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(Those with thin qi belong to yin within yang; when qi is thin, it tends to dissipate, corresponding to pungent, sweet, and bland flavors, with neutral, cold, or cool properties.)

Poria (Fuling): The qi is neutral, the flavor is sweet, non-toxic. [Li Gao] states its nature is warm, flavor sweet and bland, with thin qi and flavor, possessing a floating and ascending quality that aids yang qi. [Zhang Yuansu] primarily indicates its effects of quenching thirst, promoting urination, removing dampness, benefiting dryness, harmonizing the middle jiao, and tonifying qi. Its main therapeutic action is to promote blood circulation in the waist and umbilical region. It is effective for urinary obstruction, yellow or red urine, and difficult urination; however, if urination is already clear or frequent, taking this herb will severely damage the eyes. If taken by those with excessive sweating, it depletes true qi and shortens lifespan. Physicians say "red purges, white tonifies," but this distinction did not exist in ancient times. Bland flavors can open orifices, sweet flavors can assist yang, making it a holy medicine for removing dampness. Sweet and neutral, it tonifies yang, benefits the spleen, expels water-dampness excess, treats oliguria. Bland flavors have seeping and draining properties, belonging to yang. It is used to treat edema, soothe the spleen, generate fluids, and guide qi movement. [Wang Haogu] states it enters the Foot Shaoyin and Hand-Foot Taiyang meridians. White-colored ones enter Metal (Xin) and Water (Gui); red-colored ones enter Fire (Bing/Ding). It can subdue kidney pathogenic factors, stop polyuria, and relieve dysuria. Similar to Plantaginis Semen (Cheqianzi), although it promotes urination, it does not disperse qi. When soaked in wine and used together with Zhu Sha (Cinnabar), it can consolidate true yuan. Sweet and neutral. How to prepare it to promote urination? Peel, crush, and pass through fine silk gauze.

Alisma Rhizome (Zexie): The qi is neutral, the flavor is sweet, non-toxic. [Li Gao] states its nature is sinking and descending, belonging to yin. [Zhang Yuansu] states its flavor is sweet and salty, nature cold, sinking and descending, belonging to slight yang within yin. It enters the Foot Taiyang and Foot Shaoyin meridians. It is a holy medicine for removing dampness. It treats dribbling urination and removes sweat from the yin region. Taking it without such ailments causes blindness. [Kou Zongshi] states that Alisma's strength lies in moving water. Zhang Zhongjing treated water retention causing thirst, vexation, oliguria, vomiting, or diarrhea using Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). The prescription uses Alisma, indicating its strength in moving water. *Bencao* cites Bian Que saying long-term use causes eye dimming, truly utilizing the drug's property to manage water. Anyone taking Zexie San invariably experiences increased urination. If urination increases, how can kidney qi recover? Nowadays, people only use it to stop seminal emission and dare not use it otherwise. Zhang Zhongjing used it in Shengsan Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) merely as a guiding agent to direct Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) and Aconite Root (Fuzi) to the kidney meridian, with no other intent. [Wang Haogu] cites *Shennong Bencao Jing* saying long-term use brightens the eyes, while Bian Que says long-term use dims them. Why? Yilao (Li Dongyuan) explains it removes old turbidity from the spleen because its salty flavor purges hidden water, thus brightening the eyes. Frequent urination leads to kidney qi deficiency, causing dim vision. [Wang Kentang] notes Kou Zongshi's view was endorsed by Wang Haogu. However, I privately believe that in Shengsan Wan, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Dihuang) is the sovereign drug, assisted by others, not just for blood tonification but also qi. Where yang flourishes, yin-blood is generated. Rehmannia, Cornus Fructus (Shanzhuyu), Poria, and Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi) are all kidney meridian drugs; Aconite Root (Fuzi) and Cinnamon Bark (Guizhi) are right-kidney Mingmen drugs, reaching their destination without needing Alisma's guidance. Thus, Alisma in Shengsan Wan is likely used to purge kidney pathogens, nourish the five zang organs, boost qi, raise yin, tonify deficiencies, and treat five emaciations. Although it purges the kidney, amidst a group of tonifying herbs, its purging effect is negligible. [Li Shizhen] states Alisma has neutral qi and sweet-bland flavor. Blandness allows seepage and drainage; thin qi and flavor allow it to promote urination and drain downward. Spleen-stomach damp-heat causes heavy head, dim vision, tinnitus. Alisma drains dampness, heat follows, earth qi becomes dominant, clear qi ascends, heaven becomes bright, hence Alisma nourishes five zang organs, boosts qi, treats vertigo, and improves hearing and vision. Long-term use causes excessive draining, clear qi fails to ascend, true yin is consumed, leading to dim vision. Zhang Zhongjing used Poria and Alisma in Dihuang Wan to drain bladder pathogens, not for guidance. Ancients used purging herbs with tonics so that once pathogens were removed, tonics would be effective—opening and closing, this is the subtlety. Later generations ignored this, focusing solely on tonification, leading to imbalance from long-term use. Crush and pass through silk gauze.

Polyporus (Zhuling): The qi is neutral, flavor sweet and slightly bitter, non-toxic. [Li Gao] qi and flavor are thin, ascending and slightly descending, similar to Poria. [Zhang Yuansu] bland, sweet, neutral, descending, yang within yin. [Wang Haogu] sweet flavor outweighs bitter, belongs to yang. Enters Foot Taiyang and Foot Shaoyin meridians. Assists dryness and removes dampness; compared to other bland-draining herbs, it is more drying and damages body fluids; do not use if there is no dampness. [Su Song] Zhang Zhongjing treated xiaoke (wasting-thirst) with floating pulse, oliguria, slight fever using Polyporus to induce sweating. Patient desires water but vomits immediately, named Shuinì (Water Revulsion). Winter cold cough resembling malaria also uses Polyporus. This is Wuling San. Polyporus, Poria, Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) each 3 liang, Alisma 5 fen, Cinnamon Twig 2 fen, finely ground and sifted. Take one cunbi with water, three times daily, drink warm water abundantly until sweating occurs, then cured. For promoting water pathways, no decoction is more effective; nowadays everyone uses it. [Zhang Yuansu] If it can drain stagnation, sweet assists yang, bland opens orifices, thus removing dampness and promoting urination. Remove black skin, white interior is best. Crush and sieve.

Tetrapanax Pith (Tongcao): The qi is neutral, flavor pungent, sweet, and bland, non-toxic. Qi is neutral, flavor thin, descending, yang within yin. Treats genital orifice obstruction, promotes urination, reduces edema, treats five stranguries. Use raw. [Li Gao] Drains lung, promotes urination. Sweet and neutral to slow yin-blood. [Zhang Yuansu] In *Bencao* Ten Categories, "Tong removes stagnation," Tetrapanax Pith and Stephania Tetrandra Rhizome (Fangji) are examples. Fangji is greatly bitter and cold, draining damp-heat stagnation in blood and unblocking bowels; Tetrapanax Pith is sweet and bland, assisting Western Autumn qi to descend, promoting urination, specifically draining qi stagnation. Lung heated by pathogenic factors cuts off the source of fluid transformation, stopping water flow; Bladder affected by damp-heat causes retention and constriction, oliguria, should use this. Symptoms include chest vexation and heat, dry mouth and tongue, dry throat, intense thirst, dribbling or obstructed urination, sore calves, hot feet—all suitable for Tetrapanax Pith. Herbs with similar properties like Poria, Alisma, Juncus Effusus Pith (Dengcao), Polyporus, Gleditsia Sinensis Spine (Zaocys), Lygodium Spore (Qumai), Plantaginis Semen can all drain dampness, promote urination, and release qi stagnation. Also, Akebia Caulis (Mutong) drains lower, clears small intestine fire, promotes urination, functioning like Amber (Hupo), unmatched by other herbs. Remove coarse bark, chop fine, sieve.

Talcum (Huashi): Cold qi, sweet flavor, non-toxic. [Li Gao] Heavy nature, drains upper qi to make it descend, hence "slippery opens orifices." Treats anterior orifice obstruction and difficulty. Opening orifices differs from other bland-draining herbs. [Wang Haogu] Enters Foot Taiyang meridian. Slippery nature opens orifices, passing water pathways effectively. It is a highly drying agent. Zhuling Tang uses Talcum and Ophiopogon Tuber (Ejiao) as slippery agents to drain water pathways. Decoct with Scallion Stem (Congbai) and Perilla Leaf (Chiyehushang), strain and clarify to resolve exterior and promote urination. Bland-draining belongs to yang, thus resolving exterior and promoting urination. Not suitable if urination is already free. [Li Shizhen] Talcum opens orifices, not limited to urination. Upper orifices include hair follicles; lower orifices include semen and urine. Sweet-bland flavors enter stomach first, permeate collaterals, circulate fluids and qi, ascend to Lung, descend to Bladder. Lung governs skin/hair, source of water; Bladder manages fluids, transforms qi to excrete. Thus Talcum resolves exterior upper/middle heat via sweating, drains middle/lower heat/dampness via urination. Heat-dampness dispersal harmonizes Sanjiao and interior/exterior. Liu Hejian's Yiyuan San treats various interior/exterior diseases based on this principle, though unstated. White color is best. Crush and levigate with water.

Paeoniae Radix (Shaoyao): Slightly cold qi, sour and bitter flavor, thin qi, strong flavor, yin, descending, slight yang within yin, slightly toxic. Enters Hand-Foot Taiyin meridians. [Zhang Yuansu] Tonifies middle jiao; combined with roasted Licorice Root (Gancao) treats abdominal pain. Summer abdominal pain: add slight Atractylodes Chinensis Rhizome (Huangqi - *Note: Context implies Huangqin/Coptis usually, but text says Huangqi, sticking to text translation or noting potential error. Text says Huangqin usually for summer heat, but here says Huangqi. I will translate as written but note standard practice might differ. Actually text says "Huangqin" in some versions, here "Huangqi". I will translate literally.* Wait, looking at context "Summer month abdominal pain", usually Huangqin. Text says "Huangqi". I will translate as Huangqi but keep in mind potential typo in source or specific usage. Let's stick to literal: Huangqi). If aversion to cold and abdominal pain, add 1 qian Cinnamon Twig (Rougui), 3 qian White Paeonia Root (Baishaoyao), 1.5 qian roasted Licorice. This is Zhang Zhongjing's divine formula. Winter severe cold abdominal pain: add 2.5 qian Cinnamon. Decoct 2 cups water to half, remove peel. Spleen meridian herb, collects yin qi, relieves abdominal pain. Sour astringes, supports yin, drains pathogenic factors, supports yang. Combined with Ginger, warms meridians, scatters dampness, unblocks obstructions, relieves abdominal pain. Stomach qi obstruction, Lung dryness/heat: sour astringency and sweet slackness are essential for diarrhea. White tonifies, Red disperses, purges Liver, tonifies Spleen/Stomach. Wine-soaked moves channels, stops mid-abdominal pain. Dongyuan says astringent ones are superior. Question: Ancient texts often equate astringency with gathering, why does *Bencao* mention promoting urination? Answer: Shaoyao retains dampness and benefits fluids, allowing urination to proceed naturally; it is not a draining herb. Question: What is "soothing the middle"? Answer: "Soothe the center where the Liver is damaged." Question: What herb treats it next? Answer: Siwu Tang, because it contains Shaoyao. Red promotes urination and descends qi; White stops pain and disperses qi/blood, entering Hand-Foot Taiyin. Generally, sour-astringent ones are superior, acting as gathering/damp-retaining agents, governing Hand-Foot Taiyin's descending nature, reaching Blood Sea, entering Nine Earth depths, finally reaching Jueyin. Later generations used Red to purge and White to tonify because Red corresponds to South (Fire/Purge) and White to West (Metal/Tonify)? *Correction*: Text says "Color in West tonifies, Color in South purges". *Nan Jing* says "Soothe center where Liver is damaged" means regulating blood. *Bencao* says promotes urination not by directly draining, but by benefiting yin/fluids, allowing Kidney (which governs urination/stool) to function. Abdominal deficiency pain belongs to Spleen, cannot be cured without Shaoyao, as it replenishes fluids and retains dampness. [Processing] Slice. Raw for internal heat; wine-fried for internal cold.

Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi): Warm qi, sour flavor, non-toxic. Strong flavor, light qi, slight yang within yin. Enters Hand Taiyin blood aspect, Foot Shaoyin qi aspect. [Zhang Yuansu] Collects Lung qi, tonifies insufficiency, ascending. Sour gathers counterflow qi. Cold-Lung with counterflow qi suits this, combined with Dried Ginger (Ganjiang). Schisandra gathers Lung qi, essential for fire-heat, so it is sovereign for cough. Do not use abruptly if external pathogens exist, lest they be trapped; disperse first, then use. With phlegm, add Pinellia Tuber (Banxia); with wheezing, add Ophiopogon Tuber (Ejiao), adjusting dosages. [Wang Haogu] Schisandra fruit skin is sweet, flesh sour, core pungent/bitter/salty, hence "Five Flavors." Zhang Zhongjing used it in Shengsan Wan (Kidney Qi Pill), illustrating form and image. Sun Simiao said take Schisandra in May to tonify five zang qi; during humid heat, fatigue, lack of energy, combine with Ginseng Root (Renshen), Astragalus Membranaceus Root (Huangqi), Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong), slight Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai), decoct to restore spirit and leg strength. June: tonify Lung Metal qi, nourishes source above, tonifies Kidney below, entering Hand Taiyin/Foot Shaoyin. Crush raw.

Ophiopogonis Tuber (Maidong): Cold qi, sweet and slightly bitter flavor, slight yin within yang, descending, non-toxic. Enters Hand Taiyin qi aspect. [Zhang Yuansu] Treats latent fire in Lung, impending pulse collapse. Combine with Schisandra and Ginseng to form Shengmai San, tonifying deficient Lung qi. Cooling yet tonifying, non-cloying, nothing surpasses Maidong. For post-febrile recurrence, warm-heat diseases, or miscellaneous diseases where yin fails to control yang causing vexation, heat, dryness, thirst: use to generate fluids, moisten dryness, reduce heat, with remarkable efficacy. Combined with Rehmannia, Ophiopogon, Sesame Seed (Huren) to moisten channels, benefit blood, restore pulse, open heart. Combined with Schisandra and Lycium Fruit (Gouqi) to form Shengmai San. Remove heart, do not use. Soak in water.

Asparagi Radix (Tianmendong): Cold qi, slightly bitter flavor, thin qi, strong flavor, yin, slight yin within yang, non-toxic. Enters Hand Taiyin and Foot Shaoyin qi aspects. [Zhang Yuansu] Protects Lung qi, treats blood-heat invading Lung causing asthma and rapid breathing. Add Ginseng and Astragalus as sovereign for miraculous effect. Bitter drains stagnant blood, sweet assists primal qi, treats reckless bleeding—these are Tianmendong's functions. Ying-Wei depletion requires moistening agents. Tianmendong, Maidong, Ginseng, Schisandra, Lycium form Shengmai San, reflecting the Upper Jiao's focus on Cun Kou pulse. Remove heart, chop fine.

Immature Grapefruit Fruit (Zhishi): Slightly cold qi, pungent and bitter flavor, non-toxic. [Li Gao] Strong qi, thin flavor, floating and ascending with slight descending, yang within yin. [Zhang Yuansu] Sinking, yin. Removes chills/fever, breaks accumulations, eliminates phlegm-pi, treats epigastric fullness, counterflow qi, hypochondriac pain. [Wang Haogu] Zhiqiao treats high locations, Zhishi treats low. High relates to qi, low to blood. Zhiqiao treats chest/diaphragm/skin/hair diseases; Zhishi treats heart/abdomen/spleen/stomach diseases. Similarities and differences. Zhu Gong's *Huoren Shu* suggests using Jiegeng-Zhiqiao Tang first for pi (fullness), not this herb for epigastric pi. If mistaken purgation causes qi sinking into pi, use this first to prevent pi formation. If pi is already formed, using it is too late, damaging chest qi. The word "first" is significant. [Li Shizhen] Zhishi and Zhiqiao have same properties/functions, distinguished later. Wei-Jin period separated them; Ji Gu and Dongyuan differentiated high/low treatments. Generally, both move qi: qi descends, phlegm-wheezing stops; qi moves, fullness resolves; qi flows, stabbing pain stops; qi benefits, tenesmus removes. Thus Zhishi benefits chest/diaphragm, Zhiqiao benefits intestines/stomach. However, Zhang Zhongjing used Zhishi for chest bi/pi-fullness, while other formulas used Zhiqiao for bloody stool/hemorrhoids/constipation/tenesmus. Thus Zhishi is not exclusively for low, nor Zhiqiao exclusively for high. From Feimen to Po men, all governed by Lung, Sanjiao connected by one qi. Separating them is acceptable, not separating is also harmless. Bran-fry, remove pith, crush and sieve.

Inula Flower (Xuanfuhua): Warm qi, salty-sweet flavor, slightly toxic. Treats knotted qi, hypochondriac fullness, removes water, eliminates cold-heat between viscera, resolves upper chest phlegm knots, sticky saliva, softens hard masses, treats belching, unblocks vessels. [Su Song] Zhang Zhongjing treated post-sweat/purgation epigastric hardness and persistent belching with Qiwu Xuanfu Daizhe Tang. Miscellaneous women's diseases use Sanwu Xuanfu Tang. Hu Qia Jushi treated phlegm-fluid in hypochondrium with Xuanfuhua Wan, frequently used. [Cheng Wuji] Hardness implies firm qi; Xuanfuhua's saltiness softens hard masses.

Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu): Neutral qi, pungent-bitter flavor, non-toxic. Treats shanghan vexation/heat, dribbling pathogens, wind-spasm, abdominal solidity, epigastric fullness, chills/cold sensitivity, dizziness, stiff neck, cough with upward qi, stops thirst/vexation, calms five zang, benefits marrow. [Wang Haogu] Beimu is Lung qi aspect herb. Zhang Zhongjing treated cold-solid chest knot (no external heat) with Sanwu Xiaoxianxiong Tang or Baisan containing Beimu. Cheng Wuji said pungent disperses, bitter drains. Jiegeng and Beimu's pungent-bitter nature descends qi. Remove the rice-grain-sized heart inside, crush fine.

Mume Fructus (Wumei): Warm-neutral qi, sour-astringent flavor, non-toxic. [Wang Haogu] Wumei is Spleen/Lung blood aspect herb, gathers Lung qi, treats dry cough. Lung desires gathering, urgently eat sour to gather. [Li Shizhen] Wumei and Baimei treat diseases based on sour astringency. Only Zhang Zhongjing's Wumei Wan for蛔厥 (ascaris convulsion) and parasite treatments use the meaning "parasites stop when encountering sour." Plum blooms in winter, fruits in spring/summer, receiving complete Wood qi, hence most sour ("curved and straight makes sour"). Liver is Yi Wood, Gallbladder is Jia Wood. Four orifices under tongue connect to Gallbladder juice; eating plum generates saliva due to resonance. *Suwen* says "Excessive sour causes Liver qi to overflow"; "Sour enters sinews, avoid excessive sour for sinew diseases." Many sour fruits exist, why only plum generate saliva? [Processing] Remove pit, slight roast, avoid pork.

Adzuki Bean (Chixiaodou): Neutral qi, sweet-sour-pungent flavor, slight yang within yin, non-toxic. [Tao Hongjing] Adzuki bean drives fluids, promotes urination; long-term use causes dry skin. [Wang Haogu] Water-drainers know only to drain water without tonifying Stomach, leading to stagnation. Adzuki bean drains water, moves qi, strengthens Spleen/Stomach. [Li Shizhen] Small and red, grain of Heart. Nature descends, connects to Small Intestine, enters Yin aspect, treats tangible diseases. Thus moves fluids, promotes urination, reduces distension, removes swelling, stops vomiting, treats dysentery/intestinal abscess, resolves alcohol intoxication, removes cold-heat, carbuncles/swelling, discharges pus, disperses blood, promotes lactation, delivers placenta, treats difficult labor—all tangible diseases. Long-term use causes excessive draining, fluid/blood leakage, leading to emaciation.

Ku Jiu (Vinegar): Warm qi, sour flavor, non-toxic. Zhang Zhongjing treated Huanghan (yellow sweat) with Huangqi Shaoyao Guizhi Kujiu Tang; treated Huangdan (jaundice) with Mahuang Chunjiu Tang using Ku Jiu/Qingjiu. Formulas in *Jingui Yaolue*. Likely taken for sour astringency and blood-stasis-resolving/antidotal properties.