百草花,主百病长生,神仙亦煮花汁,酿酒服之,《异类》云∶风刚者,渔阳人也,
常采百花,水渍封泥,埋之百日,煎为丸。卒死者纳口中即活,胡刚服药,百余岁,人
地肺山。《列仙传》云∶尧时赤松子,服之得仙。
按∶百草花,当取群草中之芳烈者,大都百花都在春时,春者,天地发生万物之
气也。花者,华也,因得天地发生之和气,抽其精英而为花,故主百病长生,神仙亦煮
花汁酿酒服。昔者采百花水渍泥封埋之,百日煎为丸,卒死者纳口中即活,其功可验
矣。
感土金之气而生,故味辛,气平,无毒。宜其主恶疮马疥,冻疮喉痹久嗽,皆辛
散之功也。
马勃,主恶疮马疥,走马喉痹,止久嗽,愈冻疮,云马屁勃者,即 有性成灰
也。
鸟爹泥,一名孩儿茶。出云南暮云场地方,造之本是细茶末,入竹筒中,埋乌泥沟
中,日久取出,捣汁熬制而成,润泽者为上,焦枯者次之,故味苦涩气寒无毒,其主
清上膈热,化痰生津者,茶之用也。本是茶末,又得土中之阴气,能凉血清热,故主金
疮止血,及一切诸疮生肌定痛也,且苦能燥,涩能敛,故又主渗湿收敛也。
蕺,俗名鱼腥草。生于下湿之地,得阴中之阳,故其昧辛气温,入手太阴经,能治
痰热壅肺,发为肺痈,吐脓血之要药,然肺主气,辛温能散气,故多食,令人气喘也。
肺与大肠为表里,大肠湿热盛,则为痔疮,用此煎汤熏洗,仍以渣敷患处。则湿热之气
散而自愈也。故又为痔疮必用之药。
Bai Cao Hua (Flowers of Hundred Herbs) is indicated for a hundred diseases and contributes to longevity; immortals also boil the juice of flowers, brew wine, and take it. *Yi Lei* records: Feng Gang was a person from Yuyang who often gathered hundred flowers, soaked them in water, sealed them with mud, buried them for one hundred days, and decocted them into pills. For those who have suddenly died, placing it in the mouth revives them; Hu Gang took this medicine and lived to over one hundred years old, eventually retiring into Difei Mountain. *Lie Xian Zhuan* records: Chisongzi during the reign of Emperor Yao attained immortality by taking Bai Cao Hua.
Commentary: Bai Cao Hua should be selected from herbs that are fragrant and potent among all grasses. Most hundred flowers bloom in spring. Spring is the time when heaven and earth generate the qi of all things. Flowers, meaning "splendor," arise because they obtain the harmonious qi of heaven and earth generating all things, extracting their essence to become flowers. Therefore, they are indicated for a hundred diseases and contribute to longevity; immortals also boil flower juice and brew wine to take it. In the past, people collected hundred flowers, soaked them in water, sealed them with mud and buried them; after one hundred days, they were decocted into pills. Placing them in the mouth of someone who has suddenly died revives them; its efficacy can be verified.
(Bai Cao Hua) arises by sensing the qi of Earth and Metal, so its taste is pungent, its nature is neutral, and it is non-toxic. It is suitable for treating malignant sores, equine scabies, frostbite, throat obstruction, and chronic cough, all due to its pungent dispersing action.
Ma Bo (Fumito), indicated for malignant sores, equine scabies, Zou Ma Hou Bi (acute severe sore throat), stops chronic cough, and cures frostbite. The name "Ma Pi Bo" comes from the fact that it turns into ash when mature.
Niao Di Ni, also known as Hai Er Cha (Child's Tea). Originates from Muyunchang area in Yunnan. Its production originally involves fine tea powder placed in bamboo tubes, buried in black mud ditches for a long time, then taken out, crushed, juiced, and boiled. Those with a moist texture are superior, while those that are scorched and dry are inferior. Thus, its taste is bitter and astringent, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. It is indicated for clearing heat in the upper jiao, resolving phlegm, and generating fluids, which are the uses of tea. Being originally tea powder, it also obtains the yin qi from the soil, enabling it to cool blood and clear heat. Therefore, it is indicated for stopping bleeding from metal wounds and promoting tissue regeneration and pain relief for all kinds of sores. Moreover, bitterness can dry dampness, and astringency can consolidate, so it is also indicated for draining dampness and consolidating.
Ji (Houttuynia), commonly named Yu Xing Cao (Fishy-smelling Herb). Grows in low and damp places, obtaining yang within yin. Thus, its taste is pungent, its nature is warm, it enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, and it is an essential herb for treating phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs, leading to Fei Yong (Lung Abscess), characterized by expectoration of pus and blood. However, the Lung governs qi, and pungent-warm substances can disperse qi; therefore, excessive consumption causes asthma. The Lung and Large Intestine are exterior-interior related. When damp-heat is abundant in the Large Intestine, hemorrhoids occur. Decocting this herb for fumigation and washing, and applying the dregs to the affected area, allows the damp-heat qi to dissipate and heal spontaneously. Thus, it is also an essential herb for treating hemorrhoids.