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Borneol: Pungent and bitter in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung and Liver meridians. It primarily treats accumulation of pathogenic qi in the heart and abdomen, throat closure (Guanbi) and tonsillar swelling (Rume), swollen tongue, hemorrhoids, unblocks the nine orifices, dissipates wind and qi stagnation, clarifies the eyes and ears, kills various parasites, and resolves gu poison. It also treats pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, and adult phlegm misting the mind.

Commentary: The pungency of Borneol originally enters the Lung organ, while the Liver is controlled by Metal (Lung); therefore, it also enters the Liver. The various symptoms it treats are all caused by qi obstruction generating heat. Borneol has extreme pungent dispersing power, opening qi as easily as turning a hand; thus, it is used frequently, but this is a method of "following the treatment" (treating according to the disease's tendency). Secular people, because of its primary use, suspect its nature is cold, and often use it together with Moschus (Shexiang) as an aid to Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) and Aconite Root (Fuzi), without considering that human yang qi is prone to hyperactivity and yin fluid is prone to deficiency. How can the teachings of Danxi be ignored?

Polyporus: Sweet and bland in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Bladder meridian. It primarily promotes urination to remove dampness, reduces swelling, unblocks painful urinary dysfunction (Lin syndrome), and is used for removing dark skin pigmentation.

Commentary: Polyporus has a bland taste and does not enter any of the five zang organs; it specifically enters the Bladder meridian to promote water metabolism. Currently, those treating diarrhea generally use it, claiming it removes dampness from the Spleen. However, one must know that if one focuses solely on渗泄 (leaching and draining) and drains water excessively, once the water is exhausted, it will damage the Kidney and cause blurred vision; this point cannot be overlooked.

Lei Gong said: Whenever Polyporus is harvested, scrape off one layer of coarse skin on the surface using a copper knife, slice thinly, soak overnight in running water from the east, drain out the next morning, cut finely, steam against Asarum Leaf (Shengmaye) for one day, remove the leaves to make it clean, dry in the sun, and use.

Sappan Wood: Sweet and salty in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver meridian. It primarily treats postpartum lochia retention, severe sores and ulcers, all kinds of falls and injuries, regulates menstruation, removes blood stasis, generates new blood, expels pus and relieves pain, dissipates carbuncles and reduces swelling, and mainly treats cholera with vomiting and regurgitation, and dysentery with red and white discharge. It is steamed with wine and dried for use.

Commentary: Sappan Wood specifically treats blood-level diseases and is suitable for entering the Liver meridian. However, its ability to break blood stasis is greater than its ability to harmonize blood; do not use it excessively to avoid damaging the yin aspect.

Lei Gong said: Whenever Sappan Wood is used, remove the coarse skin and nodes. If there are transverse central textures resembling purple horns, it is called "Zhuishong Zense" (The Noble Color of Water), possessing efficacy a hundred times superior to ordinary ones. Must...