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Pungent in flavor, cold in nature. Primarily treats zhizheng (abdominal masses that are fixed and immovable), jijuzhi (accumulations formed by qi stagnation and blood stasis), and diseases resulting from qi constraint and fluid retention. Diseases caused by dietary imbalances of hot and cold, as well as those requiring the breaking of hardness and expulsion of pathogens, are mostly also disorders related to water-qi.

It promotes the free flow of the water passages. When Lung Qi descends, the water passages naturally become unobstructed.

Tingli (Periplocae Semen) is slippery, moist, and fragrant; it specifically drains Lung Qi. Since the Lung is the source of water, draining Lung Qi equates to draining water. For any accumulation or cold-heat conditions originating from water-qi, this herb is the primary treatment. The purgative action of Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) begins in the Middle Jiao, whereas the purgative action of Tingli begins in the Upper Jiao. Therefore, in the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), Chengqi Tang (Gut-Clearing Decoction) uses Dahuang, while Xiantong Tang (Sinking Chest Decoction) uses Tingli.

Salty in flavor, warm in nature. Primarily treats fullness under the ribs due to qi constraint, palpitations with fright, and eliminates disorders of blockage in the Upper and Middle Jiao. It removes water-dampness because salty flavors have a moistening and downward-draining property. It clears cold-heat pathogenic factors between the five Zang organs, specifically those generated by stagnation and blockage within the Zang organs. It tonifies the Middle and directs Qi downward, opening the pathways for Qi to descend; these are all effects of the descending nature of salty flavors.

This section explains treatment principles based on flavor. Among herbal medicines, those with a salty flavor are extremely rare. Salty flavors generally treat lower body disorders, and those that can treat the Upper Jiao are even rarer. Only this herb, being salty yet treating the upper region, acts upon the Upper and Middle Jiao. Salty flavors can soften hardness; thus, it can eliminate stagnation and hard accumulations in the Upper and Middle Jiao. Herbs that are light in texture and fragrant in aroma often resolve such conditions, as diseases invariably arise from Qi constraint. The *Neijing* (Inner Canon) states: "For Fire constrained, disperse it." The light and fragrant nature of these herbs facilitates dispersion, thereby eliminating cold and heat.

Pungent in flavor, cold in nature. Primarily treats gudú (severe toxicity or parasitic disease); its potent flavor allows it to kill parasites. It treats cough and rebellious Qi, diarrhea and dysentery with abdominal pain, and clears damp-heat disorders. It treats head sores, scabies and pruritus, and malignant ulcers; it kills various insect toxins and removes necrotic tissue. These are all functions of killing parasites.

All toxic drugs acquire their nature from the rigid, violent, and mixed attributes of the Five Elements. Human Qi and Blood are condensed from the harmonious Qi of Heaven and Earth; therefore, consuming toxic drugs often causes injury. Sores and scabies may breed insects over time, which are similar to human Qi and Blood; thus, when humans consume these drugs, the damage inflicted on human Qi and Blood inevitably kills the parasites. If used correctly, there will be benefits without drawbacks; otherwise, it leads to mutual injury, so caution is essential. Furthermore, methods of detoxification vary according to suitability. For instance, drying toxic drugs can remove damp pathogens, while cold toxic drugs can remove fire pathogens. Treatment must be based on syndrome differentiation and applied with flexibility; the meaning cannot be fully grasped merely by the phrase "using toxicity to attack toxicity."