气平，微温，味酸涩，无毒。入足厥阴少阴经药也。温胆补肾，而兴阳道。固精暖腰，
而助水脏。通九窍，匀经候。仲景八味丸以此剂为君主者，盖为滑则气脱，涩则所以收之，
故以此剂之涩，以收其滑。其曰止小便者，亦为其补肾添精，味酸能收也。
气温，味酸，无毒。气薄味浓，降也，阴也。肺肾二经药也。主滋肾水，收肺气。除
烦止渴生津，补虚益气强阴。霍乱泻利可止，水肿腹胀能消。冬月咳嗽肺寒，加干姜肉桂治
效。夏季神力困乏，同参 麦 服良。其曰能强筋者，以其酸入筋也。又曰能消酒毒者，何
哉？盖酒毒伤肺而肺热，得此收敛，则肺气敛而热邪释矣。又曰下气者，何哉？盖肺苦气上，
惟
引其盛也，肺邪盛者，莫如用黄五味子，取其辛甘稍重，而能散也。
气微寒，味甘苦，无毒。补肾明耳目，安神耐寒暑。延寿添精，固髓健骨。滋阴不致阴
衰，兴阳常使阳举。并麦冬同生地入葙子，治肾虚目疾如神。佐杜仲同芡实加牛膝，疗房劳
腰疼甚捷。
气寒，味甘，无毒。补阴气之要药也。主明目聪耳，除胸中烦热，又治头眩头痛。此数
症者，皆由水不足，而风火上盛，得补阴之剂，则水盛而火自息矣。抑且肾窍通耳目，肾气
胜则窍通精明，清气升则头目爽快，此烦热除而眩痛止也。又变老人皓首成黑，同地黄酿酒。
解
冬取根，四时频服，大有奇功。但黄菊不如白菊佳，白属水，黄属土也。野菊不可入药，用
之令人目昏。
[Shanzhuyu / Corni Fructus]
The qi is neutral, slightly warm; the taste is sour and astringent; it is non-toxic. It enters the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. It warms the Gallbladder and tonifies the Kidney, thereby stimulating sexual function (Xing Yang Dao). It consolidates essence and warms the waist, assisting the Water Organ (Kidney). It unblocks the nine orifices and regulates menstruation. Zhang Zhongjing uses this herb as the Sovereign drug in Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), because sliding/looseness leads to Qi depletion, while astringency serves to consolidate it; thus, the astringency of this herb is used to restrain sliding Qi. The statement that it stops frequent urination is also due to its ability to tonify the Kidney and replenish essence, and its sour taste having a收敛 (astringent) effect.
[Ganju / Chrysanthemi Flos (Yellow)]
The qi is warm; the taste is sour; it is non-toxic. Its qi is thin and its taste is strong; it descends and belongs to Yin. It enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. It primarily nourishes Kidney Water and consolidates Lung Qi. It eliminates vexation, stops thirst, generates fluids, tonifies deficiency, benefits Qi, and strengthens Yin. It can stop dysentery and diarrhea caused by Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome), and resolve edema and abdominal distension. For coughs due to Lung Cold in winter, adding Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) yields good results. In summer, for divine spirit fatigue, taking it with Renshen (Ginseng) and Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber) is beneficial. The statement that it strengthens sinews is because the sour taste enters the sinews. Why does it say it can eliminate alcohol toxicity? Because alcohol toxicity damages the Lung causing Lung Heat; obtaining this astringent property allows Lung Qi to consolidate, and the heat pathogen is released. It also says it directs Qi downward; why? Because the Lung suffers from Qi ascending, and only by guiding the excess downward can it be calmed; for cases of excessive Lung pathogen, there is none better than using Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), taking advantage of its slightly heavy acrid-sweet nature to disperse.
[Gouqi / Lycii Fructus]
The qi is slightly cold; the taste is sweet and bitter; it is non-toxic. It tonifies the Kidney, brightens the eyes and ears, calms the Spirit, and adapts to cold and heat. It extends life, adds essence, consolidates marrow, and strengthens bones. It nourishes Yin without causing Yin decline, and stimulates Yang so that Yang is often raised. When decocted together with Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber) and Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) in a muslin bag, it treats eye diseases due to Kidney deficiency with miraculous efficacy. Assisted by Duzhong (Eucommia Bark) and Qianshi (Euryale Seed), added with Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), it treats lower back pain from sexual exhaustion very rapidly.
[Huangju / Chrysanthemi Flos (Yellow)]
The qi is cold; the taste is sweet; it is non-toxic. It is an essential herb for tonifying Yin Qi. It primarily brightens the eyes and ears, eliminates vexation and heat in the chest, and treats dizziness and headache. These symptoms are all caused by insufficient Water (Kidney Yin), leading to flourishing Wind-Fire; upon receiving Yin-tonifying agents, Water becomes abundant and Fire naturally subsides. Moreover, the Kidney opens into the eyes and ears; when Kidney Qi is sufficient, the orifices are clear and vision is sharp; when Clear Qi ascends, the head and eyes feel refreshed, thus eliminating vexation and stopping dizziness and pain. It can also turn white hair black in the elderly; it can be brewed into wine with Dihuang (Rehmannia). Harvesting the root in winter and taking it frequently throughout the four seasons yields great miraculous effects. However, Huangju (Yellow Chrysanthemum) is not as good as Baiju (White Chrysanthemum), because White belongs to Water and Yellow belongs to Earth. Yeju (Wild Chrysanthemum) should not be used in medicine, as using it causes dimness of vision.