Library

Perilla Fructus (Zi Su Zi): Sweet and acrid, warm, non-toxic. Enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. The leaves can induce sweating to release the exterior, warm the stomach and harmonize the middle jiao, relieve headache and pain in the limbs and joints. Those with purple on both sides of the leaf are superior. For those who dare not use Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang), this serves as a substitute. The stem can regulate qi and calm the fetus. The fruit can resolve stagnation, direct rebellious qi downward, stabilize asthma, and eliminate phlegm.
Commentary: Acrid flavors enter the Lung, sweet flavors enter the Spleen. Among acrid dispersing agents, directing qi downward is most rapid; those with deficiency should use it sparingly.

Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi): Acrid, warm, non-toxic. Enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. It expels wind from the head, face, and skin, removes bi-syndrome characterized by dryness and itching of the muscles, stops pathogenic factors causing Yangming headache, and acts as a guiding herb for the Lung meridian. It mainly promotes pus discharge, supports ulcer healing, generates flesh, unblocks collaterals and benefits orifices, stops leakage and metrorrhagia, brightens the eyes, dispels wind, drives out cold, and dries dampness. When used with Angelica Sinensis (Danggui), it acts as an envoy herb. It is incompatible with Inulae Flos (Xuan Fu Hua).
Commentary: Bai Zhi is acrid, which is favored by the Lung, and its warm-drying nature is favored by the Spleen and Stomach, hence its suitability for entering these meridians. However, being aromatic, drying, and dispersing, although it treats many conditions, it can damage qi and blood, so it should not be used excessively.
Lei Gong stated: After harvesting, do not use four types: those growing in low places, known as Zhanggong Teng, nor use Iris lactea (Malin); these are not used in medicine. After harvesting, scrape off the skin, cut finely. Take Polygonatum Rhizoma (Huangjing), also cut finely. Using a bamboo knife, slice equal parts of both, steam together for one shichen (approx. 2 hours), then sun-dry. Remove Huangjing before use.

Saposhnikovia Root (Fang Feng): Acrid and sweet, warm, non-toxic. Enters the Lung meridian. It drains Lung metal, treats various winds, opens stagnant qi, and regulates eye pain. Incompatible with Dried Ginger (Ganjiang), Veratrum Rhizome (Lilu), Ampelopsis Radix (Bailian), and Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua). It resolves Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Fuzi) toxicity.
Commentary: Fang Feng is acrid and enters the Lung; it is an agent that raises yang, thus effectively treating various winds. Qi stagnation is a disease of the Lung; eye pain is a affliction of wind, so it appropriately treats both. Li Dongyuan said: Fang Feng is like a humble soldier, obeying orders and going wherever guided; it is a moistening agent among wind-dispelling herbs, capable of draining the upper jiao. It is not generally used for those with deficient yuan qi, yet modern people often commit this error.

Angelica Pubescens (Du Huo): Bitter, sweet, and acrid, slightly warm, non-toxic. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. It mainly treats old and new wind-damp bi-syndromes, stiffness and difficulty extending the neck, soreness and pain in the waist and back, spasms and flaccidity of the four limbs. Those presenting with yellowish complexion and nodular masses are Du Huo.
Commentary: Du Huo has turbid qi and belongs to yin. It excels at moving blood, is astringent yet soothing, sinking yet ascending, slow yet good at searching out pathogens. It can assist with exterior deficiency, thus entering the Taiyin Lung and Shaoyin Kidney meridians to treat latent wind.