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Nature is cold, taste is bitter. Slightly toxic. Divided into two types: black and white.

Bencao (Materia Medica) states: It governs descending Qi, treats fullness and edema of the feet, eliminates wind-toxicity, and promotes urination.

Haicang (Zhang Yuansu) said: When guided by Qi-regulating herbs, it enters the Qi level; when guided by Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), it enters the Blood level.

Zhang Wenyi said: One must not indulge in its use, as it will deplete the body's Yuan Qi (Original Qi). I initially also suspected that this herb should not be indulged in. Later, I observed people who, due to alcohol consumption, rich food intake, or suffering from Pi syndrome (abdominal masses), took large amounts of medicinal foods to guide their Qi, and consumed Cangyong Shenxiong Wan (Shenxiong Pill of Cangyong) or pills containing Qianni (Semen Kochiae). At first, they felt relieved; after the medicinal effect wore off, upon eating again, the Pi syndrome remained unchanged. Following the previous method to take it again, the Pi syndrome responded temporarily to the medicine, but after the effect wore off, the disease returned. Eventually, long-term use depleted the person's Yuan Qi without them realizing their mistake. This must be warned against! One should only tonify the Spleen and strengthen the Stomach, allowing Yuan Qi to generate, so that one can naturally digest and transform water and grain. There is no method superior to this.

Xin (referring to Li Dongyuan's work) stated: It drains Yuan Qi and removes damp-heat from the Qi level. Any condition caused by improper diet or fatigue involves pathology in the Blood. If this herb is used to drain it, it means draining Qi while the disease is in the Blood, causing both Qi and Blood to become deficient. Although the pathogenic factor is removed, it drains Yuan Qi and harms the person, a fact unknown to many. The Classics say: Do not reinforce excess; do not further weaken deficiency; do not cut short people's longevity. This refers to such cases. Users must beware. Bai Qian Niu (White Semen Kochiae) has similar effects.

Luo Qianfu said: Qianni is an herb that drains Qi. Try tasting it, and you will find a pungent flavor; chewing it for a long time reveals a fierce and vigorous nature, unceasingly intense. How could it not be Pungent? The continuation note says: Its taste is Bitter and Cold, where is that then? It also says: Qianni is generated by the transformation of Southern Fire-Heat. To say it clears Heat from Blood and drains Qi is a significant error. If the disease involves excessive Dampness, and Dampness cannot be transformed and distributed, leading to obstruction of urination and defecation, then it is appropriate to use it. Once Dampness is removed, Qi circulates freely. This is what is meant by "when the Five Zang organs have pathogens, they mutually regulate each other." The Classics say: If one Zang organ is imbalanced, use the element that overcomes it to balance it. Fire can overcome Metal, and draining Lung Qi is exactly this principle. However, Zhang Zhongjing, in treating seven types of Dampness syndromes with difficulty in urination, did not include any formula containing Qianni. Did Zhang Zhongjing not know that Qianni can drain Dampness and promote urination? It is because the root of Damp diseases lies in the Lower Jiao, which is a Qi disorder within the Blood level. Therefore, one should not use Pungent Qi-draining herbs to drain the Qi of the Upper Jiao Taiyin (Lung). If Zhang Zhongjing did not lightly use it, how can modern physicians use it indiscriminately? He also said: Qianni is Pungent and acrid, draining the person's Yuan Qi more severely than other Pungent herbs, due to its fierce and vigorous Pungency.