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The varieties of Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) are divided into red and white, thus it benefits both Qi and Blood. Its vines intertwine at night and separate during the day, endowing it with the virtues of closing (He, constriction/consolidation) and opening (Pi, dispersion/releasing). The strong flavor enters the Kidney channel; the astringent nature enters the Liver channel; bitterness solidifies tissues; warmth tonifies deficiency. Chen Xiuyuan only knew it as bitter and astringent, but failed to see the rationale behind its ability to benefit Qi and Blood and possess opening/closing functions. Consequently, he must have made errors due to improper application.

Chen Xiuyuan agreed that He Shou Wu can cure chronic malaria and chronic dysentery, but attributing them solely to Shaoyang disease indicates his understanding was still incomplete. Chronic malaria that does not cease will inevitably damage the Liver; Liver pathology affects the Kidney. The Kidney is the pivot of the Three Yin channels. To turn this pivot to stop malaria, one must naturally tonify the Liver and Kidney. The Liver governs Shuxie (free flow and discharge); chronic dysentery leads to excessive Shuxie, and the Kidney loses its function of Zhenfeng (storing and sealing). Therefore, tonifying the Liver and Kidney is essential. Since Chen Xiuyuan disparaged He Shou Wu for its bitterness and astringency, how could he appreciate its power to directly overcome pathogenic factors?

Liu Qianjiang stated that *Kaibao Bencao* records He Shou Wu treating scrofula (Luoli), carbuncles, wind sores on the head and face, five types of hemorrhoids, and heart pain, because its efficacy lies in resolving stagnation of Qi and Blood and unblocking meridians. It records blackening beard and hair, beautifying complexion, strengthening bones and sinews, and benefiting essence and marrow, because its efficacy lies in improving deficient Qi and Blood and repairing damaged physical structures. These two types of syndromes are vastly different, yet He Shou Wu achieves merit in both. This perfectly aligns with the principle of He and Pi (closing and opening), showing that *Kaibao Bencao*'s endorsements were not arbitrary.

The use of raw versus cooked He Shou Wu differs significantly. Both curing chronic malaria and reducing swelling/toxins involve using the raw herb. Furthermore, for reducing swelling/toxins, red He Shou Wu is used rather than white; for tonifying the Liver and Kidney, black He Shou Wu is preferred.

Zhang Shiweng said: Nowadays, when treating dryness of body fluids and Blood, or wind-constipation of the Large Intestine, decocting a few qian of fresh He Shou Wu promotes bowel movement quickly. Its rapid ability to nourish Water (Kidney Yin) is comparable to the moistening action of Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong).

Dioscorea hypoglauca (Bi Xie) uses the root, taking advantage of its entry into the Kidney channel. The stems and leaves are green, and the leaves are trifid, indicating entry into the Liver channel. The root is yellowish-white, indicating entry into the Lung and Stomach channels. The root has many nodes and is spongy/soft, enabling it to transform Yin and extend Yang, thereby treating Bi syndrome (painful obstruction). When Wind-Cold-Dampness invades the lower back, back, bones, and joints causing pain and stiffness, it is because Yin cannot be transformed; using Bi Xie to reach these areas transforms the Yin. When Wind-Cold-Dampness causes impotence, urinary incontinence, or the "five slacknesses" in the elderly, it is because Yang cannot be extended; using Bi Xie to guide these areas extends the Yang. Later generations used Bi Xie as a key ingredient in Liqing Decoction.

Transforming Yin does not mean tonifying Yin essence; extending Yang does not mean assisting Yang qi. Essentially, Bi Xie serves to expel Wind-Cold-Dampness.

Bi Xie is bitter, which induces dispersal; its qi is neutral, which induces descent. Its force can expand outward, and its nature tends downward, thus expelling Wind-Cold-Dampness and resolving it in the lowest parts of the body. This is why Bi Xie is described as...