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[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, neutral, cold, non-toxic.

[Indications]
Descends qi and expands the intestines. Suppresses the toxicity of Dan Shi (mineral pills). Refines and eliminates stagnation in the stomach and intestines, treating disorders such as turbid leukorrhea, diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain, and rebellious qi. It is suitable for those with abundant qi and damp-heat. If consumed by individuals with deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach, it will severely deplete yuan qi (primordial qi) and cause hair loss from the beard and eyebrows.

[Flavor and Nature]
Sour, cold, non-toxic.

[Indications]
Eliminates food accumulation. Tonifies the spleen and strengthens the stomach. Moves stagnant qi, resolves meat accumulation, blood stasis, pain, and distension. Dissolves blood masses and qi masses. If there is no food accumulation in the stomach, and the spleen is deficient unable to transform and transport, leading to anorexia, excessive consumption will instead damage the generating qi of the spleen and stomach.

(Also known as Mu Bie Zi [Strychnos nux-vomica seed].)

[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, acrid, toxic.

[Indications]
Treats malignant dysentery, chronic fistula sores, malignant ulcers, and leprosy. For chronic fistula sores that have persisted for years, to restore their yuan yang (primordial yang), one should use Lou Lan Zi (Caulis Tinosporae) and other herbs with modifications. If used inappropriately or lightly, heat qi may take advantage of the deficiency to transform into tubercles, causing even greater harm. According to *Lei Bian*: A person had sores on both feet that were foul-smelling and ulcerated, making them difficult to approach. He slept under the shrine of the Five Madams at night and dreamed that a deity taught him a prescription: use one piece of Lou Lan Zi, crush it raw into powder, add a small amount of Nifen (Calomel), mix well with well water, and apply topically. Following this method, he was indeed cured. This substance is unsuitable for internal administration and is only appropriate for dermatology/surgery departments.

[Flavor and Nature]
Acrid, warm, highly toxic. Capable of ascending and descending; yin within yang; sinking within floating. Its action reaches everywhere. It enters the Hand Shaoyang, Foot Shaoyin, San Jiao (Triple Burner), and Ming Men (Gate of Vitality) channels.

[Indications]
Treats cough and rebellious qi caused by wind-cold. Warms the middle jiao, disperses deep-seated cold in the zang-fu organs, relieves spasms and knee pain. Tonifies deficiency and dissipates obstruction, treats stiff spine and厥逆 (cold extremities/jue syndrome). Treats chronic vomiting and hiccups, regurgitation, and dysphagia. Treats carbuncles and ulcers that fail to heal, and bloody-white dysentery. Assists yang and repels yin. In cases where Shang Han (Cold Damage) has transmitted to the three yin channels, or in cold injury with yin involvement, even if the body is very hot but the pulse is deep, Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) must be used. In recent times, practitioners often hesitate to use it immediately for yin-pattern Shang Han due to uncertainty, waiting until yin is extreme and yang is exhausted before realizing they cannot save the patient. This is great confusion. How can they not know that Fuzi possesses a robust nature, has the merit of breaking through gates and capturing generals, can guide qi-tonifying herbs to circulate through the twelve meridians to recover lost yuan yang, can guide blood-nourishing herbs into the blood level to nourish insufficient true yin, can guide dispersing herbs to open the cou li (pores/interstices) to expel wind-cold on the exterior, and can guide warming herbs to reach the lower jiao to drive out interior yin-dampness. Its function is to repel yin and support yang, bringing the dead back to life. This is certainly not false. Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) as a guide for the Shaoyin channel. Furthermore, its nature moves without staying, vigorous and harsh, moving downward to resolve the stagnation of Di Huang (Rehmannia Root). Later generations did not examine this carefully, habitually using it as a wind-dispelling medicine and as a tonic, which is also great confusion. Additionally, Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite) paired with Ma Huang (Ephedra) provides tonification amidst dispersion, as seen in Zhang Zhongjing's Ma Huang Fu Zi Xi Xin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Asarum Decoction) and Ma Huang Fu Zi Gan Cao Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Licorice Decoction). It is said that Fuzi is not hot without Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger); with Gan Cao (Licorice), its nature becomes mild; with Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), it tonifies the true fire of the Ming Men. Chuan Wu Tou (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) is the mother of Sheng Fu Zi (Raw Aconite). Its qi is acrid and warm, its efficacy is similar to Fuzi but slightly milder. It is also said that Chuan Wu Tou has a light and dispersing nature, warms the spleen, and dispels wind. It is also stated that when taking Wu Tou (Aconite) and Fu Zi medicines, they should be taken cold. This is because yin-cold is below and deficient yang floats upward. If treated with cold, yin qi increases and the disease worsens; if treated with heat, rejection occurs and the medicine is not accepted. Taking hot medicine after freezing it: once swallowed, the cold property clears, then the hot property activates, and the pathogenic qi heals accordingly. This does not contradict the condition's nature but brings great benefit. This is "treating heat with cold," the subtlety of contrary treatment. Tian Xiong (Lateral Root of Aconitum carmichaelii) grows inside planted Fuzi or transforms from Fuzi. Its shape is long and does not produce offspring, hence called Tian Xiong. Li Yuan says: Only Tian Xiong can tonify deficiency of yang in the upper jiao. But considering that deficiency of yang in the upper jiao belongs to the heart and lung regions, one should use Ren Shen (Ginseng) etc., not Tian Xiong. They do not understand that tonifying the lower benefits the upper. The sages did not mistakenly recognize the pointed tip as the superior medicinal part.