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Xu Zhicai stated: "The purgative method can remove obstruction. Drugs such as Lepidium Seed (Tingli) and Rhubarb (Dahuang) belong to this category." Li Gao stated: "Lepidium Seed is bitter and cold, with strong flavor and potency, no less effective than Rhubarb."

Rhubarb (Dahuang), Morning Glory Seed (Qianniu), Kansui Root (Gansui), and Croton Seed (Badou) are all purgatives. They induce labor and lactation, grind down accumulations, expel water retention, break menstrual stasis, and drain qi. Any action that directs downward belongs to the purgative method (Xia Fa).

[Lepidium Seed / Tingli]
Flavor: Sweet, Pungent; Nature: Very Cold; Toxicity: Non-toxic. It is generated by inheriting the Qi of Yin Metal. Its action is descending, belonging to Yin within Yang. Elm Bark (Yupi) serves as a guiding herb; processing with wine is beneficial. It should be used with Jujube (Dazao). It opposes Silkworm Larva (Jiangcan).
[Indications] Primarily treats masses and accumulations (Zhengjia Jiju), constrained Qi, dietary stagnation, alternating cold and heat, breaks hardness, expels pathogens, and promotes free flow of water passages. (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*) It drains bladder water, clears latent retained heat, and treats cough.
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Lung, Large Intestine, and Bladder meridians. It is a substance that descends Qi and moves water. (Also classified as a unblocking agent; it is the principal herb for the Lung, excellent at expelling water diseases.)
[Prior Discussions] Dongyuan (Li Gao) said: "It strongly descends Qi and should only be used in combination with pungent and sour herbs to guide the dissipation of swelling." Zongshi (Kou Zongshi) said: "There are two types, sweet and bitter, which look identical, both serving to..." [Text incomplete/cut off].
[Contraindications] Miusaid (Miao Xiyong) said: "If edema and fullness are due to Spleen deficiency failing to control water, or if urinary obstruction is due to Bladder deficiency lacking Qi for transformation, they are strictly contraindicated. This is because it is detrimental to..." [Text incomplete/cut off].
[Processing] Leigong said: "When using it, bake it slightly together with glutinous rice until the rice is cooked, remove the rice, and pound the seed for use."

[Rhubarb / Dahuang]
Flavor: Very Bitter; Nature: Very Cold; Toxicity: Non-toxic. It is generated by inheriting the deep Yin Qi of the Earth and the profound Cold Qi of Heaven. Its action is descending, belonging to Yin. Scutellaria Root (Huangqin) serves as a guiding herb; it has no specific taboos. It opposes cold water and Dry Lacquer (Ganqi).
[Indications] Primarily treats lower jiao blood stasis, blood obstruction causing cold and heat, breaks masses and accumulations, resolves retained fluid and old food, cleanses the intestines and stomach, pushes out the old to bring forth the new, promotes free flow of water and grain, regulates the lower abdomen, and treats dysentery with red and white discharge.
[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Liver, Spleen, and Stomach meridians, and also enters the Pericardium and Large Intestine meridians. It is a substance that severely drains excess heat from the Blood level and completely eliminates tangible accumulations.
[Prior Discussions] Dongyuan said: "Rhubarb travels downward. When treating conditions in the lower part, raw Rhubarb must be used. If the pathogen is in the upper part, it must be soaked in wine to guide the medicine upward to the highest regions, driving out heat..." [Text incomplete/cut off].
[Contraindications] Miusaid (Miao Xiyong) said: "Conditions involving Qi level, Spleen/Stomach cold, Blood deficiency, pregnancy, and postpartum states are all contraindicated."
[Processing] Cangqi (Su Jing) said: "When using Rhubarb, there are steamed, raw, and cooked forms; one cannot use them indiscriminately." Jiegu (Zhang Yuansu) said: "Wine-soaked enters the Spleen meridian; wine-washed enters..." [Text cut off].