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Xingren (Apricot Seed), bitter and sweet in flavor, warm in nature, toxic. It can ascend and descend, belonging to yang within yin. Its applications are twofold: it relieves rebellious qi in the chest causing wheezing and shortness of breath; and moistens the large intestine to resolve constipation due to qi obstruction.

Badou (Croton Seed), pungent in flavor, hot in nature, highly toxic. It floats, belonging to yang within yang. Its applications are twofold: it breaks down hard accumulations and sweeps away deep cold in the zang-fu organs; it opens blockages and facilitates the passage of water and grain, acting as a general who breaches gates and seizes passes. It should not be used lightly.

Heifuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), pungent in flavor, hot in nature, highly toxic. It floats, belonging to yang within yang. Its nature is floating and not sinking; its action is moving and ceaseless. It eliminates deep cold in the six fu organs and stabilizes jue-ni (reversal cold) of the three yang meridians.

Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), its aroma, flavor, and therapeutic indications are the same as Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma). Its ability to tonify the middle and drain dampness is inferior to Baizhu, but its merit in broadening the middle and inducing sweating exceeds that of Baizhu.

Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), bitter and pungent in flavor, neutral in nature, slightly warm, non-toxic. It can ascend and descend, belonging to yang within yin. Its applications are twofold: it dispels wind-dampness from the four limbs with miraculous effect; and treats generalized bone abscesses with golden efficacy.

Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), salty and pungent in flavor, neutral in nature, slightly warm, non-toxic. It ascends, belonging to yang within yin. Its applications are twofold: it removes wind-induced sensations like insect crawling on the skin; and treats facial eruptions resembling lacquer spots.

Baidoukou (Cardamomi Fructus), pungent in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. It ascends, belonging to yang. Its applications are fourfold: it breaks qi stagnation in the lungs; eliminates bad breath from the mouth; disperses cold qi in the chest; and tonifies the primordial qi of the upper jiao.

Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix), bitter, sweet, and sour in flavor, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. It sinks, belonging to yin. Its applications are twofold: it treats bloody dysentery caused by accumulated heat in the lower part; and stops menstrual bleeding due to insecurity of the lower jiao.

Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), bitter in flavor, neutral in nature, slightly cold, non-toxic. It ascends, belonging to yin. Its applications are twofold: it drains guest-heat from various meridians; and dissipates swelling and sores/ulcers.

Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, slightly warm, non-toxic. It descends, belonging to yang. Its applications are fourfold: it protects the lung and benefits the qi of metal; stops coughing and clears pus from coughs; tonifies deficiency and calms the fetus; and treats wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome) while strengthening bone power.