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These few herbs possess a salty and cold nature, with functions of diffusing and promoting drainage. Materia Medica highly praises their ability to eliminate goiter (thyroid enlargement) and dissipate nodules, treating various diseases of edema and distension. I believe that they are appropriate only when both the patient's physical constitution and the pathogenic qi are in a state of excess. If there is even slight deficiency, the condition will inevitably worsen. Generally, the aforementioned conditions are mostly due to deficiency of the Liver and Spleen meridians. Only those who can clearly understand the subtleties of Yin-Yang and Water-Fire, and penetrate the meaning of the source of transformation and acquisition, can be spoken to regarding therapeutic principles.

These few herbs have thin and inferior qualities, with light and neutral flavors. They have false reputations but lack substantial efficacy. Like schools of fish and herds of deer, they are chaotic and useless in emergencies. How can they compare to Guolao (Licorice Root), Huangqi (Astragalus Root), or Junzi Renshen Fuling (Ginseng and Poria)? Their efficacy cannot reach one ten-thousandth of these superior herbs. However, they can only be used for idle talk, not for sharing hardships. Current physicians favor them for being mild and non-toxic, believing that the essence of "Kingly Way" treatment lies in such herbs. Alas! What are the various diseases to be coordinated? Can one really discuss therapeutic strategies with such mediocre and slow-acting agents? I request to explain each point in detail.

Pipaye (Loquat Leaf) is indeed said to treat coughs. But does it know that human Yang is often in excess while Yin is often deficient? The Lung Metal and Kidney Water organs must be nourished to maintain mutual generation. When diseased, both are affected. The Classic states: "All rebellious Qi rushing upward belongs to Fire." Yuan Bing Shi states: "Movements of the Five Emotions and sexual desires all belong to Minister Fire." When Kidney Water declines and Fire is uncontrolled, it rushes upward. At this time, Water cannot rescue the Mother organ (Lung). The destructive Fire becomes stronger, and the afflicted organs become more depleted. Regarding treatment methods, using bitter-cold herbs to drain Fire burdens the Earth organ (Spleen); using acrid-warm herbs to tonify the Mother (Lung) does not help the Child (Kidney/Lung metal aspect). One must benefit Water and nourish the Kidney using moistening, purely sweet substances. When Kidney Water is slightly replenished, Fire subsides; when Fire extinguishes, Lung Metal recovers, and mutual generation resumes. Can light and floating Pipaye (Loquat Leaf), which only treats the branch symptoms of the Lung, address the root?

Shihu Cao (Dendrobium Stem) is said to clear the Lung, strengthen the Spleen, and benefit the Kidney. Does this herb truly possess both warm and cool properties? The Lung requires clearing if it is hot; the Spleen requires strengthening if it is weak. If the Mother organ is deficient, it inadvertently drains the Child. If the Child is excess and the Mother is tonified, how can this be mixed up? Generally, strong Qi governs Yang, and strong Flavor governs Yin. With light and void quality and tasteless flavor, how can it tonify the Kidney?

Bian Dou (Adzuki Bean) is merely a food item. Saying it harms neither the Spleen nor Stomach is acceptable, but claiming it benefits the Spleen and harmonizes the Stomach is overly pedantic. Yiyi Ren (Coix Seed) is just one of the grains. Historically, General Ma Yuan brought it back by boat, taking years of long-term use before seeing slight effects. Can it be used as a prescription to cure diseases effectively? Shashen (Adenophora Root) is said in Materia Medica to tonify Lung Yin, while Renshen (Ginseng Root) tonifies Lung Yang. Consider how Lung Yin becomes deficient. Disease has its origin; Metal and Water generate each other; Lung Yin is essentially Kidney Yin. To nourish the sprout, one must solidify the root. Can plain and ascending Shashen truly nourish Yin? Yi Lao (Li Dongyuan?) used it to replace Renshen, unaware that since constitutions differ, functions differ, so how can it substitute? Only Ge Zhichuan (Ge Hong) stated that Shashen treats sudden onset of various hernias, with pain in the lower abdomen and genitals radiating like twisting. Hernia and lower abdominal radiating pain are disorders of the Jueyin Liver Meridian. Shashen, a Metal-natured herb, exerts a controlling effect on Wood. I often use this herb combined with Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome) to treat hernia, achieving miraculous results, confirming Ge's words are not false.

As for Qianshi (Euryale Seed) and Lianxu (Lotus Stamen), can they truly stop seminal emission and consolidate essence? Wang Shishan said: The Classic states the Kidney belongs to Water, receiving and storing essence from the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. It also states the Kidney is the root of hibernation and sealing/storage. It states: The key to Yin-Yang is that when Yang is dense, it secures. Thus, if Yang is excessive and cannot secure, Yin Qi perishes. When Yin is peaceful and Yang is secret, Spirit thrives. When Yin-Yang separate, Spirit perishes. It also states: Yin-Yang converge at the Sinew Master, meeting at the Qichong point. Ling Shu says: When Juevi Qi invades the genitalia, dreams of intercourse occur. The genitalia are where the Sinew Master gathers. The sinews of Foot Taiyin, Yangming, Shaoyin, and Jueyin all gather at the genitalia, converging with the Chong, Ren, and Du vessels. Jueyin governs sinews, so all sinews connect to Jueyin. The Kidney, governing Yin, stores essence; the Liver, governing Yang, controls free flow. The genitalia are the orifice for semen discharge. Thus, Kidney Yin deficiency leads to insecure essence; Liver Yang excess leads to insecure Qi. If Yin pathogens invade the orifice and interact with excessive Yang, essence escapes, causing nocturnal emissions. Excessive Yang here refers not to true stored Yang, but to Minister Fire residing in the Liver. Diseases are manifold; some do not focus solely on Liver-Kidney but involve deficiency fire of Heart-Lung-Spleen-Stomach overacting on Earth-Water, failing to control Water, or Metal failing to control Wood. However, it must transmit to Liver-Kidney causing loss of essence, following natural transmission laws. Treatment derived from Liver-Kidney primary organs focuses solely on the primary organ; if derived from other organs, focus on the other organ as primary, Liver-Kidney as secondary. For cases of Yin-Yang separation and Water-Fire non-interaction, harmonize accordingly. Tonify Qi for Yang deficiency, tonify Blood for Yin deficiency, drain Fire for Yang excess, benefit Fire for Yin excess. Primary organs often show excess; other organs may have concurrent deficiency. There are differences in direct vs. reverse treatment, focusing on majority vs. minority. Why do physicians fail to distinguish Yin-Yang and Water-Fire, using clearing, astringing, warming, or heating methods? This either exhausts True Water or causes True Yang impotence, emaciation, fat depletion, spirit fading, Qi sinking, irrecoverable damage. How could the previous herbs achieve even one ten-thousandth of efficacy?

Dengxin Cao (Juncus Effusus) and Mutong (Akebia Caulis) are said to be sweet, bland, and draining through orifices. However, pathogens vary, and transmission to the Bladder causing Lin syndrome (dysuria) has its own origin. Using these herbs to clear heat in the bladder is not entirely sound. Although Lin arises from Heat generating Dampness, leading to turbid fluids and凝結 (coagulation) issues, there are also cases caused by taking Golden Elixir pills and sexual activity, leading to degenerate essence flowing into orifices, improper diet, excessive Seven Emotions, imbalance of deficiency-excess, and disharmony of Zang-Qi, resulting in Kidney deficiency and Bladder heat. There are cases of Lung萎 (withering) where the upper source loses regulating commands, or fluid exhaustion causing dry and rough water pathways. There are seven types: Gao, Shi, Xue, Qi, Lao, Leng. There is Heat transferring from Small Intestine affecting the Heart. There is Phlegm accumulation penetrating the bladder. There is urinary retention, frequent short urination, hematuria, or loss of Qi transformation norms, or Spleen disease causing nine orifices blockage. Zhang Zhongjing also stated that when Stomach Qi moves, urination is unobstructed. Lin can also arise from Spleen deficiency, such as early Taiyin Qi disease with internal heat and distension. Generally, diseases are manifold but do not exceed Deficiency-Excess and Cold-Heat. Tracing the source and treating it hits the mark.

Fuxiao Mai (Floating Wheat) and Mahuang Gen (Ephedra Root) have insipid tastes. Can they truly treat severe sweating collapse? Even with other herbs as assistants, they are superfluous. Human Yin-Yang support each other, Ying-Wei circulate without deviating from norms, providing irrigation and protection for Blood-Qi. Sweat is the fluid of the Heart, governed by Qi. When Yang is dense and secure, Qi does not leak. Wei-Qi deficiency causes spontaneous sweating; Yin-Qi deficiency causes night sweating. In Shanghan, night sweating is blamed on Gallbladder Heat. Initial Wind-strike sweating, or sweating from Dampness, Summerheat, labor, or soft spasm, or Yang-deficiency cold sweat. Despite differences in Yin-Yang and Cold-Heat, ultimately all represent escape of Yuan-Qi or failure of rising due to exhaustion. One must examine deficiency-excess from this root. If the key is not grasped, even Renshen Baizhu Fuling are hard to utilize, let alone these two herbs.