promotes urination and defecation, but may damage the Stomach due to its laxative effect.
(See Liver Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex)] Bitter, neutral. Promotes urination, removes damp-heat, unblocks painful urinary dysfunction (Lin syndrome), and kills parasites.

[Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum)] Bitter, slightly sweet, greatly cold. Enters the Heart and Kidney meridians. Drains Bing Fire of the Small Intestine, clears Stomach and Large Intestine fire, regulates blood rebellion, treats heat-toxin dysentery with intestines feeling like burning, epidemic carbuncles and pox, and various severe heat conditions.
(See Lung Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix)] Sweet, sour, cold. Nourishes the Kidney, strengthens teeth, cools blood, and stops bleeding.
(See Bladder Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Bladder Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Liver Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Lung Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Liver Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Stomach Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Pericardium Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Zhu Fu (Porcis Cutis Preparata) [Pig Skin]] Ancient notes state it is cold and sweet, treating sore throat. The pig is a water animal; its qi first enters the Kidney meridian, resolving exogenous heat of the Shaoyin channel. "Fu" means skin/flesh. One should use the black skin on the pig's hide. According to the commentary on *Yi Li*, "fu" refers to pork flesh; only specific parts have "fu". The character originally meant something related to fire or cooked food by fire. Here, it clearly indicates taking pork roasted by fire and using the scorched skin layer. Using raw pig skin is a major error.

[Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Heart Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Liver Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Liver Cold for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Free Flowing Heat for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Stomach Heat for related pathogenesis or compatibility.)

[Tu Si Zi (Cuscutae Semen)] Bitter, warm. Enters the Kidney meridian. Astringes essence, consolidates Qi, strengthens Yin, assists Yang, darkens beard and hair.

[Yang Qi Shi (Actinolite) [Styelite]] Hot in nature. Consolidates essence, strengthens Yang; male specimens should be used.

[Xian Mao (Curculiginis Rhizoma)] Pungent, aromatic, sweet, warm. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Tonifies the Gate of Vitality (Mingmen), benefits Essence and Qi, strengthens sinews and bones. Treats impotence (extreme Yang deficiency) and female infertility (extreme Yin deficiency).

[Suo Yang (Cynomorii Herba)] Sweet, warm. Nourishes Yin, benefits Essence, promotes Yang, moistens dryness, lubricates the intestines.
(See Kidney Tonification for related tonifying references.)

[Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Spleen Tonification for related tonifying references.)

[Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) - *Inferred from context*]
(See Sanjiao/Jiaomai Tonification for related tonifying references.)

[Ba Ji Tian (Morindae Officinalis Radix)] Pungent, hot. Assists Mingming Fire, benefits the Yang pathway, brightens eyes and ears, tonifies deficiency and fatigue, warms sinews and bones. Treats enuresis and cold pain in the heart and abdomen; suitable for those with cold Qi and Essence. Must be processed before use.