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Tonifies the Spleen, dries dampness, diffuses Qi, and raises Yang to dissipate stagnation.

The flavor is sweet and warm, with a pungent and acrid nature. It dries the Stomach and strengthens the Spleen, induces sweating to expel dampness, and can raise the Yang Qi of the Stomach (Li Dongyuan stated: "Its vigorous ascending action can eliminate dampness; descending to calm the Taiyin [Spleen], it prevents pathogenic factors from transmitting into the Spleen"), stops vomiting and diarrhea, and drives out phlegm-fluids (Xu Shuwei said: "Cangzhu can treat fluid retention forming cystic accumulations, likely because it dries the Spleen to remove dampness and fortifies Earth to fill the marshes. Daily use of one jin of Cangzhu, fifty large dates, peeled and pounded, mixed with half liang of sesame oil and two zhan of water, ground together, filtered for juice, and formed into pills, named Shenzhu Wan. Zhu Danxi said: 'It solidifies the Spleen Earth and dries Spleen dampness; this is indeed the root treatment for phlegm.'"). Reduces swelling and fullness, wards off evil miasmas (wards off all mountain miasmas, evil qi, and ghostly qi. Burning it during the summer-damp months is beneficial. *Yijian Zhi* records: "A scholar visited West Lake and met a woman of striking beauty. Despite offering heavy payment, he could not possess her. Five years later, upon revisiting the old haunts, he returned disappointed and empty-handed. Suddenly, he encountered the same woman again. The scholar joyfully walked with her. Passing an inn, she stayed for half a year, proposing they leave together. She said, 'Since you left, my suffering from longing caused illness and death; I am no longer human. However, your Yin qi has been deeply immersed, so you will suffer sudden violent diarrhea. You should take Pingwei San to tonify and stabilize essence and blood.' The scholar exclaimed in shock and pity, 'The medicinal ingredients are all mild; how can it be effective?' She replied, 'Among them, Cangzhu removes evil qi and is a superior grade.'"). Disperses wind-cold-dampness and is a key herb for treating Wei syndrome (When the Yangming channel is deficient, the sinews relax and slacken, and the Dai Mai fails to constrain, leading to Wei Bi [flaccidity]. Cangzhu enters the Yangming channel. The Classics state: "In treating Wei syndrome, focus exclusively on the Yangming." Combined with Huangbai, it forms Ermiao San; adding Niuxi makes Sanmiao San). It can also resolve six types of stagnation: phlegm, fire, Qi, blood, dampness, and food (Zhu Danxi said: "All stagnations arise from dysfunction in transmission and transformation, where Qi cannot ascend or descend. When the pathology is in the Middle Jiao, to raise Qi, one must first lower it; to lower Qi, one must first raise it. Yueju Wan uses Cangzhu and Xiangfu. Cangzhu directly enters various channels, venting dampness in the Yangming, and promoting circulation while resolving constriction and astringency; Xiangfu is a Qi-moving herb within the Yin category. One rises and one descends, thus dispersing stagnation and restoring balance."), as well as Spleen dampness flowing downward causing intestinal wind bleeding and leukorrhea (Red leukorrhea indicates dampness injuring the Blood level, originating from the Heart and Small Intestine; white leukorrhea indicates dampness injuring the Qi level, originating from the Lung and Large Intestine. Both have cold and heat patterns, and some cases of leukorrhea are due to phlegm. Erchen Tang combined with Cangzhu, Baizhu, Shengma, and Chaihu is suitable). Contraindicated in cases of dry constipation and excessive sweating (Wen Shi of Nanyang, fleeing chaos to Hushan, was hungry. Someone advised him to consume Cangzhu, after which he felt no hunger. Decades later, returning home, his complexion appeared younger, and his strength increased. Cangzhu is also known as Shan Jing and Shan Jiang. *Daoxian Lu* states: "If you wish for longevity, consume Shan Jing; if you wish for lightness and flight, consume Shan Jiang." Wang Ang notes: "Cangzhu promotes sweating vigorously; how can it be taken long-term? The claims in Wen Shi's immortal record are likely exaggerated statements in medical texts.").

Those from Maoshan that are firm and contain cinnabar spots are considered superior. Soak in rice wash water, bake until dry, and stir-fry with sesame seeds to moderate its drying nature.

Both Cangzhu and Baizhu use Fangfeng and Diyü as guiding herbs; their main indications are similar, differing only in their effects of stopping sweat versus inducing sweat. Ancient materia medica did not distinguish between Cangzhu and Baizhu. Tao Hongjing (Tao Hongjing) noted there were two types, and they began to be used separately.