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Flos Distantis (Kuandonghua), acrid, sweet, and warm in nature, belongs to Yang, and is non-toxic. It is excellent at stopping pulmonary cough, resolving thick and sticky phlegm, moistening the lungs, draining fire pathogens, descending Qi to calm asthma, calming palpitations and timidity, eliminating pathogenic heat, removing irritability, soothing the Liver and brightening the eyes. Inhaling the smoke from burning Flos Distantis is also effective for stopping coughs, particularly those originating from the Lung and Liver. In recent times, people prefer using Radix Asteris (Ziwan) over Flos Distantis, which is hard to understand. Although Radix Asteris can also treat chronic coughs, its bitter taste damages the Stomach, unlike Flos Distantis which has a sweet taste and offers nourishment amidst its clearing properties; therefore, I select Flos Distantis and discard Radix Asteris.

One might ask: Since Flos Distantis nourishes while clearing, can it be used in large doses to benefit the Lung, Liver, and Heart? The answer is: Although Flos Distantis nourishes while clearing, it should not be used in large doses because its nourishing effect is minor compared to its clearing effect. When entering the Heart channel, it calms the Spirit; when entering the Liver channel, it brightens the eyes; when entering the Lung channel, it stops coughing—these are its nourishing effects. However, upon entering the Heart, it drains Heart Fire; excessive use leads to an excessive decline of Heart Fire, which fails to generate Stomach Qi to promote digestion. Upon entering the Liver, it disperses Liver Qi; excessive use leads to excessive depletion [of related energies], failing to generate Heart Qi to stabilize the Spirit. Upon entering the Lung, it drains Lung Qi; excessive use leads to excessive coldness in Kidney Qi, which fails to generate Spleen Qi to transform substances. Thus, excessive use of Flos Distantis causes harm, while moderate use brings benefits; why then use it in large doses?

Radix Aucklandiae (Guangmuxiang), sweet and bitter in taste, warm in nature, has a descending property and belongs to Yin containing Yang. It is non-toxic. It can unblock Shen Qi (Spirit Qi), harmonize Stomach Qi, circulate Liver Qi, disperse stagnant Qi, break up knotted Qi, stop heart pain, drive out cold Qi, stabilize cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, relieve vomiting, regurgitation, and reverse flow of the stomach, eliminate masses and abdominal distension/pain, secure the fetus, scatter toxins, is essential for treating dysentery, and can ward off epidemic miasma and pestilential vapors. However, although this herb is necessary, it should only be used in small amounts as an assistant or guide herb. Once Qi circulation is restored, usage should cease; one cannot claim it tonifies Qi and thus use it heavily. Generally, the dosage of Radix Aucklandiae ranges from 1 fen, 2 fen, up to 1 qian, and must not exceed 1 qian. Excessive use yields no efficacy; when assisting tonification, it fails to tonify; when assisting purgation, it fails to purge.

One might ask: Both Radix Aucklandiae (Guangmuxiang) and Radix Aucklandiae (Qingmuxiang) are herbs that stop dysentery. Why do you choose Guangmuxiang and discard Qingmuxiang? This is because Guangmuxiang is warm in nature, whereas Qingmuxiang is cold. Dysentery is caused by damp-heat; Qingmuxiang’s cold nature clears heat, which seems appropriate. However, I decisively excluded it because I dislike Qingmuxiang’s ability to dissipate Qi. Although beneficial for dysentery, it ultimately damages Qi. Guangmuxiang is different; it is warm but not cold, can descend Qi without dissipating it, and its fragrance first enters the Spleen channel. The Spleen delights in it, leading to harmonized Spleen Qi and natural expulsion of turbid matter. This is "attacking without attacking," effectively dealing with pathogens. This is why Qingmuxiang was deleted and Guangmuxiang was included. Aucklandia is a Qi-class herb that can also open orifices. Qi-class herbs differ from Blood-class herbs; Qi herbs only need to be guided to achieve free flow and do not require large groups of herbs acting together. Blood herbs, however, have dense textures and cloying properties, requiring larger doses to achieve success.