味辛温。主温中下气，风寒上逆。止痛，散寒湿之痛。咳逆寒热，寒邪入肺。除湿
血痹，辛能燥湿，温能行血也。逐风邪，开腠理，辛香散风通窍。
吴茱萸味极辛，辛属金，金平木，故为驱逐肝风之要药。但肝风有二，一为挟寒之风，
一为挟火之风。吴茱萸性温，于挟寒之风为宜，此又不可不审也。
味苦寒。主五内邪气，热邪之气。胃中热气，黄色入阳明，性寒能清热。面赤，酒
鼻，白癞、赤癞，疮疡。此皆肉肌之病，乃阳明之表证也。
栀子正黄，亦得金色，故为阳明之药。但其气体清虚，走上而不走下，故不入大肠而入
胃，胃在上焦故也。胃家之蕴热，惟此为能除之。又胃主肌肉，肌肉有近筋骨者，有近皮毛
者，栀子形开似肺，肺主皮毛，故专治肌肉热毒之见于皮毛者也。
味甘温。主漏下恶血，血中之阳不能固摄。寒热，阳虚。惊痫，心火亏少。益气强志
，补血之功。生齿不老。补肾之效。角∶主恶疮痈肿，拓血中之毒。逐邪恶气，拓阴邪之气
。留血在阴中。阴络之凝滞，得热而营运也。
鹿茸之中，唯一点胚血，不数日而即成角，此血中有真阳一点，通督脉，贯肾水，乃至
灵至旺之物也，故入于人身为峻补阳血之要药。又其物流动生发，故又能逐瘀通血也。余义
见白
胶条下。鹿茸气体全而未发泄，故补阳益血之功多。鹿角则透发已尽，故拓毒消散之功胜。
先后迟速之间，功效辄异，非明乎造化之机者，不能测也。
[Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus)]
Taste is pungent, nature is warm. It primarily treats deficiency-cold in the middle jiao, rebellious qi, and pathogenic wind-cold rushing upward. It alleviates pain and disperses pain caused by cold-dampness obstruction. It treats cough with rebellious qi and alternating chills and fever, which result from cold pathogens invading the Lung. It treats bi-syndrome caused by dampness obstructing blood stasis, because the pungent flavor can dry dampness, and the warm nature can promote blood circulation. It expels wind pathogens and opens the cou-li (skin pores), utilizing its pungent and aromatic quality to disperse wind and unblock orifices.
Wu Zhu Yu has an extremely pungent taste; pungency belongs to Metal in the Five Elements, and Metal controls Wood (Liver); therefore, it is a crucial herb for expelling Liver wind. However, there are two types of Liver wind: one accompanied by cold, and one accompanied by fire. Since Wu Zhu Yu is warm in nature, it is suitable for wind accompanied by cold; this distinction must be carefully examined.
[Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus)]
Taste is bitter, nature is cold. It primarily clears evil qi within the five zang organs, specifically heat pathogens. It clears heat qi in the Stomach; yellow enters the Yangming channel, and its cold nature can clear heat. It treats facial flushing, rhinophyma (wine nose), white leprosy, red leprosy, and sores and ulcers. These are all diseases of the flesh and muscle, representing exterior syndromes of the Yangming channel.
Zhi Zi is positively yellow, also possessing the attribute of Metal, thus it is a herb for the Yangming channel. However, its qi is light, clear, and empty, moving upward rather than downward; therefore, it does not enter the Large Intestine but enters the Stomach, because the Stomach is located in the Upper Jiao. For the accumulated heat in the Stomach organ, only Zhi Zi can eliminate it. Furthermore, the Stomach governs the muscles; muscles are close to tendons and bones, and close to the skin and hair. The shape of Zhi Zi resembles the Lungs, and the Lungs govern the skin and hair; therefore, it specializes in treating heat toxins manifesting in the skin and hair that originate from the muscles.
[Lu Rong (Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum)]
Taste is sweet, nature is warm. It primarily treats abnormal uterine bleeding with dark clotted blood (lou xia e xue), due to the yang qi within the blood failing to consolidate and hold it. It treats alternating chills and fever, a sign of yang deficiency. It treats fright and epilepsy, due to insufficiency of Heart fire. It has the functions of replenishing qi, strengthening willpower, and nourishing blood, as well as promoting tooth growth and anti-aging, reflecting its effect of tonifying the Kidney.
Deer Antler (Lu Jiao): Primarily treats malignant sores and carbuncles, pushing out toxins from the blood. It expels evil qi and pushes out yin pathogens. It resolves blood stasis retained in the yin collaterals, allowing the stagnation of the yin collaterals to circulate normally upon receiving warmth.
Within Lu Rong, there is a single point of embryonic blood that forms antlers within a few days. This blood contains a spark of true yang, connecting the Du vessel and penetrating Kidney water; it is an object of utmost spirit and vitality. Therefore, when entering the human body, it is a crucial herb for vigorously tonifying yang qi and blood. Additionally, because its substance is dynamic and generating, it can also expel blood stasis and promote blood flow. Other meanings are seen under the entry for Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin). Lu Rong possesses complete qi that has not yet been expended; therefore, its merit in tonifying yang and benefiting blood is great. Deer Antler (Lu Jiao) has been fully expended and released; therefore, its merit in pushing out toxins and dissipating swelling surpasses that of Lu Rong. Due to differences in timing and speed of development, their effects vary significantly. Only those who understand the mechanisms of natural creation can fathom this.