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Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhimu)
Bitter, acrid, cold in nature; the flavor and qi are dense. It sinks and descends, belonging to Yin, with a slight Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. It grows abundantly in Xuzhou and Jiezhou prefectures (both belonging to Southern Zhili). Its shape resembles Calamus Rhizome (Changpu); it should be soft, plump, white, and vigorous, while dry and dull ones are ineffective. The down and skin must be completely removed, avoiding contact with iron vessels. As a guiding herb, it can ascend to the neck; only after being stir-fried with wine does its action rise. It benefits the Kidney and nourishes Yin; when stir-fried with salt, its efficacy enters the Kidney meridian. It is the primary herb for the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian, but also enters the Foot-Yangming (Stomach) and Hand-Taiyin (Lung) meridians. It tonifies Kidney Water and clears rootless fire pathogens; reduces edema, serving as an assistant and envoy for promoting urination. It can alleviate pain below the umbilicus in initial dysentery and remove severe irritability and heat in chronic malaria. It treats bone-steaming consumption with sweating, and cures transmissible phthisis (Zhubing). It moistens dryness and relieves thirst (for patients with deficiency-heat causing dry mouth, it should be doubled in dosage). It stops coughing and eliminates phlegm. Long-term use is not advisable as it causes diarrhea. It also treats stream toxins; by bathing with river water enriched with the drug, if the powdered medicine is thrown into the upstream of the river, no harm will occur.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Li Dongyuan stated: Zhang Zhongjing used this herb in Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) to treat insomnia caused by irritability. Irrability relates to the Lung, and dryness relates to the Kidney. Gypsum (Shigao) is used as the sovereign herb, assisted by the bitter-cold nature of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhimu) to clear Kidney dryness. Licorice Root (Gancao) and Rice (Jingsmi) are used for their sweet and緩 (slow/relaxing) properties to prevent the medicine from descending too quickly. The Classics state: "For cold in the chest, use Gou Ti San (Melon Seed Powder); for exterior heat and interior cold, use Baihu Tang." Both Melon Seeds (Goudi) and Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhimu) are bitter and cold. Why is it said to treat cold in the chest? I say: Readers should interpret this inversely. Just as "rebellious ministers" might imply "governing ministers," when Zhang Zhongjing says "cold," he refers to the apparent symptom, while heat lies within. If it were truly cold, how could bitter-cold agents be reused? Moreover, in Baihu Tang syndrome, the pulse at both Cun and Chi positions is long, indicating obvious heat. How can one allow the literal words to obscure the true meaning?

Cistanche Deserticola (Roucongrong)
Sweet, sour, salty; slightly warm in nature. Non-toxic. It is found in all prefectures of Shaanxi, growing where horse urine falls on the ground. It is harvested and dried on the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu). Before use, it must be soaked in wine. Brush off the floating scales on the surface, split open to remove the inner membrane and tendons. It may be roasted with su (animal fat) or steamed with wine, then crushed and broken into pieces for decoction. Avoid light iron vessels; do not let them touch the herb. It treats male impotence due to absolute Yang deficiency, seminal emission, hematuria, and dribbling urine; it heals female infertility due to absolute Yin deficiency, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, and genital pain. It assists Ministerial Fire, tonifies labor injuries, warms the waist and knees, and strengthens bones and sinews. Zhu Danxi said: Although it can vigorously tonify essence and blood, sudden use may reverse effect and cause diarrhea. There is also Suoyang (Astragali Complanati Semen), (also produced in Shaanxi). It is sweet and edible. Roasted with su, it is suitable as a substitute. Cooking it in porridge is excellent, and using it in medicine is particularly effective. It moistens and unblocks dry fecal impaction (if loose stools exist, it is strictly forbidden to take it). It tonifies Yin-blood deficiency and emaciation. It promotes Yang, secures essence, strengthens Yin, and benefits marrow. However, it was originally missing and not recorded in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica); this addition was made by Zhu Danxi. Additionally, there is Caorongrong (Grass Cistanche), which grows abundantly on rocks. Its root resembles newly born lotus roots. In Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, it is listed under the name Lidang (Pedicularis Resupinatae Herba). Its warming and tonifying effects are similar, but its potency is significantly inferior. Some flatten it to pass it off as the former herb (True Cistanche is rare; the market often flattens this to fake it. Also, roots of Nelumbinis Rhizoma (Jinliangen) are salted and sold as substitutes; taking them by mistake causes harm). Users must examine carefully and thoroughly.