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[Shanzhuyu / Cornus Officinalis Fruit]
Qi is neutral and slightly warm; taste is sour. Non-toxic.
Enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.
Bencao states: It mainly warms the middle, expels cold-damp bi obstruction, strengthens Yin and benefits essence, unblocks the nine orifices, and stops urinary frequency. Enters the Foot Shaoyin and Jueyin meridians.
Shengji Jing states: Slippage leads to Qi depletion; astringent agents are used to consolidate it. The astringency of Shanzhuyu is used to restrain its slippage. Zhang Zhongjing uses it as the sovereign drug in Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill), so how can one say that an astringent agent unblocks the nine orifices?
Leigong Paozhi Lun states: When used, remove the core. From one jin (approx. 500g) of fruit, only four liang (approx. 200g) of flesh is obtained. Simmer over slow fire for use. It can strengthen Yuan Qi and secure essence. The core causes seminal emission, hence it is removed.
Zhenzhu Nang states: Warms the Liver.
Shennong Benjing states: Stops urinary frequency because of its sour taste. Observing that it is used as the sovereign drug in Bawei Wan, its nature and taste can be known.
Yaoxing Lun also states: Tonifies the Kidney and adds essence.
Rimazi Bencao also states: Warms the waist and knees, assists the Water Organ (Kidney).

[Yizhiren / Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit]
Qi is hot; taste is greatly pungent. Pungent and warm. Non-toxic. Primarily acts on Ministerial Fire and Sovereign Fire.
Enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (Note: Text says "Hand and Foot Taiyin", literal translation applied), and Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. It is originally a Spleen Meridian drug.
Li Dongyuan (Xiang) states: Treats cold pathogen invading the Spleen and Stomach, harmonizes the middle and benefits Qi, treats excessive salivation. It should be used concurrently within tonifying formulas, but not taken in large amounts. Remove the peel before use.
Bencao states: Mainly treats seminal emission, deficiency leakage, dribbling urine, benefits Qi and calms the Spirit. Tonifies insufficiency, stabilizes the Triple Burner, regulates various Qi movements. For those with frequent urination at night, take twenty-four fruits, crush them, decoct with salt, and ingest; there is miraculous efficacy.
Ye states: Mainly treats Ministerial Fire and Sovereign Fire, enters Hand Taiyin, Hand Yangming, and Foot Shaoyin meridians; it is originally a Spleen drug. In Jixiang Wan, it enters the Lung; in Sizijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), it enters the Spleen; in Dafengsui Dan, it enters the Kidney. The Spleen, Lung, and Kidney have mutual mother-child relationships.

[Houpo / Magnolia Officinalis Bark]
Qi is warm; taste is pungent, Yin within Yang. Bitter and pungent, non-toxic.
Li Dongyuan (Xiang) states: Can treat abdominal distension. If deficient, even with abdominal distension, use with caution. Cold-type distension is treated by concurrent use with major heat drugs. For condensation patterns, scatter them; this is a divine drug. Misuse will deplete Yuan Qi; strictly prohibited. Purple ones are best. Remove peel, process with ginger juice, and stir-fry lightly.
Zhang Yuansu (Zhen) states: Removes abdominal distension, thickens the intestines and stomach.
Zhang Yuansu (Xin) states: Taste is dense, belonging to Yin. Specifically removes abdominal fullness, eliminates evil Qi.
Bencao states: Mainly treats wind-stroke, headache and chills/fever from cold damage, palpitations, Bi obstruction of Qi and Blood, necrotic muscle. Eliminates three types of parasites, warms the middle and benefits Qi, resolves phlegm and directs Qi downward, treats cholera and abdominal pain/distension, cold rebellious Qi in the Stomach, incessant vomiting in the chest, diarrhea/dysentery, strangury/dribbling; dispels fright, removes lingering heat, irritability and fullness, thickens the intestines and stomach.
Shennong Benjing states: Treats headache from wind-stroke and cold damage, warms the middle and benefits Qi, resolves phlegm and directs Qi downward, thickens the intestines and stomach, removes abdominal distension. Does it indeed drain Qi? Or does it indeed benefit Qi? If used with Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Dahuang (Rhubarb), it can drain excess fullness; this corresponds to Benjing's statement about resolving phlegm and directing Qi downward. If used with Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) and Cangzhu (Atractylodes), it can dampen excess fullness; this corresponds to Benjing's statement about warming the middle and benefiting Qi. Used with exterior-resolving drugs, it treats cold damage headache; used with dysentery-treating drugs, it thickens the intestines and stomach. Generally, bitter-warm nature: using bitterness drains, using warmth tonifies.
Kong Zongshi (Yanyi) states: Used in Pingwei San (Regularize the Stomach Powder), it best harmonizes the middle, and remains popular today. It can both warm the Spleen and Stomach and disperse cold Qi.
Wang Haogu (Haicang) states: Modifications follow the syndrome, such as the treatment effect being similar to Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder).
Bencao further states: Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) serves as the guide drug. It is incompatible with Zexie (Alisma), Hanshuishi (Halloysitum Rubrum), and Xiaoshi (Niter).