宣，去恶气
辛甘微温。入手足太阴（肺、脾）。快气和中，开胃止呕（胃弱、胃热而呕者忌用），去
恶气，进饮食。
治霍乱吐泻，心腹绞痛，肺虚有寒，上焦壅热（能理脾、肺之气。古方有藿香正气散，
正气通畅，则邪逆自除）。
出交广，方茎有节，叶微似茄汁。古惟用叶，今枝、茎亦用之，因叶多伪也。
古作怀香
燥，补肾命门，治寒疝
大茴辛热。入肾膀胱。暖丹田，补命门，开胃下食，调中止呕。
疗小肠冷气， 疝阴肿（疝有七种，气、血、寒、水、筋、狐、 也。肝经病，不属肾
经，以厥阴肝脉络阴器也。多因寒湿所致，亦有挟虚者，当加参、术于温散药中），干湿脚
气。多食损目发疮。
小茴辛平，理气开胃，亦治寒疝。食料宜之。
大如麦粒，轻而有细棱者名大茴，出宁夏，他处小者名小茴。自番舶来，实八瓣者，名
八角茴香。炒黄用，得酒良。得盐则入肾，发肾邪，故治阴疝（受病于肝，见证于肾。大、
小茴各一两，为末，猪脬一个，连尿入药，酒煮烂，为丸服）。
宣，理气醒脾
甘温芳香。理诸气，开脾郁。
治腹卒然满痛，风疳齿 ，香港脚膝浮。煎汤淋洗。
出凉州及黔蜀。叶如茅，用根（根极繁密）。
[Agastache rugosa (Huo Xiang)]
Has a dispersing action, removes foul odors.
Pungent and sweet, slightly warm. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Promotes qi circulation and harmonizes the middle jiao, opens the stomach and stops vomiting (contraindicated for vomiting caused by stomach deficiency or stomach heat), removes foul odors, and promotes appetite.
Treats cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea, severe colic in the heart and abdomen, lung deficiency with cold, and stagnation with heat in the upper jiao (It regulates the qi of the Spleen and Lung. Ancient formulas include Huoxiang Zhengqi San; when upright qi flows smoothly, pathogenic rebellion is naturally eliminated).
Originates from Jiaozhou and Guangzhou regions. The stem is square and jointed, leaves are slightly similar to eggplant leaves. In ancient times, only leaves were used; now branches and stems are also used because leaves are often adulterated.
Anciently known as Huaixiang.
[Kaempferia galanga (Shannai)]
Has a drying action, tonifies the Mingmen Gate of Vitality, treats cold hernia.
Star Anise (Da Hui Xiang) is pungent and hot. Enters the Kidney and Bladder meridians. Warms the Dantian, tonifies the Mingmen, opens the stomach to promote food intake, harmonizes the middle and stops vomiting.
Treats cold qi in the small intestine, hernia causing scrotal swelling (Hernias are classified into seven types: Qi, Blood, Cold, Water, Sinew, Fox, and Scrotal hernia. This belongs to Liver meridian pathology, not Kidney meridian, because the Jueyin Liver meridian connects with the genital organs. It is mostly caused by cold-dampness, but may also involve deficiency; Ginseng and Atractylodes macrocephala should be added to warming and dispersing herbs), dry and damp foot-qi (Beriberi). Excessive consumption damages the eyes and induces sores.
Small Star Anise (Xiao Hui Xiang) is pungent and neutral, regulates qi and opens the stomach, also treats cold hernia. Suitable as a culinary spice.
Those large like wheat grains, light in weight with fine ridges are named Da Hui Xiang, originating from Ningxia; those smaller from other places are named Xiao Hui Xiang. Imported via foreign ships, those with eight-segmented fruits are named Ba Jiao Hui Xiang (Eight-pointed Star Anise). Use after stir-frying until yellow; pairing with wine is beneficial. Pairing with salt guides the herb into the Kidney, disperses Kidney pathogens, thus it is used to treat Yin hernia (Pathology originates in the Liver, manifestations appear in the Kidney. Da Hui Xiang and Xiao Hui Xiang, 1 liang each, ground into powder, mixed with one pig bladder including urine, boiled thoroughly in wine, formed into pills for administration).
[Aucklandiae Radix (Baizhi)]
Disperses, regulates qi and awakens the Spleen.
Sweet and warm, aromatic. Regulates various qi mechanisms, opens Spleen depression.
Treats sudden abdominal fullness and pain, wind-related dental caries/loose teeth, and Hong Kong foot (foot-qi/Beriberi) causing knee edema. Decoct for washing externally.
Originates from Liangzhou and Guizhou/Sichuan regions. Leaves resemble cogon grass, use the root (roots are extremely dense).
[Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma (Gaoliangjiang)]
Disperses, warms the middle, repels evil/foulness.
Pungent and warm. Warms the middle jiao and repels foulness.
Treats cold pain in the heart and abdomen, cold-damp cholera, wind-worm toothache.
Grows in Guangdong region; leaves are described as resembling ginger, commonly used in combination with other aromatics.