当归，辛甘，香膻，大温，入肝，通行气血，开结散郁，壮肝胆阳气，化血脉寒痹。凡
寒湿
凝滞，筋骨疼痛、拘急，不能得汗者，以此温通之。性虽能润，而血分虚燥、肝胃火冲、晕
眩、呕吐、多汗者忌与，以其温升开散也。秦产甘润，川产辛劣。亦能通督脉，达巅顶，以
升阳气而辟阴邪鬼魅。
青蒿，苦微辛，微寒，清而能散，入肝胆，清湿热，开结气，宣气之滞于血分者。凡芳
香而
寒者，皆能疏化湿盛气壅之浊热，及血滞气虚之郁热，不宜血虚气亢之燥热也。即茵陈、夏
枯、苦梗、柴胡、秦艽之属，皆是。
苦桔梗，大苦甘辛而凉，能降能开，入肺，清热，散风，风火菀亢于上焦。故神农主两
胁胀
痛，本草主咽痛，化斑疹，止咳，解温毒，痈疽排脓，皆火邪菀结之病，宜用苦者。甜梗生
津益气，攻近黄 ，而力较薄。
柴胡，苦寒清降之品也，入肝胆，清结热，降逆气，疏理肠胃湿热，止晕眩、呕吐，除
胁胀，坚痿缓，并无宣发升腾之性。但气清，能燥不能润，燥则近于升散，故温热菀结
者宜
之，阴
虚火亢未合也。其主寒热往来，是疏理湿热结气之功能，清疏营分之结热，不能开发卫分之
表邪。而世以治寒湿疟，失之。
泽泻，辛麻苦寒，入三焦、膀胱，迅逐水邪。其辛麻能使三焦、膀胱之细络为之开疏，
而水
得畅下，故渗窍之力甚猛。若无水邪，即伤津液，尤能泄命门真火、下焦元气。夫阳虚水蓄
，合桂、附用；阴虚火炽，合地黄用。而桂、附、地黄，不能敌其渗泄之力，每用一钱，且
合山萸、五味、木瓜之酸收，至三四剂，即中气不续，下焦如开，古谓过服损目，正以肾津
竭而肝气陷也。暂用少许，以为导水、导火之引子。
龙骨，土也，而形色象木，其味甘涩，能收敛木气，清利土气，故主肝气犯胃，木土相
激，
气逆不和诸证。其镇水邪，安心气，皆平肝逆之功也。健脾，涩大肠，皆益土制水之功也。
燥涩无润，大致水湿上泛者宜之。
当归，味辛、甘，气味香膻，性大温，归入肝经，能通行气血，开散郁结，壮盛肝胆阳气，化解血脉中的寒痹。凡是寒湿凝滞导致的筋骨疼痛、拘挛紧急，以及无法出汗的情况，用此药来温通经脉。其性质虽然具有润燥作用，但对于血分虚燥、肝胃之火上冲引起的头晕目眩、呕吐、多汗者应当忌用，因为它的药性温升且善于开散。产于秦地（陕西）的当归味甘而滋润，产于川地（四川）的当归味辛而质量较差。它也能通达督脉，到达头顶，通过升发阳气来驱除阴邪鬼魅。
青蒿，味苦、微辛，性微寒，性质清透并能发散，归入肝胆经，能清除湿热，开散郁结之气，宣通气机在血分中的阻滞。凡是气味芳香且性寒的药物，都能疏解湿气重、气机壅滞产生的浊热，以及血滞气虚导致的郁热，但不适合用于血虚气亢引起的燥热。像茵陈、夏枯草、桔梗、柴胡、秦艽这一类药物，都是如此。
苦桔梗，味大苦、甘、辛，性凉，既能降逆又能开宣，归入肺经，能清热、散风，适用于风火郁结亢盛于上焦的情况。所以《神农本草经》主治两胁胀痛，《本草》记载主治咽痛，消除斑疹，止咳，解除温毒，治疗痈疽排脓，这些都是火邪郁结的疾病，适宜使用苦味的药物。甜桔梗能生津益气，功效接近黄耆，但力量较薄弱。
柴胡，是味苦、性寒、主清降的药物，归入肝胆经，能清除郁结之热，降逆气，疏理肠胃湿热，止头晕目眩、呕吐，消除胁肋胀痛，使痿证坚急变得舒缓，并没有宣发升腾的药性。但它气清，只能燥湿不能润燥，燥湿则近于升散，所以温热郁结者适宜使用，阴虚火旺者不宜使用。它主治寒热往来，这是疏理湿热郁结气的功能，能清疏营分中的郁热，但不能开发卫分表的邪气。世人误用它来治疗寒湿疟疾，这是错误的。
泽泻，味辛、麻、苦，性寒，归入三焦、膀胱经，迅速驱逐水邪。它的辛麻之性能使三焦、膀胱的细小络脉开疏，从而使水液顺畅下行，所以渗利窍道的力量非常猛烈。如果没有水邪，就会损伤津液，尤其会泄掉命门的真火和下焦的元气。如果是阳虚导致的水湿停蓄，配合桂枝、附子使用；如果是阴虚火旺，配合地黄使用。但是桂枝、附子、地黄的力量，抵挡不住泽泻的渗泄之力，每用一钱泽泻，还要配合山茱萸、五味子、木瓜等酸收的药物，服用到三四剂后，就会出现中气接续不上、下焦如门户大开（元气不固）的情况，古人说过量服用会损害视力，正是由于肾津枯竭、肝气下陷的缘故。暂时少量使用，作为引导水邪、引导火邪外出的引经药。
龙骨，属土，但形状和颜色像木，味甘、涩，能收敛木气，清利土气，所以主治肝气犯胃，木土相互激荡，气逆不和的各种证候。它镇摄水邪、安定心气，都是平抑肝逆的功效。健脾、涩大肠，都是益土制水的功效。它性质燥涩而无滋润，大致适用于水湿上泛的情况。
Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 当归), acrid and sweet in taste, with a musky fragrance, is greatly warm. It enters the Liver channel, promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood, resolves stagnation and disperses constraint, strengthens the Yang Qi of the Liver and Gallbladder, and transforms cold-bi in the blood vessels. For conditions where cold-dampness coagulates and obstructs, causing pain and spasmodic tightness in the sinews and bones, or inability to sweat, this herb is used to warm and unblock the meridians. Although its nature can moisten, it is contraindicated for those with deficiency-dryness in the Blood level, flaming-up of Liver-Stomach Fire, dizziness, vomiting, or excessive sweating, due to its warming, ascending, and dispersing properties. Angelica produced in Qin (Shaanxi) is sweet and moistening; that from Chuan (Sichuan) is acrid and inferior. It can also penetrate the Du vessel (Governing Vessel) and reach the vertex, raising Yang Qi to dispel Yin pathogens and malevolent influences.
Artemisiae Annuae Herba (Qinghao, 青蒿), bitter and slightly acrid, slightly cold, is clear and dispersing. It enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels, clears damp-heat, opens constrained Qi, and circulates Qi stagnation within the Blood level. Generally, herbs that are aromatic and cold can disperse turbid heat caused by abundant dampness and Qi obstruction, as well as constrained heat due to Blood stasis and Qi deficiency; however, they are not suitable for dry-heat arising from Blood deficiency and hyperactive Qi. Examples include Yinchen Hao (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba), Xiakucao (Prunellae Spica), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), and Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix).
Radix Platycodonis (Jiegeng, 桔梗), greatly bitter, sweet, and acrid, cool in nature, can descend and open up. It enters the Lung channel, clears heat, and disperses wind, addressing wind-fire stagnating and hyperactive in the Upper Jiao. Thus, *Shennong Bencao Jing* indicates it treats distending pain in both hypochondria; other texts note it treats sore throat, resolves macules and rashes, stops cough, relieves warm-toxicity, and drains pus from carbuncles and sores. These are all diseases caused by fire-pathogen stagnation, suitable for treatment with bitter herbs. Sweet Jiegeng generates fluids and benefits Qi, acting similarly to Huangqi (Astragali Radix), but with weaker efficacy.
Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu, 柴胡), a bitter and cold herb that clears and descends, enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels. It clears constrained heat, directs rebellious Qi downward, regulates damp-heat in the intestines and stomach, stops dizziness and vomiting, removes hypochondriac distension, and relaxes stiffness in flaccidity syndromes. It lacks the property of venting and ascending. Its Qi is clear; it can dry but not moisten. Drying tends toward ascending and dispersing, so it is suitable for stagnant heat, but contraindicated for Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire. Its indication for alternating chills and fever stems from its function of regulating damp-heat and constrained Qi, clearing constrained heat in the Ying (Nutritive) level, rather than releasing exterior pathogens from the Wei (Defensive) level. Using it to treat cold-damp malaria is therefore erroneous.
Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie, 泽泻), acrid, numbing, and bitter, cold in nature, enters the San Jiao (Triple Burner) and Bladder channels, rapidly driving out water pathogens. Its acrid and numbing properties open the fine collaterals of the San Jiao and Bladder, allowing water to flow down smoothly, thus possessing potent diuretic power. In the absence of water pathogens, it damages body fluids and especially drains the True Fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Life) and Yuan Qi (Original Qi) of the Lower Jiao. For water retention due to Yang deficiency, it is combined with Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata); for Yin deficiency with blazing fire, it is combined with Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix). However, the powers of Guizhi, Fuzi, and Dihuang cannot withstand Zexie's draining force. When using one qian (approx. 3-5g) of Zexie, it must be combined with sour-astringent herbs like Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), and Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus). After three to four doses, Middle Qi may fail to sustain itself, and the Lower Jiao becomes like an open gate (loss of consolidation). Ancient texts state that excessive use damages vision, precisely because it exhausts Kidney fluids and causes Liver Qi to sink. Used temporarily in small amounts, it serves as a guiding agent to lead out water and fire.
Os Draconis (Longgu, 龙骨), belongs to Earth, but its form and color resemble Wood. Its taste is sweet and astringent. It can constrain Wood Qi and clear/benefit Earth Qi. Therefore, it treats syndromes where Liver Qi invades the Stomach, with mutual agitation between Wood and Earth, leading to rebellious Qi and disharmony. Its ability to anchor water pathogens and calm the Heart Spirit is a result of pacifying Liver rebellion. Strengthening the Spleen and astringing the Large Intestine are results of benefiting Earth to control Water. Being drying and astringent without moisture, it is generally suitable for conditions where water-dampness floats upward.