味苦,微寒,有小毒。寒能泄热,苦能杀虫,故治腹中邪热,诸毒诸虫湿热所生之
病也。疫气时行,以此置水中,合人饮之,则不传染。
贯众,杀三虫,驱诸毒,破 瘕,除邪
热,产后崩淋,金疮鼻血。
味苦寒,入肝经。
蚤休,一名金钱重楼,一名紫河车草。其根似肥姜,治惊痫,摇头弄舌,湿热发肿
作疮,下三虫解百毒。或摩酒饮,或摩醋敷,古人歌云∶“七叶一枝花,深山是我家,
痈疽如遇此,一似手拈拿。”观此,则善治痈毒之功可知矣。
味咸、辛,寒,有毒。
茹,其黑如漆,故又云漆头。去恶血,治痈疽,作散频敷,肉满便止,破症
瘕,杀疥虫,逐败疮死肌,除大风热气。又草 其根色白,主治相同。
卫矛,一名鬼箭羽,任煎汤液,专治女科,能堕妊娠,善疗血气,遣邪祟,杀虫
毒,破 结,通月经,腹满汗出立瘳,崩中下漏即止,消皮肤风肿,去腹脏白虫,产后
血绞肚痛殊功,恶疰卒暴心痛捷效。
味辛,温,有大毒。性极发散,能却诸风寒湿,故善治恶痹,然非元气壮实,何能
当此毒药,必同安胃和气血药用乃可,故曰“气血虚人息之”。不可近眼。
羊踯躅,又名黄杜鹃。主风湿藏肌肉里, 痹麻,治贼风在皮肤中,淫淫掣
痛,鬼疰虫毒并治,温疟恶毒齐驱。
(Guanzhong, *Cyrtomium fortunei*) Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, with slight toxicity. Coldness can drain heat, and bitterness can kill parasites; therefore, it treats evil heat in the abdomen and diseases caused by various toxins, damp-heat, and generated worms. During epidemics or seasonal pestilential qi, placing this herb in water for people to drink prevents transmission.
Guanzhong kills three types of intestinal worms, expels various toxins, breaks up abdominal masses (Jia), eliminates evil heat, and is used for postpartum metrorrhagia and dripping bleeding, as well as traumatic wounds and epistaxis.
(Zaoxiu, *Paris polyphylla*) Bitter and cold in taste, enters the Liver meridian.
Zaoxiu, also known as Jinzhong Chonglou (Golden Coin Pagoda Plant) or Ziheche Cao, has roots resembling fat ginger. It treats convulsions and epilepsy, head shaking, and tongue protrusion, as well as swelling and sores caused by damp-heat. It expels intestinal worms and resolves hundred toxins. It may be taken with wine after grinding or applied externally with vinegar. An ancient song states: "Seven leaves, one flower, deep in the mountains lies my home; if carbuncles and sores encounter this, they are grasped easily as if by hand." From this, its efficacy in treating carbuncle toxins is evident.
(Ru, likely referring to a dark-colored insect such as *Blatta orientalis* or similar, contextually described as black as lacquer) Salty and pungent in taste, cold in nature, toxic.
Its body is black as lacquer, hence also called Qitou (Lacquer Head). It removes bad blood, treats carbuncles and sores; when made into powder and frequently applied, application stops once flesh regenerates. It breaks up fixed masses (Zheng and Jia), kills scabies mites, expels necrotic tissue from chronic ulcers, and clears severe wind-heat. Additionally, another herb with white roots shares the same main indications.
(Weimao, *Euonymus alatus*), also known as Guijianyu (Ghost Arrow Feather), can be decocted into liquid specifically for gynecological conditions. It can induce abortion, effectively regulates Qi and Blood, dispels malevolent influences, kills insect toxins, breaks up nodules, unblocks menstruation. For abdominal fullness with sweating, recovery is immediate; for metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, bleeding stops instantly. It reduces skin wind-swelling, removes white worms in the abdomen, shows remarkable merit for postpartum uterine contraction pain, and provides rapid relief for sudden heart pain caused by epidemic febrile diseases (Ezhu).
(Yangzhizhu, *Rhododendron molle*) Pungent in taste, warm in nature, highly toxic. Its nature is extremely dispersing, capable of repelling various wind-cold-damp pathogens; thus, it excels in treating severe Bi syndrome (painful obstruction). However, only individuals with robust Yuan Qi can withstand such toxic drugs. It must be used together with herbs that stabilize the Stomach and harmonize Qi and Blood; hence it is said, "Those with deficient Qi and Blood should abstain from it." Avoid contact with eyes.
Yangzhizhu, also known as Huang Dujue (Yellow Azalea), primarily treats rheumatism and wind-dampness hiding in the muscles, causing numbness and paralysis. It treats thief-wind in the skin causing wandering pain, and simultaneously treats epidemic febrile diseases, insect toxins, warm malaria, and severe toxins.