气微温，味辛、苦，阳中之阳。味浓，气轻，阳中之阴也。有小毒。
入足少阴经，入手太阴肺经药。
《象》云∶治咽喉痛，利肺气。去芦，米泔浸一宿，焙干用。
《珍》云∶阳中之阴，谓之“舟楫”，诸药有此一味，不能下沉。治鼻塞。
《心》云∶利咽嗌胸膈之气。以其色白，故属肺。辛、甘，微温，治寒呕，若咽中痛，
桔梗能散之也。
《本草》云∶主胸胁痛如刀刺，腹满，肠鸣幽幽，惊恐悸气。利五脏肠胃，补血气，除
寒热风痹，温中消谷，疗咽喉痛，下蛊毒。
易老云∶与国老并行，同为舟楫之剂。如将军苦泄峻下之药，欲引至胸中至高之分成功
，非此辛甘不居，譬如铁石入江，非舟楫不载，故用辛甘之剂以升之也。
《衍义》云∶治肺热气奔促，咳逆，肺痈排脓。
《本草》又云∶节皮为之使。得牡蛎、远志，疗恚怒；得硝石、石膏，疗伤寒。畏白芨
、龙眼、龙胆。
气平，味辛，辛温。
《象》云∶主风毒肿，利咽膈。吞一枚，可出痈疽疮头。
《珍》云∶润肺散气。
气微温，味苦、辛，阴中微阳。
手阳明经药。
《象》云∶主寒热邪气，风湿痹，下水，利小便。治黄病骨蒸。治口禁及肠风泻血。
去芦用。
《珍》云∶去手阳明经下牙痛，口疮毒，去本经风湿。
《本草》云∶菖蒲为之使。
[Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix)]
The nature is slightly warm; the flavors are pungent and bitter, representing Yang within Yang. The flavor is substantial while the qi is light, representing Yin within Yang. It has slight toxicity.
It enters the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Li Dongyuan (Xiang) states: It treats sore throat and benefits Lung Qi. Remove the rhizome node (Lu), soak in rice wash water overnight, then dry by baking before use.
Zhang Yuansu (Zhen) states: As a "keel and oar" agent (a metaphor for herbs that lift other medicines upward), when added to other formulas, it prevents them from sinking. It treats nasal congestion.
Wang Haogu (Xin) states: It benefits the Qi of the pharynx and chest-diaphragm. Because its color is white, it corresponds to the Lung. With pungent and sweet flavors and slightly warm nature, it treats cold vomiting; if there is pain in the throat, Jiegeng can disperse it.
Bencao states: It primarily treats stabbing pain in the chest and hypochondrium, abdominal fullness, quiet intestinal borborygmi, fright, palpitations, and erratic Qi. It benefits the five Zang organs and intestines/stomach, nourishes Blood and Qi, eliminates wind-cold-heat bi-syndrome, warms the middle to digest grains, treats sore throat, and expels gu-toxin.
Yi Lao (Zhang Yuansu's courtesy name) states: When used together with Guolao (Licorice Root), they act as keel-and-oar agents. For harsh purgative drugs like Jiangjun (Rhubarb) which drain downward via bitterness, if one wishes to guide them to the highest part of the chest to achieve efficacy, these pungent and sweet herbs are indispensable. Just as iron or stone cannot float in a river without a boat, so too are pungent and sweet agents used to ascend.
Yanyi states: It treats lung heat causing rapid breathing, coughing, and rebellious Qi, and promotes pus discharge in lung abscess.
Bencao further states: The skin of the nodes serves as an guiding herb. Combined with Muli (Oyster Shell) and Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), it treats resentment and anger; combined with Xiaoshi (Niter) and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), it treats Shanghan (Cold Damage). It is incompatible with Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma), Longyan (Longan Fruit), and Longdan (Gentianae Radix).
[Niuzi (Arctii Fructus / Burdock Fruit)]
The nature is neutral; the flavor is pungent, specifically pungent-warm.
Li Dongyuan (Xiang) states: It primarily treats wind-toxin swelling and benefits the pharynx and diaphragm. Swallowing one fruit can help bring out the head of carbuncles and ulcers.
Zhang Yuansu (Zhen) states: It moistens the Lung and disperses Qi.
[Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix)]
The nature is slightly warm; the flavors are bitter and pungent, representing slight Yang within Yin.
It enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.
Li Dongyuan (Xiang) states: It primarily treats pathogenic factors of cold and heat, wind-damp bi-syndrome, promotes urination, and benefits urination. It treats jaundice and bone-steaming consumption. It treats trismus (lockjaw) and blood in stool due to wind in the intestines. Remove the rhizome node before use.
Zhang Yuansu (Zhen) states: It treats lower toothache due to Hand-Yangming meridian involvement, mouth ulcer toxins, and removes wind-damp from this meridian.
Bencao states: Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) serves as a guiding herb.