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Question: Licorice Root (Gancao) enters the Spleen channel; why does it grow in Gansu? Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) specifically tonifies Spleen Earth; why does it not grow in Henan, but rather in Zhejiang?

Answer: This precisely demonstrates the principle of the Five Elements (Wuxing), which cannot be strictly divided into boundaries. Moreover, Earth is prosperous in the four seasons (Chen, Xu, Chou, and Wei months), meaning that Earth's color exists in all four directions. Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) grows in the Jiangzhe region because the land there is rich in Earth Qi. Consequently, the Baizhu produced contains sweet and moist oily substances that can nourish Spleen Yin, and emits a pungent and aromatic warm nature that can unblock Spleen Yang. If one seeks the moistening and warming properties, use the Zhejiang-produced variety because its oil content is thick; if one seeks the warming and drying properties, use the Gansu-produced variety because its medicinal action is more intense. Licorice Root (Gancao) has a purely sweet taste and enters the Stomach and Spleen channels. It is stationary and does not travel, tonifying Middle Qi and harmonizing various herbs. Although it does not grow in the Central Plains of Henan, but rather in the far west of Gansu, it is due to the thick and dense soil of Gansu that produces Licorice Root (Gancao). Its roots are deep, reaching four or five chi, similar to Astragalus Membranaceus Root (Huangqi). However, Huangqi is hollow and belongs to the Qi aspect, deriving Water Qi from the Earth; Gancao is solid, purely deriving the dense Qi of Earth, hence its roots are deep and solid. Although it grows in the West, it actually obtains the Qi of Central Earth. In summary, regarding the principles of the Five Elements, when discussed separately, each belongs to a specific direction; when discussed collectively, they are all one Taiji.

Question: Some herbs are named after seasons, such as Prunella Vulgaris Herb (Xiakucao) and Flos Tussilaginis (Kuandonghua). Is it not that treatment is based on time?

Answer: Indeed. Heavenly timing refers to the flow and rotation of the Five Elements and the manifestation of Yin and Yang. Therefore, when discussing herbs, one must also consider their time of growth and maturation. Although not entirely constrained by time, some herbs do utilize time for therapeutic effects. Prunella Vulgaris Herb (Xiakucao) grows at the end of winter and develops during the three spring months, thus obtaining the Qi of Water and Wood. It withers in summer because when Wood yields to Fire, its Qi retreats. Hence, it is used to subdue Fire in the Liver and Gallbladder channels. Flos Tussilaginis (Kuandonghua) grows in the snow and ice of winter, with flowers located below the root, representing the image of Yang contained within Kan (Water). Thus, it can guide Lung Yang downward, serving as an herb to resolve phlegm and stop coughing. Both herbs are named after their seasonal characteristics and derive their efficacy from these timings. Another example is Cordyceps Sinensis (Dongchongxiacao). Although not recorded in ancient Materia Medica, current verification confirms it as a spiritual substance. This substance generates worms at the Winter Solstice. From spring to summer, the worm grows over one cun long and as thick as a small finger. Just before the Summer Solstice, it remains a worm. At the Summer Solstice, the worm disappears, burrowing into the soil, and sprouts emerge from its head. By the Autumn Equinox, the shoots grow to three cun, resembling grass. This substance grows in the grasslands of Xifan (Tibetan regions), where it is indistinguishable among other grasses. After the Autumn Equinox, light snow falls. Harvesters look for patches without snow, dig them up, and find the cordyceps inside. Observing its ability to melt snow indicates its pure Yang nature. Since worms are animals, they are inherently Yang; growing at the Winter Solstice signifies abundant Yang Qi. Burrowing into the earth at the Summer Solstice represents Yang entering Yin. The emergence of shoots symbolizes Yang entering and Yin exiting, making it a highly spiritual substance. To tonify Lower Jiao Yang, use the root alone; to benefit Upper Jiao Yin, use both root and shoot. This reflects the Qi transformation of winter and summer. Ophiopogon Japonicus Root ( Maidong), Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root (Tiandong), Honeysuckle Stem (Rendong), and Ilex Cornuta Leaf (Dongqing) all remain green through winter, sensing the Qi of Water moisture. Thus, Maidong and Tiandong clear the Lungs; Lonicera Japonica Flower (Jinyinhua) clears Wind-Heat; Ilex Cornuta Fruit (Dongqingzi) nourishes the Kidneys. Their distinctions lie in the white roots entering the Liver. Vining herbs traverse the collaterals; Dongqingzi is black, thus entering the Kidney to nourish Yin. Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome), although harvested in mid-summer, forms its root in autumn, acquiring the pungent and acrid odor of Dry Metal. Therefore, it primarily descends and drains fluid retention, acting on the Yangming channel. One must not rely solely on the name "Banxia" but understand its true nature. Thus, herb discussion may focus on origin, season, or flavor, emphasizing the predominant aspect to reveal the herb's true character.

Question: Herbs often treat based on flavor. Sweet-flavored herbs enter the Spleen channel. However, there are many sweet herbs. Some enter the Spleen and Stomach directly, while others enter the Four Zang organs. How are they distinguished?

Answer: Those with the pure sweet flavor enter the Spleen channel directly. If they also possess bitter, sour, salty, or pungent flavors, these are mixed flavors, allowing them to enter the other four Zang organs. Licorice Root (Gancao) is purely sweet; it tonifies Spleen Yin and Stomach Yang. Whether raw or cooked, or used to harmonize hundred herbs, it is always suitable. Polygonatum Sibiricum Rhizome (Huangjing) is sweet and juicy, directly tonifying Spleen Earth dampness. Dioscorea Opposita Rhizome (Shanyao) is white with a sour taste, thus tonifying the Spleen and entering the Liver and Lungs. Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) is sweet, bitter, and warm, thus tonifying the Spleen, warming Earth, harmonizing Liver Qi to support Spleen Qi. Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome (Cangzhu) is sweet, bitter, and drying, thus drying the Stomach and removing dampness. Astragalus Membranaceus Root (Huangqi) is sweet and potent in Qi, thus tonifying Qi. Shepherd's Purse Herb (Qicai) is sweet and juicy, thus generating fluids. Lotus Seed (Lianmi) is sweet with astringency, fragrant, obtaining Earth and Water Qi, thus tonifying Earth, astringing essence, and stopping diarrhea. Euryale Seed (Qianshi) has little sweetness and much astringency, obtaining less Earth moisture and more Metal gathering nature. Growing in water, it belongs to the Kidney fruit category, thus used to astringe the Kidney channel and stop diarrhea. Coix Seed (Yiren) also grows in water but tastes extremely bland; it neither tonifies nor astringes, but purely promotes leaching and diuresis. Poria (Fuling) is similar, being bland and non-astringent. Red Halloysite (Chishizhi) is sticky, astringent, and sweet, thus filling deficiencies and stopping diarrhea. Yu Yuliang (Remains of Stone Valley) is the earthy component of stone valleys, sweet and slightly salty. Sweetness tonifies righteousness to stop diarrhea; saltiness enters the Kidney to astringe essence. Both utilize sweetness and astringency. Longan Aril (Longyanrou) is purely sweet and non-astringent, entering the Spleen. Produced in hot southern regions, it obtains Summer Fire Qi, using Fire to generate Earth, thus tonifying the Heart and Spleen. Quinine Seed (Shijunzi) kernel is sweet, tonifying the Spleen, and kills roundworms due to its fragrant and foul odor and warm, intense nature. Taking this herb requires avoiding hot tea; violation causes diarrhea, similar to Croton Seed (Badou) causing diarrhea with hot drinks. Regarding animal products, Yellow Cattle Meat is sweet and warm, greatly tonifying Spleen and Stomach. Mutton is sweet but mousy, obtaining Wood warmth, thus tonifying Spleen and Liver. Pork is sweet and salty, obtaining Water and Earth cold nature, thus nourishing Spleen and moistening Kidney. Human Milk is sweet, derived from dietary juices and Lung-Stomach Qi transformation, thus moistening and nourishing the Stomach, generating blood, and tonifying Spleen Yin without equal. Calamus Rhizome (Gansong) is sweet and intensely fragrant, thus regulating Spleen Qi. Musk (Muxiang) regulates Qi because its fragrance enters the Spleen, its taste is slightly pungent, and it obtains Wood warmth, capable of loosening Earth. Furthermore, Muxiang stems, branches, leaves, nodes, and joints all number five, matching the Earth number, thus regulating the Spleen. Regarding fruits, Jujube (Dazao) has red skin and yellow flesh, pungent skin and sweet flesh, utilizing Fire generating Earth nature, thus purely tonifying Spleen and Stomach. Pear is sweet and watery, thus moistening Spleen and Lungs. Lychee grows in the southeast, sweet and sour, thus entering Spleen and Liver for warm tonification. In summary, sweet flavors enter the Spleen; examining accompanying flavors reveals entry into other organs, detailing their indications.

Question: Bitter is the flavor of Fire. Yet bitter herbs do not tonify Fire but rather drain it. Why?

Answer: Extremes revert; when Yang reaches its peak, Yin is born. In terms of trigrams, the middle line of Li (Fire) is Yin, representing Kan (Water) contained within Li (Fire). Herbs with Fire flavors contain Water nature and can descend Fire. This is the profound principle of Water and Fire mutually rooting. Coptis Chinensis Rhizome (Huanglian) is purely bitter, thus entering the Heart channel to drain Fire. Gardenia Fruit (Zhizi) is bitter, resembling Pericardium, thus draining Pericardium Fire. Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao) resembles Pericardium, is light and floating, slightly bitter, thus lightly clearing upper body, Heart, and head/eye Fire. Lotus Seed (Lianzi) resembles the Heart; the Plumule (Lianxin) within is extremely bitter, resembling the Yin line in Li, thus clearing Heart Fire perfectly. Scutellaria Baicalensis Root (Huangqin) is bitter, hollow with pores. In the human body, only the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) serves as the pathway for Water Qi and governs Ministerial Fire. Huangqin is hollow, enters Sanjiao, and is bitter, thus clearing Ministerial Fire. Gentiana Scabra Root (Danca) and Picrorhiza Rhizome (Huhuanglian) are bitter, hard, and astringent, possessing Water and Wood natures, thus draining Liver-Gallbladder Wood-Fire. Danca has many deep, fine roots, so it drains Fire and descends/drainage. Picrorhiza Rhizome (Huhuanglian) is stationary and does not travel, requiring careful distinction. Rhubarb (Dahuang) is bitter, large in form and intense in Qi, thus moving through Spleen and Stomach, descending Fire rapidly.

Question: Draining Fire bitter herbs are mostly yellow. Why?

Answer: Yellow is the color of Earth. In Five Elements theory, those who succeed withdraw; Fire is red and generates Earth's yellow. Yellow is generated by the withdrawing Qi of Fire. Thus, yellow-bitter herbs primarily withdraw Fire. If bitter but not yellow, they have mixed natures. For instance, Lilium Bulb (Baihe) is pink-white, bitter with fluid, thus mild in draining Fire but strong in generating Stomach fluids. Scrophularia Root (Xuanshen) is black, bitter with fluid, thus weak in draining Fire but strong in nourishing Kidney. Moutan Cortex (Danpi) is red and bitter, thus clearing Heart Fire and moving Blood. Indigo Naturalis (Qingdai) is blue-green and bitter, thus clearing Liver Fire and extinguishing Wind. In summary, those obtaining Fire's bitter flavor also obtain Water's cold nature. Some local physicians claim bitterness causes dryness, attributing it to Fire's dry nature, contraindicated in Fire syndromes. The notion that "bitter transforms into dryness" applies only to combined drying herbs. For example, Cangzhu and Ginger (Ganjiang) combined with Huanglian cause dryness; Shengdi and White Peony Root (Baishao) combined with Huanglian certainly do not. Furthermore, Heat and Fire differ in the Six Qi. Heat is Qi-level heat; clearing Heat uses Gypsum (Shigao) and Trichosanthes Root (Huafen) as they enter Qi level. Fire is Blood-level; draining Fire uses Huanglian and Huangqin as they enter Blood level. Knowing only to use Sweet-Cold to abandon Bitter-Cold can clear Heat but not drain Fire. Differentiating herbs requires understanding this principle.

Question: Herbs obtaining Fire's bitter flavor get Water's cold nature and clear Fire. Why do Mugwort Leaf (Aiye), Psoralea Fructus (Guzhi/Buguzhi), Morinda Officinalis Root (Bajitian), and Polygala Root (Yuanzhi), all bitter, tonify Fire?

Answer: Extremely bitter herbs revert to Water nature. Slightly bitter herbs retain Fire's original nature, thus tonifying Fire. Buguzhi and Bajitian are bitter and pungent-warm. Buguzhi is black with firm seeds, thus warming Kidney. Bajitian is purple with solid roots, thus warming Liver. Yuanzhi is very thin, thus entering Heart; bitter taste enters Heart; combined with pungent-warm, it tonifies Heart Fire. Mixed flavors imply mixed Qi; one cannot judge solely by purity of bitterness.

Question: Pungent is the flavor of Metal. Metal nature governs gathering. Yet pungent herbs govern dispersal, not gathering. Why?

Answer: Herbs' flavors and aromas have substance and function, opposing yet complementing each other. Those obtaining Metal's flavor obtain Wood's Qi. Wood Qi ascends, so Pungent flavors disperse rather than gather. Wood Qi is warm, dispelling Cold. Dispersal removes obstruction. Mint (Bohe) is pungent and light, Qi extremely floating. Lightness makes Qi float to skin/hair to disperse Wind-Cold; floating makes Qi rise to head/eyes to remove Wind-Cold. Magnolia Flower (Xinyi) is at branch tips, nature extremely ascending, pungent and dispersing, thus dispersing Wind-Cold in brain/nose. Schizonepeta Spike (Jingjie) resembles Mint, dispersing skin/muscle, but heavier in substance/taste, entering Blood level to disperse muscle layer. Notopterygium Root (Qianghuo) and Angelica Pubescens Root (Duhuo) have deep roots, obtaining Yellow Spring Water Qi, rising to sprout, resembling Taiyang channel, holding Yang within Water to emit via meridians. Pungent and intense Qi enters Taiyang, dispersing top-of-head Wind-Cold. Duhuo is black, entering Shaoyin to reach Taiyang, dispersing back/spine Wind-Cold. Asarum Root (Xixin) is thin and black, entering Shaoyin; extremely pungent warms/disperses Shaoyin Wind-Cold. Shaoyin is Cold-Water organ; Cold causes Water Qi to flood. Xixin disperses Shaoyin Cold, thus driving out fluid retention. Saposhnikovia Root (Fangfeng) is pungent and sweet, entering Spleen, dispersing muscle Wind-Cold. Perilla Leaf (Zisu) is purple, entering Blood level, pungent and fragrant, dispersing Blood-level Wind-Cold. Perilla Stem (Suzhi) extends in four directions, dispersing limbs. Perilla Caulis (Sugeng) is hollow with white membrane, dispersing abdominal Qi. Perilla Seed (Zisuzi) is solid, descending to lower Lung Qi, moving phlegm. Same pungent flavor differs by root, stem, seed, leaf; treatment varies by weight, ascent, and descent. Cassia Twig (Guizhi) disperses limbs, color/taste like Suzhi, but firmer, thus traversing sinews/bones. Suzhi only traverses muscle. Cinnamon Bark (Rougui) is thicker in taste, condensed in Qi, ultimate Wood nature. Great Pungent means Great Warmth, tonifying Heart Fire, specializing in Wood generating Fire. Actually, it warms Liver; Liver is Mother of Heart; deficiency tonifies mother. Heart/Liver govern Blood; Rougui is key for warming Blood. Zhang Zhongjing's Shenqi Pill uses it to guide Heart/Liver Fire to Kidney, aided by Aconite (Fuzi), Prepared Rehmannia (Shudi), and Poria (Fuling), guiding Rougui into Kidney. This is skillful use, not inherent Kidney entry. Rougui and Guizhi are same plant, different uses based on thickness for ascent/descent. Pungent herbs possess Wood warmth. Cinnamon is Wood, obtaining warmth, thus primary Liver-warming herb. Evodia Fruit (Wuyu) and Fennel (Xiaohui) obtain Pungent-Wood Qi. Cyperus Rhizome (Taiwu) is root, naturally entering Lower Jiao. Fennel is seed; seeds descend, thus warming Lower Jiao uterus/bladder. Wuyu is pungent-sour seed, descending, thus descending fluid retention and moving stagnant Qi. Buguzhi and Leek Seed (Jiuizi) are black/warm; black is Kidney Water color; seeds descend, thus warming Kidney. Aconite Lateral Root (Fuzi) grows underground, distinct from branches/leaves/bark/seeds, not entering Middle/Upper Jiao. Pure black, pungent-intense, born of Kan's single Yang, solely supporting Yang from Lower Jiao. Extreme Yang/Yin are toxic. Fuzi's intensity is due to pure Kan Yang nature, justifying great toxicity. Fuzi differs from Rougui: Rougui tonifies Fire, grounded in Earth's Fire Qi (Di Er); Fuzi assists Heat, born in Water, obtaining Heaven's Water Yang (Tian Yi). Fuzi enters Qi level to assist Yang, treating Kidney/Bladder. Roasting removes toxicity; Water Yang toxicity disperses with Fire, meaning Yin-Yang attraction. Salting removes toxicity, not illegal. All warm herbs hold Wood Qi; only Fuzi holds Water Yang, primary for warming Kidney/unblocking Yang. Holding Wood/Fire obtains Earth's Fire (Di Er); holding Water Yang obtains Heaven's Yang (Tian Yi).