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Bitter and sour. Neutral in nature. Non-toxic. It inherits the Yin energy of Heaven and Earth, and is generated by combining with the Qi of Jia Wood (Wood element). Its action ascends slightly and descends slightly; it is Yin within Yang.

[Indications] [White Peony Root] Primarily relieves central tension and pain (Huan Zhong), eliminates damp-fluid accumulation, promotes urination through the Bladder and Large and Small Intestines, treats abdominal and lower back pain caused by sudden evil invasion (Zhong E), and various diseases in women, including conditions before and after childbirth; harmonizes blood, calms rebellious Qi causing wheezing and coughing; resolves a sensation of fluid retention as if sitting in water; expels pathogenic blood stasis.

Ao's Note: Materia Medica texts have traditionally not distinguished between Red and White Peony Root regarding their properties and functions. It was not until *Ben Cao Jing Shu* (Commentary on the Materia Medica) that they were analyzed separately. Its principles are subtle and profound; I therefore follow its view.

[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Spleen, Lung, and Liver meridians. It is an astringent substance. (Also serves as both a tonifying and draining agent; it is a guiding herb for the Spleen and Lung meridians, and acts on the Blood aspect of the Liver and Spleen.)

[Prior Discussions] Zhu Danxi said: Peony drains Spleen Fire. Its nature and flavor are sour and cold. In winter, it must be stir-fried with wine. All abdominal pain is due to coagulation and stagnation of blood vessels, so it must also be used after wine processing.

Li Shizhen said: White Peony benefits the Spleen and can drain Wood Qi from within Earth. Red Peony disperses pathogens and moves stagnation in the blood. After childbirth, Liver Blood is already deficient, so one should not further drain it.

The white variety is named Jin Peony (Metal Peony), and the red variety is named Mu Peony (Wood Peony). White tonifies while Red drains; White astringes while Red disperses; White nourishes Blood while Red invigorates Blood; White directs Qi downward while Red supplements Qi; White stops pain while Red promotes urination.

[Contraindications] *Ben Cao Jing Shu* states: White Peony is sour and cold. It is contraindicated in cases of Cold invading the middle causing abdominal pain, diarrhea due to Cold, cold pain in the abdomen, and sensations of cold in the intestines and stomach.

Five-flavor Berry (Wuweizi): The skin is sweet, the flesh is sour, the seeds are bitter and pungent, and the whole fruit possesses a salty taste. Warm in nature. Non-toxic. It derives from the Yin of the Earth and combines with the Yang of Heaven to generate. Its action descends; it is slight Yang within Yin. It uses Cistanche Herba (Rou Cong Rong) as an assistant herb, and is incompatible with Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome (Yuzhu).

[Indications] Primarily supplements Qi, treats rebellious Qi causing coughing and asthma, emaciation and weakness due to overwork and injury, supplements deficiencies, strengthens Yin, and benefits male essence. (From *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*). Nourishes the Five Zang organs, clears deficiency heat, warms the feet, and astringes Lung Qi.

[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. It is an astringent and moistening substance. (Also serves as a tonifying agent; it is a blood-aspect herb for the Lung meridian and a Qi-aspect herb for the Kidney meridian.)

[Prior Discussions] Li Dongyuan said: Sour flavors astringe rebellious Qi. For Lung Cold with rebellious Qi, this herb should be treated together with dried Ginger. Furthermore, Wuweizi astringes Lung Qi and is essential for treating heat-fire conditions.

Ao's Note: Both Li Dongyuan and Zhu Danxi regarded Wuweizi as a herb for treating heat-fire. Only Kou Zongshi, relying solely on the *Ben Cao Jing*'s statement that its nature is warm, claimed it treats Lung deficiency-cold and did not emphasize its ability to clear heat.

[Contraindications] *Ben Cao Jing Shu* states: It is contraindicated in early-stage cough with rapid pulse indicating excess fire, presence of moving Qi in the Liver home, excess heat in the Lung home, initial eruption of scarlet fever, and all types of stagnant accumulations.

[Processing] Li Shizhen said: When using Wuweizi, those produced in the North that are purple-black are superior. For tonifying formulas, soak in honey and steam. For formulas treating chronic cough due to consumption, use raw. Always crush the seeds.