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(Wu Zhu Yu / Evodiae Fructus) Its nature is hot, and its flavor is bitter and acrid. Both its qi and flavor are dense; it can ascend and descend, belonging to Yang. It primarily treats hiccups and blockage in the throat due to cold qi, chest obstruction and discomfort caused by cold qi stagnation, persistent abdominal pain from cold retention in the Spleen and Stomach, and stabbing pain with stifling sensation and insensibility in the Heart Qi. It opens the interstices (Cou Li), dissipates hernia, stops vomiting and reflux, and eliminates cholera-like disorders. Furthermore, it moderates the hyperactive nature of Liver Wood and miraculously treats regurgitation of sour fluid. For headaches in the Jueyin channel, it must be used as a guiding herb. It also kills tapeworms and three types of intestinal parasites; decocting and taking it causes them to be expelled. The branches treat obstruction of urination and defecation (Guan Ge); holding them in the mouth brings immediate relief, but only those growing towards the sun are effective. Great indeed is Wu Zhu Yu, a swift formula for expelling Yin pathogens and a miraculous medicine for restoring Yang.

(Shi Zhu Yu / Zanthoxyli Fructus) Its nature is warm, and its flavor is sweet and acrid. It is non-toxic. It treats all kinds of foul odors, harmonizes the Middle Jiao to stop vomiting, and when combined with descending warm agents, serves as a swift remedy for various Wei syndromes (flaccidity syndromes) and cholera-like disorders. It is an essential medicine for tonifying deficiency of the Gate of Vitality (Ming Men). For men with hernia and women with leukorrhea (white discharge), it is effective. Generally, sweet flavors tonify righteous Qi, while acrid flavors disperse pathogenic factors. With tonification preceding dispersion, this explains why hernia and leukorrhea are resolved.

(E Zhu / Curcumae Rhizoma) Its nature is neutral, and its flavor is bitter and acrid. It belongs to Yang within Yin. It breaks up stagnant Qi, reduces distension and fullness, promotes menstruation, and drives out blood stasis. It treats chronic Pi and Zheng masses (abdominal lumps), irregular menstrual blood flow in women, and stabbing pain in the heart and abdomen. White varieties belong to Qi; thus, white E Zhu primarily breaks Qi stagnation within Blood. It is best prepared by boiling with vinegar. It is incompatible with Natrii Sulfas (Ya Xiao). Pregnant women should avoid using it.

(San Leng / Sparganii Rhizoma) Its nature is warm, and its flavor is bitter and acrid. It is non-toxic. It primarily treats abdominal pain in the Heart and Diaphragm regions and indigestion. It dispels cold Qi causing cholera-like disorders and stops vomiting of sour fluid. It also breaks up mass formations, addresses Blood and Qi disorders in women, and Ben Tun Qi (rushing gas syndrome) in men. Black varieties belong to Blood; thus, black San Leng primarily breaks Blood stasis within Qi. Generally, bitter flavors drain excess, and acrid flavors dissipate accumulation. These two herbs, San Leng and E Zhu, both have bitter and acrid flavors. Users should cease administration once the disease is cured and must not overuse them to avoid damaging True Yuan (Original Qi). If used in formulas that break Qi, they must be combined with Qi-tonifying herbs as the main component. If used in formulas that break Blood, they must be combined with Blood-nourishing herbs as the main component. If used in formulas that digest food, they must be combined with Spleen-tonifying herbs as the main component. This is the fundamental principle.