陈皮，味辛苦性温无毒。可升可降，阳中之阴也。其用有二∶留白补胃和中；去白消痰
泄气。
青皮，味苦性寒无毒。沉也，阴也。其用有四∶破滞气愈低而愈效；削坚积愈下而愈良；
引诸药至厥阴之分；下饮食入太阴之仓。
使 去瓤麸炒令熟用
枳壳，味酸苦性微寒无毒。沉也，阴也。其用有四∶消心下痞塞之痰；泄腹中滞塞之气；
推胃中隔宿之食；削腹内连年之积。
臣 凡用先去囊陈久者佳
枳实，味苦酸性微寒无毒。沉也，阴也。其用有四∶消胸中之虚痞；逐心下之停水；化
日久之稠痰；削年深之坚积。
臣 畏白及龙眼龙胆
桔梗，味苦性微寒。有小寒，升也，阴中之阳也。其用有四∶止咽痛，兼除鼻塞；利膈
气，仍治肺痛；一为诸药之舟楫；一为肺部之引经。
君 勿犯铁器行经上颈酒炒用
知母，味苦性寒无毒。沉也，阴中之阴也。其用有四∶泻无根之肾火；疗有汗之骨蒸；
止虚劳之阳盛∶滋化源之阴生。
臣 恶 茹畏青葙子
本，味苦辛性微温无毒。升也，阴中之阳也。其用有二∶大寒气客于巨阳之经；苦头
痛流于巅顶之上，非此味不除。
生地黄，味甘苦性寒无毒。沉也，阴也。其用有四∶凉心火之血热；泻脾土之湿热；止
鼻中之衄热；除五心之烦热。
君 恶贝母畏芜荑忌铁器犯之令人肾消亦忌食莱菔令人发白
熟地黄，味甘苦性温无毒。沉也，阴也。其用有四∶活血气，封填骨髓；滋肾水，补益
真阴；伤寒后腰骨最痛；新产后脐腹难禁。
Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), with pungent and bitter flavors and warm nature, is non-toxic. It can ascend and descend, belonging to Yin within Yang. Its applications are twofold: retaining the white pith tonifies the Stomach and harmonizes the middle Jiao; removing the white pith resolves phlegm and drains Qi.
Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), with a bitter flavor and cold nature, is non-toxic. It sinks and belongs to Yin. Its applications are fourfold: breaking stagnant Qi, the lower the location, the more effective it is; cutting through hard accumulations, the lower the position, the better the efficacy; guiding other herbs to the distribution of the Jueyin channel; causing food and drink to enter the storehouse of the Taiyin spleen.
Shi Yao (Envoy Herb): Remove the pith, stir-fry with wheat bran until cooked, then use.
Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), with sour and bitter flavors and slightly cold nature, is non-toxic. It sinks and belongs to Yin. Its applications are fourfold: resolving phlegm causing epigastric fullness; draining stagnant Qi in the abdomen; pushing out overnight retained food in the Stomach; cutting through chronic accumulations in the abdomen.
Chen Yao (Minister Herb): When used, remove the albedo first; aged material is superior.
Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), with bitter and sour flavors and slightly cold nature, is non-toxic. It sinks and belongs to Yin. Its applications are fourfold: resolving empty fullness in the chest; driving away retained water under the heart; transforming thick phlegm formed over many days; cutting through hard accumulations lasting for years.
Chen Yao (Minister Herb): Feared by Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma), Longyanrou (Longan Arillus), and Longdancao (Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma).
Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), with a bitter flavor and slightly cold nature, possesses slight cold properties. It ascends and belongs to Yang within Yin. Its applications are fourfold: stopping sore throat and relieving nasal congestion; benefiting diaphragmatic Qi and treating lung abscess; serving as a boat and oar for various herbs; acting as a guiding herb for the Lung organ.
Jun Yao (Sovereign Herb): Do not contact iron vessels; when treating upper body meridians, stir-fry with wine before use.
Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), with a bitter flavor and cold nature, is non-toxic. It sinks and belongs to Yin within Yin. Its applications are fourfold: draining rootless Kidney fire; treating bone-steaming with sweating; stopping excessive Yang in deficiency-wasting disorders; nourishing the source of transformation to generate Yin.
Chen Yao (Minister Herb): Disliked by Baitu (Podophylli Peltati Radix et Rhizoma), feared by Qingxiangzi (Celosiae Semen).
Gaoben (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), with bitter and pungent flavors and slightly warm nature, is non-toxic. It ascends and belongs to Yang within Yin. Its applications are twofold: when severe cold pathogens lodge in the Juyang (Taiyang) channel; when headache flows to the vertex, this herb is indispensable for removal.
Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), with sweet and bitter flavors and cold nature, is non-toxic. It sinks and belongs to Yin. Its applications are fourfold: cooling blood-heat in the Heart; draining damp-heat in Spleen Earth; stopping epistaxis due to heat; eliminating vexatious heat in the five centers (palms, soles, and chest).
Jun Yao (Sovereign Herb): Disliked by Mubei (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus), feared by Wuyi (Myristicae Semen); avoid iron vessels, as contact causes Kidney consumption; also avoid eating Laifu (Raphani Semen), which causes hair whitening.
Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), with sweet and bitter flavors and warm nature, is non-toxic. It sinks and belongs to Yin. Its applications are fourfold: invigorating blood Qi and sealing/filling marrow; nourishing Kidney Water and supplementing True Yin; treating severe pain in the lumbar bones after Shanghan (Cold Damage); managing unbearable pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions postpartum.