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(Artemisiae Argyi Fructus / Zhi Shi) The qi is cold, the flavor is bitter and sour. The qi is dense and the flavor is thin. It is non-toxic, sinking and yin. It can eliminate deficiency-type fullness in the stomach and drive away stagnant water under the heart. It transforms thick phlegm formed over a long period and cuts down hard accumulations that have persisted for years. Zhang Zhongjing adds it to Chengqi Tang (Cathartic Decoction), utilizing its merit of unblocking and breaking up knots. Zhu Danxi includes it in phlegm-draining formulas, possessing the ability to push down walls and tear down battlements. If one wishes to tonify qi, it is assisted by Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma). If one wishes to break qi stagnation, it is assisted by Xiaoshi (Natrii Sulfas) and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma). Compared with Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), this herb differs in terms of high/low and slow/fast action: Zhike governs the upper part, while Zhi Shi governs the lower part; governing the upper relates to qi, governing the lower relates to blood. Governing qi pertains to the chest and diaphragm, governing blood pertains to the heart and abdomen. Therefore, fullness in the chest is due to lung qi stagnation, hence the name Jiegeng Zhike Tang (Platycodon and Aurantium Decoction). Fullness under the heart is due to spleen blood accumulation, hence the use of Baizhu Zhi Shi Tang (Atractylodes and Aurantium Decoction). It is contraindicated in cases of qi deficiency.

(Qingpi / Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) The qi is cold, the flavor is bitter and pungent. Both qi and flavor are dense. It is non-toxic, sinking and yin. It is the guiding herb for the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. It breaks stagnant qi; the lower the location, the more effective it is. It cuts down hard accumulations; the lower the location, the better the efficacy. It guides other herbs to the divisions of the Jueyin meridian and directs food and drink into the granary of the Taiyin (Spleen) meridian. It is also a descending herb for the Shaoyin meridian. Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) treats high qi, while Qingpi treats low qi. Assisted by Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), it can treat stabbing pain in both hypochondria; vinegar-frying is best. As the sovereign herb paired with Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), it subdues the moving fire of the Gallbladder; being controlled by the Gallbladder is excellent. It attacks hernias, soothes the liver, promotes digestion, and relaxes the stomach. For patients with fright, using 1-2 fen is wonderful.

(Xiangfu / Cyperi Rhizoma) The qi is slightly hot, the flavor is sweet and pungent. The qi is heavy and the flavor is light. It is the qi herb within the blood category and is essential in all formulas regulating blood and qi. It rapidly moves qi, opens depression, expels blood stasis, and regulates menstruation. It eliminates external pathogens causing skin itching and stops internal symptoms of cholera-like vomiting and regurgitation. Charred black, it stops metrorrhagia and bleeding from the uterus. Mixed with vinegar and applied externally, it treats breast swelling turning into abscesses. It can also guide blood-invigorating herbs into the qi level to generate blood. Vinegar-frying is best for treating qi-pain; salt-processing is excellent for treating kidney pain. Wine-frying makes it hot; boiling in urine makes it cool. Paired with qi herbs, it enters the qi level; paired with blood herbs, it enters the blood level. It is the holy medicine of gynecology. Generally, sweetness regulates qi and blood, while pungency disperses stagnation and promotes digestion. This herb can soothe qi and dissipate depression; when qi is soothed and depression dissipated, new blood is generated and the body harmonizes. However, this herb is mostly hot and dry; it must be fried after soaking in child's urine, with Wuyao (Tso-wu's Root) as its assistant and guide.