Library

Qi is neutral, taste is sour. Sour and warm, belongs to Yang. Non-toxic.
*Tangye Bencao · Xiang* states: It governs descending Qi, eliminates heat, vexation, and fullness, calms the mind, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, treats dysentery, and stops thirst. Preserved with salt as white plum, it is also used in phlegm-resolving formulas. Remove the pit before use.
*Tangye Bencao · Xin* states: It astringes Lung Qi.
*Tangye Bencao · Bencao* states: It treats limb pain, hemiplegia with numbness, and necrotic muscle. It removes dark moles and malignant diseases, stops diarrhea, reduces excessive salivation and dry mouth, and clears heat from between the bones. Another prescription treats all kinds of malignant sores with protruding flesh; burn the Wumei (Mume Fruit) to ash, pound into powder, and apply topically, causing the malignant flesh to fall off immediately. Zhang Zhongjing uses Wumei Wan (Mume Pill) to treat vomiting of roundworms and diarrhea.

Qi is warm, taste is sour.
Enters the Hand and Foot Taiyin Meridians.
*Tangye Bencao · Bencao* states: It treats jiaogqi (foot disease) with damp-bi, evil Qi Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome), severe vomiting and diarrhea, and continuous muscle cramps. It benefits the Lung and dispels dampness, harmonizes the Stomach and nourishes the Spleen.
*Yanyi* states: Mugua (Chaenomeles Fruit) obtains the upright Qi of Wood, thus entering the sinews. When coated with Qianbaishuang (Lead White Frost), it loses its sour taste due to Metal controlling it. This substance enters the Liver, thus benefiting sinews and blood. For conditions of weakness in the lower back, kidneys, feet, and knees, this substance is indispensable.
*Dongyuan* states: When Qi escapes, it can astringe; when Qi stagnates, it can harmonize.
*Leigong* states: It regulates Ying and Wei (Defensive and Nutritive Qi) and assists Guqi (Grain Qi).

*Shixi* states: The root bark is very cold, governing xiaoke (wasting-thirst), stopping mental restlessness, and reversing Ben Tun (rushing pig) Qi. Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Bentun Tang (Rushing Pig Decoction).

Qi is warm, taste is pungent and bitter.
*Tangye Bencao · Bencao* states: It repels evil toxins, promotes blood vessels, and unblocks deficient Qi of the Five Zang Organs. It induces sweating and eliminates fatigue-thirst. Pound it, mix with vinegar, and apply to toxic swellings. Remove branches and stems, crush by hand for use; it is miraculous for treating postpartum blood fainting. It may induce thirst. Eating too much smokes the spirits of the Five Zang Organs. It breaks up stagnant Qi.

Qi is warm, taste is pungent. Pungent and sweet, slightly warm, the Qi and Taste are both light, belonging to Yang. Non-toxic.
*Tangye Bencao · Xiang* states: It treats Shanghan (Cold Damage) headache and nasal congestion, cough with rebellious Qi. It stops vomiting and treats phlegm-cough. Raw and dried forms are treated similarly. Used in equal parts with Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome), it treats acute pain below the heart; decoct finely.
*Tangye Bencao · Xin* states: It can counteract the toxicity of Banxia and Houpo (Magnolia Bark). It disperses Wind-Cold, benefits Yuan Qi (Primal Qi); use together with Dazao (Jujube Fruit). Pungent and warm, used together with Shaoyao (Peony Root), it warms the meridians and disperses Cold; it is the supreme medicine for vomiting syndromes. Pungency disperses; vomiting occurs because Qi does not disperse. This drug moves Yang Qi and disperses Qi.
*Zhen* states: It benefits the Spleen and Stomach, disperses Wind-Cold. Long-term use removes bad breath and clarifies the spirit.
Sun Simiao states: It is the supreme medicine for vomiting syndromes.
Someone asked Dongyuan: "Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) is pungent and warm and enters the Lung; how is it said to enter the Stomach opening?" He replied: "The common people mistake the area below the heart for the Stomach opening; this is incorrect. Below the pharynx, where solid food enters, belonging to the Stomach, is called the Stomach opening. Since it shares location with the Lung, it enters the Lung and opens the Stomach opening." Asked again: "People say: Do not eat Shengjiang at night, as it causes Qi obstruction. Why?" He replied: "Shengjiang is pungent and warm, primarily promoting development. At night, Qi naturally converges; eating it to promote development violates the Heavenly Way, hence it is unsuitable. This applies to healthy individuals. If there is illness, it is different. Jiangxie (Ginger residue) is less hot than Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) but less moistening than Shengjiang. Using Ganshengjiang (Sun-dried Ginger) instead of Ganjiang is because it is not overly acrid."
*Tangye Bencao · Bencao* states: Qinjiao (Sichuan Pepper) is its Shi (Assistant/Guide). It kills the toxicity of Banxia and Langdang (Datura Seed). It is adverse to Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), and Tianshufen (Sky Rat Feces).