气寒，味甘，无毒，降也。属金而有土与水。君甘草，则为益元散，取其甘能助阳也。
佐麦冬，则为润燥汤，取其寒能驱热也。分水道，行积滞，化食毒，逐瘀血，降妄火之要药
也。与木通同用，则利小便。与大黄同用，则利大便。
气寒，味甘咸，无毒。惟其寒也，故能除湿去烦热。惟其咸也，故能利水通肾气。惟其
甘也
气大寒，味苦辛，沉也，阴中阴也。无毒。有甘苦二种。苦者行水迅速，甘者行水迟缓，
要
服之即愈。痰饮咳不能休，用之立痊。主症瘕聚结气，理风热瘙痒痱疮。仲景治伤寒胸内停
水作胀者，十枣汤内用之是也。
气寒，味苦，无毒。专利水道，去热膀胱。浴身却皮肤瘙痒热疹，洗眼除热暗雀盲涩疼。
叶捣绞汁服之，又解诸恶疮毒。泄泻分渗，血痢无驱。四肢浮肿堪消，头面湿肿可除。其曰
益精强阴，明目聪耳，误矣。盖此剂寒苦，但主走泄而不能守。既曰走而不守，则精其亏矣，
又何益乎？阴其损矣，又何强乎？阴损精亏，则阴精不得以上荣，而阳火反得以上亢矣。耳
目聋昏则有之，耳目聪明诚无也。
[Hua Shi (Talcum)]
The qi is cold, the taste is sweet, non-toxic, and its action descends. It belongs to Metal and possesses characteristics of Earth and Water. When combined with Gan Cao (Licorice Root) as the sovereign herb, it forms Yi Yuan San (Benefit the Origin Powder), utilizing the property that sweetness can assist Yang Qi.
When combined with Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) as an assistant herb, it forms Run Zao Tang (Moisten Dryness Decoction), utilizing the property that coldness can dispel Heat. It is a key herb for separating water pathways, moving stagnation, transforming food toxicity, and expelling blood stasis.
When used together with Mu Tong (Akebia Stem), it promotes urination. When used together with Da Huang (Rhubarb Rhizome), it promotes bowel movements.
[Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum)]
The qi is cold, the taste is sweet and salty, non-toxic. Precisely because of its cold nature, it can dampen Dampness and remove vexatious Heat. Precisely because of its salty taste, it can promote urination and unblock Kidney Qi. Precisely because of its sweet taste... [Text ends here]
[Gan Sui (Kansui Root)]
The qi is greatly cold, the taste is bitter and acrid, sinking in nature, belonging to Yin within Yin. Non-toxic. There are two types: bitter and sweet. The bitter type moves water rapidly, while the sweet type moves water slowly; however, upon ingestion, the condition resolves. For phlegm-fluid retention causing persistent coughing, its use leads to immediate recovery. It governs masses and accumulations involving Qi knotting, and regulates wind-Heat pruritus and miliaria. Zhang Zhongjing utilized it in Shi Zao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction) to treat cases where Cold Damage resulted in retained fluid in the chest causing distension.
[Che Qian Zi / Ye (Plantago Seed / Leaf)]
The qi is cold, the taste is bitter, non-toxic. It specializes in promoting water pathways and clearing Heat from the Bladder. Bathing with it removes skin pruritus and heat rashes; washing the eyes eliminates heat-induced dim vision, nyctalopia, dryness, and pain. Ingesting the juice extracted by crushing and squeezing the leaves also detoxifies various malignant sores. For diarrhea, it has a draining and渗 (seeping) effect; for bloody dysentery, it lacks an expelling effect. It can eliminate edema of the four limbs and remove damp-swelling of the head and face. The claim that it benefits Essence, strengthens Yin, brightens the eyes, and sharpens hearing is erroneous. This agent is cold and bitter, primarily acting through dispersal and leakage without ability to retain. Since it acts by moving rather than retaining, Essence will be depleted; how then can it benefit? Yin will be damaged; how then can it strengthen? With damaged Yin and depleted Essence, Yin-Essence cannot ascend to nourish the upper orifices, allowing Yang Fire to hyperactive upwards. Deafness and blurred vision may occur, but indeed, there is no sharpening of hearing or brightening of vision.
[Qu Mai (Dianthus Herb)]
The qi is cold, the taste is bitter and acrid, descending in nature, belonging to slight Yin within Yang. Non-toxic. It can serve as the sovereign herb for promoting urination and as an assistant/enabling herb for rapidly resolving carbuncles and swellings. It removes corneal opacities and expels fetal tissue... [Text ends here]
[Mu Tong (Akebia Caulis)]
The qi is cold, the taste is sweet and bland, non-toxic, belonging to Yin within Yang. Because its qi is cold, it can drain Fire from the Small Intestine. Because its taste is sweet and bland, it can open the orifices for urination. The bark should be removed before use.