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In the second month, new shoots emerge. Leaves grow along with the shoots. In the seventh month, greenish-blue flowers bloom. The shape resembles that of *Lilium* (Baihe), hanging obliquely downwards. Red veins on the upper part resemble human lungs. In the eighth month, the rhizomes are harvested. The rhizome consists of scales, yellowish-white in color, resembling clustered shells. A seed-like structure grows beneath the rhizome, similar to a taro tuber, pure white in color, connected yet easily separable. The odor is bitter and neutral, slightly cold. It possesses a nature of Yin containing slight Yang, capable of ascending and descending, belonging to Yin herbs. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. As an herb for the Qi level of the Lung Meridian, it moistens the Lungs, clears the Heart, resolves stagnation, harmonizes Stomach Qi, dispels pathogenic factors and vexatious heat, treats fullness and excess in the epigastrium, rebellious Qi in the chest and hypochondrium, purges heat, eliminates phlegm, treats asthma, cough, and hemoptysis, manages dystocia and retained placenta, promotes lactation. For carbuncles, tumors, and sores, it can expel pus and protect the Heart, consolidate and detoxify. (From *Zhu Bencao*) Formulary texts record its use for consumptive disease (Xulao) (with effects of eliminating phlegm, stopping cough, harmonizing Stomach Qi, stabilizing the Five Zang organs, serving as a key herb for deficiency syndromes). It is used for malaria, aphonia, epistaxis, lingual bleeding, spontaneous sweating, dysuria, strangury, nasal diseases, and lingual diseases. When Heat resides in the Lungs generating Phlegm, or when disturbed by Pathogenic Heat causing asthma, cough, and vexation, this herb must be the primary treatment. Its nature specializes in resolving nodules and clearing Heat. (Zhongchun stated) It can disperse stagnant Qi in the Chest and Heart, proving particularly effective for those experiencing mental unease and chronic depression. (Cheng stated) Folk practice substitutes Beimu for Banxia due to the latter's toxicity. However, Beimu is an herb of the Taiyin Lung Meridian, whereas Banxia belongs to the Taiyin-Yangming Spleen-Stomach Meridians; thus, they cannot be interchanged. For consumptive cough, hematemesis, hemoptysis, lung atelectasis (Feiwei), and lung abscess (Fei Yong), as well as puerperal mastitis, carbuncles, and various stagnation syndromes, Beimu should serve as a guiding herb, while Banxia is contraindicated. Conversely, in cases of Damp-Heat in the Spleen and Stomach where saliva transforms into Phlegm, which over time generates Fire, leading to Phlegm-Fire attacking upwards and causing dizziness, collapse, hemiplegia, and dysarthria, Beimu cannot substitute for other necessary treatments. (Shishan stated) Combined with Renshen and Baizhu, it promotes tonification without cloyingness. Combined with Danggui and Shaoyao, it moves Qi and harmonizes Ying-Blood. Assisting Zhimu, it treats Lung disorders and nourishes Yin. With Houpo, it opens Spleen stagnation and clears Qi. Combined with Huangqin and Huanglian, it clears Fire stagnation. Accompanied by Huangbai, it treats various sores. As the sovereign herb with Xuanshen, it rapidly relieves sore throat (Houbi). As the minister herb with Jiegeng, it facilitates the treatment of lung abscess. Combined with Lianqiao, it governs neck masses and goiters. Harmonized with Chuanxiong, it resolves generalized Qi pain. Burned to ash and mixed with oil, it is applied externally for malignant sores and facial ulcers. Powdered and taken with wine, it aids delivery and expulsion of the placenta. (Neng stated) For pregnant women with cough: remove the heart of Beimu, stir-fry with bran until yellow, powder, mix with rock sugar, form pills the size of euryale seeds. Each pill is held in the mouth and swallowed slowly, yielding miraculous results. For infants under 100 days with cough and phlegm obstruction: Beimu 5 qian, raw Gancao and prepared Gancao 1 qian each. Powder, form pills with rock sugar the size of euryale seeds. Dissolve one pill in rice water per dose. This eliminates phlegm, directs Qi downward, stops cough, resolves stagnation, aids digestion, and reduces distension. Use 1 liang of Beimu (heart removed) and 5 qian of Houpo processed with ginger juice. Honey-pill the size of wutong seeds. Take 50 pills with warm water per dose for extraordinary efficacy. For gonorrheal abscess with swelling and pain: equal parts Beimu and Baizhi. Powder, mix with wine for oral administration or decoction, applying the residue topically. Combined with Zhimu, Qianhu, Gegen, Maidong, and Gancao, it treats early-stage eruptive diseases with high fever, asthma, cough, phlegm, and insomnia. Combined with Zhimu, Tiamendong, Maidong, Sangbaipi, Pipaye, Bubu, Jiegeng, and Gancao, it treats Lung Heat cough and chest vexation. Combined with Jiangxiang, Yujin, Juhong, Yuanzhi, Sugen, Suzi, Xiangfu, and Baixudoukou, it opens stagnation. Add Chuanxiong and Shenqu if phlegm is present, resolving all forms of Qi stagnation. Combined with Juapi, Qianhu, Shigao, Zhimu, Maidong, and Zhuli, it treats Phlegm-malaria. Combined with Niuxiazi, Xuanshen, Gualu Gen, Jiangcan, Jiegeng, and Gancao, it treats wind-spasm. Combined with Ganju, Zididing, Jinyinhua, Xiakucao, Niuxiazi, Sheng Gancao, Baiji, and Bailian, it treats all Heat-Toxins and eliminates all carbuncles and sores. Combined with Yujin, Lianqiao, Juye, Gualu Gen, Niuxiazi, Xiakucao, Shancigu, Shandougen, and Xuanshen, it resolves all tubercles, breast cancer (Ruyan), and scrofula (Luoli). Combined with Bubu, Baihe, Yiren, Maidong, Suzi, Yujin, Tongbian, Zhuli, and Yuxingcao, it treats Lung Heat with expectoration of pus and blood.

[Discussion] Beimu rhizomes are harvested in August to capture the concentrated Metal Qi. Its taste is predominantly bitter with slight pungency. The pungency follows the bitterness, and bitterness combined with the slight cold of Qi returns to pungency, embodying the principle of Two Yin reaching the Lung. The combination of bitterness with slight cold represents Earthly Yin, yet it ascends to Heavenly Yang to benefit the Lung. Observing that leaves emerge directly with the shoots, penetrating straight through without lingering, we understand its unique function lies in directly penetrating to resolve Heat nodules and reaching Lung stagnation without retention. (Hence, it is primarily used for cough diseases.) Furthermore, by harmonizing Earthly Yin with Heavenly Yang, akin to the Sun within Yang (the Heart), and noting that branches of the Kidney pulse connect from the Lung to the Heart, the transition from Lung to Heart is harmonized by Yin, utilizing the mechanism of rising to achieve descending. Thus, how could there be afflictions of fullness and rebellious Qi? (Formulary texts treat urinary obstruction and strangury based on this principle of rising to achieve descending.) Regarding its ability to treat Blood disorders despite being a Qi-level Lung herb: although governing Blood belongs to the Heart, it relies on Lung Yin descending into the Heart to generate Blood. It also promotes lactation. (The Heart and Small Intestine govern menstruation in non-pregnant women and lactation post-partum.) This demonstrates that Earthly Yin harmonizing with Heavenly Yang constitutes a aspect of transformation and generation.

Miu stated: For conditions caused by Cold-Damp in the Spleen and Stomach generating Phlegm and cough, food stagnation with Phlegm-fluids, sudden evil vomiting, or Cold-induced diarrhea requiring Pungent-Warm and drying-hot methods, Beimu is strictly contraindicated.

[Differentiation and Treatment] Chuan Beimu that is small, pointed, and white is superior. Zhe Beimu is large, round, and yellow, making it unsuitable for medicinal use. Process with ginger juice and remove the heart. Those that are single-core, not split into two halves, and lack wrinkles are named Danlongjing, which damages tendons and vessels.