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Yao Kuan, in *Xixi Conghua*, stated that Dendrobium (Shihu, 石斛) grows beside rocks on Liuan Mountain in Shixing or on oak trees; those growing on trees are called Wood Dendrobium (Muhu, 木斛), which are hollow, long, and unsuitable for medicinal use. The finest quality is golden in color. When used, it should be washed to remove soil, soaked in wine, and then dried by roasting. Dendrobium has the effects of tonifying the Spleen and clearing the Lungs, and is a key herb for treating spermatorrhea, leukorrhea, and deficiency-related irritability.

Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex, 黄柏) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, 知母) are commonly believed by people to tonify the Kidney, but this is incorrect. They are specifically used to clear fire in cases where there is hyperactive fire in the Kidney and vigorous pulses at both Chi positions (two Chi pulses). By clearing the fire, they solidify the Kidney and prevent nocturnal emissions due to dreams; does this truly constitute a function of tonifying the Kidney? Therefore, if there is no excess fire in the Kidney and the pulses at both Chi positions are weak, or if only the right Chi pulse is vigorous, Huangbai and Zhimu should not be used. Whenever there is heat in the Kidney with vigorous Chi pulses leading to various diseases, such as eye pain or throat obstruction, Huangbai and Zhimu are suitable. In *Pi Wei Lun* (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach), Li Dongyuan stated that Huangbai and Zhimu should not be taken for a long time, lest they harm Yin Qi. Would Li Dongyuan deceive us?

Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma, 香附子) primarily treats disorders of the Qi level. Its fragrance allows it to penetrate, its bitterness allows it to descend, and it eliminates the old to generate the new. Thus, all books claim it tonifies Qi, but the popular notion that it consumes Qi is an error. It is also not the "sage medicine" for gynecology.
To treat the root disease, it is lightly stir-fried; for blood disorders, it is decocted with wine; for phlegm, it is soaked in ginger juice; for deficiency, it is soaked in child's urine; for excess, it is decocted with salt water; for accumulation, it is soaked in vinegar and decocted with water. However, its nature is courageous and unblocking, capable of resolving the biased Qi of women who are depressed and prone to anger. When Qi moves smoothly, diseases do not arise. *Yanyi Buyi* states that it leads to the Qi level to generate Blood, which is the principle of Yang generating Yin. This statement is likely flawed because Xiangfu primarily acts on Qi and governs Blood; how can it generate Blood? This point requires further clarification.

Qingjiang (Green Ginger) promotes the smooth flow of Qi, transforms phlegm, and resolves accumulations, its efficacy matching the creation of Qi and Blood. Although Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 半夏) and Nanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma, 南星) may be used in doses of ten taels, one cannot dispense with one tael of Qingjiang. Examination of materia medica texts reveals no record of Qingjiang. Later, reading Jiang Shaoyu's *Huangchao Lei Yuan*, it was noted that in Lingnan, Qingjiang grows like a cupped hand beneath the root, attaching to the side, resembling ginger but often as large as a taro. Southerners take the middle part, dry it, and name it Qingjiang; Northerners call it Peng'zhu (Curcuma zedoaria, 蓬莪术). Rhyme dictionaries do not have the character "Zhu," referring to it simply as "Shu." Locals suffering from diarrhea and dysentery use Qingjiang ground in wine, which often cures them, likely due to its harmonizing Qi properties. Wang Shuo's *Yijian Fang* states that Peng'zhu functions to break Qi stagnation and resolve accumulations; its nature is fierce and it should not be taken regularly. However, what is currently used is actually the root of Hongpu (Red Acorus), which has similar properties but different efficacy. True Qingjiang resembles Guangpengzhu, with greenish-yellow-black being the best quality. If true Qingjiang is unavailable, aged Jianghuang (Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, 姜黄) can be substituted.