Library

Tonify the Heart and Kidney.
The bitter taste drains heat, the warm nature strengthens Qi, and the acrid flavor disperses stagnation. It primarily treats disorders of the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) meridian, capable of guiding Kidney Qi upward to reach the Heart. It strengthens willpower and enhances intelligence, replenishes essence and strengthens Yang, improves hearing and vision, benefits the nine orifices, promotes muscle growth, and assists the sinews and bones.

It treats mental confusion and forgetfulness (this formula facilitates communication between the Heart and Kidney. Li Shizhen stated: *Polygalae Radix* (Yuanzhi) enters the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian, not merely the Heart meridian. By strengthening willpower and benefiting essence, it treats amnesia. Since essence and will are stored in the Kidney, insufficient Kidney essence leads to weak willpower, which cannot ascend to connect with the Heart, thus causing amnesia and nocturnal emission). It treats *Ben Tun* (running piglet syndrome/abdominal mass arising from the lower abdomen), and all types of carbuncles and sores (Decocted with wine. *Jing Shu* states: Carbuncles and sores generally result from the seven emotions, depression, and anger; the acrid nature of *Polygalae Radix* disperses stagnation. Ang notes: Many herbs have an acrid nature that disperses stagnation; why single out *Polygalae Radix*? *San Yin* states: This is likely due to its power to tonify the Kidney. Mu Xiyong authored *Ben Cao Jing Shu*).

Remove the heart/core, soak in licorice water overnight before use. It is incompatible with Pearl (*Zhen Zhu*) and Veratrum (*Li Lu*), but works well when combined with Poria (*Fu Ling*) and Dragon Bone (*Long Gu*).

Disperse, unblock orifices, tonify the Heart.
Acrid and bitter, warm in nature, aromatic and dispersing. Tonifies the Liver and Heart, opens the heart orifice, benefits the nine orifices, clarifies the ears and eyes, and aids voice production. Expels dampness and drives away wind, eliminates phlegm and resolves accumulation, opens the stomach and widens the middle jiao.

Treats anorexic dysentery (*Jin Kou Du Li*) (Yang Tuying stated: Although anorexic dysentery belongs to Spleen deficiency, it is also caused by heat closing the chest and diaphragm. Using *Aucklandiae Radix* (Mu Xiang) is too warming, using *Dioscoreae Rhizoma* (Shan Yao) is too astringent; only *Shen Ling Bai Zhu San* added with *Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma* (Changpu), taken with rice water, can open the chest qi, naturally restoring appetite. *Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma* with millet sour wine treats all wind conditions), wind-bi, convulsions, epilepsy, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, and fetal leakage; reduces swelling and relieves pain, detoxifies and kills parasites (Li Shicai stated: *Xian Jing* calls it the essence of aquatic plants and the spiritual medicine of immortals. Soak in rice water and steam over rice, borrowing the grain qi to achieve a balanced nature, truly having extraordinary effects. Furthermore, it states: Aromatic substances benefit orifices; it is a fine herb for the Heart and Spleen, able to assist herbs such as *Rehmanniae Radix* (Di Huang) and *Asparagi Rhizoma* (Tian Dong) to aid their guidance and dissemination. However, if used in large amounts or alone, it may consume Qi and Blood and cause harm. Li Shicai authored *Yao Xing Jie* and *Ben Cao Tong Xuan*).

Roots that are slender with dense nodes are superior; those with nine nodes per inch are best. Remove the skin, stir-fry slightly before use. *Gleditsiae Sinensis Ramulus Spinae* (Qin Jiao) serves as a guiding herb. Incompatible with *Ephedrae Herba* (Mahuang). Contraindicated with maltose syrup (*Yi Tang*), mutton, and ironware.