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[Alismatis Rhizoma]
The flavor is sweet and cold, non-toxic. It primarily treats wind-cold-dampness bi syndrome (a condition characterized by pain, numbness, and limited mobility of limbs and joints caused by invasion of wind, cold, and damp pathogens), difficulty in lactation, nourishes the five zang organs, boosts qi and strength, promotes robustness and health, and eliminates water retention. Long-term consumption makes the ears and eyes acute, prevents hunger and prolongs life, lightens the body, gives a lustrous complexion, and even enables one to walk on water.
(Alismatis Rhizoma was named "Shui Xie" in *Shennong Bencao Jing*, named so because its main function is to guide water qi upward for excretion. It originally grew in the ponds of Runan, but is now available everywhere; those from Hanzhong are considered the best. It grows in shallow water, has a single stem rising straight up, and a round root resembling taro with hairs.)
Alismatis Rhizoma is an aquatic plant. Its sweet and cold flavor can initiate the qi of lower jiao yin-water, allowing it to ascend and moisten the middle jiao spleen-stomach. It treats wind-cold-dampness bi syndrome by initiating the water fluids located below, irrigating the muscle textures and skin through the middle jiao. Milk is the fluid derived from the middle jiao; since water fluids moisten the middle jiao, it treats difficulty in lactation. The five zang organs receive the essence of food and drink; Alismatis Rhizoma directs the benefits of water to the middle jiao spleen-stomach, thus nourishing the five zang organs. The Kidney is the official of strength (referring to the kidney's strong function governing bones, marrow, and vitality); as water essence ascends to support it, it boosts qi and strength. By irrigating the muscle textures through the middle jiao, it promotes robustness. Water qi ascends first and then descends, thus eliminating water retention. Long-term consumption leads to acute hearing and vision because water assists heart fire. Preventing hunger and prolonging life occurs because water moistens spleen earth. Lightening the body and giving a lustrous complexion happens because water essence flows outward to the body surface. The phrase "walking on water" refers to the aforementioned effects—acute senses, longevity, physical lightness, and luster—all because it mobilizes the water qi in the lower jiao and causes it to ascend.

[Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma]
The flavor is pungent and warm, non-toxic. It primarily treats wind-cold-dampness bi syndrome, cough with rebellious qi, opens the heart orifice, tonifies the five zang organs, unblocks the nine orifices, clarifies the ears and eyes, facilitates voice production, treats deafness and carbuncles/sores, warms the stomach and intestines, and stops frequent urination. Long-term consumption results in a light body, good memory, lack of confusion, prolonged life, enhanced mental acuity, lofty aspirations, and anti-aging.
(Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma is found everywhere and varies in type. Those growing in flowing water, with rhizomes clinging to rocks and having little to no soil, are prone to wither if any mud adheres; these are the best for medicinal use. Li Shizhen stated: There are five types of Acorus; those growing between water and rocks with fine, dense nodes are called Shi Chang Pu (Stone Acorus) and are suitable for medicine. The others are unsuitable. This grass replaces old leaves with new ones year-round. *Luofu Mountain Records* states: Acorus in the mountains has twenty nodes per inch. Baopuzi stated: For ingestion, those with nine nodes per inch and purple flowers are superior. Su Dongpo said: Herbs growing on rocks usually require a bit of soil to anchor their roots, but only Stone Acorus, when washed clean of mud and soaked in clear water in a basin, can remain fresh for decades.)
The Taiyang (Greater Yang) qi is born from water, ascends to combine with Lung Metal to govern the exterior, and combines with Ministerial Fire to govern spirit. Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma grows among water and rocks; its pungent and warm flavor embodies the qi of Taiyang Cold Water, making it a herb that ascends to harmonize with the Heart and Lungs. It treats wind-cold-dampness bi syndrome and cough with rebellious qi because the Taiyang qi ascends to combine with Lung Qi and disperses from the muscle surface. Opening the heart orifice occurs because the Taiyang qi ascends to combine with Heart Qi, thereby operating the spiritual mechanism. The five zang organs are internal, while the nine orifices are external: the Liver opens into the two eyes, the Heart into the two ears, the Lungs into the two nostrils, the Spleen into the mouth, and the Kidneys into the anterior and posterior yins. Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma embodies the essence of Cold Water and can moisten the orifices of the five zang organs; thus, it internally tonifies the five zang organs and externally unblocks the nine orifices, clarifying the ears and eyes and facilitating voice, which refers to unblocking the upper orifices of the ears, eyes, mouth, and nose. Furthermore, treating deafness and carbuncles/sores refers to conditions where the ear loses hearing leading to ear carbuncles or sores, which Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma can treat. Warming the stomach and intestines and stopping frequent urination refers to unblocking the lower orifices of the anterior and posterior yins. Because Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma is pungent and warm and its nature moves exclusively upward, it warms the stomach and intestines and stops excessive urinary frequency. Long-term consumption increases yang qi, resulting in a light body. Increased Heart Qi ensures good memory. The combination of Cold Water essence and Taiyang Yang, representing root and branch harmony, prevents confusion and prolongs life. Enhancing mental acuity occurs because Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma benefits the Heart; a clear Heart generates wisdom. Lofty aspirations and anti-aging occur because sufficient Water Essence strengthens Kidney Will, enabling longevity without aging.