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Huai Shi (Sophorae Fructus): Bitter, sour and salty in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Heart, Liver, and Large Intestine meridians. It primarily treats pathogenic heat within the five zang organs, intestinal wind (Chang Feng) and five types of hemorrhoids, burns and scalds, swelling and pain of the male scrotum, damp sores of the yin, painful and itchy sensations in the female vagina, metrorrhagia and uterine bleeding, brightens the eyes and nourishes the brain, kills parasites, dispels wind, blackens hair, and prolongs life. Taken with wine, it can induce labor and cause abortion. The branches are specifically used for washing various sores caused by damp-heat, and treating nine types of heartache. The bark treats spasms and convulsions due to wind-stroke, toothache and gingival caries, dissipates abscesses and detoxifies, stops pain and promotes flesh regeneration. The gum treats liver wind, muscle spasms and twitching, as well as acute lockjaw, limbs that cannot be controlled, or toxic wind affecting the whole body like insects crawling, and critical cases of broken-skin wind (tetanus). The flowers and fruits have similar functions, additionally treating heartache, carbuncles and sores with hot toxins, dysentery with red and white discharge, and pediatric convulsions. Scrophularia japonica (Jingtian) is used as an guiding herb.

Commentary: The bitterness of Huai Shi can drain Heart Fire; its sour and cold nature can suppress the Liver meridian. The classics state: "Sour and bitter actions of surging and draining belong to Yin." Its efficacy is primarily descending, thus it also enters the Large Intestine meridian to regulate disorders of the lower jiao, and can facilitate difficult labor. Since worms arise from dampness, and wind arises from heat, once damp-heat is eliminated, what need is there for worry? The flowers, branches, bark, and leaves have largely similar indications with minor differences, and have long been a key herb for treating hemorrhoids.

Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix): Bitter and acrid in flavor, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Heart, Lung, Liver, Spleen, Stomach, and Bladder meridians. It treats all qi disorders of the chest and abdomen, phlegm-food stagnation masses, nine types of heartache, stops diarrhea and dysentery, eliminates cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, strengthens the spleen and stomach, resolves food stagnation, stabilizes vomiting and reflux, descends phlegm obstruction, wards off evil qi and plagues, and kills malaria and gu-poison substances. It is best used raw and ground; fire-roasting causes abdominal distension, resulting in a shape resembling dry bones. The high-quality material has a bitter taste that adheres to the teeth.

Commentary: The acrid nature of Mu Xiang enters the Lung; the bitter nature enters the Heart; the warm nature suits the Spleen and Stomach. The Liver is the mother of the Heart; the Bladder is connected to the Lung; therefore, it enters these meridians. Generally, the Heart is the master of the entire body, commanding qi and blood. With a master, qi can be regulated. When Lung qi is harmonious, Metal controls Wood, and Liver Fire naturally subdues. When people become angry, Liver Qi rebels and counteracts the primordial qi. If the Heart follows the Liver's emotional tendency without being able to control it, Liver Qi becomes excessive, either rebelling or rushing upward. With Mu Xiang, Heart Qi flows smoothly, and righteous qi also flows smoothly; how can Liver Qi rebel? In reality, it is Mu Xiang acting upon the Liver, not the Liver acting on itself. Li Dongyuan processed it with Coptis chinensis (Huanglian) because he disliked its qi movement being too smooth, fearing the risk of leaking vital energy.

Lei Gong stated: Whenever using Mu Xiang, one selects the root stems of the vine, which coil five times. After twenty-nine days from harvesting, it becomes hard like rotten wood. When crushed, if there is a rhizome node with a green cap, this is the spirit of Mu Xiang.