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Xuanfu Hua (Inulae Flos)

Also known as Jinfei Cao (Golden Boiling Grass). It has the effects of purging downward, descending Qi, and resolving phlegm. Salty flavor can soften hardness; bitter and acrid flavors can descend Qi and promote water metabolism; warm nature can unblock blood vessels. It enters the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. It resolves phlegmatic nodules causing hard epigastric fullness, treats expectoration of sticky sputum like glue or lacquer, and persistent belching (Yi, pronounced "jie", commonly written as "Ai". Due to stagnant Qi in the chest, belching occurs to relieve it, typically belonging to deficiency patterns; however, some cases involve concurrent Phlegm or Fire, belonging to excess patterns. Zhang Zhongjing used Daizhe Xuanfu Tang [Ochre and Inula Decoction] to treat post-diaphoresis, emesis, or purgation syndromes characterized by epigastric hardness and belching), treats edema of the Large Intestine, and dispels wind from the head and eyes. However, this herb is dispersing in nature, cold and slippery, potentially damaging the Large Intestine, so it should be used with caution in patients with deficiency.

It resembles Qianjinju (Money Chrysanthemum); for use, remove the outer skin and pistil shell, steam, and then process. The root can knit sinews (if a tendon is severed, crush the root to extract juice and apply it to the wound, then cover with the dregs; if not healed within half a month, the tendon will naturally reconnect).

Bai Bu (Stemonae Radix)

Moistens the Lung and kills parasites. Sweet and bitter, slightly warm. It moistens the Lung and treats cough due to Lung Heat (bitter flavor clears heat). It has slight toxicity and kills roundworms, pinworms, flies, lice, and all wood-boring insects (they die upon contact with smoke).

It treats bone-steaming consumption, infectious wasting diseases (Chuan Shi), infantile malnutrition (Gan Ji), and scabies/tinea (all related to parasites. Li Shizhen stated: Bai Bu belongs to the same category as Tiandong [Asparagi Radix], thus both treat the Lung and kill parasites. However, Tiandong is cold and suitable for hot coughs; Bai Bu is warm and suitable for cold coughs).

It is named "Hundred Parts" because its roots grow in clusters of many strands. Select plump and solid roots, split them with a bamboo knife, remove the core and skin, soak in wine, and bake dry for use.

Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix)

Promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood, clears fire and dispels cold, and acts as a carrier to direct medicinal properties upward. Bitter and acrid, neutral in nature. Its white color corresponds to Metal; it enters the Lung meridian (Qi level) to clear heat, and also enters the Hand Shaoyin Heart meridian and Foot Yangming Stomach meridian. It lifts and raises Qi and Blood, disperses exterior cold pathogens, clears and benefits the head, eyes, throat, and opens stagnation in the chest and diaphragm.

For conditions such as phlegm obstruction with wheezing and shortness of breath, nasal congestion (Lung Qi dysfunction), red eyes, throat bi with pain (Fire in the two Shaoyin meridians), toothache (Wind-Heat in the Yangming meridian), mouth ulcers, lung abscess with dry cough (Fire stagnating in the Lung), stabbing pain in the chest and diaphragm (Fire stagnating in the Upper Jiao), dysentery with abdominal pain, abdominal distension with borborygmus (Lung Fire stagnating in the Large Intestine), Jie Geng is suitable to open these obstructions. As the "boat and oar" of various herbs, it carries other medicines upward, enabling bitter-draining and severe-purging agents to reach the highest parts of the body and achieve their effect (How can it ascend while also descending Qi? Because the Lung governs Qi; when Lung Metal is clear, turbid Qi naturally descends). Furthermore, it nourishes blood, expels pus, and supplements internal leakage (thus treating lung abscess. Li Shizhen said: Zhijie Tang [Artemisiae Argyi et Platycodonis Radix Decoction] treats epigastric fullness without pain, utilizing its ability to unblock the Lung, benefit the diaphragm, and descend Qi. Ganjie Tang [Licorice and Platycodon Decoction] generally treats various throat and tongue diseases, utilizing its bitter-acrid nature to disperse cold and sweet-neutral nature to clear heat. Emperor Renzong of Song added Jingjie, Fangfeng, and Lianqiao, naming it Rusheng Tang [Like-Sage Decoction]. Wang Haogu added Licorice to create Ganwei Jie Geng Tang. For hoarseness, add Hezi; for loss of voice, add Banxia; for rebellious Qi, add Chenpi; for phlegmic cough, add Zhimu and Beimu; for cough with thirst, add Wuweizi; for alcohol toxicity, add Gegen; for shortness of breath, add Renshen; for vomiting, add Banxia and Shengjiang; for expectoration of pus and blood, add Ziwan; for lung flaccidity, add Ejiao; for chest/diaphragm discomfort, add Zhike; for epigastric fullness, add Zhishi; for red eyes, add Zhizi and Dahuang; for facial swelling, add Fuling; for skin pain, add Huangqin; for macules/rashes, add Jingjie and Fangfeng; for epidemic toxins, add Niubangzi and Dahuang; for insomnia, add Zhizi. Ang notes: Observing the additions by Hai Zang, the general principles of prescription can be understood).

Remove the floating skin, soak in rice washing water, stir-fry lightly, and use. It is incompatible with Longdancao (Gentianae Radix) and Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma). Pork should be avoided.