Library

Born from the Qi of Yin Metal, its taste is pungent, bitter, and extremely cold, with no toxicity. Its Qi is light while its Flavor is heavy, representing Yang within Yin. It is the principal herb for the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, and also enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Bladder Meridian. Pungency can disperse, bitterness can purge. Being extremely cold, it impedes Yin and descends to drive out water and resolve accumulations. It is an herb that purges but does not tonify; those with deficiency should generally avoid it.

Tinglizi (Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semens), promotes Qi movement and drainage, reduces edema, phlegm-wheezing, and coughs, and clears residual heat in the Bladder. It is a crucial herb for descending rebellious Qi and promoting the free flow of water passages in cases of swelling, obstruction, upward rushing of Qi, and dyspnea due to fluid retention. Those with deficiency should stay away from it, as its nature is very urgent and good at driving out water, which severely disturbs True Qi.

Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Measles): Suitable only when rashes are accompanied by incessant phlegm and cough. Select the sweet variety; its purging nature is mild, so although it purges Lung Qi, it does not injure Stomach Qi. Wash clean with wine, dry in the sun, lightly stir-fry on paper, grind into powder for use in pills. Not suitable for smallpox.

Born from the central Qi of Earth and influenced by the cold command of winter, its taste is sweet and bitter, with no toxicity. Sweetness can transform toxins, and coldness can eliminate heat. Generally, all toxins must be hot and pungent; upon encountering clear, cold, sweet, and bitter flavors, various toxins naturally dissolve. Just as a person of great virtue contends with nothing, even Yin-toxic harms will not arise when meeting it. Thus, it is a superior herb for detoxification and clearing heat. Patients with deficiency-cold should not take it.

Shandougen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma), a key herb for treating sore throat and swelling, also resolves various toxins, reduces carbuncle swellings, relieves smallpox toxin, treats five types of acute jaundice, and various insect and gu poisons.

Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Measles): Excellent at resolving smallpox toxin and relieving pain, reducing all kinds of carbuncle swellings, especially suitable for sore throat and swelling occurring after smallpox. Contraindicated if there is poor appetite, diarrhea, or sore throat and swelling caused by deficient fire flaming upward.

Born from the Yin-toxic Qi of Heaven and Earth, its taste is bitter and pungent, extremely cold, with slight toxicity. Bitter and cold nature makes it descend well, entering the Kidney and Liver meridians; pungency moves horizontally, reaching everywhere. Thus, it mainly drives out gu poison, treats twelve types of water diseases, induces abortion, and breaks blood stasis. However, being Yin-cold and good at moving and draining downward, it purges Lung Qi and damages True Qi, so those with deficiency must strictly avoid it.

Daji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix), when used medicinally, only the main root should be harvested; using lateral roots by mistake causes uncontrollable cold diarrhea. It is incompatible with Gancao (Licorice Root), Haizao (Sargassum), and Yuanhua (Kadsura Flower). Often used together with Gansui (Kansui Root) to promote urination, reduce edema and abdominal fullness with dull pain, remove skin dryness and pain from wind-stroke,驱赶 gu poison, break hard masses, regulate menstruation, induce abortion. Another herb named Zeqi (Phyllanthus urinaria) also treats edema and promotes diuresis. In summary, they all inherit Yin-toxic Qi, are good at moving and draining, and damage True Qi.

Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Measles): Circulates through the twelve water pathways, attacks Kidney pathogens. Only suitable when smallpox lesions turn black and sink into the Kidney meridian, accompanied by obstruction of urination and defecation, abdominal distension, and irritability. By purging pathogens from the Bladder, this herb is indispensable, but must not be used recklessly. Remove the rhizome, soak in rice washing water, dry in the sun, and use.