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Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao, 连翘):
Qi is neutral, taste is bitter. Bitter, slightly cold; the qi and taste are both light, belonging to yin containing yang, non-toxic.
It is a herb for the Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Shaoyang, and Yangming meridians.
Xiang states: Treats chills and fever, scrofula (luoli, 瘰疬), various malignant sores and swellings, removes guest-heat from the heart, eliminates stomach parasites, and unblocks the five types of stranguria (wulin, 五淋).
Xin states: Drains guest-heat from the Heart meridian; it is essential in various formulas and is the sacred medicine for treating sores and ulcers.
Zhen states: For guest-heat in all meridians, this herb is indispensable for removal.
Bencao states: Primarily treats chills and fever, rat-fistula (shulou, 鼠瘘), scrofula, carbuncles and swellings, goiter and tumors, accumulated heat and gu-poison, and removes Taenia saginata (cunbai, 寸白虫).
Ye states: Enters the Hand and Foot Shaoyang meridians. It is effective in treating sores, ulcers, tumors, goiter onset, and tubercles. Its efficacy is comparable to Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), differing only in that one addresses Qi and the other Blood. When used with Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), it exerts special merit in treating sores and ulcers.

Forsythiae Radix (Lianyao, 连轺):
Qi is cold, taste is bitter.
The Benjing does not specify its notes, but ancient prescriptions by Zhang Zhongjing note that it is the root of Forsythiae Fructus. The dialect term "ao" refers to what is now known as stir-frying.

Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen, 人参):
Qi is warm, taste is sweet. Sweet with slight bitterness, slightly cold; the qi and taste are both light, belonging to yang. Yang containing slight yin, non-toxic.
Xiang states: Treats insufficiency of Spleen and Lung Yang, and can tonify the Lung. For symptoms of panting, shortness of breath, and insufficient qi, it tonifies and gently harmonizes the middle jiao, drains fire-pathogens from the Spleen, Lung, and Stomach, and is excellent for treating shortness of breath. Without Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) as a guiding herb, it cannot tonify the ascending Qi. A ratio of one part Shengma to three parts Renshen achieves harmony. To tonify the Yuan-Qi of the Lower Jiao and drain Kidney fire, Fuling (Poria) serves as an assistant herb.
Xin states: Tonifies Qi insufficiency and drains Lung fire; sweet-warm nature tonifies Yang and benefits Qi. Insufficient pulse indicates loss of blood, which Renshen tonifies. It tonifies the Spleen; when combined with Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), it tonifies Qi. Interior deficiency causes abdominal pain, which this herb tonifies, thereby addressing insufficiency.
Zhen states: Tonifies the Stomach; do not use for wheezing and coughing, but use for shortness of breath.
Bencao states: Primarily tonifies the Five Zang organs, calms the Spirit (Shen), stabilizes the Hun and Po, stops palpitations and fright, expels evil pathogens, brightens the eyes, opens the mind, and enhances intelligence. It treats cold in the intestines and stomach, drum-like pain in the heart and abdomen, fullness and rebellion in the chest and hypochondrium, cholera with vomiting and regurgitation, harmonizes the middle, stops thirst, unblocks the vessels, breaks up firm accumulations, and prevents forgetfulness.
Ye states: Since its taste is sweet and warm, harmonizing the middle and benefiting Qi constitutes tonifying Lung Yang and draining Lung Yin. If one merely states "tonify the Lung" without discussing whether the insufficiency lies in Yin or Yang, cold or heat, it is erroneous. If the Lung is affected by cold pathogens, this herb is suitable for tonification; if affected by fire pathogens, it should not be used. The Lung is the canopy of heaven, corresponding to the Hand-Taiyin meridian, a clear and descending organ that values coolness over heat, as its nature implies. If injured by heat pathogens, Shashen (Adenophorae Radix) is suitable. Shashen tastes bitter and sweet, slightly cold, and is non-toxic. It primarily treats blood stasis and frightful qi, removes chills and fever, tonifies the center and benefits Lung Qi, treats gastric obstruction and heart/abdominal pain, accumulated heat pathogens, headache, and pathogenic heat in the skin. It calms the Five Zang organs and tonifies the center. Renshen tonifies the Yang of the Five Zang organs, whereas Shashen, being bitter and slightly cold, tonifies their Yin. How can they be the same?
Yi Lao states: Using Shashen to replace Renshen is done because of its sweet taste.
Ge Hong states: Shashen primarily treats sudden onset of various hernias, where the lower abdomen and genitalia pull each other in pain like twisting, accompanied by spontaneous sweating and a sensation of impending death. Grind into fine powder. Mix with wine and take one fangcun bi (a square-inch measure); recovery is immediate.
Rihuazi states: Treats malignant sores, scabies, tinea, and body itching; promotes pus discharge, and reduces swelling and toxicity.
Haizang (Zhang Yuansu) states: Currently, Yi Lao uses Shashen to replace Renshen due to its sweetness. If slightly bitter, it tonifies Yin; if sweet, it tonifies Yang. Although it is said to tonify the Five Zang organs, one must still use herbs specific to each Zang organ as assistants and guides, assisting specific organs according to their guidance. This must be understood.