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Sweet and pungent. Enters the Taiyin and Yangming meridians of the hand and foot. Its function is specialized in transforming food and drink, and moving stagnation. Combined with Maiya (Malt) and Xingren (Apricot Seed), it treats stomach deficiency unable to receive; combined with Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), it strengthens the spleen and promotes appetite; combined with Zhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), it treats sudden persistent diarrhea; combined with Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), it eliminates accumulation from cakes and zongzi. Contraindicated in cases of Spleen Yin deficiency, excess Stomach fire, and during pregnancy.

Sweet and warm. Enters the Ying (Nutrient) level to break blood stasis. Dries the stomach and aids digestion. Contraindicated to be used together with Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata). Aged material is superior.

Salty, cold, and purgative. Enters the Taiyin, Yangming, and Shaoyin meridians of the hand and foot. Its function is specialized in neutralizing various drugs and heat/fire toxins, as well as all toxicities from fish, meat, vegetables, and mushrooms. When used in medicine, fermented soybean paste should be used; aged material is better.

Sour, bitter, and warm. Enters the Jueyin meridian of the foot. Its function is specialized in dispersing blood stasis and treating postpartum blood rebellion. Combined with Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix) and Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), it treats Huanghan (Yellow Sweat); combined with Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and clear wine, it treats Huangdan (Jaundice); combined with Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), it treats heart pain; combined with Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), it treats mouth ulcers. Applied externally as a powder mixed with Litchi He (Litchi Seed) for scrofula and tubercles. It kills fish and meat toxins. Excessive consumption damages sinews and bones. Rice vinegar is effective. Also known as Kujiu (Bitter Wine). If clothing is stained with medicinal juice, washing with vinegar removes it.

Sweet, bitter, and bland. Enters the Taiyin, Yangming, and Jueyin meridians of the hand and foot. Its function is specialized in ascending and dispersing. Used as a guide when decocting medicines, it can circulate through the exterior of the whole body and guide medicinal properties to the highest parts. Hot drinks damage the Lung; warm drinks harmonize the Middle Jiao; small amounts harmonize blood, move Qi, strengthen spirit, resist cold, dispel evil, remove filth, warm the Water Zang organ, and promote drug efficacy. Overconsumption damages spirit, depletes blood, harms the stomach, scorches essence, moves fire, generates phlegm, induces anger, assists lust, and causes damp-heat syndromes. The harm of distilled liquor (Shaojiu) to humans is even more severe. Pure, ash-free, and aged material is best. It fears Lvdou Fen (Mung Bean Powder), Zhizi (Ardisiae Fructus/Calamus? Note: Text says 枳 子, likely Zhizi or Zhi Shi derivative, but standard fear list often includes Ge Hua. Context implies specific antidotes), Gexia (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), and salty brine.

Pungent and flat, toxic. Enters the Shaoyin and Taiyin meridians of the hand and the Jueyin meridian of the foot. Its function is specialized in calming the Heart and Liver, and anchoring the Hun and Po. It specifically treats Jingxian (Convulsions/Epilepsy), wind-heat, and diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder. Ground into fine powder and applied after opening a Ding (carbuncle/furuncle) head, it can extract the root. For pills and powders, gold foil is used as coating; for decoctions, it is added to the herbs for boiling. It fears Tin and Mercury. All metals shatter when encountering mercury; their mutual aversion is thus. Silver has similar functions. If food is toxic, inserting silver chopsticks will turn them black.