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Disperses wind-dampness, tonifies the Liver and moistens the Kidney.

Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) is acrid and warm, dispersing wind-pathogens; therefore, it is suitable for various bi-syndromes caused by wind, cough with qi rebellion, headache, and stiffness of the neck and back (specifically treats Shaoyin headaches, often used with Duohuo [Angelicae Pubescentis Radix] as a guiding herb).
Xixin dissipates floating heat; therefore, it is suitable for mouth ulcers, throat obstruction (Shaoyin fire syndrome), rhinitis with purulent discharge (biyuan), and dental caries with pus and decay (chigü) (caused by worm erosion).
Xixin benefits the Liver and Gallbladder; therefore, it is suitable for palpitations and epilepsy due to Gallbladder deficiency, and tearing upon exposure to wind.
When water retention occurs below the heart, it leads to Kidney dryness; the acridity of Xixin can move water qi to moisten the Kidney (when the Kidney is dry, the Heart is also dry, because Fire is constrained by Water. The Classic says: "The Kidney dislikes dryness; hasten to eat acrid foods to moisten it").
Although Xixin is a guiding herb for the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) meridian, it is fundamentally a herb for the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. It can unblock essence and qi, benefit the nine orifices, and is therefore suitable for deafness, nasal congestion (pronounced "weng", referring to nasal blockage where one cannot smell odors. Caused by wind-cold entering the brain, leading to stagnation of qi transmission. Cold syndromes should be treated with exterior-releasing methods, heat syndromes with clearing methods; if polyps are present, the herb can be powdered and insufflated into the nose), inverted eyelashes, and dysuria.
It dissipates nodules, warms the meridians, breaks up phlegm, promotes lactation, moves blood, and induces sweating (can induce sweating from the Shaoyin level. Zhang Zhongjing treated Shaoyin syndrome with fever using Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang, which is an exterior-releasing formula for pathogens located in the interior).
However, its flavor is strong and nature fierce, so it must not be overused (should not exceed 1 qian; excessive amounts cause qi stagnation, suffocation, and death. Although there are verified cases of no harm, the Kaiping prison once treated such poisoning cases, so this must be known).
Its taste is extremely acrid; the variety produced in Huayin is authentic (Duheng [Dysosma versipellis], Guiduyou [Akebia quinata], and Xuchangqing [Pterocaulon sphaerocephalum] can be used to adulterate it). Use only those picked to remove double leaves.
It is incompatible with Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus). It fears Xiaoshi (Natrii Nitras) and Huashi (Talcum). It is antagonistic to Lilu (Veratri Rhizoma).

Releases the exterior and harmonizes the interior, reduces fever and raises yang.

Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) is bitter, neutral in nature with slight cold, has a thin flavor, and its ascending qi belongs to Yang. It primarily treats sinking of Yang qi, guiding clear qi upward, thereby pacifying pathogenic heat in the Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians (including Ministerial Fire of the Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium, and Sanjiao. Li Shizhen said: "For the Shaoyang meridian, Huangqin is the assistant; for the Jueyin meridian, Huanglian is the assistant"). It promotes the free flow of qi and blood, dissipates nodules, and regulates menstruation (Wang Ang notes: People only know that Chaihu releases the exterior, but do not know that Chaihu is best at harmonizing the interior. Therefore, herbs for treating consumptive diseases and blood-invigorating herbs often include it. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang and Xiao Yao San both use Chaihu to take advantage of its harmonizing properties, not for releasing the exterior).
Chaihu is an exterior herb for the Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridian (The Gallbladder is a pure and clear organ, having no exit or entry, and its meridian is located half-exterior and half-interior; the treatment method should be harmonization, such as with Xiao Chaihu Tang. If the disease is in the Taiyang meridian, taking it too early will invite the thief into the house; if the disease has entered the Yin meridians, taking Chaihu again will doubly weaken the exterior. One must be detailed and cautious).
It treats exogenous febrile diseases (Zhang Zhongjing used Da Chaihu Tang and Xiao Chaihu Tang), phlegm-heat accumulation, and muscular heat due to deficiency-consumption (Kou Zongshi said: "Chaihu, in the *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*, has not a single word treating consumption. *Yaoxing Lun* and *Ri Hua Zi* both say it tonifies deficiency-consumption. Physicians adhered to this and used it, causing endless errors. Li Shizhen said: 'Consumption has five types. If consumption involves heat in the Liver, Gallbladder, Heart, or Pericardium, then Chaihu is a necessary herb for the Hand and Foot Jueyin and Shaoyang meridians. If consumption involves heat in the Spleen and Stomach, or sinking of Yang qi, then Chaihu is a necessary herb for raising clear qi and reducing fever. Only when consumption involves the Lung and Kidney should it not be used. Kou's blanket rejection is certainly not a comprehensive view. Wang Ang notes: Yang Shi's Qin Jiao Fu Lei Tang, treating lung wasting turning into consumption with cough, hoarseness, body weakness, and spontaneous sweating, uses Chaihu as the chief herb, so Lung consumption does have users. From *Yaoxing Lun*, authored by Zhen Quan").
It treats vomiting and irritability (pathogen in half-exterior/half-interior often causes vomiting), various malaria chills and fever (Li Dongyuan said: "For all malaria, Chaihu is the chief herb, assisted by guiding herbs. Li Shicai said: 'Malaria requires caution regarding the Shaoyang meridian.' Yu Jiayan said: 'Malaria attacks always involve chills and fever, as external pathogens lie dormant in half-exterior/half-interior, exactly within the domain governed by Shaoyang. When the pathogen enters and contends with Yin, Yang prevails and causes heat; when it exits and contends with Yang, Yin prevails and causes chills. If purely hot without chills, it is called Dan Malaria or Wen Malaria; if purely cold without heat, it is called Pin Malaria. All these originate from Shaoyang and reach extreme deviation. To correct deviation and save disadvantage, one must return to the Shaoyang boundary, making Yin and Yang harmonious for recovery. It is true that Shaoyang may combine with other meridians, but saying other meridials are involved without touching Shaoyang means it ceases to be malaria. Even if the pulse changes frequently, the character "wiry" actually permeates it all. Wang Ang notes: Malaria never leaves Shaoyang, just as cough never leaves the Lung. *Tansu* records: Zhang Zhihe suffered from long-term malaria, burning like fire, becoming skeletal after more than a year. Doctors used deer antler and other heating drugs, worsening the heat. Sun Lin administered Xiao Chaihu Tang; after three doses, he recovered completely. Lin said: "This is named Consumption Malaria. Heat comes from the marrow. Adding harsh/heating drugs further depletes qi and blood. Heat can be in the skin, organs, or marrow. For heat in the marrow, only Chaihu works. If Yinchaihu (Stellariae Radix) were obtained, one dose would suffice. Southern Chaihu has weaker potency, hence three doses were needed. Li Shizhen said: "Observing this, one understands the subtlety of medication. Wang Ang notes: According to Mr. Sun's theory, it seems Chaihu can also reduce bone-steaming heat").
It treats dizziness and red eyes, chest fullness and hypochondriac pain (Hypochondriac pain is mostly due to excess Liver Wood; Xiao Chaihu Tang plus Qingpi [Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride], Chuanxiong [Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma], and Baishao [Paeoniae Radix Alba] is suitable. Additionally, left-sided pain suggests stasis requiring blood-moving and qi-regulating methods; right-sided pain suggests food stagnation and phlegm requiring digestion-promoting and phlegm-resolving methods), bitter taste in the mouth and deafness (all are Shaoyang/Gallbladder-Liver pathogens), women with heat entering the Blood Chamber (Chong Mai is the Sea of Blood, i.e., the Blood Chamber, present in both men and women. Chaihu governs blood in the zang organs and qi in the meridians), various fevers before and after childbirth, pediatric smallpox/rash, five kinds of childhood malnutrition with emaciation and heat, dissipates carbuncles and sores in the twelve meridians, resolves blood stasis and qi aggregation. Its efficacy is similar to Lqiaoqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) (Liqiaoqiao treats blood-heat, Chaihu treats qi-heat; this is a minor difference).
Contraindicated in Yin deficiency with flaming fire and ascending qi.
Chaihu from Yinzhou has roots over a chi long, slightly white, and is excellent for treating consumption and malnutrition. Northern varieties resembling Qianhu [Peucedani Radix] and soft in texture are good; southern varieties are hard and rigid, unsuitable for use.
For exogenous diseases, use raw. For endogenous injuries to raise qi, use wine-fried root. For descending action, use the tip. For patients with sweating or cough, use honey-fried.
Qianhu [Peucedani Radix] and Banxia [Pinelliae Rhizoma] serve as assistants.
It is incompatible with Zaojiao [Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina].