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[Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma)] Bitter, pungent, neutral in nature. Its qi is astringent and contracting; its substance is moistening and tonifying. It enters the Lung meridian, stops hematemesis (vomiting blood) and epistaxis (nosebleed). For those with Lung damage, it can promote regeneration.

[Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma)] Sweet, bitter, slightly warm. Disperses blood stasis, stops bleeding, alleviates pain. However, it may damage newly formed blood; thus, it should not be taken for hematemesis or epistaxis without blood stasis. Caosanqi (Panacis Japonici Rhizoma): Similar efficacy, but slightly more potent; suitable for temporary use by common people.

[Zicao (Arnebiae Radix seu Lithospermi Radix)] Bitter, sour, slightly cold. Nature is sinking and astringent; enters the lower Jiao blood level. Eliminates bloody dysentery, stops intestinal wind (hematochezia). All parts are used after being charred to carbon. The tip promotes blood circulation, contrary to the root's function.

[Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)] Bitter, red in color, neutral in qi and descending. Enters the Heart and Pericardium meridians. Breaks down old blood stasis, generates new blood. When combined with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), it becomes an essential herb for gynecology. Although it promotes blood circulation, it should not be used for those with blood deficiency without stasis.

[Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix)] Bitter, sweet, slightly cold. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. Relieves irritability and thirst, detoxifies, benefits the throat, and clears floating fire of no root. Contraindicated for spleen deficiency with diarrhea. Sometimes used cooked.

[Huangbo (Phellodendri Cortex)] Greatly bitter, dries dampness; greatly cold, overcomes heat. Sinking and entering the Kidney meridian. Its function specializes in detoxification and reducing carbuncles. Contraindicated for Liver and Kidney deficiency without damp-heat.

[Longdancao (Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma)] Greatly bitter, greatly cold, sinking and yin-descending. Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians to drain fire, and also enters the Bladder and Kidney meridians to eliminate damp-heat in the lower Jiao. Wine-washing enhances efficacy but severely damages Stomach qi; contraindicated for those without excess fire.

[Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma)] Greatly bitter, greatly cold. Enters the Heart meridian to drain fire and dries Spleen dampness. Drain fire: use raw. Dry dampness: use stir-fried. Stir-fried with pig bile treats Liver/Gallbladder fire; wine-stir-fried treats upper Jiao fire; ginger juice-stir-fried treats middle Jiao fire; salt water-stir-fried treats lower Jiao fire; stir-fried with Evodia decoction treats damp-heat in the Qi level of Liver/Gallbladder; vinegar-stir-fried treats damp-heat in Heart/Spleen. Contraindicated for all cases where the blood level lacks excess heat. If not produced in Sichuan, Huanglian may instead deplete healthy qi.

[Huhuanglian (Picrorhizae Rhizoma]) Bitter, cold in nature and flavor. Cools convulsions, drains heat, benefits Liver and Gallbladder; thickens intestines and stomach. Treats adult bone-steaming fever and pediatric gan-heat (malnutrition fever). Contraindications are the same as Chuan Huanglian.

[Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix)] Bitter, cold in nature and flavor. Drains Lung fire, relieves chills and fever. Those with middle deficiency are called "Ku Qin" (withered Scutellaria), entering the Lung meridian to clear exterior heat; those with interior excess are called "Tiao Qin" (striped Scutellaria), entering the Large Intestine meridian to clear heat and calm the fetus. Drain fire: use raw. Relieve chills/fever: use wine-stir-fried.

[Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix)] Sweet, salty, cold in qi. Enters the Jueyin (Liver) blood level. Cools blood and invigorates blood. It is a specific medicine for blood heat in smallpox/variolous eruptions. Contraindicated for loose stools.