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Sambucus (Jiegu Mu), with a bitter and pungent taste, neutral nature, and slight toxicity, enters the bone joints. It is specifically used to reconnect tendons and bones, exhibiting miraculous effects that can even revive the seemingly dead. For fractures and injuries, it can be taken with wine or used in decoction for bathing. When used solely for reconnecting bone joints, it should not be used before or after childbirth. It is stored for preparation against fractures. Using fresh Sambucus alone yields remarkable results in bone healing. However, when added to blood-nourishing and blood-activating formulas, its efficacy in reconnecting bones is even more extraordinary. Fresh usage is preferred; dried Sambucus has half the potency, and stir-fried Sambucus has half again. This is because fresh material retains its vital energy (Sheng Qi).

Vitex Fructus (Man Jing Zi), with a bitter, pungent, and sweet taste, warm yet slightly cold nature, representing Yin within Yang, is non-toxic. It enters the Taiyang Meridian. It primarily treats cold and heat sensations in muscles and bones, spasms due to wind-damp bi-syndrome, headaches along the meridian, heavy and dizzy head sensations, benefits joint mobility, promotes hair growth, unblocks the nine orifices, expels parasites, disperses pathogenic wind, brightens the eyes, stops tinnitus, and strengthens loose teeth. This herb only disperses and does not tonify; thus, how can it lighten the body and prolong life? It is contraindicated for those with weak stomach Qi, and especially for those with deficient and declining Qi and Blood, frequent use is inadvisable.

One might ask: Vitex Fructus is a sacred medicine for headache; anyone with wind pathogens in the head and face can use it. Yet you say it should not be used frequently, claiming it attacks but does not tonify. However, the purpose of medication is to eliminate disease. If it eliminates disease, why worry about frequency? One must understand that Vitex Fructus is light and floating. Although its Qi-dispersing action is not excessive, making it seem suitable for cases with pathogens, it causes damage to the weak, leading to timid Qi and deficient Spirit, which they cannot withstand. My statement against frequent use applies to the weak. If one has robust form and Qi, with pathogens obstructing the Upper Jiao, it is not prohibited. When assisted by tonifying herbs, Vitex Fructus is particularly effective for headaches because its light texture and weak power allow it to ascend easily with the help of tonics. Relying solely on this single herb to achieve immediate superiority is impossible.

One might ask: Vitex Fructus enters the Taiyang Meridian and disperses wind pathogens. Why did Zhang Zhongjing not use it to release Taiyang wind pathogens? Is it not a Taiyang herb?

It is unknown that Vitex Fructus enters both the Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) levels of the Taiyang Meridian. It cannot act like Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), which only disperses Wei without Ying, nor like Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction), which only disperses Ying without Wei; each has specific functions. At the initial stage of Shanghan (Cold Damage), when pathogens have not deeply penetrated, if in the Wei level, they should not be led into the Ying level; if in the Ying level, the Wei level should not still be dispersed. Since Vitex Fructus disperses both Ying and Wei simultaneously, it is unsuitable for this condition.