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Fuling (Polyporus), sweet, bland, and neutral in nature, warm and non-toxic. It descends and belongs to yin within yang. Its functions are twofold: it comprehensively addresses dampness-induced edema; and promotes urination, with its flavor and action being long-lasting.

[Unspecified Herb], minister herb, incompatible with Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma). Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), pungent when raw, bitter when processed. It can ascend and descend, belonging to yang. Its functions are twofold: when raw, it expels cold pathogens and releases the exterior; when processed, it eliminates stomach cold and warms the middle jiao.

Guanzhong (Cyathulae Officinalis Radix? No, *Juglandis Semen* is different. Guanzhong is *Osmundae Japonicae Rhizoma*), serving as an envoy herb, incompatible with Fangkui (Arisaematis Cum Bile) and Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix). Caolongdan (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), bitter and cold, non-toxic. It sinks and belongs to yin. Its functions are twofold: it clears pathogenic heat from the liver channel; and eliminates dampness and swelling in the lower jiao.

Sumu (Sappan Lignum), sweet, salty, and neutral, cold and non-toxic. It can ascend and descend, belonging to yin. Its functions are twofold: it breaks up stagnant blood in sores and ulcers, without which there would be no merit; and eliminates residual blood after childbirth, yielding immediate results when used.

[Unspecified Herb], incompatible with Shetui (Bombyx Batryticatus) and Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix). When used, it must be stir-fried to remove fibers. Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), pungent, sweet, and neutral, warm and non-toxic. It descends and belongs to yang. Its functions are twofold: it strengthens willpower and bones/tendons; and nourishes the kidneys to relieve lower back pain. Processed with butter and stir-fried to remove fibers, its efficacy is miraculous.

[Unspecified Herb], sovereign herb, incompatible with Zengqing (Azurite), requires peeling and removing the heart when used, and avoids carp. Tiandong (Asparagi Radix), bitter, neutral, and very cold, non-toxic. It descends and belongs to yin. Its functions are twofold: it protects lung qi from heat disturbance; and stabilizes panting, bringing sudden peace and health.

[Unspecified Herb], sovereign herb, incompatible with Kuandonghua (Farfarae Flos) and Kugua (Momordicae Fructus), incompatible with Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix). When used, the heart must be removed to prevent irritability. Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), sweet, neutral, and cold, non-toxic. It descends and belongs to yin within yang. Its functions are fourfold: it retreats hidden fire in the lungs; generates insufficient metal (lung qi/yin) in the lungs; stops irritability by nourishing yin; and tonifies deficiency-wasting, preventing heat invasion.

Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), sweet, neutral, and cold, non-toxic. It descends and belongs to yin within yang. Its functions are twofold: it drains accumulated fire in the small intestine that does not dissipate; and promotes urination for heat-closure obstruction. To drain small intestine fire, no other herb compares; to promote urination for closure, it shares the same efficacy as Hupo (Amber).

Remove the woody core and use only the root bark. Digupi (Lycii Cortex), bitter, neutral, and cold, non-toxic. It ascends and belongs to yin. Its functions are twofold: it treats wandering wind pathogens on the exterior; and governs bone-steaming fever with sweating associated with consumption diseases (transmission corpse).