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[Cao Dou Kou (Rhizoma Kaempferiae Galangalae)]
Taste is pungent, nature is hot, non-toxic, enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It primarily treats wind-cold pathogenic factors lodging in the Stomach. Its other functions are similar to those of Bai Dou Kou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), but its nature is more drying and urgent, lacking the clear and lofty qi of Bai Dou Kou.
Commentary: Cao Dou Kou is pungent and warm with dispersing properties, thus entering the Spleen and Stomach to treat wind-cold. Excessive consumption severely damages the Spleen and Stomach. *Yan Yi* states that it is suitable for those who are weak and have no appetite, which is likely incorrect; it is strictly contraindicated for those with Stomach Fire.
Lei Gong says: When using it, one must remove the stem and the inner seeds, taking only the peel. Stir-fry slowly over a pot with Zhuyu (Evodiae Fructus) until the Evodia turns slightly yellow-black, then remove the Evodia. Take the Cao Dou Kou peel and seeds, pound them, and use.

[Guo Guo (Tsaoko Cardamom Fruit)]
Taste is pungent, nature is warm, non-toxic, enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It primarily treats chest and abdominal stagnation due to malaria, and vomiting caused by wind-pathogens affecting the Stomach meridian.
Commentary: Guo Guo is pungent and warm with dispersing properties, sharing the same function as Cao Dou Kou, hence the same meridians entered. Excessive consumption also damages the Spleen and Stomach; it is contraindicated for those who are weak or have Stomach Fire.

[Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii)]
Taste is pungent, nature is warm, non-toxic, enters the Heart, Spleen, and Bladder meridians. It primarily treats Bi-syndrome due to wind-cold-dampness, cough with rebellious Qi, Gui Zhu (ghostly affliction) pathogenic factors, opens the nine orifices, clarifies hearing and vision, strengthens teeth, clears the voice, benefits the Heart spirit, eliminates forgetfulness, stops Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome), relieves irritability and oppression, warms the Heart and abdomen, kills various parasites, and treats malignant sores, scabies, and tinea.
Do not allow contact with iron vessels. Remove root hairs before use. Qin Pi (Cortex Fraxini) and Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae) serve as guiding herbs. It is incompatible with Di Dan (Radix Bupleuri? Note: Context implies specific herb, likely distinct from standard Bupleurum) and Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). Contraindicated with mutton, sheep blood, and Yitang (Maltose). The best quality grows above ground with one cun length containing nine nodes.
Commentary: Shi Chang Pu can open and illuminate the Spirit, making it suitable for the Heart meridian; dispelling wind-dampness makes it suitable for the Lung and Bladder meridians. Although its efficacy is profound, it primarily disperses rather than consolidates, so it is not suitable for long-term use.
Lei Gong says: Do not use Ni Chang Pu (Mud Acorus) or Xia Chang Pu (Summer Acorus); these two resemble each other, looking like bamboo root whips, possessing blackish gas and foul odor, and are too fishy to be usable. For authentic Shi Chang Pu harvested from rocks, the roots should be tender yellow, tight and hard, with dense nodes, one cun long with nine nodes. After harvesting, scrape off one layer of yellow-black hard node skin with a copper knife, and use fresh mulberry branches... [Text cuts off here]

[Hei Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata)]
Taste is pungent and sweet, nature is extremely hot, highly toxic, circulating through all meridians. It primarily treats deep cold in the Six Fu organs, Jue-ni (reversal cold) of the Three Yang meridians, fixed masses and accumulations, spasms due to cold-dampness, Huoluan with muscle cramps, weakness in feet and knees, and causes abortion very rapidly. Select pieces weighing one liang per pair. Remove the peel and navel. Boil several times in ginger juice and salt water. Then boil for one shichen (two hours) with Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), and Tongbian (Infans Urine). Dig a pit on level ground, bury overnight, take out, dry whole, and use. Di Dan serves as an assistant herb. It is incompatible with Wugong (Scolopendra). It fears Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), and Heidou (Sojae Semen Nigrum).
Commentary: Fu Zi is yang within yang. Its nature floats and does not sink; its action moves and never ceases. Thus, it penetrates every part of the meridians. It is suitable for conditions requiring expulsion of abortion-inducing factors or resolving fixed masses. Being pungent, sweet, and extremely hot, it can tonify the failing fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Life) to generate Spleen Earth. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Si Ni Tang (Four Reversals Decoction) to restore Kidney Qi, in Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) to tonify the Spleen, and in Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) to tonify the Kidney and Spleen. It is like a rash and fierce general: if used well, it achieves swift results; if used poorly, the harm is severe. Zhu Danxi argued that Zhang Zhongjing used it to move the stagnation of Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) without providing tonification. If ancient formulas used only Hei Fu Zi to restore Yang, could it do so without tonifying? Zhu Danxi's statement is theoretically inappropriate. However, his words may have been provoked by observing the harms of misuse. If processed according to proper methods, the toxicity is eliminated, and the action is directed downward. For cases of stubborn cold and Yang collapse, slight processing suffices.