Library

[Elsholtzia Spica (Xiangru Sui)]
Nature and flavor: Pungent and warm. Disperses summerheat and regulates dampness; it is a herb for releasing the exterior in cases of summerheat contraction during summer. It is contraindicated in patients without exterior pathogenic factors.

[Perilla Leaf (Zisu Ye)]
Pungent, bitter, and warm. Its aromatic nature disperses easily. It enters the Qi level of the Lung and Liver meridians and also affects the Blood level. It is a specific herb for treating wind pathogens and blood disorders. For treating wind, use raw; for other purposes, use charred black. However, it is only suitable when the wind pathogen is located between the skin and fascia. If the wind pathogen has penetrated into the bones and muscles, Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) must be used, and they should not be mixed indiscriminately.

[Perilla Fruit (Zisu Zi)]
Pungent, warm, and purple in color. Enters the Lung meridian to dispel cold and release the exterior, harmonizes Qi and Blood, calms the fetus, and relieves asthma. Contraindicated in Qi deficiency. Su Song stated: Zisu Zi eliminates phlegm, regulates cough, resolves stagnation, and stabilizes asthma; it should be stir-fried and ground before use. Contraindicated in patients with loose stools.

[Perilla Stem (Zisu Geng)]
Regulates Qi and calms the fetus; its efficacy is slightly milder, making it most suitable for patients with deficiency.

[Stachys Sieboldii (Shuisu)]
Also known as Longnao Bohe (Mentha longifolia). Although its nature and flavor are similar to Perilla, it is pungent, acrid, and moves Qi vigorously, and is not used in decoctions.

[Mint (Bohe)]
Nature and flavor: Pungent and cool. Disperses wind-heat, clears and benefits the head and eyes, searches the Liver and Lungs, promotes the free flow of stagnant Qi, and resolves depression. However, its pungent and aromatic nature consumes Qi, and excessive use damages the body. The variety produced in Suzhou is preferred.

[Aucklandia Root (Muxiang)]
Pungent, warm, and aromatic, with a slight sweet taste. Its function specializes in regulating Qi, resolving depression, opening the stomach, and awakening the spleen. Its aromatic dispersion is stronger than Huoxiang (Patchouli), so patients with deficiency should use it in reduced doses.

[Ginger Grass (Gansong)*]
Nature and flavor: Pungent and warm. Warms the middle jiao and dispels miasma. Its Qi-dispersing power is stronger than Gan Song (Nardostachys), so it is not advisable for patients with deficiency to use it lightly.

*[Note: Original text says "San qi lie yu Gan Song", implying comparison with Nardostachys, but contextually likely refers to Kaempferia or similar. Translating literally based on provided text structure].*

[Kaempferia Galanga (Shannai)]
Aromatic, pungent, and warm. Warms the middle jiao and dispels evil influences. Contraindications are the same as those for Shannai (Kaempferia Galanga). *[Note: Text implies self-reference or error, translated literally]*.

[Atractylodes Macrocephala / Baitouzhi (Baitouzhi - inferred from description "white, lung/spleen, dysentery")**]
Nature and flavor: Pungent and warm. White color enters the Lung; aromatic nature enters the Spleen. Its function specializes in dispelling filth and treating dysentery; it is suitable for patients with deficiency.

**(Xi Cao Lei - Marsh Grass Category)**

[Salvia Miltiorrhiza (Danshen)]
Bitter in taste, very cold in nature, with a slight sweet aftertaste. Enters the Heart and Kidney meridians. Cools blood, dissipates stasis, drains heat, and nourishes Yin. It is a specific herb for blood stasis combined with heat accumulation. Contraindicated in excess heat in the blood level.

[Rehmannia Glutinosa (Sheng Dihuang)]
Bitter and sweet, cold in nature. Heavy and yin in character, it descends. Enters the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney), Hand Shaoyin (Heart), and Jueyin (Liver) meridians, and additionally the Hand Taiyang (Small Intestine) meridian. Nourishes Yin, reduces fever, cools blood, generates blood, calms the fetus, and promotes urination and bowel movements. It is a specific herb for Yin deficiency with accompanying heat. Contraindicated in Spleen deficiency with diarrhea and Stomach deficiency with poor appetite. However, it is sometimes stir-fried until loose or charred: stir-frying until loose removes dampness from the blood; charring stops bleeding caused by damp-heat damaging Yin.

[Xiaoshengdi (Small Raw Rehmannia)]
Its efficacy is very weak; it is only suitable for individuals with blood heat.

[Ganshengdi (Dried Raw Rehmannia)]
Drains heat from the blood. It lacks the functions of nourishing Yin and benefiting blood. It is suitable for sores, ulcers, and smallpox/rubella eruptions.