(Continuing from the previous text) Cut the drug, take one sheng (approx. 1 liter), add two sheng and five he (approx. 2.5 liters) of water, decoct to obtain the juice. Take eight he (approx. 0.8 liters) per dose until the disease is cured. Agents for reducing heat must primarily consist of bitter herbs. It is also said: For excessive heat qi, cold-natured herbs should be used to clear it; this is the principle.

*Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semens* (Tinglizi, 葶苈子): Qi is cold, flavor is pungent, non-toxic. Nature is sinking, belonging to Yang within Yin. [Li Gao] *Descurainiae Semen* significantly descends Qi. When used with Pungent and Sour herbs, it guides out swelling Qi. The *Bencao Shiji* states: "Draining can remove closure." *Descurainiae Semen* and *Rhei Radix et Rhizoma* (Dahuang, 大黄) belong to this category. Both are strongly Bitter and Cold. One drains Blood-closure, the other drains Qi-closure. Generally, because the Bitter-Cold nature and aroma of *Descurainiae Semen* are thick and intense, not inferior to *Rhei Radix*, and its nature excels in draining the closure of Yang Qi in the Lungs, it can also unblock the bowels. This is because its substance is light and corresponds to Yang. [Zhang Yuansu] The treatments for Bitter and Sweet varieties differ. Zhang Zhongjing's *Xie Fei Tang* uses Bitter *Descurainiae Semen*; other formulas sometimes use Sweet *Descurainiae Semen*, or do not specify. Generally, Bitter type has a stronger downward-draining effect, while Sweet type acts more mildly. Use must be weighed according to the patient's deficiency or excess; caution is required. Preparation: Roast together with glutinous rice until cooked, remove the rice, and grind into fine powder.

*Murroot* (Shanglu, 商陆): Qi is neutral, flavor is pungent, toxic. White variety is Bitter and Cold, effective when combined with garlic; Red variety is highly toxic, contraindicated with dog meat. Indications: Edema, hernia, masses, bi-syndrome, unblocks the Five Zang organs, disperses water qi. [Li Shizhen] Flavor Bitter, Nature Cold, Sinking, Descending, Yin. Its nature moves downward, specifically promoting water metabolism. It differs from *Kansui Radix* (Gansui, 甘遂) and *Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix* (Daji, 大戟) in species but shares similar efficacy. Contraindicated in those with weak Stomach Qi. Select the flower-white root, scrape off the skin with a copper knife, slice thinly, soak in flowing water from the east for two nights, drain, place in a steamer, layer with black soybean leaves and Murroot, steam from Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM) to Hai hour (9 PM-11 PM). Remove, discard bean leaves, dry in sun, cut into pieces. If bean leaves are unavailable, substitute with bean leaves.

*Kansui Radix* (Gansui, 甘遂): Qi is Cold, Flavor is Bitter, toxic, incompatible with *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao, 甘草). Indications: Drains the five types of water retention, expels lingering fluid and old food stagnation, breaks hard accumulations, promotes urination and defecation. [Jie Gu] Flavor Bitter, Nature Cold. Bitter nature drains, Cold nature overcomes heat, reaching directly to where water qi is knotted; it is the holy medicine for draining water. Water knotted in the chest cannot be removed without this herb. Zhang Zhongjing uses it in *Da Xian Xiong Tang*. However, it is toxic and should not be used lightly. [Li Shizhen] The Kidney governs water; condensation becomes phlegm-fluid, overflow becomes swelling. *Kansui Radix* can drain dampness from the Kidney channel, treating the root of phlegm. Do not overdose; stop once the disease is addressed. Zhang Zhongjing uses it with *Glycyrrhizae Radix* for subcardiac lingering fluid, utilizing their antagonistic interaction to achieve efficacy. Remove stems, finely cut on a locust wood chopping block. Soak for three days in a mixture of decoction of raw *Glycyrrhizae Radix* and natural juice of *Capsellae Fructus* (Qiyezi, 荠菜). When the liquid turns like ink, drain, wash six to seven times with eastern flowing water until clear. Wrap in dough and bake熟 (cook thoroughly), then grind.

*Daphne Genkwa Flower* (Yuanhua, 芫花): Qi is Warm, Flavor is Pungent, toxic. [Li Shizhen] Zhang Zhongjing treats Taiyang syndrome of Shanghan where exterior pathogen is unresolved, fluid retention in the heart region, causing dry retching, fever, cough, or diarrhea; treat with *Xiao Qing Long Tang*. If the exterior is resolved, but there is occasional headache, sweating, aversion to cold, fluid retention in the heart region, dry retching, pain radiating to both hypochondria, or cough/asthma; treat with *Shi Zao Tang*. *Xiao Qing Long Tang* disperses exterior pathogen, allowing fluid qi to exit via hair pores, corresponding to the *Neijing* method of "opening the ghost gate" (diaphoresis). *Shi Zao Tang* drives out interior pathogen, allowing fluid qi to exit via urine and feces, corresponding to the *Neijing* method of "cleaning the bladder and removing stale matter." There are five types of fluid retention, caused by internal consumption of fluids and external dampness accumulation. Flowing into the Lung causes Branch Fluid (Zhi Yin), leading to asthma, cough, chills/fever, frothy sputum, back cold. Flowing into the hypochondrium causes Hanging Fluid (Xuan Yin), leading to coughing/saliva, pain radiating to the collarbone and hypochondria. Flowing into the subcardiac region causes Hidden Fluid (Fu Yin), leading to chest fullness, vomiting, chills/fever, dizziness. Flowing into the intestines/stomach causes Phlegm Fluid (Tan Yin), leading to abdominal borborygmus, vomiting water, chest/hypochondriac distension, diarrhea, alternating emaciation and obesity. Flowing into the collaterals causes Overflow Fluid (Yi Yin), leading to heaviness, fixed pain, or edema. The nature of *Daphne Genkwa Flower*, *Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix*, and *Kansui Radix* is to chase water and drain dampness, reaching deep into hidden reservoirs of fluid. They must be used gradually; they are very effective but overdosing depletes true Yuan Qi. Chen Yan's *San Yin Fang* grinds these herbs into powder, forms pills with jujube paste, to treat water-induced asthma and edema, showing flexibility. Yang Shaying's *Zhi Zhi Fang* states: To break masses, *Daphne Genkwa Flower* is necessary; nourish the Stomach after draining water. Aged storage is better. Preparation: Boil in good vinegar for ten boils, discard vinegar, soak in water overnight, dry.

*Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix* (Daji, 大戟): Qi is Cold, Flavor is Bitter/Pungent, toxic, slight Yang within Yin. Drains the Lung, damages true Qi, harmonized well with Jujube. Indications: Twelve types of water retention, abdominal fullness/pain, accumulations, headache, induces sweating, promotes urination/defecation. [Zhang Yuansu] Like *Kansui Radix*, it is a water-draining herb. For dampness excess, bitter-dryness removes it. Prepare by boiling in sour mash until soft, remove core, dry.

*Stemona Root* (Shuqi, 蜀漆 - Bud of *Periplocae Radix*): Qi is Cold/Slightly Warm, Flavor is Bitter/Pungent, Pure Yang, toxic. Indications: Chills/fever in Shanghan, warm malaria, vomiting/phlegm-fluid in chest, breaks blood stasis. [Cheng Wuji] For fire pathogen disorder, add the Pungency of *Shuqi* to disperse it. Cooking reduces efficacy.

*Sargassum* (Haizao, 海藻): Qi is Cold, Flavor is Salty, slightly toxic, incompatible with *Glycyrrhizae Radix*. [Jie Gu] Aroma and flavor are dense, Pure Yin/Sinking. Indications: Goiter, scrofula, hard ulcers not yet suppurating. Classics state: "Salty softens hardness." When Ying Qi does not flow smoothly, external swelling occurs; treat with guiding herbs according to channels; swelling will resolve. [Cheng Wuji] Salty flavor induces vomiting/draining; thus, the Salinity of *Sargassum* drains water qi. [Li Shizhen] Salty moistens and directs downward, Cold clears heat, guides water down; thus it eliminates goiter, tubercles, hard Yin accumulations, edema, podagra, lingering fluid, and damp-heat phlegm, expelling pathogens via urine.

*Dragon Bone* (Longgu, 龙骨): Qi is Neutral, Flavor is Sweet, non-toxic. Enters Hand-Foot Shaoyin and Jueyin channels. Astringency removes collapse; thus Cheng Shi says *Longgu* converges floating/Yang Zheng Qi, secures Large Intestine, and calms fright. In Shanghan formulas, only used in decoctions. Should be crushed and used raw. Avoid fish and ironware.

*Oyster Shell* (Muli, 牡蛎): Qi is Neutral/Slightly Cold, Flavor is Salty, non-toxic. Indications: Excess heat in Shanghan, dysentery/diarrhea, stops sliding/collapse, stops heart pain, astringes urination/defecation, removes hardness/fullness in hypochondria. [Li Gao] Can transform stagnant Qi痞 (pi syndrome). Classics: "Salty softens hardness." Enters Foot Shaoyin; Salty is the agent for softening hardness. Guided by *Bupleuri Radix* (Chaihu, 柴胡), it removes hypochondriac hardness; guided by tea, it eliminates tubercles; guided by *Rhei Radix*, it removes thigh swelling; guided by *Rehmanniae Radix* (Dihuang, 地黄), it benefits essence, astringes, and stops urinary frequency. It is a Kidney channel herb. Quench with child's urine, grind and sieve.

*Red Halloysite* (Chishizhi, 赤石脂): Qi is Great Warm, Flavor is Sweet/Sour/Pungent, non-toxic, Yin within Yang, secures collapse. [Zhang Yuansu] Astringency removes collapse. Halloysite is an astringent agent. Red enters Bing (Yang Fire), White enters Geng (Yang Metal). [Li Shizhen] All five Halloysites are Hand/Foot Yangming herbs. Flavor Sweet, Nature Warm, Substance Heavy, Nature Astringent. Heavy and astringent, so it collects dampness, stops bleeding, and secures the lower burner. Sweet and Warm, so it benefits Qi, generates flesh, and harmonizes the middle burner (intestines, stomach, muscles, palpitations, jaundice). Lower burner indications include diarrhea, dysentery, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, seminal emission. The five types have similar main treatments; *Benjing* did not separate them, stating each color tonifies its corresponding Zang. *Bielu* separated them by five flavors/colors, which is artificial. Red and White enter Qi and Blood layers respectively. Zhang Zhongjing used *Taohua Tang* for dysentery with pus/blood, using the heavy/astringent nature of *Chishizhi* to enter lower burner Blood and secure collapse, *Zingiberis Radix* (Ganjiang, 干姜) to warm lower burner Qi and tonify deficiency, and *Oryzae Fructus* (Jingmi, 粳米) to moisten intestines/stomach. Grind fine, wrap in silk, decoct.

*Hematitum* (Daizheshi, 代赭石): Qi is Cold, Flavor is Bitter/Sweet, non-toxic. [Zhang Yuansu] Enters Hand Shaoyin and Foot Jueyin. Fear leads to floating Qi; heavy agents calm it. The weight of *Daizheshi* calms deficient rebellion. Thus, Zhang Zhongjing treats post-Shanghan sweating/vomiting/purging with subcardiac stiffness and persistent belching using *Xuanfuzheye Decoction*. [Li Shizhen] *Daizheshi* is a Blood-layer herb for Liver and Pericardium channels; thus it treats Blood-layer diseases of these channels. Crush raw, grind fine, sieve.

*Ilmenite* (Yuyuliang, 禹余粮): Qi is Cold, Flavor is Sweet/Salty, non-toxic. [Li Shizhen] *Yuyuliang* is a heavy agent for Foot/Hand Yangming Blood layer. Its nature is astringent, thus treating anterior/posterior lower burner diseases. Crush raw, grind fine, sieve.

*Lead Tetroxide* (Qiandan, 铅丹): Qi is Slightly Cold, Flavor is Pungent/Slightly Salty, non-toxic. Indications: Vomiting, gastric reflux, convulsions, epilepsy, clears heat, directs Qi downward. Used in Zhang Zhongjing's *Longgu Muli Tang* to converge Shen Qi and calm fright. Astringency removes collapse and secures Qi. Heavy and sinking, red color, thus enters Blood layer.

*Clam Shell* (Wenge, 文蛤): Qi is Neutral, Flavor is Salty, non-toxic. Indications: Malignant sores, erodes five hemorrhoids. In Shanghan, if Yang stage disease should be solved by sweating, but was wrongly treated with cold water immersion or irrigation, causing trapped heat that worsens; treat with *Wenge San*. Clams are aquatic, their nature is Cold, thus used to promote water metabolism and overcome heat, superior to herbal liquids. *Mengxi Bitan* states it is the clam eaten in Wu region today.

*Leech* (Shuizhi, 水蛭): Qi is Neutral, Flavor is Salty/Bitter, toxic. Feared by calcined stone and salt. Indications: Drives away evil blood, blood stasis, breaks blood accumulations, promotes water passages. Leeches feed on blood, thus they drive dead blood; biological agents are used instead of herbs because dead blood requires living agents to activate. [Method] Collect, store in bamboo tube to dry. Soak in rice wash overnight, dry flat, check abdomen for eggs and remove. Fry in pig lard until yellow-brown, then use.

*Blue Bottle Fly Larva* (Mengchong, 虻虫): Qi is Neutral, Flavor is Bitter, toxic. Indications: Drives blood stasis, breaks blood accumulations, hard masses, chills/fever, unblocks collaterals and nine orifices. Liu Hejian stated: Mosquitoes eat blood and treat blood, utilizing their nature. Cheng Wuji stated: Bitter enters Blood; for knotted Blood not moving, attack with Bitter. Thus, *Mengchong* is used for blood retention, a Liver channel Blood-layer herb. Remove wings/legs, stir-fry熟.

*Porcine Skin* (Zhufu, 猪肤): Qi is Cold, Flavor is Sweet, non-toxic. Enters Foot Shaoyin channel. Pig is an aquatic animal; its Qi enters Kidney first. Shaoyin guest heat is resolved by *Zhufu*. Add *Mel* (Baimi, 白蜜) to moisten dryness and remove irritability; *Tapioca* (Baifen, 白粉) to benefit Qi and stop dysentery.

*Porcine Bile* (Zhudanchi, 猪胆汁): Qi is Cold, Flavor is Bitter, non-toxic. Added to Zhang Zhongjing's *Baitong Tang* with human urine. Salty/Cold combined with Hot agents to overcome rejection of cold. Combined with vinegar and administered rectally, Sour/Bitter benefits Yin and moistens dryness. *Benjing* states it treats Shanghan heat/thirst. White pig trotters can be used; mixed colors are not suitable. Food therapy should not combine with human urine. Tonifies Liver, harmonizes Yin, guides Yang without rejection, enters Heart and unblocks vessels.

*Woman's Crotch Cloth* (Furen Dang, 妇人 裆 ): Main indication: Yin Yi syndrome. Cut from the crotch area, burn to ash, take one cubic inch dose. If female suffers Yang Yi, use man's crotch cloth. Yin/Yi syndrome occurs after recovery from epidemic disease when sexual intercourse occurs, transmitting pathogen, worse than original disease. Symptoms: Red/scanty urine, severe chills/fever. Taking this promotes urination; efficacy lies in restoring Qi.

*Human Urine* (Ren Niao, 人尿): Qi is Cold, Flavor is Salty, non-toxic. [Tao Hongjing] For early headache, drinking several sheng of human urine often heals. Better taken as soup with Scallion and Soybean Ferment. [Li Shizhen] Urine is actually Warm, not Cold. Drinking it enters Stomach, follows Spleen Qi up to Lung, down through water passages to Bladder, returning to its original path. Thus it treats Lung disease, guides Fire downward. Clear essence becomes Blood, turbid becomes Qi; clarified turbid becomes Jin-Ye, further clarified becomes Urine. Urine is similar to Blood, hence Salty flavor enters Blood, treating all Blood diseases. Cheng Wuji stated: In Shanghan Shaoyin syndrome with incessant diarrhea, cold limbs, no pulse, dry retching, desire to drink water, add Salty/Bitter/Cold *Ren Niao* and *Zhudanchi* to *Baitong Tang* with Ginger/Aconite; the Qi matches, overcoming rejection.