Best for clearing heat and detoxifying: Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle)

First “silver” then “gold”, the flowers turn yellow with age.

According to the “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing”: “Jin Yin Hua is cold in nature and sweet in flavor, it has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling the blood and resolving stasis, and is used for treating exterior wind-heat, initial stages of pestilence, sores, and red, swollen, painful conditions, as well as purulent blood in stools.”

Best for aromatic dampness transformation: Huo Xiang (Agastache)

It is said that Huo Xiang is the “Justice” among herbs, because it promotes upright Qi.

It has a spicy and slightly warm nature, entering the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians, with effects of transforming dampness, relieving summer heat, harmonizing the middle, and stopping vomiting. It is warm and drying, capable of transforming internal dampness and resolving exterior summer dampness, making it a common remedy during the hot season.

Best for calming the spirit: Zhu Sha (Cinnabar)

“Exterminate all evils, and drive away the spirits!”

According to the “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing”: Zhu Sha treats diseases of the five internal organs, nourishes the spirit, calms the soul, benefits Qi, brightens the eyes, kills demons, and wards off evil spirits.

Best for promoting urination and draining dampness: Fu Ling (Poria)

Some say it is the essence of pine trees, but it is actually just “holding onto the pine tree’s leg”.

According to the “Bencao Gangmu”: Fu Ling is light and permeating, its nature ascends, generates body fluids, opens the pores, nourishes the water source and descends, promoting urination. Therefore, Zhang Jiegu called it yang, floating and ascending, referring to its nature; Dong Yuan referred to it as yin within yang, descending and lowering, referring to its function.

Best for opening the orifices: She Xiang (Musk)

Cardiotonic, stimulant, this is a fast-acting medicine.

The great way is simple, it is the law of development of all things in the universe, the essence of Chinese culture, and the philosophy of Daoism. The great way is so simple that it can be explained in a few words. The saying goes, “True transmission is one sentence, false transmission is thousands of volumes of books.” “At the beginning of all things, the great way is simple, evolving into complexity” comes from Laozi’s “Dao De Jing”. The great way is simple, which is valued not only by philosophical schools like Daoism and Confucianism but also represents the state of life in the world.

The great way is simple, life is also simple. Enlightenment, when profound becomes simple, and when simple becomes profound, from seeing a mountain as a mountain to seeing a mountain as a mountain, the realm is different. From simple to complex, and then from complex to simple, is sublimation. The meaning of life lies in simplicity; when a person cultivates to a certain extent, they will become indifferent to some matters, and simplicity will prevail. You can understand others, but others may not understand you. In fact, it is not about understanding but about recognition.

Refined in heart, simple in form. Questioning the soul is the ultimate question of humanity; simplicity is not only a form of beauty but also a capability and a realm. Seeing through without revealing, high realm; seeing vaguely, heart transparent; transparency is not transparency, knowing the unknown, intentionally not seeing through, is thorough; knowing that worldly matters cannot be seen through is transparency. The clarity after thoroughness, the understanding after confusion, is the true realm of being muddled.

“The great way is simple” is the wisdom of being human. To do things, one must simplify complex matters, which requires wisdom. To return complicated matters to simplicity requires wisdom, ability, and determination. Wise people all appreciate the great way is simple; therefore, one should not chase after fame and profit; one should not be burdened by reputation and wealth. Indifference clarifies one’s aspirations, tranquility leads to far-reaching goals. We should live simply and work diligently, using wisdom to simplify the difficult.

For fame and profit, one should cast aside honor and disgrace, pure as the innocent child, simple as the fertile land cultivated by ancestors. Only those with a calm heart can see the “setting sun shining on the village, the cattle and sheep returning home in the narrow alley”, hear the “lotus wind sending autumn air, bamboo dew dripping clear sounds”, and feel the “empty mountain with no one in sight, only the sound of human voices”. Tao Yuanming was such a person, so he could compose the verse “Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely see the southern mountain”; Ouyang Xiu was also such a person, so he could still write the “Record of the Drunken Old Man’s Pavilion” with ease during his exile.

The great way is simple, life is also simple. Simplicity is not material poverty, but spiritual freedom; simplicity is not the emptiness of life, but the purity of the soul. The great way is simple, the highest principle is often the most straightforward. One must learn to live simply, lead a simple life, and act simply, letting go of selfish thoughts and desires, transcending the cage of self-will, and truly forgetting one’s thoughts and consciousness, entering a state of selflessness.

The complexity of life arises from confusion; resisting temptation with “benevolence” and resolving confusion with “wisdom”. Not being confused is the mark of life transitioning from complexity to simplicity. Among the three thousand weak waters, I only take a ladle to drink; in the myriad forms of life, one must remain true to oneself. Rejoicing to forget worries, simplicity to preserve truth, is the “great way is simple” of life.

There is a story about the great way being simple and having a peaceful heart: A traveler asked an old Daoist, “What did you do before you attained Dao?” The old Daoist replied, “Chopping wood, carrying water, and cooking.” The traveler asked, “And after attaining Dao?” The old Daoist replied, “Chopping wood, carrying water, and cooking.” The traveler asked again, “What does it mean to attain Dao?” The old Daoist replied, “Before attaining Dao, when chopping wood, I thought about carrying water; when carrying water, I thought about cooking; after attaining Dao, chopping wood is just chopping wood, carrying water is just carrying water, cooking is just cooking.” The dialogue between the old Daoist and the traveler enlightens us that many profound truths are contained in extremely simple thoughts.

The great way is simple, life is easy and simple. A thousand people have a thousand ways of living and paths in life. After walking through the years and life, one has many feelings; let go of everything, be free; let go in the present, be free in the present. Many problems in life do not need to be held in the heart, and many burdens in life do not need to be shouldered. Only by letting go can one feel the joy of simple living and the thrill of the soul soaring. To change some things, one must first find oneself. We all have potential energy, which is easily covered by habits, confused by time, and worn down by inertia. We should remember what should be remembered, forget what should be forgotten, change what can be changed, and accept what cannot be changed. We should face the past with the least regret, the present with the least waste, and the future with the most dreams.

The way of heaven and earth is simple and easy. Life is short; do not complicate everything, live simply. Once the grand play of life begins, no matter how nervous you are, you must perform until the end. The greatest challenge in the process of growth is that some paths can only be walked in silence. Happy work and simple living is a happy life. One must understand to be content and happy; all sorrow and pain, all things that cannot be given up, are merely transitions in life. Once you jump over them, you can become more wonderful.

The best life is a simple life: a cup of tea, a table, a quiet place, plain days, and a mind free of distractions. However, a simple life requires great effort to enjoy it without worries. Overall, life is perfect; the imperfection lies in the mindset. Those who do not know how to appreciate will turn everything into flaws with their criticism. Live simply, act naturally, grasp the measure, and accept reality calmly; do things simply, do not provoke trouble, do not create issues, do not fear problems, do not regret, do not complain, and do not begrudge what you have done.

Life is a long struggle; some people smile at the beginning, while others win in the end. Try to smile, try to look back, relax yourself, do not force, do not be weak, do not be restless. Live simply, follow your heart, follow your nature, follow your fate, be the best version of yourself, be content, smile, and remain calm. Even if it is bitter and tiring, as long as you keep moving forward, your own scenery will eventually appear.

Whether life is easy or not depends on how you live. Circumstances depend on mindset; when the mindset changes, the circumstances will also change. The more you demand from life, the more tense and complicated you will become, and life will become more difficult. Conversely, the less you demand from life, the easier it is to be satisfied and happy. The mountains and bright moon have no permanent owner; when you are free, you are the master. The great way is simple; live in the present, and being content can bring lasting happiness.

Understanding the tranquil state of no worries, a heart like a bright moon reveals the realm of a calm heart; a calm heart naturally brings composure and ease, holding the heart like water and smiling at life, revealing the charm of a calm heart. In life, simplicity is the truest, silence is the most beautiful; the most enduring in life is not prosperity but simplicity, not noise but tranquility. Maintain a childlike heart; when unhappy, pour out troubles to friends without reservation; when happy, laugh freely. Perhaps all worries will flow away in the sharing, and all tension will be released in laughter. Live simply like a child, live happily, and maintain the original ecology of the heart; everything is beautiful.

There is always a story in life that is hard to tell, gradually composing a melody in the heart. People are like this; what they cannot obtain they will always yearn for, and what they have lost will be felt as precious. So-called gains and losses, relationships, scenery, and stations all gradually fade in the dust of time. Although letting go of some things is difficult, what does not belong to you will eventually drift away.

A person’s life is destined to experience much. On the road of the mundane world, there are bright laughs, tears of grievance, naive persistence, confident successes, and awakening failures; every experience is precious. The richness of life comes from the compassion of the heart, and the beauty of life comes from having a common heart. A simple life brings ease and joy, and simple thoughts bring peace and tranquility. Because of simplicity, one deeply understands the lightness of life; because of simplicity, one perceives the tranquility of the soul.

According to the “Bencao Gangmu”: “It opens all orifices, opens meridians, penetrates muscles and bones, resolves alcohol toxicity, eliminates food accumulation, and treats stroke, qi deficiency, evil qi, phlegm obstruction, and accumulation of masses.” “Musk can penetrate all orifices that are obstructed, open the meridians that are blocked, and treat various wind, qi, blood, and pain conditions. For conditions where the meridians are blocked and orifices are not open, how can one not use it to guide and open them? It is not that it cannot be used, but it should not be used excessively.”

Best for clearing heat: Shi Gao (Gypsum)

Natural gypsum crystals, they do not look much like gypsum.

According to the “Bencao Yanyi Buzhi”: “Shi Gao is a medicine of the Yangming meridian, which governs the muscles. Its sweetness can tonify the spleen and benefit Qi, quench thirst and clear heat; its spiciness can release the muscles and induce sweating, ascending to the head, and it also enters the hand Taiyin and Shaoyang, thus it can be the master of the three meridians. Ground into powder, mixed with vinegar and formed into pills the size of mung beans, it can drain stomach fire, phlegm fire, and food accumulation.”

Best for draining fire: Huang Lian (Coptis)

Also considered the most bitter…

According to the “Bencao Fenjing”: Extremely bitter and extremely cold. It enters the heart to drain fire, calms the liver and cools the blood, dries dampness and opens stagnation, can eliminate evil blood from the heart or drain spleen fire. Wine-fried treats upper jiao fire, ginger juice-fried treats middle jiao fire, and water-fried treats lower jiao fire.

Best for descending Qi: Chen Xiang (Agarwood)

Not sure if it counts as the “most elegant” and “most expensive” medicine… one of them.

Best for generating fluids: Shi Hu (Dendrobium)

Beautiful orchids, nice to grow and admire.

Best for warming phlegm: Ban Xia (Pinellia)

Ban Xia… is just Ban Xia, harvested in the fifth lunar month (the middle of summer).

Best for spicy cooling: Bo He (Mint)

It has a spicy and cooling flavor; what does the spicy taste that is both hot and cool really taste like?

Best for pain relief: Yuan Hu (Corydalis)

Its original name is “Xuan Hu Suo”; during the Song Dynasty, it was renamed “Yan Hu Suo” to avoid the taboo of Emperor Zhenzong, and in the Ming Dynasty, it began to be called “Yuan Hu”, abbreviated as Yuan Hu.

Best for stopping bleeding: San Qi (Notoginseng)

Originally named “Shan Qi”; Shizhen said: It can adhere to wounds like lacquer.

Best for tonifying Yang: Lu Rong (Deer Antler Velvet)

This refers to antlers that have not yet ossified, “the hair has not yet shed”.

Best for tonifying Yin: Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustrum)

This tree remains green in winter, embodying the integrity of loyalty.

Best for purging: Da Huang (Rhubarb)

Named for its large size and yellow color, unfortunately, the character “Huang” is disliked by merchants, and old herbalists often wrote it as “Pian Ji”.

Best for regulating Qi: Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange)

Grows in both Huainan and Huabei…

Best for soothing the liver: Yu Jin (Curcuma)

Can treat “Qi stagnation syndrome”, its color is like gold (the rhizome of turmeric), hence the name. It is not the same as the tulip.

Best for invigorating blood: Dan Shen (Salvia)

Herbs called “Shen” often have tonifying effects.

Best for tonifying Qi: Ren Shen (Ginseng)

Greatly tonifies original Qi, a logo-level Chinese medicine.

Best for tonifying blood: Dang Gui (Angelica)

“Taking it can make Qi and blood return to their respective places.”

Best for tonifying the spleen: Shan Yao (Chinese Yam)

Originally named “Shu Yu”; it was renamed “Shu Yao” to avoid the taboo of Emperor Li Yu of the Tang Dynasty; later it was renamed “Shan Yao” to avoid the taboo of Emperor Zhao Shu of the Song Dynasty; poor little thing…

Best for digesting food: Shen Qu (Malt)

A fermented agent, listening to “Little Apple” is quite effective…

Best for clearing phlegm: Bei Mu (Fritillaria)

Chuan Bei stewed with snow pear is delicious and moistens the lungs.

Best for reducing jaundice: Yin Chen (Artemisia)

Yin Chen wine is used to clear heat and dry dampness, and to soothe the muscles and activate the meridians.

Best for dispelling wind: Du Huo (Angelica Du Huo)

“A single stem rises straight up, not swayed by the wind. Hence it is called Du Huo.”

Best for calming the spirit: Jujube Seed

Sour jujube seeds. Wild sour jujube, round and plump…

Best for warming the interior: Fu Zi (Aconite)

Fu Zi grows beside the main root (Chuan Wu), it is very hot and toxic.

Best for inducing sweating: Ma Huang (Ephedra)

It has a spicy flavor and is yellow. Initially harvested as green, it gradually turns yellow.

Best for expelling parasites: Shi Jun Zi (Quisqualis)

It is said that Guo Shijun of Panzhou often used this for treating children.

Best for stopping cough: Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel)

The medicinal part is the bitter apricot kernel. Bitter, warm, and toxic.

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