得土金之冲气,兼禀乎天之阳气,故味辛甘性温无毒。入心、肾二脏,及胃、小
肠、膀胱,祛寒散结之要药,而为霍乱诸疝之必需。
大茴香,入心。肾二脏,及小肠、膀胱。主肾劳疝气,小肠吊气挛痛,理干湿脚
气,膀胱冷气肿痛,开胃止呕下食。为诸痿霍乱捷方,补命门不足要药。小茴香亦治疝
散疼,每同煎取效。
主治(痘疹合参) 主开胃下食,止呕吐,调中疗恶毒肿毒,然肺胃有热,及热毒
盛者禁用。
按∶茴香辛香宜胃,温暖宜肾,主治不越二经。若火症而阳事数举者禁用。八角者
名大茴香,小如粟米者力薄。
感春夏之气,故味苦气温无毒,升也,阳也。入足太阳经。为风药之宜导,性升而
燥,善走不守者也。且苦温能去寒湿,故腹内冷滞, 瘕腰膝腿脚冷痛,并堪祛治。
葳灵仙,消膈中久积痰涎,神功顿奏∶除腹内 癖气块,其效堪夸。膀胱宿脓,心
膈痰水,香港脚入,腹胀闷喘急,肾脏风湿,
腰膝沉重,风痹湿痹,并堪主治。散爪甲皮肤风中痒痛,利腰脐膝 湿渗冷疼。盖性好
走,亦可横行。辛能散邪,故主诸风;咸能泄水,故主诸湿。能通行十二经,为诸风湿冷痛要药也。
主治(痘疹合参) 通十二经脉,宜行五脏,治痘后两手肿痛,用此能引诸药横行
手臂,气虚者不宜多服。
按∶灵仙内驱痰湿之冷积、外治骨腠之痛风,走达经络,遍而且速,风药中之善走
者也。威喻其猛,灵喻其效,仙喻其神也。气壮者,服之神效;虚弱者当以调补药兼
之,否则,走气耗血。
Dahuixiang (Fennel, *Illicium verum*) receives the harmonious qi of Earth and Metal, combined with the Yang qi of Heaven; therefore, its taste is pungent and sweet, its nature is warm, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Heart and Kidney viscera, as well as the Stomach, Small Intestine, and Bladder channels. It is a crucial herb for dispelling cold and dissipating nodules, and is essential for treating Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome) and various hernias.
Dahuixiang enters the Heart and Kidney viscera, as well as the Small Intestine and Bladder channels. It primarily treats hernia qi caused by Kidney exhaustion, cramping pain due to Small Intestine qi rebellion, regulates both dry and damp Jiaoqi (beriberi), eliminates swelling and pain from cold qi in the Bladder, opens the stomach, stops vomiting, and promotes digestion. It is a rapid formula for various Wei syndromes (flaccidity syndromes) and Huoluan, and is a key herb for tonifying insufficiency of the Mingmen (Gate of Life/Kidney Yang). Xiaohuixiang (Small Fennel, *Foeniculi Fructus*) also treats hernias and disperses pain; it is often decocted together with Dahuixiang to achieve efficacy.
Main indications (referencing *Douzhen He Can*): Primarily opens the stomach and promotes digestion, stops vomiting, harmonizes the middle jiao, and treats malignant toxic swellings. However, it is contraindicated in cases of Heat in the Lung and Stomach, or when Heat toxins are flourishing.
Commentary: Huixiang's pungent aroma benefits the Stomach, and its warmth benefits the Kidney; its main indications do not exceed the two channels of the Heart and Kidney. It is contraindicated in Fire syndromes accompanied by frequent erections (hyperactive Yang). The star-shaped variety is called Dahuixiang, while those small like millet seeds have weaker potency.
Weilingxian (Clematis Root, *Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma*) absorbs the qi of Spring and Summer; therefore, its taste is bitter, its nature is warm, it is non-toxic, its action is ascending, and it belongs to Yang. It enters the Foot-Taiyang (Bladder) channel. As a suitable guide among Wind-dispelling herbs, its nature is ascending and drying, and it is good at moving without staying fixed. Furthermore, its bitter-warm nature can remove Cold-Dampness; thus, it can treat internal abdominal Cold stagnation, masses (Jia), and cold pain in the waist, knees, legs, and feet.
Weilingxian eliminates long-standing phlegm-fluids accumulated in the chest and diaphragm, with miraculous effects appearing instantly; it removes abdominal Pi-masses (accumulated gas/blood lumps), with praiseworthy efficacy. It treats retained pus in the Bladder, phlegm-water in the Heart and diaphragm, Hongkongjiao (foot-jam/beriberi) entering the abdomen causing abdominal distension, fullness, and panting urgency, Kidney Wind-Dampness, heaviness in the waist and knees, Wind-Bi and Damp-Bi syndromes. It can disperse wind-induced itching and pain in the nails and skin, and promote the removal of cold pain caused by dampness seeping into the waist, umbilicus, and knees. Its nature is inherently mobile, allowing it to traverse horizontally as well. Pungency can disperse pathogens, so it treats all Wind conditions; Salinity can drain water, so it treats all Damp conditions. It can circulate through the Twelve Channels, making it a key herb for treating various Wind-Damp-Cold pains.
Main indications (referencing *Douzhen He Can*): Unblocks the Twelve Channels, facilitates the movement of the Five Viscera, and treats swelling and pain in both hands after chickenpox/smallpox. Using this herb can guide other medicines to move horizontally along the arms. Those with Qi deficiency should not take it in large doses.
Commentary: Weilingxian internally drives out Cold accumulation of phlegm and dampness, and externally treats gouty pain in bones and interstices. It penetrates and reaches the meridians thoroughly and rapidly; it is the best mover among Wind herbs. "Wei" implies ferocity, "Ling" implies efficacy, and "Xian" implies divinity. For those with robust Qi, it produces miraculous effects; for the weak, it should be taken alongside tonic and regulating herbs; otherwise, it will deplete Qi and consume Blood.