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(Hemp seed, Wheat, Rice) possess the functions of descending Qi, widening the intestines, and eliminating accumulations.

Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) (specifically enters the Stomach and Intestines). Its taste is sweet, and its nature is cold. Its therapeutic efficacy lies in descending Qi, widening the intestines, eliminating accumulations, and removing turbidity. It is suitable for treating conditions such as leukorrhea, white turbid discharge, diarrhea and dysentery, ulceration of smallpox lesions, burns from hot liquids or fire, and syndromes characterized by excess Qi with damp-heat. Furthermore, when stir-fried until charred and taken with hot water, it can treat abdominal pain caused by "Jiao Chang Sha" (intestinal colic); when mixed with vinegar and applied topically, it is also excellent for treating erysipelas and red swelling in children. This is because its sweet taste enters the intestines, and its cold nature clears heat; its Qi moves downward, enabling the turbid residues in the five Zang organs to be refined and expelled. (As the common saying goes: waste accumulated in the intestines and stomach for a year can be cleared.) However, if the Spleen and Stomach are weak, it should not be consumed; ingestion may cause dizziness. Consuming it mixed with flour alongside pork or mutton may lead to hair loss of the beard and eyebrows. It should not be eaten together with yellow croaker fish. All these adverse effects are due to its moving and descending nature. (Li Shizhen stated: Tartary buckwheat is most effective at descending Qi and widening the intestines, thus refining turbid residues in the gastrointestinal tract and treating disorders such as turbid leukorrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain, and rebellious Qi. It is suitable for those with excess Qi and damp-heat.) The ash obtained from burning wheat straw, when leached with water, yields alkali, which can be used to dissolve calcined magnesium carbonate (Hua Duan Shi), capable of removing skin tags or warts.

The term "Ping Xie" (Mild Purging/Draining) refers to the concept of purging gently and cautiously. Generally, if the internal Qi of the Zang organs is insecure, or if one is afflicted by excess pathogens that do not require aggressive purging, harsh treatment may nurture the tiger's cub (i.e., create future troubles); conversely, excessive purging will damage the True Yuan (Original Qi). Therefore, only mild agents with slightly bitter and cold properties, which are extremely平和 (balanced) and light, are selected for administration. For instance, to drain deficient heat from the Spleen and Stomach, there is no need to overuse Mang Xiao (Mirabilite) or Da Huang (Rhubarb); instead, one may simply use Shi Hu (Dendrobium) for its light and bland nature to drain Spleen heat, Mao Gen (Imperata Rhizome) to drain Stomach heat, Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx) to astringe latent pathogenic heat in the Stomach, and Jing Mi (Glutinous Rice) for its sweet and cool nature to secure the Middle Jiao. To drain Lung heat, there is no need to employ Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root) or Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome); rather, one may use Sha Shen (Glehnia Root) to clear Lung fire, Bai Bu (Stemona Root) to resolve Lung cold stagnation, Bai He (Lily Bulb) to clear residual Lung heat, Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) to clear the Lung and regulate dampness, Pi Pa Ye (Loquat Leaf) to clear the Lung and descend Qi, and Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower) to clear the Lung and detoxify. To drain Liver heat, there is no need to use Dan Cao (Gentian Root) or Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis); instead, one may use Bie Jia (Turtle Shell) entering the Liver to clear blood stasis and heat, eliminating consumption fever and bone-steaming sensations; Han Lian Cao (Eclipta Herb) entering the Liver to cool the blood; Qing Hao (Artemisia Annua) clearing Yin fire of the San Jiao, lingering in the joints; Bai Shao (White Peony Root) entering the Liver to astringe Qi; and Gou Teng (Uncaria Ramulus) entering the Liver to clear heat and dispel wind. To drain Heart heat, there is no need to use Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) or Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit); instead, one may use Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) to clear the Heart and calm the Lung; Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit) to clear the Heart and detoxify; Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf) to clear the Heart and wash away vexation; Xuan Cao (Daylily Rhizome) to clear the Heart, alleviate sorrow, and promote urination; Yu Jin (Curcuma Aromatica Rhizome) entering the Heart to dissipate blood stasis; and Dan Shen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root) entering the Heart to break blood stasis. To drain Kidney heat, there is no need to use Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark), Tong Bian (Human Urine), or Zhi Mu; instead, one may use Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) to eliminate bone-steaming without sweating, and Di Gu Pi (Lycium Bark) to eliminate bone-steaming with sweating. As for regulating Yin and Yang, some are used with Yin-Yang Water to stop coughing and relieve thirst; for detoxification, some are used as Ji Cai (Shepherd's Purse); for dissipating stasis and promoting blood circulation, some are used as Pu Huang (Typha Pollen), Mo Yao (Myrrh), and Ku Jiu (Vinegar); for opening depression, some are used as Mu Zei (Equisetum Hiemale), Meng Hua (Buddleja Flower), and Gu Jing Cao (Centipeda Herb). Although all these belong to mild formulas, if applied appropriately, they possess the power to revive the dying. They must not be dismissed as trivial or ordinary!