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Purgation, descending Qi, and dispersing fullness.
The bitter flavor can purge excess fullness (Shi Man), while the acrid-warm nature can disperse dampness-induced fullness (Wang Haogu stated: *Bie Lu* records that Houpo warms the middle, benefits Qi, resolves phlegm, and descends Qi. Does this deplete or benefit Qi? When used with Zhishi and Dahuang, it purges excess fullness, which is referred to as "resolving phlegm and descending Qi"; when used with Chenpi and Cangzhu, it removes dampness-induced fullness, which is referred to as "warming the middle and benefiting Qi." When used with exterior-resolving herbs, it treats headache caused by Shanghan; when used with antidiarrheal herbs, it thickens the intestines and stomach. Generally speaking, the bitter flavor purges, while the warm nature tonifies. Combined with Dahuang and Zhishi, it forms Chengqi Tang. Combined with Chenpi and Cangzhu, it forms Pingwei San. Note: Abdominal distension and fullness vary greatly; clearing and tonifying methods must be applied appropriately. For Qi deficiency, tonify Qi; for Blood deficiency, tonify Blood; for food stagnation, promote digestion and guide out stagnation; for blood stasis and phlegm obstruction, move Qi and resolve phlegm; for heat accumulation, clear heat; for excessive dampness, promote urination to drain dampness; for cold constraint, dispel cold; for anger-related constraint, move Qi; for blood retention, resolve stasis. It is not advisable to exclusively use Qi-moving and dispersing herbs. There are cases where taking Renshen and Baizhu worsens distension due to concurrent food stagnation, blood stasis, heat, or cold, which should not be generally treated as Spleen Qi deficiency and weakness). Enters the Foot-Taiyin Splein Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian (Spleen, Stomach). It regulates the middle Jiao (when paired with Cangzhu to form Pingwei San, it balances the excess of Earth-Dampness to achieve harmony), resolves phlegm, transforms food stagnation, thickens the intestines and stomach, moves congealed fluids, breaks old blood stasis, and kills intestinal parasites.
Treats regurgitation and vomiting, wheezing and coughing, diarrhea and dysentery, cold pain and cholera. Misuse depletes Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi); contraindicated in pregnancy.
It is the bark of the Hazel tree (*Corylus heterophylla*). Those with thick flesh and a purple, moist appearance are superior. Remove the coarse outer bark, roast with Ginger Juice, or stir-fry with Vinegar. Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) serves as an assistant herb. It is incompatible with Zexie and Xiaoshi.
Contraindicated with beans, as they cause Qi disturbance.

Descends Qi, promotes water metabolism, breaks distension, and attacks hard accumulations.
The bitter-warm nature breaks stagnation, while the acrid-warm nature disperses pathogenic factors. It purges the highest Qi in the chest, causing it to descend downward. Its nature is heavy like iron and stone, capable of driving other herbs to the lowest parts of the body. It attacks hard accumulations, reduces distension, transforms food and moves phlegm, drains water, dispels wind, kills parasites, and awakens from intoxication.
Treats phlegm-rubella and nodular masses, malarial fevers and dysentery caused by miasma, edema, and Hongjiaojiao (Gouty arthritis/Chronic lower limb edema) (If Hongjiaojiao attacks the heart, this herb is especially necessary; mix with Tongbian [Child's urine], Jiangzhi [Ginger juice], and warm wine for administration). Treats constipation of large and small bowels due to Qi stagnation, and tenesmus (used with Muxiang, which benefits Qi movement). Overdose damages True Qi (In Lingnan, where miasma is prevalent, people drink Binlang as tea. Its four functions are: it awakens the intoxicated, intoxicates the sober, makes the hungry feel full, and makes the full feel hungry. However, it leaks Zang-Qi and is contraindicated in areas without miasma).
Those shaped like a chicken heart, long at the tip, and showing a brocade-like pattern when broken are superior (Cheng Xinghai said: For pubic lice, there is no better prescription than washing with a decoction of Binlang, which eliminates them. Another method is rubbing with the red center of the nut, which is also effective).