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Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic, enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. Treats wind pathogens wandering on the exterior without fixed location; reduces bone-steaming fever accompanied by sweating in consumptive diseases (Chuan Shi); clears heat and purifies the Lungs; stops cough and relieves thirst; cools blood and bones; promotes urination and defecation. Use after removing the woody core.

Note: Digupi (Cortex Lycii) is the root bark of Gouqi (Lycium barbarum). Therefore, it enters the Kidney meridian as well. It also enters the Lung meridian because its action on the exterior targets the exterior, and the Lung governs the skin and hair, thus entering both meridians. Its functions are identical to those of Gouqi fruit.

Sour in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic, enters the Heart, Spleen, Liver, and Gallbladder meridians. Mainly treats soreness and coldness in sinews and bones, restlessness at night, deficiency sweating with irritability and thirst; harmonizes the five Zang organs; greatly tonifies the Heart and Spleen. Stir-fry until cooked, remove skin and tips, then grind for use. Raw material treats excessive sleepiness. Avoid using with Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix).

Note: Zaoren (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae) has a sour taste and naturally enters the Liver meridian. The Heart is its offspring (Wood generates Fire), the Spleen is what it controls (Wood controls Earth), and the Gallbladder is its paired interior-exterior organ, so it is appropriate to include these meridians. "Shenghui Fang" states: Insomnia due to Gallbladder deficiency is caused by cold. Stir-fry until cooked, powder it, and take with Zhuyetang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction). This is because the Liver and Gallbladder are interior-exterior partners; blood deficiency leads to Liver deficiency, and Liver deficiency leads to Gallbladder deficiency. The sour-warm nature of cooked Zaoren boosts Liver Qi, allowing Wood to control Earth. The Spleen governs the four limbs and fatigue, causing excessive sleep. Additionally, "Jizhong Fang" states: Excessive sleep due to Gallbladder excess is caused by heat. Grind raw Zaoren into powder and take with Jiangchatang (Ginger Tea Decoction). This is because Zaoren matures in autumn; when used raw, it retains full Metal Qi, which can control Liver Wood. If Liver Wood is controlled, the Spleen is not insulted, its transportation and transformation function operates normally, and sleepiness ceases.

Leigong said: After harvesting, dry them, take the leaves, mix again with Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, steam for half a day, remove the tips and skin, then grind for use.

Pungent in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic, enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney meridians. Mainly treats spermatorrhea and deficiency leakage, dribbling urine after voiding; benefits Qi and calms the Spirit; harmonizes the Middle Jiao and stops vomiting. Use after removing the salt crust and stir-frying.

Note: Yizhiren (Fructus Alpiniae Oxyphyllae) is pungent and warm, excellent at expelling cold pathogens from the Spleen and Stomach. When Earth (Spleen/Stomach) is properly balanced/controlled, there is no fear of Water (Kidney) counter-attacking. I know that various conditions of spermatorrhea can be avoided thereby.