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(Edulis Radix) Its primary function is to promote diuresis (promote water metabolism), and it also treats pulling pain, cough, and irritability.

Textual Research:
The Shi Zao Tang syndrome describes: "Pulling pain in the hypochondrium." It also states: "Cough and irritability."

Cross-Reference:
Huainanzi records: "Da Ji removes fluid retention."

Product Evaluation:
Edulis Radix: There are two varieties from the Han region; Mian Da Ji is of superior quality. The variety produced locally (in Japan) has inferior efficacy.

(Kansui Radix) Its primary function is to promote diuresis, and it also treats pulling pain, cough, irritability, shortness of breath, difficulty in urination, and fullness in the epigastrium.

Textual Research:
The Shi Zao Tang syndrome describes: "Pulling pain below the chest, dry heaving, shortness of breath." It also states: "Cough and irritability."
Dahuang Gansui Tang syndrome describes: "Slight difficulty in urination."
Gansui Banxia Tang syndrome describes: "Although there is diarrhea, there is persistent hardness and fullness in the epigastrium."
Daxiexiong Tang syndrome describes: "Shortness of breath, restlessness, and irritability." It also states: "Fullness and hard pain in the epigastrium."
In the above four formulas, the dosage of Kansui Radix is either three pieces, two liang, or one qian.
Commentary by Weize: Yuanhua, Edulis Radix, and Kansui Radix all promote diuresis, but Kansui Radix has the most potent effect.

Product Evaluation:
Kansui Radix: The variety from the Han region is superior; the locally produced variety has inferior efficacy.

(Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) Its primary function is to expel water qi; therefore, it can treat aversion to cold, pain in the body, limbs, and joints, heaviness, numbness, or cold extremities, and also treats abdominal pain, seminal emission, and diarrhea.

Textual Research:
Da Wutou Jian syndrome describes: "Periumbilical pain; if it occurs, spontaneous sweating and cold hands and feet."
Wutou Tang syndrome describes: "Pain in the joints, inability to flex or extend."
Wutou Guizhi Tang syndrome describes: "Abdominal pain, coldness, and numbness in the hands and feet."
In the above three formulas, Aconiti Radix (Wutou) is five pieces and serves as the sovereign herb.
Guizhi Fuzi Tang syndrome describes: "Body pain, inability to turn over independently."
Guizhi Fuzi Qu Guizi Jia Baizhu Tang syndrome describes: "The aforementioned symptoms with ineffective urination."
Dahuang Fuzi Tang syndrome describes: "Pain on one side of the hypochondrium."
Tianxiong San, syndrome description missing. (See Bai Zhu section)
In the above four formulas, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) is three pieces.
Guizhi Gancao Fuzi Tang syndrome describes: "Painful irritability, inability to flex or extend."
Fuzi Tang syndrome describes: "Aversion to cold in the back." It also states: "Body pain, cold hands and feet, joint pain."
In the above two formulas, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) is two pieces.
Sini Tang syndrome describes: "Continuous diarrhea with undigested food, body pain." It also states: "Cold hands and feet."
Zhenwu Tang syndrome describes: "Abdominal pain." It also states: "Heaviness and pain in the four limbs, accompanied by diarrhea."
Guizhi Jia Fuzi Tang syndrome describes: "Slight stiffness in the four limbs, difficulty in flexion and extension."
Guizhi Qu Shaoyao Jia Fuzi Tang syndrome describes: "Aversion to cold."
Fuzi Xingmi Tang syndrome describes: "Severe pain."
Mahuang Fuzi Gancao Tang, syndrome description incomplete. (See Mahuang section)
Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang, syndrome description incomplete. (See Xixin section)
Fuzi Xiexin Tang syndrome describes: "Aversion to cold."
Gui Jiang Cao Zao Huang Xin Fu Tang, syndrome description incomplete. (See Baizhu section)
In the above nine formulas, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) is one piece.

Having reviewed these formulas, their syndromes are all related to water disease. In the entry for Guizhi Fuzi Qu Guizi Jia Baizhu Tang, it says: "After taking the medicine, the patient feels numbness in the body; after half a day, take another dose, and after finishing all three doses, the patient may experience a sensation of dizziness or confusion; do not be alarmed; this is because Baizhu and Fuzi are working together in the skin to expel water qi, which has not yet been fully eliminated." In the entry for Wutou Guizhi Tang, it says: "Initially take two he; if there is no effect, take three he; if still no effect, increase to five he. If there is an effect, it resembles a drunken state. Vomiting indicates that the disease is being treated." These two passages describe the mingxuan (medicinal reaction) phenomenon when Fuzi expels water qi. Whenever Fuzi effectively treats the disease, mingxuan reactions occur. In severe cases, the pulse may vanish, complexion may change, resembling death.

Cross-Reference:
Herbs such as Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Edulis Radix, and Kansui Radix all expel water qi. However, their application depends on where the toxicity resides. Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata primarily treats water qi affecting the bones, joints, and body...

Guizhi Jia Fuzi Tang uses one piece of Fuzi. Guizhi Fuzi Tang uses three pieces of Fuzi. For slight stiffness in the four limbs and difficulty in flexion and extension, one piece of Fuzi is used. For painful irritability in the body and inability to turn over independently, three pieces of Fuzi are used. Depending on the severity of the pain, the dosage of Fuzi varies accordingly. Thus, the efficacy of Fuzi can be understood.

Bencao Gangmu states: "Tianxiong San treats seminal emission." Its explanation says: "It warms the Water Organ to benefit essence," which is incorrect. Zhang Zhongjing used Tianxiong solely to expel water qi.

Correction of Errors:
Bencao Gangmu states: "Fuzi is extremely hot in nature." It also says: "Greatly warm." The flavors—acrid, sour, bitter, sweet, salty—are known through tasting. The natures—cold, hot, warm, cool—cannot be determined by taste alone. To claim knowledge of what cannot be known is mere speculation, leading to conflicting theories. Whose view should we follow? Zhang Zhongjing used Fuzi primarily to expel water qi, regardless of whether heat was present. For instance, in Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang and Dahuang Fuzi Tang, how can the syndromes be described as lacking heat? Scholars should examine this carefully.

Confucius said: "If names are not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things." Is this true? What is currently called "Zhong Feng" (Wind Stroke) is not what was anciently called "Zhong Feng." Zhang Zhongjing stated: "Headache, fever, aversion to wind, and sweating is named Zhong Feng." What is currently called "Zhong Feng" refers to limb paralysis. This theory appears in Jingui Yaolue and Qianjin Fang, establishing a discussion. Another term, "Lei Zhong Feng" (Similar Wind Stroke), was coined. "Lei" means similar. Are the "Zhong Feng" mentioned in Jingui Yaolue and Qianjin Fang similar to the "Zhong Feng" in Shanghan Lun? They are not similar, hence the failure to find effective treatments. I have pondered this day and night, referencing Zhang Zhongjing's formulas. What is currently called "Zhong Feng," characterized by body pain and numbness, often falls under the category of Fuzi syndromes. I will cite a few examples to verify this. Wutou Guizhi Tang syndrome describes: "Numbness in hands and feet, body pain." Guizhi Fuzi Qu Guizi Jia Baizhu Tang syndrome describes: "Painful irritability in the body, inability to turn over independently." Guizhi Jia Fuzi Tang syndrome describes: "Slight stiffness in the four limbs, difficulty in flexion and extension." When these syndromes are present and these formulas are used, they are invariably effective. Effectiveness brings about mingxuan reactions, and the disease is cured. Therefore, I say: What is currently called "Zhong Feng" is not the ancient "Zhong Feng," but rather a syndrome treated by Zhang Zhongjing using Fuzi formulas. This must be understood.

Product Evaluation:
Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata: Currently, the local Wutou is used. The variety from Tsugaru in southern Ou Province is of superior quality. The variety sold by merchants from the Han region is salt-preserved and not natural, so its efficacy differs from that discussed by ancients. Li Shizhen said: "One liang is rare; anything above half a liang is good." The current merchandise from Han merchants ranges from two liang down to half a liang. The local Wutou matches Li Shizhen's description in weight, and its efficacy matches that used by the ancients. Therefore, I use the local variety instead of the Han variety. Bowuzhi states: "Wutou, Fuzi, and Tianxiong are the same substance." Guangya states: "Xi Du is Fuzi." One year old is Cizi, two years old is Wu Hui, three years old is Fuzi, four years old is Wutou, five years old is Tianxiong. My commentary: Their efficacies are identical, so subsequent distinctions among them should not be followed. They should be sliced before use.