气寒，味苦辛平，痰家之要药也。必用姜汁佐之，方行经络。故痰在四肢者，非竹沥不
能开。痰在皮里膜外者，非加姜汁不能除。痰在胸间者，当用竹沥，风痰亦用。能治热痰，
又能养血清热，有痰厥不省人事几死者，得竹沥灌之立醒。
气微温，味辛无毒。疏脾胃有余之气，定霍乱吐泻之疾。胀满者用之。气虚则忌。
气微寒，味甘平，无毒。主筋急拘挛，风湿痹，除筋骨邪气不仁。肺痈脓血，干湿肺气。
丹溪曰，寒则筋急，热则筋缩，急因于坚强，缩因于短促，是热与寒未尝不挟湿而成，然外
湿非内湿有以启之，亦不能成。至湿之病，或因酒面为多，而鱼肉继成之。若烧炙香辛坚硬
之物，皆致湿之因也。孕妇所禁。
气温，味甘美。属土而有水。经曰，补中补胃。又曰，益精治浊。同杜仲，理腰膝疼痛。
并甘菊，令耳目聪明。更益精气，又主脾湿。久服不厌，可作饵食。
气微温，味苦辛，无毒。可升可降，阴中微阳。手阳明经药也。治口眼歪斜不正，主口
噤肠风下血。下牙肿痛，口内疮毒。养血荣筋，除风痹肢节俱疼。通便利水，去遍身黄胆如
金。又能去本经风湿，以菖蒲为使。
气微寒，味苦甘酸，无毒。沉也，阴也。主下部积热之血痢，止下焦不禁之月水。塞痔
来红，疗肠风下血。止妇人带下崩中，却小儿疳热积瘀。
(Zhuli / Bamboo Sap) Its nature is cold, its taste is bitter, pungent, and neutral. It is a crucial herb for treating phlegm disorders. Ginger juice must be used as an adjuvant to allow it to circulate through the meridians. Therefore, when phlegm is located in the four limbs, only bamboo sap can open it up; when phlegm is located between the skin and fascia, only by adding ginger juice can it be eliminated; when phlegm is located in the chest, bamboo sap should be used, and it is also applicable for wind-phlegm. It can treat heat-phlegm, nourish blood, and clear heat. In cases of phlegm-jue (syncope due to phlegm obstruction) where consciousness is lost and death seems imminent, administering bamboo sap will cause immediate awakening.
(Lianqiao / Forsythia Fruit) Its nature is cold, its taste is bitter. When combined with Lianqiao, it eliminates heat-toxin. As a minister herb combined with Gancao (Licorice Root) and Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), it treats throat diseases.
(Huo Xiang / Patchouli Herb or similar aromatic damp-resolving herb implied) Its nature is slightly warm, its taste is pungent, and it is non-toxic. It disperses stagnant qi in the spleen and stomach, and stabilizes vomiting and diarrhea caused by Huoluan (cholera-like disorder). It is used for abdominal distension and fullness. It is contraindicated for those with qi deficiency.
(Fangji / Stepnolevia Root or similar rheumatism-resolving herb implied) Its nature is slightly cold, its taste is sweet and neutral, and it is non-toxic. It primarily treats tendon spasm and contracture, wind-damp bi-syndrome, and removes pathogenic factors from the sinews and bones causing numbness and insensitivity. It treats lung abscess with pus and blood, and regulates dry and wet lung qi conditions. Zhu Danxi said: Cold causes tendon contraction, heat causes tendon shortening. Contraction results from stiffness, shortening results from brevity. This indicates that heat and cold are often accompanied by dampness. However, external dampness cannot form pathological conditions without internal dampness to initiate it. Regarding dampness diseases, they are mostly caused by alcohol and wheat/flour products, followed by fish and meat. Consuming roasted, spicy, and hard foods are all causes of dampness. It is contraindicated for pregnant women.
(Huangjing / Polygonatum Rhizome or similar tonic herb implied) Its nature is warm, its taste is sweet and pleasant. It belongs to Earth and contains Water qualities. The classics state: "Tonify the middle, tonify the stomach." And again: "Benefit essence, treat turbidity." Combined with Duzhong (Eucommia Bark), it manages lower back and knee pain. Combined with Ganju (Chrysanthemum Flower), it clarifies the eyes and ears. It further benefits essence and qi, and primarily treats spleen dampness. Long-term consumption is not tiresome and can be taken as food.
(Baizhi / Angelica Dahurica Root or similar Yangming meridian herb implied) Its nature is slightly warm, its taste is bitter and pungent, and it is non-toxic. Its action can ascend and descend; it is slightly yang within yin. It is a herb of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. It treats facial paralysis (deviation of mouth and eyes), primarily treats trismus (lockjaw) and Changfeng bleeding (hematochezia due to wind-heat in intestines). It treats swelling and pain of the lower teeth, and sores/toxins in the mouth. It nourishes blood and benefits sinews, removes wind-bi causing pain in all limb joints. It promotes urination and unblocks bowels, removing generalized jaundice resembling gold color. It can also remove wind-damp from this meridian, using Shichangpu (Acorus Tatarinowii Rhizome) as an guiding herb.
(Diyu / Sanguisorba Root) Its nature is slightly cold, its taste is bitter, sweet, and sour, and it is non-toxic. It is heavy and sinking, belonging to yin. It primarily treats bloody dysentery caused by accumulated heat in the lower jiao, and stops irregular menstruation due to lower jiao insecurity. It treats hemorrhoidal bleeding, and heals Changfeng bleeding. It stops leukorrhea and metrorrhagia in women, and expels infantile malnutrition fever and stagnation.