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Taste is sweet and neutral. It primarily treats knotting qi in the heart and abdomen, resolving knotting qi caused by dryness. It treats internal injury and overeating leading to the severance of stomach collaterals, replenishing and continuing the yin qi of the stomach. It treats emaciation and shortness of breath. Tonifying the stomach generates flesh; clearing fire benefits qi. Long-term consumption lightens the body, promotes longevity, and prevents hunger. When post-heaven (spleen and stomach) essence is sufficient, the body is healthy and capable of enduring hunger. Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), with its sweet, neutral, and moistening properties, is a pure herb for tonifying stomach yin. Later generations considered it a lung herb because earth generates metal; lung qi relies entirely on stomach yin for its generation. Stomach qi...

Taste is sweet and cold. It primarily treats urinary retention due to qi stagnation, relieves pain, promotes urination and water passages, specifically benefiting the qi level of the lower jiao. It treats damp bi syndrome. Dampness must exit via the bladder; when the lower jiao is unobstructed, dampness is eliminated. Long-term consumption lightens the body and promotes longevity. When qi flows smoothly and dampness is removed, the limbs become strong and healthy.

All herbs with many seeds belong to the Kidney, hence ancient formulas used them in kidney-tonifying prescriptions. The Kidney is akin to the uterus of the human body. Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed), having many seeds, is also an herb of the Kidney meridian. However, due to its slippery texture and thin qi, it cannot fully tonify; thus, it acts as an herb for the Bladder, which is the residence of the Kidney. The Bladder is the pathway for the distribution and excretion of Kidney qi.

Taste is pungent. It primarily treats pathogenic factors, repels toxins, epidemics, warm diseases, and malevolent influences. Its aroma is extremely fragrant and potent, capable of removing evil filth and inauspiciousness. It strengthens willpower; the aromatic qi penetrates the Xin Zhu (Heart Master/Pericardium). The Heart and Small Intestine are exterior-interior partners. When Heart qi descends to communicate with the Small Intestine, urination and defecation become regulated. Long-term consumption prevents nightmares and sleep terrors. When Heart qi is unobstructed, the spirit and soul are stabilized.

Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root) excels through its qi/aroma, so its functions all reside in regulating qi. The *Nei Jing* states: "The Heart governs smell." All herbs with potent aromas enter the Heart. Mu Xiang has a rich aroma that does not dissipate easily, allowing its qi to descend; thus, it can also conduct qi to the Small Intestine.

Taste is sweet and slightly cold. It primarily treats muscle tension and spasms, inability to flex or extend, and wind-damp bi syndrome, specifically clearing damp-heat from the Yangming channel. It directs qi downward, reaching the lower jiao directly. Long-term consumption lightens the body and benefits qi. When Yangming qi flows freely, the body becomes strong and qi abundant. Its root eliminates three types of parasites, removing worms generated by Yangming damp-heat. Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) is sweet, bland, and harmonious in nature. Its texture resembles grain, and it is heavy and dense in power, thus it can tonify Stomach qi and relax sinews. By eliminating dampness, it addresses middle-jiao deficiency, thereby facilitating the descending of damp-heat. Generally, diseases such as muscle tension and bi pain belong to the category of Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome). The *Nei Jing* advises treating Wei syndrome by focusing exclusively on the Yangming channel. Since Yi Yi Ren is an herb of the Yangming channel, it can cure these various ailments.