君 羌活气雄独活气细
羌活，味甘苦平，性微温无毒。升也，阴中之阳也。其用有四∶散肌表八风之邪；利周
身八节之痛；排阴阳肉腐之疽；除新旧风湿之证。乃手足太阳表里引经药也。
形细而黑极坚者佳形大者味薄不堪用
升麻，味苦平，性微寒无毒。升也，阴中之阳也。其用有四∶引葱白散手阳明之风邪；
引石膏止足阳明之齿痛；引诸药游行四经，升阳气于阴之下。因名之曰升麻。
半夏为之使恶石英畏女菀藜芦。
柴胡，味苦平，性微寒无毒。升也，阴中之阳也。其用有四∶左右两旁胁下痛；日晡潮
热往来生；在脏调经内主血；在肌主气上行经。手足少阳表里四经之药也。
臣 当归为之使恶旋复花
白芷，味辛，性温无毒。升也，阳也。其用有四∶去头面皮肤之风；除皮肤燥痒之痹；
止足阳明头痛之邪；为手太阴引经之剂。
臣 恶干姜藜芦白蔹芫花制附子毒
防风，味甘辛，性温无毒。升也，阳也。其用有二∶以气味能泻肺金；以体用通疗诸风
臣 畏菖蒲海藻恶热麸
当归味甘辛，性温无毒。可升可降，阳也。其用有四∶头止血而上行；身养血而中守；
梢破血而下流；全活血而不走。
蠡实为之使
独活，味苦甘平，性微温无毒。升也，阴中之阳也。其用有二∶诸风掉眩，颈项难伸；
风寒湿痹，两足不用。乃为足少阴之引经。
[Emperor Herbs] Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) has a vigorous aroma, while Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) has a subtle aroma.
Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), sweet and bitter in taste, neutral in nature, slightly warm in property, non-toxic. It has an ascending and dispersing action, belonging to Yang within Yin. Its functions are fourfold: it disperses pathogenic factors of the Eight Winds invading the muscle layer; it relieves pain in the eight joints of the body; it expels carbuncles and sores caused by rotting flesh due to yin-yang disharmony; it eliminates conditions of wind-dampness, whether new or old. It is the guiding herb for the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridians of the hand and foot, both exterior and interior.
Those that are slender, black, and extremely hard are superior; those that are large have a weaker flavor and are unsuitable for use.
Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), bitter in taste, neutral in nature, slightly cold in property, non-toxic. It has an ascending and dispersing action, belonging to Yang within Yin. Its functions are fourfold: it guides Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) to disperse wind pathogens in the Hand-Yangming meridian; it guides Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) to stop toothache in the Foot-Yangming meridian; it guides other herbs to circulate through the four meridians, raising Yang Qi from below the Yin level. Hence it is named Shengma (Ascending Hemp).
Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) serves as its assistant herb; it is incompatible with Yingshi (Quartz); it is adverse to Nüwan (Radix Bupleuri) and Lilu (Veratri Rhizoma).
Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), bitter in taste, neutral in nature, slightly cold in property, non-toxic. It has an ascending and dispersing action, belonging to Yang within Yin. Its functions are fourfold: it treats pain in the hypochondriac region on both sides of the body; it treats alternating chills and fever occurring like tidal waves at dusk; within the zang organs, it regulates menstruation and primarily governs blood; in the muscle layer, it primarily governs qi and directs it upward. It is a herb for the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) meridians of the hand and foot, covering both exterior and interior aspects.
[Minister Herbs] Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) serves as its assistant herb; it is incompatible with Xuanfuhua (Inulae Flos).
Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), pungent in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. It has an ascending and dispersing action, belonging to Yang. Its functions are fourfold: it removes wind pathogens from the skin of the head and face; it eliminates bi-syndrome characterized by dry and itchy skin; it stops pathogenic factors causing headache in the Foot-Yangming meridian; it acts as a guiding agent for the Hand-Taiyin lung meridian.
[Minister Herbs] It is incompatible with Jiangjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Lilu (Veratri Rhizoma), Bailian (Liriopes Tuber), and Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos); it can counteract the toxicity of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata).
Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), sweet and pungent in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. It has an ascending and dispersing action, belonging to Yang. Its functions are twofold: based on its aroma and flavor, it can drain Lung Metal; based on its form and function, it treats various wind diseases comprehensively.
[Minister Herbs] It fears Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) and Haizao (Sargassum); it is incompatible with Re Fu (Hot Bran).
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), sweet and pungent in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. It can ascend and descend, belonging to Yang. Its functions are fourfold: the root tip stops bleeding and moves upward; the main body nourishes blood and stays central; the tail breaks blood stasis and flows downward; the whole root invigorates blood without wandering aimlessly.
Lishi (Perillae Fructus) serves as its assistant herb.
Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), bitter and sweet in taste, neutral in nature, slightly warm in property, non-toxic. It has an ascending and dispersing action, belonging to Yang within Yin. Its functions are twofold: it treats vertigo and dizziness caused by various wind pathogens, and stiffness making neck extension difficult; it treats bi-syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness, and inability to use the legs. It is the guiding herb for the Foot-Shaoyin kidney meridian.