味甘寒。主风寒湿痹，凡挟水气之疾，皆能除之。乳难，乳亦水，利故能通乳也。
消水，使水归于膀胱。养五脏，益气力，水气除则脏安而气生也。肥健。脾恶湿，脾气
燥，则肌肉充而肥健也。久服，耳目聪明，不饥，延年轻身，面生光，皆涤水除湿之功。能
行水上。水气尽，则身轻而入水不没矣。
泽泻乃通利脾胃之药，以其淡渗能利土中之水，水去则土燥而气充，脾恶湿故也。但气
湿必自膀胱而出，泽泻能下达膀胱，故又为膀胱之药。
味苦温。主咳逆，气滞之咳。伤中，补不足，心主荣，荣气顺则中焦自足。除邪气，
利九窍，辛香疏达，则能辟秽通窍也。益智慧，耳目聪明，不忘，强志，心气通则精足神全
矣。倍力。心气盛则脾气亦强，而力生也。久服，轻身不老。气和之效。
远志气味苦辛，而芳香清烈，无微不达，故为心家气分之药。心火能生脾土，心气盛，
则脾气亦和，故又能益中焦之气也。
味苦涩。主骨间寒热，治肝邪犯肾之寒热。惊痫邪气，肝火犯心之邪。续绝伤，敛筋
骨之气。定五脏，敛脏中之气。杀蛊毒。除热结之气。久服，益智不忘，收敛心中之神气。
轻身耐老。热邪去而正气归，故有此效。
药之味涩者绝少，龙胆之功皆在于涩，此以味为主也。涩者，酸辛之变味，兼金木之性
者也，故能清敛肝家之邪火。人身惟肝火最横，能下挟肾中之游火，上引包络之相火，相持
为害。肝火清，则诸火渐息，而百体清宁矣。
味甘，性寒。主治风寒湿痹证，凡是夹杂水气（体内水液代谢失常）的疾病，都能消除。治疗乳汁不通，因为乳汁也属水液，通过利水作用能使乳汁通畅。
消除水饮，使水液归于膀胱。滋养五脏，益气力，水气去除则脏腑安宁而正气生成。使人身体肥壮健壮。脾脏厌恶湿气，脾气干燥（指脾运化功能正常，无湿困），则肌肉充盈而显得肥壮健壮。长期服用，能使耳目聪明，不感到饥饿，延年益寿、轻身健体，面色光泽，这都是涤除水湿的功效。能够在水面上行走。水气尽除，则身体轻盈，进入水中也不会沉没。
泽泻是通利脾胃的药物，因为它味淡渗利，能利去土壤中的水湿，水湿去除则土壤干燥而土气充盛，这是因为脾脏厌恶湿气的缘故。但是，气与湿必然从膀胱排出，泽泻能下行至膀胱，所以它又是膀胱经的药物。
龙胆：味苦，性温。主治咳嗽气逆，这是气机阻滞引起的咳嗽。损伤中焦，补益不足，心主血脉营气，营气顺畅则中焦自然充足。祛除邪气，通利九窍，因其辛香疏达，所以能辟除秽浊、通利孔窍。增进智慧，耳目聪明，记忆力强，意志坚定，因为心气通畅则精足神全。增加力气。心气旺盛则脾气也强健，从而产生力量。长期服用，身体轻盈，延缓衰老。这是气机调和的效果。
远志：气味苦辛，芳香清烈，无处不到，所以是调理心家气分的药物。心火能生脾土，心气旺盛，则脾气也调和，所以又能补益中焦之气。
龙胆：味苦，性涩。主治骨骼间的寒热症状，治疗肝邪侵犯肾脏引起的寒热。惊痫邪气，这是肝火侵犯心脏产生的邪气。接续绝伤，收敛筋骨之气。安定五脏，收敛脏腑之气。杀灭蛊毒。清除热结之气。长期服用，益智不忘，收敛心中的神气。身体轻盈，耐老。热邪去除而正气回归，所以有此功效。
药物的味涩者极少，龙胆的功效都在于“涩”，这是以味道为主的作用。“涩”是酸、辛的变味，兼具金（收敛）、木（生发）的性质，所以能清敛肝家的邪火。人体中只有肝火最为横逆，它能下挟肾中的游移之火，上引心包络的相火，相互持留为害。肝火清除了，则各种火气逐渐平息，全身清净安宁了。
Taste: Sweet; Nature: Cold. Indications: Wind-cold-dampness Bi syndrome (painful obstruction caused by wind, cold, and dampness pathogens). It can eliminate all diseases complicated with water qi (abnormal fluid metabolism). For difficulty in lactation (breastfeeding difficulty), since milk is also a fluid, its diuretic action promotes the flow of milk.
Eliminates water retention, directing fluids to the Bladder. Nourishes the five Zang organs, boosts Qi and strength; when water qi is removed, the Zang organs are stabilized and Qi is generated. Promotes robust physique. The Spleen dislikes dampness; when Spleen Qi is dry (indicating normal transportive function without damp encumbrance), muscles become full and the body appears robust. Long-term use brings clarity to the ears and eyes, reduces hunger, prolongs life, lightens the body, and brightens the complexion; these are all effects of cleansing water and removing dampness. It enables one to walk on water. When water qi is exhausted, the body becomes light and does not sink in water.
Alisma Rhizoma (Zexie) is a herb that unblocks and benefits the Stomach and Spleen. Due to its bland and seeping nature, it drains water from the earth (Spleen); once water is removed, the earth becomes dry and Qi fills it, addressing the Spleen's aversion to dampness. However, Qi and dampness must exit via the Bladder; Alisma Rhizoma descends to the Bladder, thus it is also a herb for the Bladder channel.
Gentian Root (Longdan): Taste: Bitter; Nature: Warm. Indications: Cough with rebellious Qi, caused by Qi stagnation. Damages the Middle Jiao, but tonifies deficiency; the Heart governs Ying (Nutritive) Qi; when Ying Qi flows smoothly, the Middle Jiao becomes sufficient. Expels pathogenic factors, unblocks the nine orifices; due to its pungent and aromatic dispersing nature, it dispels turbidity and opens the orifices. Enhances wisdom, brings clarity to the ears and eyes, improves memory, strengthens willpower; this occurs because clear Heart Qi leads to abundant Essence and complete Spirit. Increases strength. When Heart Qi is vigorous, Spleen Qi also strengthens, generating strength. Long-term use lightens the body and delays aging; this is the effect of harmonizing Qi.
Polygala Root (Yuanzhi): Taste and odor are bitter and pungent, aromatic and clear/intense, penetrating everywhere; thus, it is a herb for regulating Qi in the Heart house. Heart Fire generates Spleen Earth; when Heart Qi is vigorous, Spleen Qi is harmonized; therefore, it also tonifies Qi in the Middle Jiao.
Gentian Root (Longdan): Taste: Bitter, Astringent. Indications: Cold-heat alternating in the bones, treating cold-heat caused by Liver pathogen invading the Kidney. Convulsions, epilepsy, and pathogenic factors, which are evils caused by Liver Fire invading the Heart. Heals severe injuries, consolidates Qi of tendons and bones. Stabilizes the five Zang organs, consolidates Qi within the Zang organs. Kills gu poison (parasitic toxins). Clears heat accumulation. Long-term use enhances intelligence and memory, consolidates Shen (Spirit) in the heart. Lightens the body and promotes longevity. This effect occurs because heat pathogens are expelled and righteous Qi returns.
Astringent herbs are rare; the efficacy of Gentian Root lies primarily in its astringency, emphasizing its taste. "Astringency" is a variation of sour and pungent tastes, combining the properties of Metal (astringent) and Wood (dispersing/growing); thus, it clears and consolidates evil fire in the Liver. Among humans, Liver Fire is the most rampant; it can downwardly carry wandering fire from the Kidneys and upwardly draw ministerial fire from the Pericardium, causing harm through mutual persistence. Once Liver Fire is cleared, various fires gradually subside, and the whole body achieves tranquility.