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(Mountain Herbs) Lung Fire Steaming

Sha Shen (Adenophorae Radix / Glehniae Radix) [Sha Shen (Glehnia Root)] (Exclusively enters the Lung meridian). It is sweet, bitter, and bland in flavor. Its nature is cold and its substance is light. Therefore, it can enter the Lung to drain heat and purge Lung fire. For those suffering from chronic cough leading to lung atrophy (Fei Wei), or where Metal (Lung) is overcome by Fire (Heart/Heat pathogen), taking this herb is most suitable. This is because when hot qi steams and roasts, without using sweet, bitter, light, and bland herbs, one cannot control the scorching intensity. Thus, cough must be stopped with the aid of this herb. If cough is caused by cold pathogens lodging in the Lung, do not use it recklessly. Since the cough arises from cold, treating it with cold medicines would only exacerbate the cold. As for books stating that it tonifies the Lung and nourishes the Liver, as well as benefits the Spleen and Kidney, these deductions are derived from the mutual influence between the Lung and its mother-child organs. After taking this herb, the Lung is not subjected to punishment, the mother and child organs are at peace, and even the Liver is not affected, with all viscera appearing harmonious. This does not mean it truly tonifies Yin. (It is suitable when heat resides in the Lung. Once Lung heat is cleared, Yin is not impaired; hence, books state that Ren Shen tonifies the Yang of the five Zang organs, while Sha Shen tonifies their Yin.) The properties of tonification and purgation described in books are mostly like this, not just limited to Sha Shen. Those resembling Ren Shen but being lighter in texture, white in color, and solid in substance are good. Those grown in sandy soil grow large, while those in yellow earth grow small. It is incompatible with Fang Ji and opposes Li Lu.

(Grains) Clearing Lung Heat and Removing Spleen Dampness

Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) [Job's Tears Seed] (Exclusively enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians). Books record that it clears Lung heat above and regulates Spleen dampness below. This is because its white color enters the Lung, its cold nature drains heat, its sweet flavor enters the Spleen, and its bland taste leaches out dampness. However, its ascending action is slight while its descending action is predominant. It can benefit water metabolism and prevent tendons from becoming flaccid and lax in cases such as floating deficiency fire rising manifesting as lung atrophy or lung abscess; heat generating dampness manifesting as edema, damp-bi, Hong Kong foot (podagra/gout-like symptoms), hernia, diarrhea/dysentery, hot strangury, and wind-heat causing tendon spasm and contracture. (Tendons are governed by the Jueyin Liver but also rely on the Yangming Stomach Earth for nourishment. If there is no damp-heat overflowing within the Yangming Stomach Earth, the upper Lung will not steam and scorch the lung leaves, and the Zong Jin (major tendons) will be moist. When Zong Jin is moist, bones and tendons are bound tightly, and joints move freely. Therefore, Wei syndrome often results from Lung heat scorching the leaves and joint dysfunction, so treating Wei syndrome focuses exclusively on the Yangming meridian. Thus, Yi Yi Ren clearing heat and removing dampness is indeed a key herb for treating Wei syndrome. Zhu Zhenheng said: Cold causes tendon tightness, heat causes tendon contraction. Tightness stems from rigidity, contraction stems from shortening. If affected by dampness, tendons become flaccid and elongated. However, cold and dampness are not devoid of accompanying heat. All three conditions stem from dampness. Yet, external dampness cannot cause disease unless initiated by internal dampness. Therefore, diseases caused by dampness often result from drinking alcohol followed by eating fish and meat; sweet, slippery, aged, fermented, roasted, and spicy-aromatic foods are all causes of dampness. Tendon tightness can be due to either cold or heat. For tightness due to heat, Yi Yi Ren should be used to clear heat and remove dampness; for tightness due to cold, the method should be to scatter cold and remove dampness, and it seems inappropriate to use Yi Yi Ren, a heat-draining agent. Wang Ang disagreed with the theory in Yan Yi, but this is not necessarily a definitive conclusion.) It is unlike Bai Zhu, which has a bitter-warm aroma, lacks cold properties, and is hailed as a key herb for tonifying the Spleen. Yi Yi Ren is merely an herb for clearing heat and promoting urination. When used in decoctions, its action is mild and gentle, requiring doubling the dosage of other herbs. It should not be used recklessly in cases of dry fluids with constipation, Yin-cold causing muscle cramps, or pregnant women, because its nature is specifically downward-draining. To kill roundworms, take the root, stir-fry it with sticky rice until cooked, or boil it in salted water before use.