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[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, cold, non-toxic. The medicinal property is sinking and descending, belonging to Yin. It is also said to be "Yin with slight Yang." It enters the Qi level of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.

[Indications]
Clears and drains fire from the Kidney Meridian. Acts as an assistant and guide for promoting urination. Treats dysentery accompanied by severe tenesmus and pain. Dispels polydipsia (Xiao Ke) and chronic malaria, along with vexatious heat. In cases where Shanghan (Cold Damage) presents with vexation and insomnia, "vexation" originates from the Lung, while "dryness" originates from the Kidney. In Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) serves as the sovereign drug, assisted by the bitter-cold nature of Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). This is because only a substance of great coolness can clear the source of heat in the Kidney. However, its action must be moderated by the sweetness of Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) and Jingmi (Oryzae Fructus Googongvar.) to prevent it from acting too rapidly downward. Practitioners should exercise discretion. Furthermore, if heat resides in the Blood level of the Lower Jiao, causing mental restlessness and discomfort, urinary obstruction without thirst, this indicates a deficiency of True Yin, leading to dryness of the Bladder. Without Yin, Yang cannot transform. The treatment method should tonify the Kidney and Bladder, allowing Yin Qi to circulate so that Yang Qi can transform, resulting in free urination. Zhi Mu, being bitter and cold, can reach the Kidney and Bladder directly, clearing pathogenic heat to lead healthy Qi; here, "draining" is essentially "tonifying." Additionally, if heat resides in the Qi level of the Upper Jiao, with latent heat in the Lung preventing the generation of fluids, thereby cutting off the source of transformation for the Bladder, the disease manifests as urinary obstruction accompanied by thirst. Zhi Mu has thin Qi and thin Flavor; it drains Lung Fire and clears Lung Metal. This is also a case where "draining is tonifying." Later generations, unfamiliar with the meaning of draining and tonifying, mistakenly used Zhi Mu together with Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) as a formula for nourishing Yin and tonifying the Kidney. This harms the Spleen and Stomach and injures Middle Qi, which is a profound confusion. Practitioners must be cautious.

(Refers to the dried form of Sheng Di Huang)
[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, cold, non-toxic. The medicinal property is sinking and descending, belonging to Yin. It enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, Jueyin Liver Meridian, and Hand-Taiyin Small Intestine Meridian.

[Indications]
Treats internal injury and deficiency. Expels blood stasis. Fills the bone marrow. Promotes muscle growth. Unblocks blood vessels. Augments Qi and strength. Eliminates skin dryness. Removes various damp-heat pathogens. Treats fractures and dislocations causing tendon rupture. The flavor, nature, indications, and meridians entered by Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) are the same as those of Gan Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata). Generally speaking, when Yin is weak and Yang is excessive, with vigorous Minister Fire invading the Yin position and gradually consuming Yin fluids, resulting in symptoms of deficient fire, this herb should be used to nourish Yin and subdue Yang. Therefore, Qian Yi (Song Dynasty Physician) combined it with Mutong (Akebiae Caulis) to clear Bing Fire (Heart Fire) and guide redness (Daochi San). In cases of labor fever due to Blood deficiency, postpartum deficiency fever, or middle deficiency with dry-heat in the elderly, one must consider the potential harm of excessive coldness if using Sheng Di Huang or Gan Di Huang.