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[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, pungent, very hot in nature, with slight toxicity. It belongs to the Yang within Yang, possessing a floating and ascending quality. After removing the rough outer bark, it is called Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi). It enters the blood aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian.

[Indications]
Tonifies deficiencies of the Lower Jiao; treats diseases of deep-seated cold and stubborn coldness. Promotes diuresis and fluid metabolism to relieve thirst. Expels wind-cold from the Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) levels; treats spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency. It is contraindicated during spring and summer.
In autumn and winter, for abdominal pain in the lower body, no other herb can stop the pain like this one. Tonifies the insufficiency of the Mingmen (Gate of Life); benefits fire to dissipate yin-cold. Treats cold-bi syndrome and wind-induced aphonia; hemorrhage caused by excessive yin; diarrhea, dysentery, convulsions, and epilepsy. Therefore, for pediatric convulsions and diarrhea, Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) is generally used to drain Bing Fire (Fire of the Small Intestine) and leach out dampness from the Earth element. The inclusion of Rougui internally serves to suppress Liver Wind and support Spleen Earth. Medical records state: A patient suffered from red, swollen, and painful eyes, with Spleen deficiency leading to inability to eat, and a full Liver pulse. Using cooling herbs to treat the Liver would further weaken the Spleen; using warming herbs to treat the Spleen would further exacerbate the Liver. However, by doubling the dosage of Rougui in warm and neutral formulas, one can subdue the Liver while benefiting the Spleen.

[Flavor and Nature]
Pungent, warm in nature, non-toxic. It has a floating and ascending quality that raises Yang Qi. It is the guiding herb for the Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian itself, and also enters the Qi aspect of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian.

[Indications]
Treats headache caused by wind-stroke entering the brain; wandering wind on the face. Treats all facial conditions, regulates all Qi disorders, and regulates all Blood disorders. Breaks up old blood stasis, nourishes new blood, promotes flesh growth, treats various sores and ulcers, and expels pus. For stagnation in the Middle Jiao, where it is necessary to lift and raise Qi, resolve various stagnations, and unblock Yin and Yang, no herb achieves this merit better than Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong). In cases of bloody dysentery where flow has resumed but pain persists, this indicates Yin deficiency with Qi stagnation. To assist Clear Yang Qi and promote Qi movement to regulate Blood, who else but Chuanxiong can provide relief? However, long-term single use may cause its pungent flavor to favor the Lung Meridian, leading to an excess of Lung Qi. This risks Metal overacting on Wood (Lung Metal suppressing Liver Wood), posing a danger of sudden death. If properly compounded, this harm will certainly be avoided.

[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic.

[Indications]
Treats Shanghan (Cold Damage); tonifies deficiencies. Treats metal wounds, carbuncles and ulcers, fractures, and dislocations; reconnects tendons and bones. Treats metrorrhagia and metrostaxis in women, cold uterus, lumbar pain, and joint stiffness or flaccidity. When added to Pingwei San (Peaceful Stomach Powder), it is particularly effective for treating dysentery.