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(When harvested, scrape off the skin at the nodes with a bamboo knife and wash clean. Soak in honey water overnight. Steam and dry before use.)

[Flavor and Properties]
Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Capable of ascending and descending. It is Yin within Yang.

[Indications]
Wind pathogen invading the four extremities. Tearing and ulceration of both eyes. Lower back pain caused by dampness pouring downward in men. Black spots appearing on the face in women. Treating spontaneous sweating due to wind-warmth. Heaviness of the body and difficulty in speech. Chills and fever, epistaxis, malaria, and all conditions of deficiency arising from consumptive disease. It can be used as a substitute for Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen). Neither hot nor drying, it has remarkable efficacy.

[Flavor and Properties]
Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. It is Yang within Yin.

[Indications]
Old fixed masses and abdominal lumps. Postpartum lochia retention. Breaking up stagnant Qi. Resolving blood stasis from traumatic injuries. Contraindicated for those with deficient True Qi.

[Flavor and Properties]
Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. A herb entering the Foot-Yangming Stomach Channel and Foot-Jueyin Liver Channel.

[Indications]
The Jueyin channel governs tendons and is associated with Wind; the Yangming channel governs flesh and is associated with Dampness. The efficacy of Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma (Bifan) excels in dispelling Wind-Dampness, thus it can treat conditions such as flaccidity, bi-syndrome, seminal emission with turbid urine, and foul sores. Therefore, Bifen Qingfen Yin (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Decoction for Clarifying Turbidity) uses this herb to treat conditions of insufficient True Yuan, cold-deficiency in the Lower Jiao, frequent urination, and turbid urine resembling paste. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption, or overindulgence in spicy, warm, meaty, and greasy foods without drinking alcohol, or excessive sexual activity, can lead to frequent and painful urination. This differs from strangury characterized by涩 (astringency) and pain. It is appropriate to use Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma (Bifan) to expel accumulated toxins, remove turbidity, and clarify the urine.

[Flavor and Properties]
Sweet, bland, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications]
Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Dispels Wind-Dampness. Benefits the joints. Treats spasms, bone pain, foul sores, and swelling. Detoxifies mercury powder and cinnabar. In recent times, many promiscuous individuals suffer from ymei du chuang (chancre/venereal sore, i.e., syphilis). Seeking quick results, they often use herbs like Calomelas (Qingfen) and Cinnabar (Yinzhu). Although these may provide temporary relief, the condition frequently recurs. The toxin accumulates in the Yangming and Jueyin channels and involves other meridians, causing the evil to manifest first where it resides. If involving Shaoyang and Taiyin, it manifests in the throat; if involving Taiyang and Shaoyin, it manifests in the head and ears. Generally, because Ministerial Fire resides in the Jueyin channel and muscles belong to the Yangming channel, the drying and fierce nature of mercury and calomelas can forcibly extract phlegm from the Spleen and Stomach, causing various fires to ascend, making the venereal sores heal instantly. However, one does not realize that the toxic qi invades the collaterals, sinews, and bones, unable to exit. Although phlegm saliva is expelled, blood essence is rapidly consumed, sinews lose nourishment, Ying and Wei Qi become disordered, transforming into chronic ulcers (onglou). Only Smilax Glabrae Rhizoma (Tufuling) has neutral Qi, sweet and bland flavor. It is the primary herb of the Yangming channel, capable of strengthening the Spleen and Stomach and dispelling Wind-Dampness. When the Spleen and Stomach are strong, Ying and Wei Qi harmonize; when Wind-Dampness is removed, sinews and bones become flexible. This is also a secret unknown to the ancients.