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[Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus)]
Taste: Acrid, Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats vexation and heat in Shanghan (Cold Damage), lingering pathogenic qi in strangury (dysuria with dribbling), shan jia (abdominal masses), hou bi (obstruction of the throat), difficulty in lactation, jin chuang (traumatic wounds caused by metal weapons), and feng jing (wind-induced spasms).

Chen Xiuyuan stated: Bei Mu has a neutral Qi and acrid taste; both its Qi and taste belong to Metal, making it a herb for the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Its treatment of vexation and heat in Shanghan is derived from taking the Metal Qi of the West to eliminate summer heat; this is also the meaning behind naming the Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) in the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage). Its treatment of lingering pathogenic qi in strangury occurs because the regulation function of the Lung acts upon the Bladder, thereby eliminating pathogenic heat and curing strangury. Shan jia is a disease of Liver Wood; here, Metal pacifies Wood. Hou bi is an internal obstruction of the Lung orifice; this herb can diffuse and unblock Lung Qi. Scanty milk secretion is due to the blockage of fluids in the Yangming Meridian; jin chuang is an injury to the meridians of the Yangming Meridian; feng jing is a dysfunction of the Zong Jin (major tendons) of the Yangming Meridian. Bei Mu is clear, moistening, and eliminates heat, thus governing the treatment of all these conditions. Modern people mistakenly consider treating phlegm-cough as its primary indication, which greatly deviates from the original intent of the classic.

Furthermore, Li Shicai claimed that Bei Mu treats dry-phlegm while Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) treats damp-phlegm, stating that the two herbs are as opposite as water and charcoal. This is merely a subjective conjecture.

[Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthis Radix)]
Taste: Bitter, Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats xiao ke (wasting-thirst syndrome), body heat, vexation and fullness with severe heat, tonifying deficiency, calming the Middle Jiao, and healing severe injuries.

Chen Xiuyuan stated: Gua Lou Gen has a cold Qi, inheriting the cold Water Qi of Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix) to enter the Kidney and Bladder; its bitter taste and non-toxic nature derive from the Fire flavor of the South Earth to enter the Heart. When excessive Fire scorches fluids, xiao ke results; when Fire floats on the exterior, body heat occurs; when Fire is excessive internally, vexation and fullness arise; severe heat and Fire excess lead to Yin deficiency; Yin deficiency causes the Middle Jiao to lose its hold and become unsettled. The bitter and cold nature of Gua Lou Gen clears Fire and can govern the treatment of these conditions. Its ability to heal severe injuries stems from its capacity to spread and unblock the Yin collaterals, thereby reconnecting severed tissues. Its actual name is Gua Lou; the *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) uses it to treat Xiong Bi (chest bi-syndrome), and the *Shanghan Lun* uses it to treat Jie Xiong (knotted chest), likely because it can open obstructions in the chest area.

Zhang Yinan stated: At midnight, Yin Qi rises outside the vessels and combines with Yangming to form the dryness of Fire and Earth. Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) raises Yin fluids inside the vessels, combining with Tian Gui (heavenly water/essence) to nourish the dry Metal. In various formulas from the *Shanghan Lun* and *Jingui Yaolue*, Ban Xia is used to assist Yangming Qi. If thirst is present due to excessive dry-heat, Ban Xia is removed and replaced with Hua Fen to provide nourishment. The Sages established modified formulas only after thoroughly deducing the rationale behind the principles of nature.