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(See section on Lung)

[Harm] It is a crucial herb for treating damp-heat in the blood aspect of the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner). However, its nature is fierce and potent, with strong dispersing and penetrating properties, which can bitterly damage Stomach Qi. For those with deficient Stomach Qi or Yin deficiency, spontaneous sweating or night sweats, bitter taste in the mouth and dry tongue, kidney deficiency leading to difficult urination, as well as women during pregnancy or postpartum with blood deficiency, even if they suffer from damp-heat in the Lower Jiao, one must be extremely cautious and avoid using it. Li Dongyuan stated: Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Rhizoma) is extremely bitter and cold, draining damp-heat from the blood; it is also a drug that causes severe adverse reactions (Mingxuan reaction), making the patient feel mentally restless and physically uncomfortable, with reduced appetite. If used by deficient individuals, there are three harms: First, if food intake is already insufficient, further purging the bowels will severely deplete blood; this is unusable, Harm One. Second, if a person is excessively thirsty and drinks much water, the heat is in the Qi aspect of the Upper Jiao Lung Meridian, whereas Fangji acts on the blood aspect of the Lower Jiao; this mismatch makes it unusable, Harm Two. Third, if external wind-cold pathogens transmit to the Qi aspect of the Lung Meridian causing yellow-red or obstructed urine, this is a Qi disease of the Upper Jiao, where blood-acting drugs are contraindicated; this is also unusable, Harm Three. Generally speaking, those with damp-heat in the Upper Jiao should not use it.

[Benefit] Bitter, pungent, and cold in nature, entering the Bladder Meridian, and also circulating through the Twelve Meridians. It dispels damp-heat in the blood aspect of the Lower Jiao and unifies the two bowels (urine and feces); Mu Fangji (Stephaniae Membranaceae Rhizoma) is used to treat wind disorders.

[Processing] Harvested in the second and eighth lunar months, dried in the shade. Steamed for half a day with roots of Plantago asiatica (Cheqiancao), then sun-dried. Currently, only the skin is removed, sliced, washed with wine, and sun-dried.

(See section on Heart)

(See section on Lung)

(See section on Kidney)

(See above)

[Harm] Its ascending and floating nature easily stirs Liver Wood. It is contraindicated in conditions resembling stroke, postpartum blood syncope, spasms and urgency, headache due to blood deficiency rather than wind-cold, diarrhea not caused by cold-dampness, constipation and urinary retention, pediatric convulsions due to Spleen deficiency, slow convulsive wind-spleen, vomiting due to rising Qi, cough due to rising Fire, yin-deficiency night sweats, and yang-deficiency spontaneous sweating. It can drain Lung excess; mistaken use will drain the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) of the Upper Jiao. Roots with forked heads cause madness; roots with forked tails induce chronic stubborn diseases.

[Benefit] Sweet, pungent, and warm in nature, entering the Lung and Bladder meridians. It treats severe wind aversion, wind-pathogen induced generalized bi-syndrome, wind swelling of the head and face, red eyes, and excessive tearing. It defends against external wind, hence its name "Fangfeng" (Wind Blocker). Like a humble servant, it reaches wherever guided by other herbs; it is a moistening agent among wind-dispersing drugs.

[Processing] Those from Qingzhou that are yellow, moist, with soft rhizomes and glutinous texture are superior. Those from Laiyang, Dengzhou are inferior. Those from Guandong are hard and poor quality. Harvest roots in the twelfth lunar month, sun-dry, and slice for use.