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Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), with a sweet and pungent taste and warm temperature, can ascend and descend; it belongs to Yin within Yang and is non-toxic. Although it has distinctions between ascending and descending, its function of nourishing blood remains consistent. Li Dongyuan's assertion that Danggui's tail primarily breaks blood is incorrect. Danggui enters the Heart, Spleen, and Liver organs. However, its nature is highly active: when combined with Qi-tonifying herbs, it tonifies Qi; when combined with Blood-nourishing herbs, it nourishes Blood; when combined with ascending herbs, it lifts Qi; and when combined with descending and purging herbs, it expels Blood. Furthermore, it exhibits cold properties when used for cold conditions and heat properties when used for heat conditions, lacking fixed efficacy.

Although its efficacy is not fixed, it cannot be denied that it serves as a Sovereign herb (Jun Yao). For instance, in dysentery, without Danggui as the Sovereign herb, the accumulated filth in the intestines cannot be removed; in traumatic injuries, without Danggui as the Sovereign herb, the stasis in the bones cannot be resolved; in dry constipation, without Danggui as the Sovereign herb, hard feces cannot be expelled; and in postpartum deficiency, without Danggui as the Sovereign herb, blood syncope cannot be eliminated. If Danggui is used in small doses for dryness of Liver Blood, it struggles to resolve stagnation; if used in small doses for dryness of Heart Blood, it fails to moisten; if used in small doses for dryness of Spleen Blood, it fails to nourish. Therefore, Danggui must be used in large doses to achieve success. If one fears its slippery nature and dares not use it in large amounts, its efficacy will be weak and slow. Some argue that Danggui can serve as a Minister herb (Chen Yao) but not as a Sovereign herb, citing examples where Huangqi (Astragalus) takes precedence in Bu Xue Tang (Blood-Nourishing Decoction) to save lives miraculously, or Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Flos) takes precedence in Bai Du San (Defeat Toxin Powder) to disperse pathogens, seemingly suggesting that its role as a Minister surpasses that of a Sovereign. However, Danggui is indeed a Sovereign herb, yet it can also function as a Minister or Assistant-Guide herb (Zuo Shi Yao). It proves effective wherever applied, enriching the Five Zang and Six Fu organs through mutual support, depending entirely on how it is utilized. When used appropriately, both attacking pathogenic factors and tonifying deficiencies yield results; when used inappropriately, neither Qi nor Blood benefits. When used appropriately, it treats both upper and lower regions; when used inappropriately, it fails to benefit either Yin or Yang. Thus, discussions on whether it can only be a Sovereign or only a Minister are irrelevant.

One asks: Danggui nourishes Blood, so why must it be included in Qi-tonifying formulas? Is Danggui not a Blood-level herb? The answer is: Danggui is not solely a Blood herb; it is also a Qi-level herb. Because its pungent flavor disperses slightly, there is concern about it consuming Qi, hence it is described as nourishing Blood rather than tonifying Qi. In reality, it tonifies Qi 40% of the time and nourishes Blood 60% of the time. Consider postpartum states, which involve severe depletion of both Qi and Blood. Fo Shou San (Buddha's Hand Powder) uses Danggui as the Sovereign herb and Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong) as an Assistant herb. People regard these two as holy medicines for nourishing Blood, suitable for postpartum Blood deficiency but seemingly insufficient for postpartum Qi deficiency. Yet, why does one administration of Fo Shou San result in robust Qi and Blood? If Danggui did not both nourish Blood and tonify Qi, how could this be achieved? Thus, Danggui is undoubtedly a Qi-level herb.

One asks: Danggui is active and slippery, suitable for dryness-constipation, but seems unsuitable for diarrhea. Why must it be used for dysentery? Dysentery differs from watery diarrhea. Watery diarrhea is Spleen diarrhea; dysentery is Kidney diarrhea. Spleen diarrhea strictly avoids slipperiness, while Kidney diarrhea strictly avoids astringency. Why does Kidney diarrhea avoid astringency? Generally, Kidney Water is invaded by evil fire. The Kidney desires free flow but is obstructed by fire; the Kidney desires retention but is pressured by fire, causing tenesmus. Since Kidney Water is scarce, it should be supplemented rather than drained. Excessive diarrhea leads to Yin loss, depleting Kidney Water and causing further difficulty in passage. Therefore, Danggui must be used to moisten and purge the Large Intestine. Once the Large Intestine is moistened, Kidney Water need not assist it, allowing Kidney Qi to settle. With settled Kidney Qi and nourished Large Intestine, fire naturally ceases to oppress the Kidney, dissipating spontaneously and calming dysentery. This explains why Danggui is suitable and necessary for dysentery. (Commentary: Watery diarrhea avoids slipperiness, dysentery prefers it; Danggui's lubricity is precisely what is needed.)

One asks: If Danggui is a Sovereign herb, other herbs should assist it. Why does it sometimes succeed as a subordinate general? Is it not truly a Sovereign herb? Chen Shiduo replies: Danggui's nature is active; being active, it can cooperate with any formula to achieve efficacy. It attacks when combined with attacking herbs and tonifies when combined with tonifying herbs. However, although it acts as a subordinate, its aura implies it should not merely be a Minister herb. If managed improperly, victory may turn to defeat, and order to chaos.

One asks: Danggui is said to be unsuitable in small doses, but can it succeed in small doses? The answer is: Medication depends on appropriateness, not quantity. Generally, large doses of Danggui are indicated for critical illnesses to rescue emergencies, while small doses are for mild illnesses to prevent complications. Daring not to use large doses is not a miraculous cure, but refusing to use small doses is not good nursing care.

One asks: Danggui is slippery, yet sometimes it is not slippery. Why? Herbs are meant to cure diseases. For patients with inherently slippery intestines, Danggui is contraindicated; this is the general rule. However, if unexpected changes occur, such as boiling internal fire or pressing external fire, using slippery Danggui is necessary to nourish dryness. At such times, I fear even Danggui's slipperiness may be insufficient to rescue scorching dryness; how can one say they dare not use it due to fear of slipperiness?

One asks: Danggui specifically nourishes Blood and also tonifies Qi, making it a dual Qi-Blood tonic. The answer is: Danggui is a holy medicine for generating Qi and Blood, not merely tonifying. Blood cannot be generated without Qi, and Qi cannot grow without Blood. Danggui generates Qi and Blood simultaneously, embodying their mutual generation. If it only generated Qi, how would Xiong Gui San (Chuanxiong-Danggui Powder) generate Blood within Qi during childbirth? If it only generated Blood, how would Gui Di Tang (Danggui-Rehmannia Decoction) generate Qi within Blood for stopping bleeding? Precisely because generating Qi involves generating Blood, Blood becomes vigorous with Qi; and generating Blood involves generating Qi, Qi becomes abundant with Blood.

One asks: Danggui is pungent and warm, capable of invigorating and nourishing Blood, but its moving nature often causes intestinal slipperiness. Miao Zhongchun stated it is incompatible with the Stomach, contraindicated for all cases of Stomach aversion to food and indigestion, and forbidden even during pregnancy and postpartum. Is this not a valid opinion? Alas! This is plausible yet incorrect and requires immediate clarification. Danggui is pungent and warm; pungency opens the Stomach, and warmth warms the Stomach. What basis exists for claiming incompatibility? Aversion to food stems from food stagnation preventing reception; pungency disperses it, aiding digestion. Indigestion stems from Cold Spleen; warmth resolves stagnation, aiding digestion. For pre- and postpartum conditions involving these symptoms, large doses are especially appropriate to open Stomach Qi and strengthen Spleen function, allowing intake of food and drink, preventing miscarriage risk before birth and weakness after birth. Asking what else could rescue critical postpartum conditions besides Danggui? Must we rely solely on Renshen (Ginseng)? Renshen suits the wealthy but not the poor; the world cannot rely entirely on Ginseng for rescue. Thus, Danggui is indispensable. Do not heed Miao Zhongchun's words and sit idle. If fearing intestinal slipperiness, combine it with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma); what harm would that do?

One doubts: Danggui is slippery, suitable for postpartum Blood dryness. But some postpartum women have inherently slippery intestines; can Danggui still be used? The answer is: Without Danggui to nourish Blood postpartum, no second herb can replace it. Even if one usually has slippery intestines, postpartum conditions change this, so there is no need for concern. If overly worried about slipperiness, combining it with Baizhu and Shanyao ensures safety.

One doubts: Danggui is a holy Blood-nourishing herb, suitable for all Blood disorders. Yet, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Is Danggui not a Blood herb? There is no need to doubt Danggui's Blood-nourishing capability. Variability in efficacy is not due to Danggui but to improper usage. Blood disorders may accompany Qi deficiency, exist as pure Blood deficiency, or involve dual Qi-Blood deficiency with Fire. One cannot uniformly treat them with Danggui alone. For Blood disorders with Qi deficiency, treating Blood while tonifying Qi allows Qi to move and Blood to return to its vessels. For dual Qi-Blood deficiency, balanced tonification allows Blood to return to its vessels. For dual deficiency with Fire, tonifying Qi and Blood while clearing Fire allows abundance to extinguish Fire. Thus, variability in efficacy for Blood disorders is avoided.

One asks: Miao Zhongchun stated that Danggui is contraindicated for unruptured carbuncles and sores. On what basis? Miao feared Danggui's moving nature would draw toxins directly into the Stomach rather than expelling them externally, damaging Stomach Qi. However, drawing toxins inward for resolution is faster than expelling them outward. Using Danggui in detoxifying and transforming-toxin formulas leverages its moving nature to guide herbs inward for resolution, directing waste out via the bowels, achieving miraculous results. Therefore, for ruptured sores, large doses are essential to invigorate Blood and generate flesh; for unruptured sores, urgent use is preferred to eliminate toxins and purge filth.