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**Ginseng (Renshen):** If the exterior is affected by wind pathogenic factors and the primordial Qi has not yet been depleted, it should be used with caution.
Ginseng greatly tonifies the primordial Qi; its nature is harmonious, pure, and beautiful, neither biased nor extreme. Therefore, whether tonifying Yin or Yang, it can warm and clear, ascend and descend. However, if the Triple Burner (San Jiao) is already obstructed, using Ginseng would constitute a "double excess" error (treating an excess condition with tonification, thereby strengthening the pathogen). Regarding consumptive disease (Xu Lao), whether involving syndromes of Qi and Blood, Yin and Yang, Water and Fire, Cold and Heat, Upper and Lower, as well as Fire, Phlegm, Dryness, Dampness, Stagnation, Distension, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Vertigo/Fainting, Irritability/Thirst, and conditions during pregnancy, postpartum, after smallpox/measles, chronic illness, and convalescence, whenever the character "deficiency" (Xu) is involved, previous authorities have elaborated extensively without disagreement. Yet mediocre physicians, failing to investigate, adhere blindly to Zhu Danxi's one-sided view that Ginseng tonifies Yang and Glehnia (Shashen) tonifies Yin. Since tonifying Yang aids Fire, some even claim that patients with consumptive disease taking Ginseng will become incurable. This causes the world to fear Ginseng as if it were arsenic or poison, daring not to try it. Is this not a grave error!

**Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai) & Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhimu):** Contraindicated.
*Danxi Xinfa* states: "In deficiency damage with hemoptysis, bitter-cold herbs should not be used abruptly, lest they cause agitation; only Qiongyu Gao (Jade Jade Paste) is suitable." Why use them in contradiction? Later scholars followed this, and for any consumptive cough, hemoptysis, or deficiency fire/heat, they assumed Zhi Mu and Huang Bai could clear fire and nourish Yin. They fail to realize that the fire in consumptive disease is deficiency fire, ministerial fire, and yin fire. As Danxi said: "Deficiency fire can be treated with tonification," such as with Ginseng and Astragalus. Ministerial fire resides between the Liver and Kidney, entering and exiting the Gallbladder channel, obeying the Heart Monarch (Heart Fire). If Heart Fire is bright, ministerial fire lies dormant; if Heart Fire is dim, ministerial fire blazes to the sky, disturbing the clear orifices, causing deafness, dry nose, tongue pain, bitter taste, dizziness, tremors, itching at Tian Tu (CV22), lung expansion, and frequent coughing. At this time, only clearing Qi and nourishing Ying (Blood) can moisten the heart center (Fang Cun Ling Tai) to calm the vexatious flames in the Chest Center (Dan Zhong), so that the ministerial fire of the Gallbladder and Liver extinguishes itself without being suppressed. Yin fire is Dragon-Lei fire, rising from the depths; when covered by cold water and yin shadows, its flame rises higher; but when exposed to the sun, it naturally dissipates. These three fires do not seek descending fire or nourishing Yin, so why use Zhi Mu and Huang Bai to harm the body? Moreover, Huang Bai injures the Stomach, and Zhi Mu slides the Spleen. Injury to the Stomach leads to poor appetite; sliding of the Spleen leads to uncontrolled diarrhea. The Spleen and Stomach are the root of human life. The Classics say: "Those who obtain grain prosper; those who lose grain perish." It also says: "When Yang essence ascends, one lives long; when Yin essence descends, one dies young." Now, using bitter-cold to injure the Stomach is indeed leading to perishing; using cold and slippery agents to damage the Spleen is indeed leading to early death. Those who use these drugs intend to nourish Yin, but do not know that bitter-cold descending agents often deplete Yin, making fire easier to blaze; they intend to clear Lung Metal, but do not know that once the Central Earth collapses, the source of Metal is cut off, Lung Metal becomes thin, and Kidney Water declines further. I know that users of these drugs see no benefit, only harm. Often seeing consumptive patients...

**Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong) & Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi):** Use cautiously in early stages.
The method for treating the Lung involves Clearing, Tonifying, and Astringing. Thus, Maidong clears, Renshen tonifies, and Wuweizi astrings. For diseases of Lung weakness, these three are indispensable. However, in early disease, where pathogens need to be dispersed, one cannot abruptly add astringent and tonifying herbs; this follows the sequence of treatment. If one does not distinguish between early and late disease, or abruptly uses clearing, tonifying, or astringing methods, the Lung will become full and急促 (急促 implies急促/shortness of breath), pathogens will stagnate, and persist for a long time. This is not the fault of the herbs, but of improper usage timing. After dispersion, when pathogens are cleared and Yuan Qi is scattered, one must urgently use astringing and clearing-tonifying methods primarily. Besides these three herbs, what else can one seek? Furthermore, Wuweizi not only astrings but also strengthens the Heart and Kidney, making it essential for consumptive disease. Those who use it improperly blame its sourness for attracting phlegm and causing cough, fearing and discarding it. They do not realize that when the condition reaches the stage of latent fire attacking Metal and Lung Qi dissipating, apart from this herb, what else can be used to astringe?

**Alisma Rhizome (Zexie):** Suitable for use.
Lung Metal is the source of Qi transformation. When latent fire steams and burns, the water passages become turbid. Turbidity prevents Metal Qi from flowing, worsening the Lung disease. Also, stagnant water does not flow, affecting the Middle Earth... [Text gap]. Have people investigated its name? "Ze" means to moisten insufficient water; "Xie" means to drain excessive fire. Because it drains, it allows Sheng Di, Bai Shao, E Jiao, Renshen, and other tonics to have a guide, preventing stagnation from tonification. Because it moistens, although it travels through turbid pathways, it does not travel through clear pathways, unlike Zhu Ling, Tong Cao, Fu Pi, etc., which destroy Yin and Qi and go straight without remainder. Know that once Zexie is used, it is suitable for the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney, hence its merit is compared to Yu the Great taming the waters. Ancient formulas like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan use it; *Yisheng Weilun* details four functions. Mediocre physicians, failing to investigate, view it as damaging Yin and harming the Kidney, leaving it unused. How absurd!

**Mulberry Root Bark (Sangbaipi):** Suitable for use.
Sang Bai Pi is clear and sweet. Clearing can drain excess Liver Fire; sweetness can tonify deficient Lung Qi. Its nature is moist yet drying, regulating the Triple Burner... [Text gap], most contraindicated in wheezing and edema. Lung Qi rebellion forced by fire, high and not descending, causes wheezing; Earth weakness bullied by water, sinking and losing embankments, causes edema. Wheezing is Heaven not descending to Earth; Edema is Earth not ascending to Heaven. Upper wheezing and lower edema are signs of Heaven collapsing and Earth sinking. Only Sang Bai Pi can regulate this. Because it descends Qi, it clears Upper Jiao fire; because it breaks water, it stabilizes Earth virtue below. Why did predecessors not investigate, thinking its nature impure and advising against it? Do not all things have pure natures? Only Mulberry and Lotus are purely pure. How can Sang Bai Pi be impure? Is this logical?

**Platycodon Root (Jiegeng):** Suitable for use.
The Lung is like a canopy, residing at the highest point, overseeing the five Zang organs, issuing commands of governance. Disease occurs when governance lacks power, leading to Qi rebellion and Fire rising... [Text gap]. Extremely clear, thus it clears Metal; ascending and floating, thus it carries sunken Qi; slightly bitter, thus it descends Fire. It is truly the sovereign agent for governing the Lung, not just a guiding messenger. This herb ascends while descending; because it clears Metal well, clear Metal naturally issues descending commands. It clears while tonifying; because it protects the Lung well, a solid Lung naturally becomes the master of Qi and Blood. Its texture is neither dry nor stagnant, lacking bias, possessing perfect merit. Long-term use clears fire, eliminates phlegm, opens the chest, calms Qi, generates Yin, benefits Yang. Merits cannot be fully described. Doctors often fear its lifting and dispersing nature,不敢 (dare not) use it lightly or heavily in tonifying formulas, burying its goodness and covering its merit. Pity!

**Moutan Cortex (Danpi) & Lycium Bark (Digupi/Goubupi):** Suitable for use.
Huang Bai and Zhi Mu, being stomach-reversing and spleen-damaging, should indeed be discarded. But when ministerial fire melts stone and flows metal, how to handle this? [Text gap]. Clearing fire and removing steaming, additionally nourishing the Lung. Digupi is the root of Gouqi (Goji). Gouqi is a key herb for tonifying the Kidney, but because it ascends and fills the upper, it only warms marrow and assists Yang. In early consumptive disease, when ministerial fire is blazing, it dare not be used abruptly. Its root lies hidden below; because it is below, it nourishes True Water of the Kidney; because it is bark, it soothes scorched Lung leaves, cools blood, clears bone, promotes urination, and removes steaming. Its merit surpasses Danpi. Its taste is not bitter, so it doesn't reverse the stomach; its texture is not slippery, so it doesn't slide the spleen. Properly applied, it has the merit of Zhi Mu and Huang Bai without their harm, making it an excellent product.

**Rehmannia Root (Shengdi):** Suitable for use; use cautiously in early disease.
People consider Sheng Di a phlegm-stagnating substance and dare not use it lightly, not knowing phlegm varies by syndrome. In miscellaneous diseases, phlegm treatment focuses on drying dampness and strengthening the Spleen... [Text gap]. Suppressing Lung Metal, preventing clear descent, essences fail to circulate, stagnating into phlegm and cough. Treatment should clear the Lung, so pathogens descend; nourish blood, so fire calms. Thus, in my Lung-clearing formulas, I always combine Ying-nourishing as primary. Ying is Blood. Yin is Water, having the virtue of moistening downward. Clearing Metal without nourishing Ying is like blowing wind to extinguish fire; the wind reverses, flames grow. Clearing Metal and nourishing Ying is drawing water to control fire, moistening everywhere, smoke ceases forever. So Jie Geng, Sang Bai Pi, Bei Mu are Lung-clearing herbs. Sheng Di, Dan Pi, Dang Gui are Ying-nourishing herbs. Among Ying-nourishing herbs, Sheng Di is first. Using Sheng Di for miscellaneous disease phlegm blocks phlegm paths, stagnates phlegm-transforming Qi, and its tonifying strength aids phlegm formation. But in consumptive formulas, the Lung likes its moisture, Heart likes its clarity, Kidney likes its nourishment, Liver likes its harmony, Spleen likes its mild sweetness, without being cold or slippery. Thus, in labor cough, bone-steaming, internal heat, hemoptysis formulas, omitting Sheng Di is impossible. Only in early labor cough, when external pathogens are not cleared and phlegm-cough is severe, temporarily avoid Sheng Di to prevent stagnation. Once exterior symptoms are removed and internal heat steams, without Sheng Di's clearing-moistening to nourish the source of transformation, vitality will be exhausted. If fearing its stagnation...

**Poria (Fuling):** Suitable for use.
Some say Fuling is good at leaching, so those with deficient Lower Origin should avoid it. This is incorrect. Fuling is formed from the essence of ancient pine, buried longest, obtaining the strongest Qi. Its texture is heavy, its Qi is clear, its taste is bland. Heaviness strengthens Earth; clarity benefits Metal; blandness promotes water drainage. Because it obtains strong Earth Qi, it can tonify the three regions. Deficiency heat, deficiency fire, dampness generating phlegm—all involving deficiency are suitable, because its nature is neutral, pure, and beautiful, unlike other rapid and attacking drugs. Metal Qi clearing and descending naturally opens the source of water; Earth Qi balancing naturally benefits the mother of Qi. With three Zang regulated, Water and Fire cannot dominate, so all five Zang are balanced in one move. It serves as an assistant to Yin herbs to remove stagnation; as a guide for Yang herbs to open pathways. Tonifying without stagnation, draining without harshness, a pure product, nothing surpasses it.

**Astragalus Root (Huangqi):** Suitable for use.
I once explained the meaning of Jian Zhong (Establishing the Middle): The body has Heart above, Kidney below, Lung right, Liver left, only Spleen-Stomach reside uniquely in the middle. Huang Qi's quality... [Text gap]. Upper Qi does not descend, Lower Qi does not ascend, Left does not support Right, Right does not support Left. Obtaining Huang Qi's sweet-warm Qi-tonifying property, it masters the Central Province. Once the central banner is established, the five directions' misplaced armies return to their ranks. This is the origin of the name Jian Zhong. So in long-standing labor cough with lost Qi, Qi not rooted in Dantian, Blood overflows with Qi, Blood is chaotic, Qi flies. At this time, even if Renshen returns Yuan Qi from nowhere, it ultimately cannot secure True Yuan in an unshakeable place. For long-term peace, Huang Qi is indispensable. Renshen's tonification is swift but empty; Huang Qi's tonification is heavy and solid. In moments of breathlessness, Huang Qi is inferior to Renshen. But for settling floating chaos, returning to origin, controlling Qi and grasping Blood, solidifying exterior and filling interior, its creation is like an impregnable wall, its command like an unviolated general's order, its abundance like an inexhaustible granary, its defending evil and supporting righteousness like military vanguard, center, and rear, unshakable. In various rooting and concluding uses, Renshen is inferior to Huang Qi. So for tonifying deficiency, Huang Qi is the wall, Bai Zhu is the foundation. Often seeing long-term Renshen use leads to faint existence, though operation is sufficient, it remains floating and weak, unable to withstand storms. Using Qi and Zhu together achieves immunity to wind/rain and cold/heat, transforming weak bodies. Truly seeing this! Except in early labor cough with major Middle Earth injury, blazing Qi-Fire, where Heart-Lung lack harmony but Spleen-Stomach still function, here only Ying-nourishing is suitable; Huang Qi is slightly stagnating, so slow administration is appropriate. If chronic Qi deficiency... [Text gap]. To solidify Earth, merely using heavy-yin descending-turbid agents further damages ascending-volatilizing utility, achieving nothing.

**Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu):** Suitable for use; use cautiously in early disease.
Early consumptive disease treatment invariably takes clearing Metal as the first principle. Besides Sheng Di, E Jiao, Dan Pi, Bai Shao for clearing Metal, there are... [Text gap]. Even Maidong dislikes cold, Xuan Shen dislikes cold. Long-term use hinders diet, sinks Middle Qi. At this time, strengthening Earth and regulating Middle is primary. In miscellaneous diseases, many herbs are used, but in deficiency syndromes, Earth-strengthening formulas only include Huang Qi, Baizhu, Fuling, Shan Yao, with merit and no fault. Consumptive Earth-strengthening values not damaging the highest Qi. So Er Chen Tang's dryness, Ping Wei San's intensity are万万不可 (absolutely forbidden). Even Dou Dou's Spleen-strengthening, Yi Yi Ren's dampness-resolving involve moving Blood, not perfect. Among the four, Fuling and Shan Yao are harmonious but lack drastic revitalizing power. Even using Qi and Zhu together, Zhu is the specialist for Earth meridian and Qi-tonifying, so it strengthens Earth to generate Metal, relying on the highest region. Zhu nature is slightly dry, seemingly for deficiency should be slow, but it likes dryness without intensity, matching Central Earth virtue. Strengthening Earth generates Metal, like mountains producing clouds/mist, descending as rain/dew to moisten all things. What dryness disease is there? Miao Zhongchun says it dries and harms Yin. Not knowing harming Yin belongs to Cang Zhu, Hou Po, etc. How can Baizhu, a slightly dry neutral herb, be compared? And at treatment conclusion, without strengthening Earth, floating fire never roots. Knowing Baizhu's great merit.

**Bupleurum Root (Chaihu):** Use cautiously.
Chai Hu ascends clear and regulates middle, calms Liver and moderates Spleen, clears heat and scatters fire, regulates Qi and unblocks Blood, exits exterior enters interior, expels evil supports righteous, opens fullness breaks knots, settles camp supports... [Text gap]. Immersion stagnation awaits ventilation. Besides Chai Hu and Qian Hu, none have purer nature. So use small amounts to assist, then specialize in clearing source, tonifying, astringing for perfection. Even in调理 (regulation), if infection occurs, urgently use Chai Hu, Fang Feng, Ge Gen to disperse, then resume tonifying/astringing to avoid trapping the thief in the gate. But its nature is ascending and dispersing; users should stop when disease is cured, not use much or commonly. Especially for women with depression injuring Yin, or postpartum exhaustion, selection is necessary. Depression injures Yuan Qi; Chai Hu calms Liver and scatters depression, effect is fastest. Later generations, due to Chen Cangqi's words, forbid Chai Hu. For internal injury/exterior contraction, should we reverse and use Ma Huang, Zi Su to disperse!

**Tangerine Peel (Chenpi):** Occasional use.
Jie Geng carries Qi upward, yet Qi-Fire calms, showing consumptive Qi stems from Fire invading Lung. If miscellaneous diseases have chest-diaphragm Qi... [Text gap], usually using Chen Pi to regulate Qi. Not knowing Chen Pi is pungent and dry. Pungency consumes Lung Qi purity; dryness stirs Yin-deficiency ministerial fire. Intending to regulate Qi, Qi is injured. Only after long Lung clearing, source moves, Spleen Qi not strong, stomach saliva increases, can small amount of Chen Pi be added to speed it up, clearing Middle Palace, acceptable. Or if seasonal qi comes, Spleen-Stomach damp diarrhea, can temporarily use several doses to clear/regulate, but must stop when disease is gone, not commonly used.

**Perilla Seed (Suzi):** Not necessary to use.
Consumptive fire, riding on Lung Qi high and not descending, treatment should calm fire, not descend Qi. Only miscellaneous disease wheezing urgency and high Qi... [Text gap] Phlegm can be eliminated. Not knowing recurrence will worsen. Only Bai Qian is the superior herb for calming wheezing. For pulling belly, raising shoulders, high urgent Qi, sitting but not lying, looking up but not down, use this to calm. Effect is fast, Yuan Qi undamaged, incomparable to Suzi.

**Bitter Orange Fruit (Zhike):** Cannot be used.
Consumptive treatment: Clear Metal, Calm Spirit, Strengthen Earth, Regulate Liver, Tonify Kidney. Only "Tonify" character runs through start to finish, so... [Text gap] Qi blockage/stagnation, ignoring deficiency/excess, immediately use Zhike to attack. Not knowing consumptive Qi regulation differs from miscellaneous diseases. Stagnation cannot be drained; High cannot be descended; Fullness cannot be broken. Chen Pi, Suzi are inappropriate, let alone Zhike, Qing Pi! Consumptive treatment has sequence: First clear Metal; when Metal Qi slightly肃 (solemn/clear), regulate Spleen primarily; when Metal-Earth both regulated, then Kidney tonification is key... [Text gap] Return to origin. All Yin deficiency cases take this as essential. However, Goji nature is too warm. If Monarch Fire not bright, Minister Fire blazing, Lung leaves rise... [Text gap] Goji cool nature claim, ask if nature is cool, why sudden Yang stimulation?

**Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui):** Use cautiously.
Dang Gui's Ying-nourishing to assist Lung clearing is excellent. But its taste is pungent, nature warm. Though it has blood-nourishing merit... [Text gap] Kidney Water to conclude. If adhering to ancients' theory, naming meaning makes Qi and Blood return to their places, ignoring new/old blood disease, errors occur.

**Longan Aril (Guiyuan):** Use cautiously.
Long Yan greatly tonifies Heart Blood, merit equals Renshen. But ultimately it is damp-heat product. So Lung has latent fire, fire亢 (hyperactive) damaging blood collaterals, taking it worsens. World... [Text gap] After clearing, using this to greatly tonify Heart-Spleen, indeed has blood-nourishing and spirit-calming effects. If Lung has latent fire, taking it aids fire. Or when blood heat rushes upward, throwing this sweet-warm great tonic, blood force surges and adds rush. Must be cautious.