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(Five-Flavor Berry / Wuweizi) Its thermal nature is warm, its taste is sour, belonging to Yin with a Yang aspect. It tastes sour and slightly bitter, with a strong flavor but light aroma, belonging to Yin with a slight Yang aspect. It is non-toxic.
It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.
Li Gao (referenced as "Xiang") states: It greatly benefits the Five Zang organs.
Sun Simiao states: Taking Five-Flavor Berry regularly in May tonifies the Qi of the Five Zang organs. During the summer months, specifically between early summer and late summer, when one feels fatigued and weak, lacking the energy to move, it can be decocted with Ginseng, Ophiopogon Tuber (Mendong), and a small amount of Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai). This will instantly restore spirit and cause strength to surge in the tendons of both legs. Use raw.
Zhang Yuansu (referenced as "Zhen") states: It treats coughing.
Wang Haogu (referenced as "Xin", likely referring to his own work or a specific text cited therein) states: It astringes Lung Qi and supplements insufficient Qi; its action ascends. The sour taste astringes rebellious Qi. When Cold in the Lung causes Qi rebellion, this herb is used together with Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) to treat it.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It primarily treats coughing and rebellious Qi, emaciation and thinness due to overstrain, supplements deficiencies, benefits Qi, strengthens Yin and essence, nourishes the Five Zang organs, and eliminates heat.
*Riben Huazi Bencao* states: It brightens the eyes, warms the Water Organ (Kidney), treats wind patterns, directs Qi downward, and aids digestion. It treats cholera with muscle cramps, fixed masses (Pi), and cold Qi rushing up (Ben Tun). It reduces edema, treats regurgitation, and resolves Qi distension in the heart and abdomen. It stops thirst, eliminates vexation and heat, detoxifies alcohol, and strengthens sinews and bones. The skin of Five-Flavor Berry is sweet, the flesh is sour, the core is pungent and bitter, and all parts contain a salty taste, hence the name Five-Flavor Berry. Zhang Zhongjing uses this herb in the Eight-Ingredient Pill (Bawei Wan) as the basis for the Kidney Qi Pill (Shenqi Wan), employing the method of analogical imagery.
Sun Simiao states: Taking Five-Flavor Berry regularly in June benefits the Qi of Metal (Lung). Upper body benefits by moistening the source, lower body benefits by tonifying the Kidney; therefore, it enters the Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Shaoyin meridians.

(Kansui / Kansui Radix) Its thermal nature is severely cold, its tastes are bitter and sweet. Sweet, pure Yang. It is toxic.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It primarily treats large abdominal hernias and masses, abdominal fullness, edema of the face and eyes, retained fluid and undigested food. It breaks hardness, eliminates accumulations, and promotes the passage of water and grain (urine and stool). It drains the "Five Waters" (types of fluid retention), disperses retained heat in the Bladder, clears stagnation and heat in the skin, and reduces Qi-type swelling and fullness. Melon Tendril (Gua Di) serves as an assistant. It is incompatible with Polygala Root (Yuanzhi) and opposes Licorice Root (Gancao).
*Zhongyao Ye* (referencing specific commentary on liquid dynamics) states: It can unblock water flow, and its Qi penetrates directly to the site of accumulation.
*Yanyi* states: This herb specializes in promoting water metabolism and acts through forceful expulsion; it must be used with caution in prescriptions.
Zhang Yuansu (referenced as "Zhen") states: If water is knotted in the chest, only this herb can eliminate it.