芍药气味苦平，苦走血，故为血分之药；苦下泄，故本经主邪气腹痛，除血痹，破坚积寒热。因其
破泄，故《太阴篇》云∶太阴为病，脉弱，其人续自便利，设当行大黄、芍药者，宜减之，以其人胃气弱，
易动故也。今人咸云∶芍药主酸敛，而不知有大黄之功能。元如曰∶芍药乃神农中品之药。本经曰气味苦
平，后人增曰酸，而实未尝酸也。（卢子由曰∶市肆一种赤芍
药，不知为何物草根，儿医、疡医多用之，此习已而不察，其为害殊甚。）
牡丹皮色赤，气味辛寒，血分之药也。不缘子生，故名曰牡。阴中之阳，升也。其味辛，故主发散
中风，寒热邪气，除症坚瘀血，寒能凉血，故主螈 惊痫。凡骨蒸劳热，痈肿疮疡，丹皮为要药，若吐血衄
血，大非所宜，以其上升故也。元如曰∶若因风寒而衄血者宜之，如阴火上炎者大忌。
凡草木之根，其性上升，梢杪子实，性复下降，物之理也。栝楼蔓延结实，则根粉尽消，实黄赤而子白
润，气味苦寒，是以天花粉能启阴液以上滋于心肺，栝楼实复能导心肺之气以下行，故本经主治胸痹。元
如曰∶如苏子、萝葡子、白芥、云苔之类，性皆下行，
所谓“上行极而下”也。
麦，春长、夏成，得木火之气，故为肝之谷；透发其芽，能达木气，以制化脾土，故能消米谷之实。
经云∶食气入胃，散精于肝，淫气于筋。人之食饮不化，而成反胃噎膈者，多因肝气郁怒所致。予治此
证，于调理脾胃药中倍加麦芽，多有应手。盖医者但知消谷，而不知疏肝。玉师曰∶可类推于谷芽、黍
芽、大豆黄卷。
芍药的气味苦而平，苦味入血分，所以它是血分的药物；苦味具有下泄的作用，所以《神农本草经》记载它主治邪气引起的腹痛，消除血痹，破除坚积以及寒热之邪。因为芍药具有破散和泄下的特性，所以在《伤寒论·太阴篇》中说：太阴病，脉象虚弱，病人持续自行大便通畅，如果此时需要使用大黄、芍药的，应当减少用量，因为病人的胃气虚弱，容易因药力而动扰肠胃。现在的人都声称：芍药主要作用是酸收敛涩，却不知道它有类似大黄的通泄功能。元如说：芍药是神农《本经》中品级的药物。《本经》记载其气味苦平，后人增加说是酸味，但实际上它并不酸。（卢子由说：市场上有一种赤芍药，不知道是什么植物的草根，儿科医生和外科医生多用它，这种习惯已久却未加考察，其危害非常大。）
牡丹皮颜色赤红，气味辛凉，属于血分的药物。因为它不是从种子生长出来的（而是根生），所以叫作“牡”。它是阴中之阳，性质上升。它的味道辛，所以主治发散中风、寒热邪气，消除症坚瘀血；其性寒能凉血，所以主治抽搐、惊痫。凡是骨蒸劳热、痈肿疮疡，牡丹皮都是重要药物；如果是吐血、鼻衄，则非常不适宜使用，因为它的药性上升的缘故。元如说：如果是因风寒导致的鼻衄可以使用，但如果是阴虚火旺上炎者则绝对禁忌。
凡是草木的根部，其药性趋向上升，梢末和果实，药性又趋向下降，这是事物的规律。栝楼蔓延并结出果实时，根部的淀粉就会消耗殆尽，果实呈黄红色而种子白润，气味苦寒，因此天花粉能够开启阴液以上滋心肺，栝楼实又能引导心肺之气以下行，所以《本经》主治胸痹。元如说：像苏子、萝卜子、白芥子、芸苔子之类，药性都下行，这就是所谓的“上行至极则转为下行”。
麦类，春季生长、夏季成熟，禀受木和火的气化，所以是肝之谷；萌发其芽，能够通达木气，从而制约和转化脾土，所以能够消化米谷等实物。经文说：饮食之气进入胃后，将精微散布于肝，溢注于筋。人的饮食不消化，形成反胃噎膈的病症，多是因为肝气郁结愤怒所致。我治疗这种病症，在调理脾胃的药物中加倍加入麦芽，往往有立竿见影的效果。大概医生只知道消食导滞，而不懂得疏肝理气。玉师说：这个道理可以类推到谷芽、黍芽、大豆黄卷。
Shao Yao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra/Alba) has a bitter and neutral taste. Bitterness enters the blood level, thus it is a medicine for the blood aspect; bitterness directs downward and drains, thus the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states it governs abdominal pain caused by pathogenic factors, eliminates blood bi (obstruction), and breaks up firm accumulations along with cold-heat patterns. Due to its breaking and draining nature, the *Taiyin Chapter* of the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) says: In Taiyin disease, if the pulse is weak and the patient continues to have spontaneous loose stools, if Da Huang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) or Shao Yao are indicated, their dosages should be reduced, because the patient's Stomach Qi is weak and easily disturbed. Nowadays, people generally claim that Shao Yao primarily acts through sour astringency, unaware of its purgative function similar to Da Huang. Yuan Ru stated: Shao Yao is a Grade II herb in Shennong's classification. The *Bencao Jing* records its taste as bitter and neutral; later authors added "sour," but in reality, it does not possess a sour taste. (Lu Ziyu said: There is a type of Chi Shao Yao (Red Peony Root) sold in markets, the rootstock of which plant is unknown. Pediatricians and surgeons use it frequently. This custom has persisted without scrutiny, causing significant harm.)
Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan Radicis) is red in color, with an acrid and cold taste, belonging to the blood level medicines. It is named "Mu" (Male) because it grows from the root rather than seeds. It is Yang within Yin, and its nature ascends. Its acrid flavor allows it to disperse wind-stroke, cold-heat pathogenic factors, and eliminate fixed masses and blood stasis; its cold nature cools the blood, thus governing spasms and convulsive epilepsy. For bone-steaming tidal fever, carbuncles, sores, and ulcers, Mu Dan Pi is a key herb. However, for hematemesis (vomiting blood) or epistaxis (nosebleed), it is highly unsuitable due to its ascending nature. Yuan Ru stated: It is suitable for epistaxis caused by wind-cold, but strictly contraindicated for cases of yin deficiency fire flaming upward.
Generally, the roots of herbs and trees have an ascending nature, while the tips, branches, and fruits have a descending nature; this is the principle of things. When Gua Lou (Trichosanthes Fruit) spreads and bears fruit, the starch in the root dissipates. The fruit is yellow-red, and the seeds are white and moist. With a bitter and cold taste, Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root) can open yin fluids to nourish the Heart and Lungs upwards, while Gua Lou Shi (Trichosanthes Fruit) guides the Qi of the Heart and Lungs downward. Thus, the *Bencao Jing* indicates it treats chest bi (obstruction). Yuan Ru stated: Substances such as Su Zi (Perilla Seed), Luo Bo Zi (Radish Seed), Bai Jie Zi (Mustard Seed), and Yun Tai Zi (Rapeseed) all have descending properties, which is what is meant by "when ascent reaches its limit, it turns to descent."
Wheat (Mai) grows in spring and matures in summer, receiving the Qi of Wood and Fire, thus it is the grain corresponding to the Liver. Sprouting generates芽 (sprouts) that can penetrate and diffuse Wood Qi, thereby regulating and transforming Spleen Earth, allowing it to digest grains and solids. The classics state: After food Qi enters the Stomach, essence is dispersed to the Liver and overflows into the sinews. Indigestion leading to regurgitation or dysphagia often results from Liver Qi stagnation and anger. In treating these conditions, I double the dosage of Mai Ya (Sprouted Hordeum Fructus) in formulas regulating the Spleen and Stomach, often achieving immediate results. Physicians typically only know how to promote digestion but fail to understand the need to soothe the Liver. Yu Shi stated: This logic can be extended to Gu Ya (Sprouted Rice), Shu Ya (Sprouted Millet), and Da Dou Huang Juan (Fermented Soybean).