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[Fei Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizoma)] Bitter and pungent, cold in nature and slippery in texture. It drains the excess heat of the Yangming channel, nourishes the deficient yin of the Shaoyin channel, moistens dryness and stops coughing, relieves irritability and calms the fetus. Wine-soaked and stir-fried, it clears heat from the Upper Jiao; water-stir-fried, it nourishes the Lower Jiao. Contraindicated for those with loose stools.

[Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus)] Sweet, slightly cold. Cools the Heart, disperses stagnation, clears the Lungs and transforms phlegm-heat. Xiang Bei (Zhe Bei Mu / Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus): Firm in shape, bitter in taste, stronger in clearing heat but cannot resolve stagnation. Da Bei (Zhu Bei / Fritillariae Bulbus): Large in size, bitter in taste, drains heat and resolves toxicity, a specialized herb for external diseases. The heart/core must be removed before use.

[Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex)] Bitter, strengthens the Kidney; cold, cools blood. Enters the Blood aspect of the Yangming channel and concurrently enters the Jueyin channel. Clears heat-dysentery and tenesmus. Contraindicated when there is no heat in the Blood aspect.

[Su Zi (Perillae Fructus)] Pungent and sweet, slightly cold. Enters the Lung channel to eliminate phlegm and direct Qi downward. Can relieve Qi obstruction due to Lung excess. Contraindicated for Lung deficiency.

[Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex)] Bitter and salty, slightly cold. A herb for the Yangming and Chong-Ren channels. Reduces fever and benefits Yin, suitable for Blood-heat patterns. Contraindicated for Blood deficiency.

[Bai Mao Gen (Imperatae Rhizoma)] Sweet and cold. Enters the Lung channel to cool blood and stop bleeding. The needle-like rootstock can suppurate pus; the flower can stop epistaxis.

[Bi Xie (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma)] Sweet, drying in nature, cold in Qi and moving in action. Enters the Spleen and Stomach channels to drain damp-heat, and concurrently enters the Small Intestine and Bladder channels. Promotes water pathways, opens orifices, and unblocks passages. It is a specialized herb for various Bi syndromes. Contraindicated for deficiency-cold in the lower body, even if dampness symptoms are present.

[Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizoma)] Bitter and pungent, warm in nature. Enters the Foot-Shaoyin/Liver and Hand-Taiyin/Spleen channels. Moves Qi stagnation within Blood and Blood stagnation within Qi. Raw use breaks Blood; stir-fried use regulates Blood; promotes Blood circulation; vinegar-stir-fried stops bleeding, must be charred black. Contraindicated for early menstruation and uterine bleeding due to Blood deficiency.

[San Qi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma)] Sweet and neutral in nature. Treats traumatic injuries and metallic wound bleeding; decoct the roots and wash the affected area. Wine-stir-fried moves Blood; vinegar-stir-fried stops bleeding. Mashed into a paste, it can be applied to swollen injuries.

[Wei Ling Xian (Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma)] Bitter and pungent. Excellent at dispelling wind-dampness. Treats paralysis of hands and feet, and pain in bones and tendons. Highly effective when used together with Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix).

[Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps)] Sweet and neutral. Nourishes the Kidney and protects the Lungs. Its efficacy specializes in stopping bleeding and transforming phlegm, capable of curing consumptive cough. In winter, while underground, the sclerotium remains alive like an old silkworm with hairs; in summer, the hairs emerge above ground, and the entire body transforms into grass. If not harvested, it transforms back into an insect by winter.

[Lei Gong Teng (Tripterygii Root)] Neutral and slightly bitter. Treats mountain miasma and pestilential toxins, as well as various poisonings and sores/toxins. Crush the roots to extract juice, take one qian with wine to detoxify immediately.