禀火土之气,感长夏暑热之令以生,味甘,气温,有毒,为散血热除壅毒之要药。
但宜外用,勿轻内服。昔刘氏二子,恣食成痞,人传一方,以木鳖子煮肉食之,当愈二
子,食之俱死,其毒可知矣。经云∶无毒何也?
木鳖子,消肿突恶疮、两跨蚌毒,双乳赤痈肛门肿痛,非专追毒,亦可生肌。番木
鳖形小于木鳖,色白味苦,气大寒,有毒。外敷赤游丹毒,内吹喉痹肿痛,更寒更苦,
甚勿轻用。
禀竹之余气,得霹雳而生,故名雷丸,味苦咸,性微寒,有小毒,入手足阳明经。
苦寒之性故入肠胃而为温热杀虫,化积解毒除狂之用,利丈夫不利女子者,盖以男子属
阳,得阴而生,故喜阴寒之味,女子属阴,得阳而长,故不利阴寒之物也。宜择白者可
用,盖赤者杀人,甘草汁浸一宿,去皮用。
雷丸,胃热可解,蛊毒能驱,善杀三虫,仍杀白虫,惟治男人,不治女子,主癫
痫狂走,疗汗出恶风,又作磨积之膏,专却小儿百病,无虫积者禁之。
禀金气而生于春阳之令,故味苦、辛,气温、无毒。辛能散,苦能下,温能除湿。
故为散风除湿化食杀虫消积消疳之药。然久服多服亦能伤胃者也。
芜荑,经火 过才用。主五内邪气,杀寸白三虫,化食除肠风,逐冷止心痛,散皮
肤骨节风湿,疗痔 疥癣疮痍,脾虚有积,亦勿概投。
Mubeizi (Strychnos semence) is generated by inheriting the Qi of Fire and Earth, and sensing the heat and dampness of the long summer season. It tastes sweet, has a warm nature, and is toxic. It is an essential herb for dissipating blood-heat and removing stagnant toxins.
However, it is suitable only for external use; internal administration should not be undertaken lightly. In the past, two sons of the Liu family developed abdominal masses due to excessive consumption of certain foods. A folk prescription circulated suggested boiling Mubeizi with meat for them to eat, expecting to cure the two sons. Instead, both died after ingestion, revealing its toxicity. The classics ask: "Is it truly non-toxic?"
Mubeizi reduces swelling and treats malignant sores, carbuncles in both groins, erysipelas-like abscesses on both breasts, and swelling and pain in the anus. It not only specifically draws out toxins but also promotes tissue regeneration. Fanmubeizi (Semen Strychni) is smaller than Mubeizi, white in color, bitter in taste, cold in nature, and toxic. Applied externally, it treats erysipelas (Chiyou Dandu); internally, it treats throat obstruction with swelling and pain. Its nature is even colder and more bitter; do not use it lightly.
Leiwanz (Fritillaria cirrhosa bulb / Polyporus umbellatus sclerotium - *Note: Context suggests Polyporus or similar antiparasitic, but traditionally Leiwanz refers to Omphalia lapidescens or similar fungal sclerotia used for parasites*) inherits the residual Qi of bamboo and is born from thunderbolts, hence its name. It tastes bitter and salty, has a slightly cold nature, and is slightly toxic. It enters the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians. Due to its bitter-cold nature, it enters the stomach and intestines, acting to kill parasites with warmth, resolve accumulations, detoxify, and calm mania. It benefits men but harms women because men belong to Yang and are born through Yin, thus favoring bitter-cold flavors; women belong to Yin and grow through Yang, thus disfavoring bitter-cold substances. Select white specimens for use, as red ones are lethal. Soak in Licorice Decoction (Gancao Zhi) overnight, remove the skin, and use.
Leiwanz resolves stomach-heat, expels gu-poison, effectively kills three types of intestinal worms, and also kills white worms. It treats men but not women. It is indicated for epilepsy and manic running, sweating with aversion to wind. It can also be processed into a paste for resolving accumulations, specifically treating various pediatric diseases. It is contraindicated in patients without worm accumulation.
Wuyi (Terminalia chebula fruit) is generated by inheriting Metal Qi during the spring yang season. Thus, it tastes bitter and pungent, has a warm nature, and is non-toxic. Pungency disperses, bitterness descends, and warmth removes dampness.
Therefore, it is an herb that disperses wind, removes dampness, aids digestion, kills parasites, resolves accumulations, and eliminates childhood malnutrition syndromes (Gan syndrome). However, long-term or excessive consumption can damage the stomach Qi.
Wuyi must be processed by fire before use. It treats pathogenic factors within the five zang organs, kills tapeworms and other intestinal parasites, aids digestion, removes intestinal wind, expels cold to stop heart pain, disperses wind-dampness in the skin and joints, and treats hemorrhoids, scabies, tinea, and ulcers. For patients with spleen deficiency and food stagnation, it should not be administered indiscriminately.