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Cinnamon Bark (Guipi) possesses a pungent flavor and hot nature, is toxic, has thin scent and taste, floats upward, and belongs to yang within yin. It is generally divided into four grades. The thickest part at the bottom is called Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi). After removing the rough outer bark and retaining the part close to the wood which is rich in essence and potent, it is called Guixin (Cortex Cinnamomi Cum Ramulis Cortex Exfoliatus). Adding two or three fen of Guixin to Yin-nourishing herbs can resolve the stagnation caused by Dihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) and tonify the Kidney. This is because its pungent flavor enters the Lung meridian to generate Kidney Water, and its warm nature promotes blood circulation to resolve stagnation. Since it can unblock stagnant blood vessels, its ability to tonify the Kidney is certain. The part with medium thickness is called Guangui (Cortex Cinnamomi), mainly treating Cold in the Middle Jiao. The thinner part at the top travels to the shoulders and arms and resolves stagnation in the joints; it is often used as a guiding herb for shoulder and arm conditions. The thinnest part from tender branches is called Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi), suitable for cases of Shanghan (Cold Damage) or Shangfeng (Wind Strike) with sweating, to resolve mild exterior pathogens, not to consolidate the exterior. Only when there is sweating, indicating deficient exterior and slight pathogen, should this agent with thin scent, pungent and sweet flavors be used to gently disperse, causing sweat to stop naturally. How could a pungent-sweet agent consolidate the exterior? For patients with smallpox, adding one or two fen of thin Cinnamon Twig to blood-invigorating herbs allows blood to flow smoothly, ensuring the rash erupts freely. It also treats abdominal pain caused by Cold Qi. It is strictly contraindicated for those with hot constitution and reckless bleeding. It is incompatible with Chishizhi (Lapis Kaolinis), and pregnant women should avoid it.

Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) has a hot nature and strongly pungent flavor, with thick scent and taste, capable of ascending and descending, belonging to Yang. It disperses Lung Qi; when used with Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis), it treats cough. When used with Yin-filling herbs, it treats fever due to Blood deficiency. When added to Lung-targeting herbs, it benefits Lung Qi. When added to Kidney-targeting herbs, it dries Dampness in the Lower Jiao. It guides Qi-acting herbs into the Qi level and Blood-acting herbs into the Blood level. It mainly treats deep-seated Cold and stubborn chill, absence of Yang in the Kidney, and impending cessation of pulse qi, using Heifuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) as an assistant. It is said that when dispersing Cold pathogens, it should not be overused, as excessive use depletes Yuan Qi. "Pungency disperses," which aligns with the principle that "Strong Fire consumes Qi." Upon exposure to heat/fire, it becomes stationary and does not wander, thus treating Interior Cold. Therefore, Zhu Danxi stated: Raw Ganjiang used in dispersing formulas benefits Lung Qi and treats cough; cooked Ganjiang used in Spleen-tonifying formulas harmonizes Spleen deficiency-Cold. Why is it called Lizhong (Regulating the Middle) yet also Xiepi (Draining the Spleen)? The term "Xie" (Drain) here does not refer to draining the Spleen's healthy Qi, but rather draining the Cold-Damp pathogen within the Spleen. Thus, pungent-hot agents are used to dry it, hence the name "Draining." It is used for grayish-white rashes in smallpox cases. It is strictly contraindicated for excess Heat presenting as red or purple rashes. Pregnant women should avoid it.