味辛寒。主周痹，风湿，肢节中痛，不可持物，洗洗酸消，味辛则散风，石性燥则除
湿，其治酸痛等疾者，以其能坚筋骨中之正气，则邪气自不能侵也。除大热，寒除热。烦满
，重降逆。及耳聋。肾火炎上则耳聋，此能降火归肾。
凡五行之中，各有五行，所谓物物一太极也。如金一行也，银色白属肺，金色赤属心，
铜色
黄属脾，铅色青属肝，铁色黑属肾。石也者，金土之杂气，而得金之体为多。何以验之？天
文家言星者金之散气，而星陨即化为石，则石之属金无疑。而石之中亦分五金焉，磁石乃石
中之铁精也，故与铁同气，而能相吸，铁属肾，故磁石亦补肾。肾主骨，故磁石坚筋壮骨；
肾属冬令，主收藏，故磁石能收敛正气，以拒邪气。知此理，则凡药皆可类推矣。
味咸微温。主崩中漏下，寒滑之病。破子脏中血，症瘕结气，寒热腹痛，无子，凡
寒凝血滞之病，皆能除之。阴痿不起，补不足。强肾补阳益气。
阳起石得火不燃，得日而飞；硫黄得日无焰，得火而发。皆为火之精，而各不同。盖阳
起石禀日之阳气以成，天上阳火之精也；硫黄禀石之阳气以成，地上阴火之精也。所以硫黄
能益
人身阴火之阳，阳起石能益人身阳火之阳也。五行各有阴阳，亦可类推。
味辛温。主胸满，寒邪之在胸者则散之。咳逆上气，辛能润肺降逆。温中止血，血得
缓而归经。出汗，辛能散逐寒气，使从汗出。逐风湿痹，治寒邪之在筋骨者。肠 下痢，治
寒邪之在肠胃者。生者尤良。辛散之品，尤取其气性之清烈也。久服，去臭气，通神明。辛
甚气烈，故能辟秽通阳。
凡味浓之药主守，气浓之药主散。干姜气味俱浓，故散而能守。夫散不全散，守不全守，
则旋转于经络脏腑之间，驱寒除湿，和血通气，所必然矣。故性虽猛峻，而不妨服食也。
Taste pungent, nature cold. It primarily treats Zhou Bi (generalized bi-syndrome characterized by pain throughout the body), wind-dampness, pain in the limbs and joints, inability to hold objects, and a sensation of soreness and weakness. The pungent taste disperses wind; the stony nature is drying and removes dampness. Its efficacy in treating ailments such as soreness and pain lies in its ability to strengthen the upright Qi within the sinews and bones, thereby preventing pathogenic factors from invading. It eliminates excessive heat; the cold nature dispels heat. It relieves vexation and fullness, possessing a heavy, descending, and counterflow-arresting action. It also treats deafness. Deafness results from Kidney fire flaming upward; this herb can descend fire and return it to the Kidney.
Within the Five Phases, each phase contains the Five Phases, which is referred to as "each entity possesses a Taiji." For instance, among the Metal phase: silver is white and corresponds to the Lung; gold is red and corresponds to the Heart; copper is yellow and corresponds to the Spleen; lead is green and corresponds to the Liver; iron is black and corresponds to the Kidney. Stones are a mixture of Metal and Earth Qi, but they predominantly possess the form of Metal. How can this be verified? Astronomers state that stars are scattered Qi of Metal, and when stars fall, they transform into stones; thus, it is undeniable that stones belong to Metal. Furthermore, within stones, there are distinctions corresponding to the Five Metals. Ci Shi (Magnetite) is the essence of Iron within stones; therefore, it shares the same Qi as Iron and can attract it. Since Iron corresponds to the Kidney, Ci Shi also tonifies the Kidney. The Kidney governs the bones; thus, Ci Shi strengthens sinews and fortifies bones. The Kidney corresponds to the Winter season and governs storage; thus, Ci Shi can gather and secure upright Qi to repel pathogenic factors. Understanding this principle allows one to extrapolate regarding all other herbs.
Taste salty, nature slightly warm. It primarily treats Beng Zhong Lou Xia (uterine bleeding with profuse flow or prolonged dripping), and diseases characterized by cold and slipping. It breaks up blood stasis in the Zi Zang (uterus), Zheng Jia Jie Qi (abdominal masses and qi stagnation), alternating cold and hot sensations, abdominal pain, and infertility. It can eliminate any disease caused by cold coagulation and blood stasis. It treats impotence (failure of erection) and tonifies deficiencies. It strengthens the Kidney, tonifies Yang, and benefits Qi.
Yang Qi Shi (Stilbite) does not burn when exposed to fire, but flies when exposed to sunlight; Liu Huang (Sulfur) produces no flame under sunlight but ignites upon contact with fire. Both are essences of Fire, yet they differ. Generally, Yang Qi Shi is formed by inheriting the Yang Qi of the Sun, making it the essence of celestial Yang Fire; Liu Huang is formed by inheriting the Yang Qi of stone, making it the essence of terrestrial Yin Fire. Therefore, Liu Huang can benefit the Yang within the human body's Yin Fire, while Yang Qi Shi can benefit the Yang within the human body's Yang Fire. Each of the Five Phases contains both Yin and Yang, which can also be extrapolated.
Taste pungent, nature warm. It primarily treats chest fullness, dispersing cold pathogens residing in the chest. It treats cough and rebellious Qi; the pungent flavor moistens the Lung and directs Qi downward. It warms the Middle Jiao and stops bleeding; blood returns to its vessels when eased. It induces sweating; the pungent flavor disperses and expels cold pathogens, allowing them to exit via sweat. It expels wind-damp bi-syndrome, treating cold pathogens residing in the sinews and bones. It treats intestinal dysentery, treating cold pathogens residing in the intestines and stomach. Raw usage is particularly effective. Pungent and dispersing herbs are valued for their clear and potent aromatic properties. Long-term consumption removes foul odors and clarifies the Shen (Spirit). Due to its intense pungency and potency, it can dispel turbidity and unblock Yang Qi.
Herbs with strong flavors primarily have a stabilizing (Shou) effect, while herbs with strong aromas primarily have a dispersing (San) effect. Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) has both strong flavor and aroma; thus, it can disperse while simultaneously stabilizing. Since its dispersion is not total and its stabilization is not absolute, it rotates between the meridians and zang-fu organs, inevitably driving out cold, removing dampness, harmonizing blood, and promoting Qi circulation. Therefore, although its nature is fierce and峻 (urgent/strong), it does not hinder its use as food or medicine.