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Bai Fu Zi (Fuzi Radix Arisaematis), with a sweet and pungent taste, warm nature, belonging to pure Yang, is non-toxic. The claim that it has slight toxicity is incorrect. This herb excels at promoting the movement of Qi in various meridians and can be relied upon as a guiding agent (like a boat or oar) to direct medicinal actions. When combined with Renshen (Ginseng Root), it can treat aphonia caused by wind-stroke; when used with Fuling (Poria Sclerotium) and Yiyiren (Coix Seed), it can dispel bi-syndrome caused by cold-dampness; when paired with Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root) and Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome), it can unblock collaterals obstructed by stagnant blood; when used with Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome), it can remove stagnation and expel blood stasis. Modern practitioners are unaware of its efficacy, using it only externally to reduce scars or internally to treat dampness in the scrotum, which is truly regrettable. Furthermore, its nature is very drying. For individuals with exhausted Qi and Blood, even if wind pathogens are present, it seems inappropriate for use. Even in cases of phlegm-fluid retention blocking the airways, if the condition involves fire, it is also unsuitable.

Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccariae Semen), with a bitter and sweet taste and neutral nature, belongs to Yin within Yang. It is non-toxic. It primarily treats metal wounds (trauma from sharp objects), stops bleeding and relieves pain, induces labor and regulates menstruation, dispels wind-bi, wind-patterns, and internal cold, resolves breast abscesses and back abscesses, promotes lactation and stops epistaxis, alleviates irritability, and particularly promotes urination. It is a draining and unblocking herb. Its nature is very urgent, acting downward rather than upward. For conditions where pathological factors rebel and rush upward, it can cause them to descend, thus it can be relied upon to serve as an assistant minister drug. However, its action is too rapid; it is suitable for short-term use but not long-term, which must be noted.

One might ask: Wang Bu Liu Xing is only used to promote lactation, implying it can also move upward? Not so. Milk failing to flow downward and being forced down is ultimately a downward action, not an upward one. If there is stagnation in the Upper and Middle Jiao that needs to be drained downward, it can be used to unblock them; it does not mean it only acts on the Lower Jiao and fails to act on the Upper Jiao.

Pu Gong Ying (Taraxacum Herba), with a bitter taste and neutral nature, is non-toxic. It enters the Yangming and Taiyin meridians. It can dissipate hard swellings, resolve nodules, detoxify food poisoning, and disperse stagnant Qi. Though inexpensive, it achieves great merit, yet people pity that the world does not know how to use it. Fire in the Yangming meridian often rages like a prairie fire. Using Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) to clear heat may excessively damage Stomach Qi. The excess fire in the Stomach stems from the deficiency of Earth (Spleen/Stomach Qi) in the Stomach; clearing heat makes the Earth colder. Therefore, using Baihu Tang to drain Stomach fire is a temporary expedient, not a method to rely on for long-term health.

Pu Gong Ying is also a herb that drains Stomach fire, but its nature is very mild. It can clear heat without damaging Earth (Spleen/Stomach Qi), allowing for long-term consumption without harm. For any fire arising from the Yangming meridian, large doses can be taken; once the fire recedes, Stomach Qi naturally regenerates. Observe women in northern regions during famines, who gather Pu Gong Ying in groups to eat, remaining unharmed. This is precisely because it clears heat to generate Earth. Hungry individuals invariably have boiling Stomach fire; using Pu Gong Ying is indeed appropriate. Can we not realize that Pu Gong Ying is beneficial and harmless? However, its heat-clearing power is weak; large doses of 1 liang (approx. 30g) or at least 5 qian (approx. 15g) are required to scatter pathogens and support healthy Qi.

One might ask: Since Pu Gong Ying has great merit, should it be used in large amounts to defeat toxins and clear heat? Given its light texture, can it be decocted into a paste for storage in the medicine cabinet? Decocting Pu Gong Ying into a paste yields remarkable results, superior to raw use. How is this done? One must start with 100 jin (approx. 50kg). Pound it thoroughly in a stone mortar, then decoct it in an iron pot with water. Decoct until three-tenths of the water remains, filter out the dregs, and retain only the juice. Strain the juice through a cloth bag. Each large pot can process 10 jin (approx. 5kg); repeat ten times, collecting all clear juices. Combine these in a large pot and decoct again until thick. Transfer to a clay jar and heat gently over water (double boiler method) until the liquid resembles honey. Pour into a basin, add melted ox-hide glue, stir evenly into a paste, and dry in the sun. Approximately 1 jin (approx. 500g) of thick juice requires 1 liang (approx. 30g) of ox-hide glue to form slices. From 100 jin of Pu Gong Ying, 7 jin (approx. 3.5kg) of paste can be obtained. Stored in the cabinet, it is excellent for treating sores and toxin-heat. In previous prescriptions requiring 1 liang of herbs, only 2 qian (approx. 6g) of paste is needed, a simple and ingenious method. If fresh herbs are unavailable, dried herbs can be used; 30 jin (approx. 15kg) of dried herbs yield 7 jin (approx. 3.5kg) of paste.

One might ask: Pu Gong Ying is said to treat sores, but you claim it clears heat. Is clearing heat equivalent to treating sores? Not entirely. While sores often arise from fire, not all fire patterns produce carbuncles. Pu Gong Ying’s brilliance lies in its ability to both resolve sores and clear heat, allowing dual application.

One might ask: Pu Gong Ying clears Yangming fire; can it extinguish fire in all meridians? I reply: The fiercest fire is found in the Yangming flame. Once Yangming fire subsides, residual fire in other meridians is inevitably cleared. Although Pu Gong Ying is not specific to every meridian, fire in all meridians submits to it when encountered. Thus, stating that Pu Gong Ying clears fire in all meridians is acceptable.

One might ask: Both Pu Gong Ying and Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) resolve abscesses and ulcers; which is superior? Pu Gong Ying enters only the Yangming and Taiyin meridians, whereas Jin Yin Hua enters no meridian it cannot reach. Their functions cannot be equated. However, when Jin Yin Hua is combined with Pu Gong Ying, its efficacy increases. Pu Gong Ying focuses more on attacking pathogens than tonifying, unlike Jin Yin Hua, which tonifies more than it attacks.

One might ask: "Tu Jing" records that for thorn injuries and fox urine scratches, applying the white juice from Pu Gong Ying roots and stems cures immediately. Is this true? I reply: This is Sun Simiao’s own account of efficacy, claiming full recovery within ten days, which is credible. However, my view is that after applying the juice to the wound, one should also decoct 1 liang (approx. 30g) of its roots and leaves for oral administration. Internal and external treatment together yields better results. For fox scratches, applying stem juice is good, but taking the decoction orally is superior.

One might ask: Pu Gong Ying is abundant in the north, and villagers eat it as vegetables without developing sores. Alas! Sores form rapidly. Do villagers make soup with it daily? Villagers harvest it mostly in spring, while sores develop in summer and autumn. How do we know that spring toxins were not eliminated by consuming it?