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Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati (Weirui), with a sweet taste and neutral nature, is non-toxic. It is also known as Yuzhu, which corresponds to the "Qingnian" ingredient in the Qiyе Qingzhan San (Lac-leaf and Green-stick Powder) prescribed by Hua Tuo. It enters the Heart, Kidney, Lung, Liver, and Spleen five zang organs. It tonifies the middle jiao and boosts qi, moistens fluids, and relieves irritability. It primarily treats stagnation of qi in the chest and abdomen, deficiency heat, and damp-toxin. It is effective for treating cold pain in the lower back and legs, calming mania, arresting fright, stopping lacrimation, and addressing wind-pathogen invasion of the hands and feet. It removes dark spots, beautifies the complexion, and darkens hair and beard. The smaller rhizomes possess these properties. This herb has a pure nature; it tonifies deficiency heat and resolves damp-toxin. It is suitable for individuals who are deficient and simultaneously suffer from wind-dampness, but its action is very slow and cannot address acute emergencies; it must be taken over a long period to be effective. In recent times, people have used it in decoctions hoping for immediate rapid effects, which is difficult to achieve. Furthermore, Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati tonifies yin; it must be combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) to tonify yang, thereby achieving the wonderful balance of yin and yang, resulting in truly remarkable efficacy. Therefore, in cases of stroke (Zhongfeng), taking Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma together in a decoction will surely prevent the worry of flaccidity and paralysis. In cases of mania and fright, drinking Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma together will certainly prevent death. This is because Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma gains strength from Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati, and Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati gains momentum from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma.

One might ask: Hua Yuanhua (Hua Tuo) added Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati to Lac-leaf powder to darken whiskers, yet modern usage yields no results. Why? Originally, Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati alone cannot darken whiskers; it requires the combination with Folium Perillae Frutescentis cum Stipite (Qiye) to achieve this effect. However, Folium Perillae Frutescentis cum Stipite is ineffective without Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati. The two herbs mutually constrain and mutually complete each other. When modern users find it ineffective, it is not due to differences in dosage weight, but rather improper administration methods. I still recall Lord Lin Tianqing, a Grand Secretary of Chu, who once took this prescription. At seventy years old, his beard remained black as lacquer. Upon asking about his method of administration, he stated that both herbs were used in equal proportions, taken at three qian during the Zi, Wu, Mao, and You hours, day after day for decades. How many people in the world can adhere to Lord Lin's method? If one takes it one day and skips the next, or takes it in the morning but not at night, or varies the dosage, how can one expect consistent efficacy?

One might ask: The efficacy of Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati is very slow. Nowadays, people compare its nourishing power to that of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, claiming that while Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma's effects seem weak upon verification, Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati's slow action yields reliable results. Is this true or false? Alas! How can Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma be discussed on the same level? Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma has immediate effects and sustained power, which Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati cannot match. However, since Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati acts slowly, long-term use indeed yields specific benefits. For instance, in cases of stroke-induced flaccidity syndrome, when used as an adjunct to Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma for regulation, it is particularly beneficial.

Some suspect that Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati is a variant of Rhizoma Polygonati Sibirici (Huangjing). Since Huangjing's efficacy is very slow, it follows that Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati's efficacy should also be slow. Why did you delete Huangjing and retain Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati? In fact, Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati is indeed similar to Huangjing. The reason I deleted Huangjing but retained Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati is that Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati is suitable for treating flaccidity and paralysis through gradual regulation to achieve efficacy, which distinguishes it from Huangjing.