较软柴胡性味稍平，入肝肾而专治虚劳烦热，骨蒸髓热。干长微白者良。
苦辛甘平，入肺而消痰下气，解热疏风，为风邪咳嗽之专药。气香质嫩者良。无外感
勿用。按∶柴胡、前胡均是风药；但柴胡性升，前胡性降为异。
辛苦微温，气缓善搜，入足少阴气分；以理伏风而胜湿，痉痫、湿痹并宜之。
辛苦微温，气缓善搜，入足少阴气分；以理伏风而胜湿，痉痫、湿痹并宜之。
辛苦微温，气缓善搜，入足少阴气分；以理伏风而胜湿，痉痫、湿痹并宜之。
辛苦微温，气缓善搜，入足少阴气分；以理伏风而胜湿，痉痫、湿痹并宜之。
性温味辛，表散寒邪，兼祛浮热，乃手少阴引经，足少阴本药。味极辛，能行水气
燥，性极刃烈，不可多用、独用。
苦辛性温，散郁泄热，入手少阴经，能通肾气上达于心，利九窍，交心肾。甘草水浸
若纯虚无滞郁者勿用。叶名小草，止泄益阴。
苦甘微温，滋肾益肝，除风虚湿痹，强腰脚，利机关，为滋补虚痹良药。
质地较软的柴胡，药性气味较为平和，入肝肾经，专门治疗虚劳引起的烦热、骨蒸潮热和骨髓发热。以干燥、细长、颜色微白者为佳。
（前胡）味苦、辛、甘，性平，入肺经，能消除痰液、降逆下气，解除热邪、疏散风邪，是治疗风邪所致咳嗽的专用药物。以香气浓郁、质地柔嫩者为佳。如果没有外感病邪，不要使用。按语：柴胡和前胡都是祛风药；但柴胡的药性主升，前胡的药性主降，这是它们的区别。
（天麻）味辛、苦，性微温，气味缓和且善于搜剔伏风，入足少阴肾经的气分；用来调理潜伏的风邪并胜除湿邪，对于痉挛、癫痫以及湿痹都适宜。
（天麻）味辛、苦，性微温，气味缓和且善于搜剔伏风，入足少阴肾经的气分；用来调理潜伏的风邪并胜除湿邪，对于痉挛、癫痫以及湿痹都适宜。
（天麻）味辛、苦，性微温，气味缓和且善于搜剔伏风，入足少阴肾经的气分；用来调理潜伏的风邪并胜除湿邪，对于痉挛、癫痫以及湿痹都适宜。
（天麻）味辛、苦，性微温，气味缓和且善于搜剔伏风，入足少阴肾经的气分；用来调理潜伏的风邪并胜除湿邪，对于痉挛、癫痫以及湿痹都适宜。
（附子）性温味辛，能发散表寒，兼祛浮热，是手少阴心经的引经药，也是足少阴肾经的本药。味道极辛，能行水气、燥湿，药性极其猛烈，不可多用或单独使用。
（黄连）味苦、辛，性温，能散郁结、泄热，入手少阴心经，能使肾气上达于心，通利九窍，交通心肾。用甘草水浸泡。如果是纯虚无郁滞的情况，不要使用。其叶名为小草，能止泻、益阴。
（杜仲）味苦、甘，性微温，能滋补肾肝，祛除风虚湿痹，强壮腰脚，通利关节，是滋补治疗虚损痹证的良药。
（淫羊藿）味辛、香、甘，性温，入肝肾经而兴阳益精。需用羊脂拌炒后使用。相火容易妄动者应远离此药。
（牛膝）味辛、香、甘，性微温，入肾命血分，祛除风气、香港脚（脚气），强壮腰膝。用酒浸泡后焙干使用。阴虚且相火炽盛者忌用。
（肉苁蓉）性味甘温，入肾命经而兴阳润燥。大便滑泄、阳气过强导致精关不固者，均忌用。
（锁阳）味甘、酸、咸，性温，入肾命血分，润燥兴阳，峻补精血，功效接近琐阳（锁阳）。用酒浸泡洗去鳞片，用酥油炙烤后使用。其用法也与琐阳相同。
Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) with a softer texture has a slightly neutral flavor and nature. It enters the Liver and Kidney meridians and is specifically used to treat deficiency fatigue accompanied by vexatious heat, bone-steaming tidal fever, and marrow heat. The dried, slender, and slightly white specimens are considered superior.
Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix) is bitter, pungent, and sweet in flavor, and neutral in nature. It enters the Lung meridian to resolve phlegm, direct rebellious Qi downward, relieve heat, and disperse wind. It is a specialized herb for coughs caused by wind pathogens. Specimens with a rich aroma and tender texture are preferred. It should not be used if there is no external pathogenic invasion. Note: Both Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) and Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix) are wind-dispelling herbs; however, their difference lies in that Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) has an ascending nature, whereas Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix) has a descending nature.
Tian Ma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) is pungent and bitter, with a slightly warm nature. Its qi is mild and it excels at searching out latent wind. It enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. It regulates latent wind and overcomes dampness, making it suitable for spasms, epilepsy, and damp-bi syndrome.
Tian Ma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) is pungent and bitter, with a slightly warm nature. Its qi is mild and it excels at searching out latent wind. It enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. It regulates latent wind and overcomes dampness, making it suitable for spasms, epilepsy, and damp-bi syndrome.
Tian Ma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) is pungent and bitter, with a slightly warm nature. Its qi is mild and it excels at searching out latent wind. It enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. It regulates latent wind and overcomes dampness, making it suitable for spasms, epilepsy, and damp-bi syndrome.
Tian Ma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) is pungent and bitter, with a slightly warm nature. Its qi is mild and it excels at searching out latent wind. It enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. It regulates latent wind and overcomes dampness, making it suitable for spasms, epilepsy, and damp-bi syndrome.
Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) is warm in nature and pungent in flavor. It releases exterior cold and dispels floating heat. It serves as a guiding herb for the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) meridian and is a principal herb for the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. Its flavor is extremely pungent, capable of moving water qi and drying dampness. Its nature is extremely sharp and fierce; it should not be used in large doses or alone.
Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) is bitter and pungent, with a warm nature. It disperses stagnation and drains heat. It enters the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) meridian, enabling Kidney Qi to ascend to the Heart, benefiting the nine orifices, and facilitating the interaction between the Heart and Kidney. Soak in Licorice root (Gan Cao / Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) water. Do not use if the condition is purely deficient without stagnation. The leaves are called Xiao Cao (Xiao Cao), which can stop diarrhea and nourish Yin.
Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex) is bitter and sweet, with a slightly warm nature. It nourishes the Kidney and Liver, dispels wind-deficiency and damp-bi, strengthens the waist and legs, and benefits the joints. It is an excellent tonic for treating deficiency-bi syndromes.
Yin Yang Huo (Epimedii Folium) is pungent, aromatic, and sweet, with a warm nature. It enters the Liver and Kidney meridians to promote Yang and benefit essence. It should be stir-fried with sheep fat. Those prone to hyperactive ministerial fire should avoid it.
Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) is pungent, aromatic, and sweet, with a slightly warm nature. It enters the Blood aspect of the Kidney and Mingmen (Gate of Life). It dispels wind pathogens and Hong Jiao (foot-qi/beriberi), strengthening the waist and knees. Soak in wine and bake before use. Contraindicated in cases of Yin deficiency with blazing ministerial fire.
Rou Cong Rong (Cistanches Herba) is sweet and warm in nature. It enters the Kidney and Mingmen (Gate of Life) to promote Yang and moisten dryness. It is contraindicated in cases of loose stools/diarrhea and excessive Yang leading to insecure essence retention.
Suo Yang (Cynomorii Herba) is sweet, sour, and salty, with a warm nature. It enters the Blood aspect of the Kidney and Mingmen (Gate of Life). It moistens dryness, promotes Yang, and vigorously tonifies essence and blood. Its efficacy is similar to Suo Yang (itself). Soak in wine, wash off the scales, and process with suet (animal fat). Its preparation method is also identical to Suo Yang (Cistanches Herba).