Library

[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, warm, non-toxic. Capable of ascending and descending; it is Yin within Yang. Enters the Hand-Taiyang, Hand-Shaoyin, Foot-Taiyin, Foot-Yangming, Foot-Shaoyin, and Foot-Jueyin meridians. (Processed with milk to moderate its nature. For spleen diseases, stir-fried with soil from old walls to borrow the Qi of earth to assist the spleen.)

[Indications]
Warms the middle jiao and removes dampness from the spleen and stomach. Clears heat from the spleen and stomach. Strengthens the Qi of the spleen and stomach, promotes food intake, harmonizes the spleen and stomach to generate body fluids, stops muscle fever, treats fatigue of the four limbs, inability to open the eyes, lethargy and desire to sleep, and loss of appetite. Stops thirst and calms the fetus. In cases where the middle jiao is not affected by dampness but cannot descend properly, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) must be used to expel water and benefit the spleen. Without Baizhu, dampness cannot be removed; without Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus), stagnation cannot be resolved. Therefore, in Zhizhu Wan (Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Macrocephala Pill), it serves as the sovereign herb. However, the spleen dislikes dampness; when dampness prevails, Qi cannot transform and distribute, so how can body fluids be generated? It is said that the Bladder is the mansion of body fluids, and only through Qi transformation can they be excreted. Using Baizhu to remove dampness allows Qi to circulate freely, and body fluids will naturally be produced.

[Flavor and Nature]
Pungent, warm, non-toxic.

[Indications]
Treats external cold invading the stomach. Harmonizes the middle and benefits Qi. Treats kidney deficiency leading to slippery discharge (such as spermatorrhea or dribbling urine). Suitable for those with weak Qi in the Sanjiao and Mingmen. Since the Heart is the mother of the Spleen (Fire generates Earth), to facilitate digestion, one need not focus solely on harmonizing the spleen. Fire generates Earth, so heart-targeting herbs should be combined with spleen/stomach-targeting herbs. Yizhiren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit) benefits Fire within Earth. Although it is a primary herb for the Spleen meridian, in Jixiang Wan (Gathering Fragrance Pill) it enters the Lung meridian, in Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) it enters the Spleen meridian, and in Dafengsui Dan (Great Phoenix Marrow Pill) it enters the Kidney meridian. These three organs have mutual support relationships based on the mother-son cycle. Essentially, it supplements the respective organ according to the guiding properties of the formula.

[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, warm, non-toxic. Light, clear, and ascending; it is Yang. Enters the Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Taiyang meridians, and also travels through the Hand-Shaoyin and Hand-Yangming meridians.

[Indications]
Treats headache caused by wind-stroke or cold damage. Releases the exterior and induces sweating. Opens the nine orifices and pores. Treats cough and rebellious Qi. When excess pathogens of the Six Evils (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) lodge between the skin and hair in the Yang divisions, causing closed and resistant couli (pores/skin texture) with blocked Ying and Wei Qi and Blood circulation, this is called Exterior Excess Syndrome. Only the light and clear nature of Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) can disperse turbid excess. The Taiyang Cold Water meridian runs down along the back; since it is inherently cold and receives external cold, inducing sweat to vent the exterior excess is appropriate. However, for spontaneous sweating due to dietary irregularities, overwork, or miscellaneous diseases presenting as Exterior Deficiency syndrome, using Mahuang will cause excessive sweating leading to collapse of Yang and depletion of Yuan Qi, which must be strictly avoided. Zhang Zhongjing treated cold damage: if there is sweating, use Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction); if there is no sweating, use Mahuang. For cold damage or wind-strike accompanied by cough, Mahuang-Guizhi Tang (Ephedra and Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is used together, demonstrating cautious and significant intent. Although Mahuang is a heavy agent for releasing the Taiyang exterior, it is also a herb for dispersing Fire stagnation in the Metal (Lung). Why is this? Generally, Cold injures Ying Blood, causing internal stagnation that prevents outward communication with Wei Qi. Wei Qi becomes closed and solid, body fluids do not flow, resulting in anhidrosis, fever, and aversion to cold. Symptoms include facial redness and oppression.