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Shashen (Glehniae Radix), with a bitter and sweet taste, has a slightly cold nature. It is non-toxic. It enters the Lung and Liver meridians. It treats various toxins, expels pus, resolves hard masses, calms the five Zang organs, tonifies the Lungs and Liver, stops severe colicky pain caused by hernia effectively, disperses itching due to wind-dampness, clears pathogenic heat, and removes fright and restlessness. It can serve as the Sovereign herb, but its action is very slow; therefore, a large dosage must be used to achieve efficacy. Yi Lao (Zhang Yuansu) used it to replace Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), which was incorrect. Commentators argue that it can calm the five Zang organs, having the same effect as Renshen; they also state that Renshen tonifies the Yang of the five Zang organs, while Shashen tonifies their Yin. These views demonstrate a lack of understanding of Shashen's true functions and are merely subjective speculations. Shashen only enters the Lung and Liver meridians and cannot enter all meridians simultaneously. Since it does not enter all meridians, how can the *Bencao* (Materia Medica) claim it can calm the five Zang organs? The reality is that when the Lungs and Liver in the human body are diseased, the five Zang organs become unsettled. Shashen nourishes Lung Qi, thereby calming the Upper Jiao; consequently, there is no reason for the Middle and Lower Jiao to be in chaos. Furthermore, Shashen unblocks Liver Qi; once Liver Qi flows freely, the Qi of the Middle and Lower Jiao also becomes unblocked. Once the lower Qi is unblocked, how can rebellious or invasive changes occur? Thus, the Upper Jiao remains in its proper position without floating pathology. This is the meaning behind "calming the five Zang organs." Ancients and moderns alike failed to grasp this intent, believing Shashen could calm the five Zang organs and thus replace Renshen, which is a mistake. However, is Shashen not a Yin-tonifying substance? If Shashen did not tonify Yin, how could it enter the Liver and Lung meridians? Shashen tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Lungs, not the Yin of the Heart, Spleen, and Kidneys. Moreover, the functions of Yin and Yang differ: Renshen tonifies Yang and can restore Yang within an instant; Shashen tonifies Yin and cannot restore Yang in a moment. Therefore, a small dose of Renshen can achieve success, whereas Shashen requires a large dose to be effective. Hence, it is clear that Shashen cannot replace Renshen.

One might ask: Since Shashen benefits Yin, why can it treat hernia? Predecessors stated its efficacy but did not elucidate its principle. The assertion that Shashen treats hernia comes from Miao Zhongchun. He did not explicitly explain the reason for its efficacy, so I shall elaborate. Generally, hernias arise from dampness in 60% of cases, from sexual exhaustion followed by wind invasion in 30%, and from congenital factors in 10%. In all these cases, it is Yin deficiency allowing pathogenic factors to invade. Shashen tonifies Yin; when Yin is sufficient, pathogens find it difficult to remain. Additionally, Shashen excels at resolving hard masses. The reason hernias fail to heal for long periods is precisely because of hardness in the abdomen. By resolving this hardness, Shashen leaves the hernia without a foothold, causing it to dissipate spontaneously without aggressive treatment. This is the rationale for Shashen treating hernia. I have further insights: To treat hernia with Shashen, one must use a large dose to benefit Yin, adding a small amount of Yeduorogen (Radix Belamcandae or similar wild herb, specifically *Rhizoma Belamcandae* or *Radix Smilacis Chinae* depending on context, here referred to as Ye Dueruo Gen) as an Assistant herb to enhance efficacy. With Shashen tonifying Yin as the Sovereign and Dueruo Gen attacking pathogens as the Assistant, both tonification and purgation are employed simultaneously. Under such conditions, what hernia would not have its root completely eradicated?

Some may doubt: Shashen benefits Yin and is a sacred medicine for tonifying Yin; why did Zhang Zhongjing not include it in Dihuang Wan (Rehmanniae Pill)? The herbs in Dihuang Wan collectively enter the Yin aspect for holistic regulation. Shashen only tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Lungs, which is why Zhang Zhongjing did not adopt it. Although the Lung is the Mother of the Kidney, and the Liver is the Child of the Kidney, allowing for simultaneous treatment of mother and child, if the goal is solely to tonify the Kidney, while also attending to the Mother (Lung) and the Child (Liver/Gallbladder), the power to tonify the Kidney becomes scattered and impure. Therefore, it is omitted. However, if Lung Qi is severely deficient, Shashen may be added along with Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) into the pill formula to treat both Lungs and Kidneys. If Liver Qi is severely damaged, Shashen may be added along with Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) into the pill formula to treat both Liver and Kidneys.

One might ask: You stated that Shashen tonifies the Yin of the five Zang organs, yet you claimed it only tonifies the Lungs and Liver, which differs significantly from previous theories. Why? I reply: Shashen indeed can tonify the Yin of the five Zang organs, but why is it effective for the Lungs and Liver but ineffective for the Heart, Spleen, and Kidneys? The terms "An" (calm/stabilize) and "Bu" (tonify/nourish) have distinct meanings. "An" refers to tranquility; "Bu" refers to moistening and nourishing. When we say Shashen stabilizes the five Zang organs, we refer to the Heart, Spleen, and Kidneys in the context of tranquility. When we say Shashen provides nourishment/moistening, we refer primarily to the Lungs and Liver. If one does not first understand the specific benefits to each Zang organ when prescribing herbs, how can one treat diseases?

Some may suspect: Regarding Shashen tonifying Yin, there is no need to discuss which Zang organ it tonifies. Alas! If one prescribes herbs without understanding the Zang organs, how can one prescribe correctly? Even when one understands the Zang organs and prescribes accordingly, there are times when victory is not achieved. How much more so when one is ignorant of which Zang organ the herb tonifies and proceeds blindly? No wonder such prescriptions yield no results.