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According to the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Sangbaipi (Cortex Mori Radicis) is indicated for injury to the middle jiao, five types of exhaustion, six extremes, emaciation, metrorrhagia, interrupted pulse, tonifying deficiency, and benefiting qi. This indicates that Sangbaipi tonifies the Lung.

The *Mingyi Bielu* (Additional Records of Famous Physicians) states that it treats water-qiang in the Lung, hemoptysis, thirst due to heat, edema, abdominal fullness, distension of the skin (luzhang), promoting urination, expelling tapeworms (cunbai), and suturing metal wounds. This seems to suggest that Sangbaipi also drains the Lung. Are these contradictory? Actually, the character "zhong" (middle) in the *Bencao Jing* refers to the Stomach. The Stomach governs the muscles, and all meridians derive their qi from grain and water. Therefore, emaciation and interrupted pulse are also related to Stomach disease. Tonifying deficiency means tonifying Stomach deficiency; benefiting qi means benefiting Stomach qi. The Stomach's qi moves downward smoothly; if it rebels upward, the Lung's qi becomes unharmonious, leading to Lung disease. The *Bencao Jing* emphasizes the efficacy of treating the Stomach, implying that the harmony of the Lung is self-evident. The *Bielu*, finding the original text obscure, elaborated upon it. Its indications are all symptoms of Stomach qi rebelling and encroaching upon the Lung. They share the same root but differ in manifestation; the words appear opposite, but the principles complement each other. The *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies) uses it to treat diabetes with polyuria and postpartum bleeding, following the usage of the *Bencao Jing*. Qian Zhongyang’s Xiebai San (White-Draining Powder) treats excess heat in the Lung meridian in children, following the usage of the *Bielu*.

Zhang Zhongjing used Baihe (Lily Bulb) as the specific formula for Baihe Bing (Lily Disease). None of the commentators have been able to explain the reason. According to the *Bencao Jing*, Baihe eliminates pathogenic factors and promotes urination and defecation. Although the symptoms of Baihe Bing vary, the symptom of dark yellow urine is consistent. Zhang Zhongjing sought the constant amidst the variable to establish a standard for diagnosis, which is why Baihe must be used for Baihe Bing. Baihe Bing focuses on urination; therefore, for symptoms such as headache, chills, and dizziness that help predict the prognosis, diagnosis is made during urination. When differentiating difficult cases, one should follow this principle. Ancient strange methods actually contain ordinary principles. Superficial people stick to the idea that Baihe tonifies the Lung and interpret it via "the Lung directs all meridians," which is shallow. Furthermore, Baihe Bing is caused by lingering residual pathogens leading to a lack of moistening in blood and qi. Symptoms like desiring food or finding it delicious, wanting to lie down or walk, describe a state where major pathogens do not suppress, and healthy qi occasionally extends itself. Symptoms like inability to eat, aversion to smells, inability to lie down or walk, describe a state where blood and qi lack moistening. Feeling cold yet hot indicates stagnation and friction due to lack of moistening in the muscles. No cold or heat indicates that residual pathogens cannot gain momentum. Bitter taste in the mouth occurs because stomach fluids are absorbed by residual pathogens and cannot digest food completely. Severe vomiting and diarrhea after taking medicine occur because stomach fluids are insufficient and are overwhelmed by the medicinal force. A faint and rapid pulse indicates faintness due to low blood and qi, and rapidity due to the cessation of pathogenic activity. Pain in the head during urination occurs because urination involves fluid loss; thus, for diseases with low body fluids, prognosis is derived here: lower deficiency leads to upper excess. This syndrome matches the symptoms. The treatment method focuses primarily on moistening. Therefore, besides Baihe, Shengdizhi (Fresh Rehmanniae Radix Juice) is added to moisten both fluids and blood. Sweating, purging, and vomiting all damage fluids, so rescue measures are taken according to the site of injury. Zimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) and Jihuang (Galli Yolkum) are moistening agents. Huashi (Talcum) is a descending moistening agent. Only Zhe (Hematitum) can drive out pathogens, aiming to expel them while the medicine descends. If thirst changes, Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus) and Muli (Concha Ostreae) are used; if fever changes, Huashi is used. All aim at moistening. This syndrome matches the formula. Thus, we understand that the *Bencao Jing*'s statement that Baihe eliminates pathogens and promotes urination/defecation is an effect of moistening. Generally, when a disease reaches a stage of lingering pathogens and deficient healthy qi, attacking harms the healthy qi, and tonifying obstructs the pathogens. Only by moistening can the healthy qi relax and the pathogens float to the surface, allowing for methods to expel pathogens. These methods generally do not go beyond the saying in Shanghan Lun regarding fever after recovery: use Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction); if the pulse is floating, resolve via sweating; if deep and solid, resolve via purging. It certainly does not end with just a few Baihe formulas. However, at this stage, the disease pattern has shifted, so it can no longer be called Baihe Bing, hence the treatment of Baihe Bing ends here! Reading Zhang Zhongjing’s books is like reading the *Zuo Zhuan*; one must refer to other commentaries and continue after this section to fully understand the chronology.