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Bitter in taste, warm in nature. It primarily treats Bi syndrome (obstruction syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness) due to wind-cold-damp pathogens, and necrosis of muscle tissue. Its Qi is dense and capable of rapid dispersion; therefore, it can eliminate pathogenic factors and benefit the tendons, vessels, skin, and muscles. For spasms (muscle stiffness and convulsions), it pacifies Liver Wind. For jaundice, it eliminates dampness. It stops sweating and consolidates the skin and muscles. It clears heat and benefits Spleen Yin. It aids digestion. It strengthens Spleen Qi. When prepared as a decoction paste or pill and taken for a long time, it makes the body light, prolongs life, and reduces hunger. When the Spleen and Stomach are abundant, the body becomes strong and less prone to hunger.

Atractylodes (Baizhu) is the essence of Earth. Its color is yellow, its aroma is fragrant, its taste is bitter with a hint of sweetness, and its nature is warm; all these attributes belong to Earth, thus it can tonify Spleen Earth. Furthermore, its Qi is intense and its fragrance permeates widely, so it can also reach the tendons, vessels, skin, and muscles, rather than being limited solely to establishing the Middle Jiao (digestive center).

Pungent in taste, neutral in nature. It primarily treats the healing of severed injuries. Since the seeds contain thread-like structures that do not break easily, it can supplement and reconnect bones and tendons. It supplements deficiencies, boosts Qi and strength, and promotes robust health. Its slippery and moist texture contains lipids, which naturally generates Essence and Qi and promotes muscle growth. The juice removes facial pigmentation (dark spots on the face), also benefiting from its slippery and lubricating properties. Long-term consumption brightens the eyes, makes the body light, and prolongs life. Generating Essence leads to clear vision, physical strength, and longevity.

Among seeds, none contains more lipids than Cuscutae Semen (Dodder Seed). When stir-fried until cooked, it becomes fragrant, moist, yet non-slippery, thus effectively tonifying the Liver and Spleen. The specific properties of any herb possess unique specialties; these lie between what is understandable and what is not. Even sages must verify them through experimentation before knowing. For instance, Cuscutae Semen's ability to remove facial pigmentation is just one example. If it were merely because of its pungency dispersing pathogens, there are many pungent herbs; if it were merely because of its slipperiness, there are many slippery substances. Why can other herbs not remove pigmentation while only Cuscutae Semen can? This is because all things are born receiving a partial Qi of Heaven and Earth, so their natures inherently possess principles of mutual restriction. What is manifest in form, texture, and taste can be inferred and understood; but what is deeply hidden within its nature cannot be sought by ordinary logic. Therefore, ancient practitioners had single-herb prescriptions and secret formulas, often using one or two herbs to treat a disease and achieving miraculous results. Upon examining these formulas, they lacked the systematic meridian and yin-yang pairing found in classic formulas (Jingfang), yet their efficacy was surprisingly rapid. This is because they captured the unique specialty of the herbs. There are extremely many such cases among herbs, which can be extrapolated.