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The aforementioned drugs possess a sweet and cold nature. Indeed, they are not bitter or inferior substances, but they are only suitable for patients with dry-heat excess syndromes (Zao Re Shi Zheng). Although medical texts state that "sweet-cold herbs do not invade the Stomach Qi," I believe this is incorrect. Substances with a sweet taste naturally harmonize with the Spleen, but those with a cold nature—do they not conflict with the Spleen? Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) drains Heart and Liver Fire; Long Dan Cao (Gentian Root) drains Liver and Gallbladder Fire; Bai Shao (White Peony Root) drains Spleen Fire; Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark) and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) drain Kidney Fire; Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) drains Stomach Fire; Ge Gen (Pueraria Root) drains Yangming Fire; Hua Shi (Talcum) unblocks the obstruction of the Six Fu organs and drains Bladder Excess Fire; Qin Lian (Huang Qin and Huang Lian) jointly drain Large Intestine Fire; Small Intestine Fire is assisted by Tong Cao (Tetrapanax Medulla), treating the Heart and Kidney simultaneously. Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) specifically governs the Foot Jueyin (Liver) and Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridians; heat in other meridians must not be treated indiscriminately with it.

Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) is said to nourish Blood, but Zhu Danxi argued that Shao Yao (Peony Root), being sour and cold, can impair the vitalizing and ascending Qi, making it contraindicated postpartum. Li Dongyuan further proposed using Shao Yao for abdominal pain in spring and summer, and Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) for abdominal pain in autumn and winter. This reasoning stems from the principle that cold agents should not be administered generally unless there is excess heat, extending this logic to seasonal changes and human activities, thereby establishing theories far superior to those of his contemporaries.

Nevertheless, Zhu Danxi’s use of Huang Bo and Zhi Mu as Yin-nourishing agents has invited criticism throughout history. When Yin is deficient, no single Zang organ can remain hyperactive; once the root is shaken, the branches inevitably wither. This is an inevitable law. I posit that the human body consists essentially of Qi and Blood. The Left Kidney is the source of Essence and Blood and the master of all Yin. The Right Kidney is the mother of the Spleen and Stomach and the root of Primordial Yang. When Essence and Blood are depleted, Yin becomes deficient. Once Yin is deficient, Yang has no anchor, and Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) flares up. True Yin dries up daily, leading to symptoms of false heat resembling a prairie fire. How could one know that when True Yang has no anchor and Mother Qi (Kidney) is weakened, the Child Organ (Spleen) cannot receive support, thus losing its transportive function and failing to generate transformation? Consequently, the other four Zang organs also become deficient. Therefore, to generate Essence and Blood, one requires substances that are rich and moistening, and good at lubricating the Large Intestine. Reviewing various Materia Medica, most praise these herbs, but only Li Shizhen (Binhu) stated they are contraindicated for those with Stomach deficiency. Thus, their advantages and contraindications became clear.

I have observed physicians treating consumptive cough, phlegm, and fever. While some dare not mistakenly prescribe Huang Bo and Zhi Mu, they often resort to Er Dong (Tian Dong and Mai Dong), Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb), Gua Lou (Trichosanthes Fruit), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root), and Di Gu Pi (Lycium Bark). This frequently exacerbates the condition, suddenly injuring Spleen Qi and transforming into symptoms of Fire collapse and diarrhea. They fail to realize that when Yin is deficient, all Zang organs are deficient. Fortunately, a thread of congenital Stomach Qi remains, allowing life to persist for years. However, administering cold and slippery agents will only hasten death. If the pulse and symptoms both indicate excess, and the primordial essence is intact, with dry-heat in the intestines and stomach, what harm is there in using them? In treating any disease, one must inspect the deficiency or excess of Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) and the decline or vigor of Wei Qi (Stomach Qi). One must strictly avoid prescribing merely based on symptoms. This is the primary key for physicians.