Library

Question: Both maltose (Yitang) and rice wine are transformed by yeast fermentation. Why is maltose sweet and moistening but does not have an ascending nature?

Answer: Wine flows out naturally through fermentation, obtaining more of the transformation of "Qi" (vital energy), so its Qi is abundant and it has an ascending property. Maltose is extracted by boiling and forcing, obtaining less of the transformation of "Qi", so its flavor is intense while its Qi does not ascend. Generally speaking, wine obtains dense Heaven-Qi and ascends; maltose obtains dense Earth-Flavor and tonifies. Zhang Zhongjing uses maltose in Jianzhong Tang (Middle-Building Decoction) precisely to tonify the Middle Jiao (digestive system). Observing that white distilled liquor ascends but does not stay, while maltose stays but does not ascend, and rice wine can both ascend and stay, the distinction lies entirely in the analysis of the density and thinness of flavor and Qi. Those who study drug properties value detailed investigation into these principles.

Question: Minerals and herbs such as Mangxiao (Mirabilite), Dahuang (Rhubarb), Badou (Croton Seed), Tinglizi (Lepidium Seed), Xingren (Apricot Kernel), Zhike (Aurantium Fruit), Houpo (Magnolia Bark), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Yiren (Coix Seed), Chenxiang (Aquilaria Wood), Jiangxiang (Sappan Wood), Tielluo (Iron Filings), Zhesishi (Hematite), Binglang (Areca Nut), and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) all primarily govern descending actions. Some descend and astringe, some astringe and disperse, some descend and break up accumulation, some descend and promote urination/drain dampness, some enter the Blood level, and some enter the Qi level. Can these details be explained?

Answer: All things that ascend obtain the Qi of Heaven; all things that descend obtain the Flavor of Earth. Therefore, those with dense flavors descend quickly; those with thin flavors descend slowly. Furthermore, considering their physical forms, there are differences in weight and lightness. Mangxiao originates from water Qi, but obtains the yin condensing nature of water, making it salty. It can soften hardness and drain heat from the Qi level. Because it obtains the yin flavor of water but not the yin Qi within water, it descends without ascending. Moreover, water belongs to the Qi level; thus, Mangxiao's condensed water flavor purely obtains the yin nature of water to clear and descend Qi-level heat, which is fundamentally different from Dahuang entering the Blood level. Dahuang is bitter and greatly cold, obtaining the yin flavor of Earth-Fire, appearing yellow, and manifesting when Fire retreats; thus it can subdue Fire and specifically purge clumps in the Blood level. Due to its dense flavor and fierce aroma, once it descends, the Qi assists it, allowing for rapid purgation. Cold-natured drugs generally move downward; for example, Baishao (White Peony Root) and Shegan (Belamcanda Rhizome) have descending and draining flavors because they are bitter, sharing the same principle as Dahuang's descent. Dahuang's bitterness is more severe, while Baishao's is lighter. Thus, Baishao only slightly descends, whereas Dahuang has a powerful descending force.

Question: Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) is bitter, acting by staying rather than moving, while Dahuang alone has attacking and purgative effects. Why is this?

Answer: Although both are bitter, Huanglian's texture is dry and lacks luster, while Dahuang's texture is slippery, moist, and juicy, hence Dahuang governs slipperiness and lubrication. Additionally, Huanglian is purely bitter without Qi, so it stays and does not move. Dahuang is purely bitter but possesses a heroic and fierce Qi; using Qi to drive its bitter flavor makes it move rather than stay. This is the difference between them.

Question: Dahuang's bitter-cold nature naturally directs downward. Badou's acrid-hot nature should theoretically oppose Dahuang, yet it also mainly attacks and purges. Moreover, its action is even more rapid than Dahuang's. How is this explained?

Answer: This is due to its oiliness causing downward movement. Its ability to descend is primarily attributed to its slipperiness/oiliness, not specifically to its acrid-hot nature. Consuming Sesame Oil or Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) promotes slippery bowel movements. Badou and Castor Bean seeds both contain oil, are slippery, and promote bowel movements. However, Sesame Oil is not hot, so its movement is slow; it is not acrid, so its Qi does not circulate fiercely, resulting in slow bowel evacuation. Castor Bean is acrid and warm; the Qi drives its oily slipperiness, making it fast. Badou's oil shares the same slippery nature as Sesame Oil and Castor Bean, but its great acridity is fierce, and its great heat is violent. Using violence and fierceness to drive slipperiness results in swift, unretaining action. Huoren (Hemp Seed) is also oily and slippery but lacks acrid-fierce nature, so it can only moisten and descend, not purge rapidly. Tinglizi also contains oil, naturally slippery, and has an acrid flavor, similar to Badou's acrid-oily nature. Its bitter flavor is similar to Dahuang's bitter-slippery nature. Thus, Tinglizi implicitly contains the natures of both Badou and Dahuang, enabling it to severely purge phlegm-fluid, pus, and blood from the Lungs, with extremely rapid descending action. Possessing combined properties of Dahuang and Badou, it is indeed a fierce medicine. Fearing it is too harsh, Zhang Zhongjing always pairs it with Dazao (Jujube) to tonify and moderate. Xingren also contains oil but obtains only bitter flavor without acrid-fierce Qi, so it descends without urgency.

Question: Both act on descending Qi, why do Xingren and Tinglizi belong to the Lung, while Zhike and Houpo belong to the Spleen and Stomach?

Answer: Tinglizi and Xingren are white and belong to Metal. Zhike and Houpo are of Wood substance. Wood can loosen Earth, so they enter the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Zhike is a wood fruit, with a lighter flavor than Houpo, so it regulates Stomach Qi. Houpo is wood bark, with a heavier flavor than Zhike, so it regulates Spleen Qi. Observing Zhang Zhongjing use Zhike for fullness below the heart and Houpo for abdominal fullness reveals the difference in their weight and lightness.

Question: Chenpi is also a wood fruit. It treats the Stomach and Spleen, and also regulates Lung Qi. Why?

Answer: Chenpi combines acrid and aromatic qualities, allowing it to reach upward to the Lungs. Zhike is not acrid-aromatic, so it does not travel to the Lungs. Houpo is acrid but its Qi is too heavy/sinking, so it does not travel to the Lungs. However, Lung Qi connects to the Large Intestine; Houpo moves Large Intestine Qi, thereby venting Lung Qi. Zhang Zhongjing used Guizhi Jia Houpo Xingzi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Magnolia Bark and Apricot Kernel) for wheezing. Medicinal actions are not strictly separated; thus Zhike, Chenpi, and Houpo often function interchangeably. Physicians must grasp their interconnectedness. Binglang (Areca Nut) is a wood seed, with a sinking nature, treating hernia in the lower abdomen. However, sinking nature moves from top to bottom, so Binglang also benefits the chest and diaphragm. Its flavor is not fierce, so its descending action is slow. Chenxiang (Aquilaria Wood) sinks in water, has a bitter descending flavor, and uses aroma to drive action, so it descends Qi. Qian Nan Xiang (Agarwood/Sappanwood variant) has a sweet flavor, differing from Chenxiang; thus its Qi ascends and disperses, while Chenxiang's Qi specializes in descending. Taking Qian Nan Xiang causes belching; taking Chenxiang causes flatulence below, showing their differing ascending/descending actions due to sweet vs. bitter flavors. Jiangxiang (Sappan Wood) is bitter and red, descending Qi in the Blood, stopping hematemesis. Niuxi (Achyranthes Root) descends via form and flavor; being deep-rooted and bitter, it guides Water and Fire downward. Tielluo (Iron Filings) descends by Metal controlling Wood and heaviness calming fright, stopping palpitations and curing mania. Zhesishi (Hematite) is also heavy/calming, red, enters Blood level, named "Master of Blood" for descending Blood. Blood is the residence of Qi. Xuanshuo Daizhe Shi Tang (Inula and Hematite Decoction) stops belching by moving Blood to descend Qi. Descending and sinking drugs must be bitter and heavy; descending and dispersing drugs must be acrid and aromatic; descending and draining drugs must be bland and thin. Yiren, Zexie, Cheqianzi, and Fuling are bland and thin, belonging to Yin within Yang. They cannot act on upper clear orifices, so they act on lower clear orifices, promoting urination. Descending and breaking drugs must be dense-flavored and fierce-aromatic, combining blood-breaking power to attack accumulation. Only Qi creates phlegm/fluid accumulation, which does not harden. Hard accumulations involve Blood. Pure Blood without Qi becomes dead blood, not hardening. Only when Qi attaches to Blood and凝 congeals, and Blood gathers with Qi, does it form hard masses. Sanleng breaks Qi in Blood; Ezhu breaks Blood in Qi; both break accumulation. Sanleng is bitter but not acrid, breaking Blood more than dispersing Qi. Ezhu is acrid, moving Qi to break Blood, harmonizing Qi and Blood, suitable for accumulations, hence widely used. Jianghuang (Turmeric) has dense Qi and flavor, moving Qi and Blood. Yujin (Curcuma Aromatica Rhizome) is Jianghuang's seed, with thin Qi and strong flavor, excelling in moving Blood over moving Qi.

Question: All descending drugs sink into the Middle and Lower Jiao. How are rebellious Qi in the Upper Jiao descended?

Answer: Although descending drugs are heavy, none do not start from the Upper Jiao and move down. Thus, Zhesishi can坠镇 (drop and calm) from the Upper Jiao, and Binglang benefits the chest and diaphragm. Generally, drugs with heavy and fast Qi reach the Lower Jiao directly and cannot benefit the Upper Jiao. Drugs with light and slow Qi can descend and benefit the Upper Jiao. Tinglizi drains the Lung; Xingren benefits the Lung; Shegan is slightly bitter, benefiting throat phlegm; Houpuhua (Magnolia Flower) is light, benefiting Qi above the diaphragm; Chuanbeimu (Fritillaria Bulb) is white and neutral, benefiting chest/lung phlegm-qi; Xuanfuhua (Inula Flower) is salty and light, moistening the Lung and descending phlegm; Chenpi's flavor/Qi is neither light nor heavy, so it can descend Upper or Middle Jiao. Only Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root) has floating Qi and sinking flavor, regulating all three Jiao. Others like Juhe, Zhahé, Lizhíhé treat Lower Jiao Qi specifically. Fast-acting drugs like Dahuang, Badou, Niuxi go straight to the Lower Jiao. Even among Qi-moving drugs, one distinguishes weight/lightness and floating/sinking. Used correctly, errors are avoided.

Question: For all drugs, roots tend to ascend, fruits tend to descend, stems/trunks tend to harmonize, and branches/leaves tend to disperse. Please explain why.

Answer: Roots grow upward, so their nature ascends; seeds fall downward, so their nature descends; stems/trunks are central, capable of ascending and descending, so their nature harmonizes; branches/leaves are peripheral, governing dissemination, so their nature disperses. However, each drug's nature may emphasize root, fruit, stem, or leaf, utilizing that emphasis as its specialty. One cannot generalize casually.

Question: Since roots, fruits, stems, and leaves have specialties, let us discuss roots first. Which drugs have a specialized ascending nature in their roots? Please specify.

Answer: Roots generally ascend, but one must select those where color, shape, flavor, and Qi are all specialized in the root. For example, Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome): its root is larger than the shoot, obtaining dense Qi in the root, so the root is used exclusively. Its root has many pores, channels attracting Water Qi upward to shoots and leaves, hence its nature ascends. Its flavor is acrid and sweet, associated with ascending. Combining form and flavor, it governs ascent, named Shengma (Ascending Hemp/Cimicifuga), a dedicated ascending herb. Ge Gen (Pueraria Root) grows deepest, attracting Earth Water Qi upward to vines, raising fluids, and ascending/dispersing Taiyang and Yangming meridians, taking the meaning of reaching vines. Pueraria vines are very long, just as Taiyang meridians are very long. Ge Gen guides Earth-water Qi to Taiyang vines, guiding Bladder-water Yang Qi to meridians, following the same logic. Thus, Ge Gen treats Taiyang Jing syndrome, helping Taiyang channel reach the exterior via Bladder water. White roots belong to Metal, absorb Water Qi upward, representing Metal-Water generation, guiding fluid-Qi to treat Yangming dryness. Ge Gen differs from Shengma: Ge Gen is solid root, raising fluids not Qi; Shengma is hollow/pored root, moving Qi not fluids. Huangqi (Astragalus Root) is also hollow/pored. Shengma's flavor is not dense, so it ascends but does not tonify. Huangqi's flavor is dense, so it ascends and tonifies. Huangqi roots are deep and long. Harvesting avoids digging/pulling to preserve integrity since roots lack side branches. This shows direct nature. Hollow/pored roots conduct Water Qi, drawing Yellow Spring (subterranean water) upward to shoots, raising human Yuan Qi (Original Qi) to fill and reach the surface. Human Yuan Qi originates in Kidney, emerges from Bladder water, travels via Qi Sea membranes to chest/diaphragm, then Lungs, filling skin/hair. Huangqi's internal hollowness resembles human membranes, drawing Earth-Yellow Spring Qi to shoots, mirroring human Yuan Qi from Kidney to Lung to surface. Thus, Huangqi raises Yuan Qi, supporting interior and reaching exterior.

Question: The three aforementioned drugs all ascend but treat different conditions. Why?

Answer: They share the root-ascending nature but differ in color, shape, flavor, and Qi, leading to different treatments. Shengma has larger air-conducting pores and acrid-dispersing flavor, so its nature is purely ascending. Huangqi is yellow, warm, purely sweet, so it ascends and tonifies. Ge Gen is white, slightly bitter, so it ascends and clears fire, but does not tonify. Drug analysts must distinguish carefully.

Question: Niuxi, Lingxian (Akebia Stem), and Qiancao (Madder Root) are all roots. Why do they not ascend but descend?

Answer: "Root ascending" requires flavor, Qi, color, and shape to possess ascending qualities. Niuxei etc. roots are solid and non-hollow, lacking ascending channels. Their bitter-draining flavor and non-dispersing Qi lack ascending power. Their flavors/Qi descend, and roots penetrate deep, guiding Qi back to roots to descend. This opposes Shengma's upward movement. Principles can be verified by comparison.

Question: Why do fruit/nut substances of plants all have descending natures?

Answer: Extremes reverse. Things at the bottom rise; things at the top fall. Plant fruits growing upward represent the extreme, so they revert to descending. Seeds/nuts have inward-contracting natures, so they descend and astringe.