形似生姜而色黄。《日华》云∶海南生者名莪术，江南生者为姜黄。味苦、辛，气大寒，功力烈于郁金。
治气为最，冷气宿食，心腹结积胀痛用之。破恶血、血块、 瘕，通月经，产后败血冲心尤验。兼除风热，
暴风疼痛；消痈肿，治扑损瘀血。醋炒用。
巴豆
巴豆大毒味辛热，主荡胃中寒积结，气血痰食水癖消，更通月水排脓血。
出巴蜀，形如豆。一种刚子颗小似枣核两头尖者，能杀人。本草云∶生温熟寒。其实热，毒药也。
惟急治通水谷道，生用去心膜，纸挹去油；缓治消坚磨积，水煮五次，或炒烟尽色黑研用。可以通肠，可以止
泻，世所不知，此雷公说也。主荡涤胃中寒积， 瘕， 癖，冷气血块，痰癖，宿食，留饮，水肿，宣一切壅
滞闭塞，气痢积疟，女子月闭，烂胎，惟伤寒热闭忌用。兼去恶内，排脓消肿，除鬼毒蛊疰，杀虫鱼、斑蝥、
蛇虺毒。东垣云∶斩关夺门之剂。不可轻用，误中其毒，以黄连、大豆汁解之，芫花为使，恶 草，畏大黄、
黄连、藜芦。忌芦笋、酱豉、冷水，得火良。古枳巴丸∶大枳壳两个去瓤，每个入巴豆一粒在内，线扎，置砂
锅内，以醋浸一宿，煮干为末，湿纸蘸药敷根上，痔去，即用生肌散；如日久顽漏，用津液调敷，败肉自去。
或去巴豆，醋糊为丸，梧子大，每十五丸茶清下，治痔漏下血痒痛。
以上治中焦寒药。
菟丝子
菟丝子甘辛平补卫，肾寒精遗腰脚痹，润心肺止口渴干，明目去积健脾胃。
其根初生似兔，其苗初生若丝，得他草木则缠绕而上寄，未必专附松也。中春结实，禀中和凝正阳气，性
平，无毒。偏补卫气，助人筋脉。主肾虚阴茎中寒精自出，遗溺尿血。强阴益精，髓坚筋骨，续绝伤，腰膝酸
痛顽麻。润心肺燥，止口渴舌苦。治肝虚风，明目，小儿头疮、疹痘痒塌，痔痛。益脾胃，进饮食，去寒血为积。
令人服健，久肥延年轻身，有子。仙方多有为末单服者，久则气壅便闭，宜以润药解之。若单为丸，则久服无妨。
不入汤药。水淘洗去砂土晒干，择去杂子，酒浸二三日，蒸出芽，捣烂如膏为丸；或作饼，晒干入药亦好。紧
急只用酒炒研末。根行血，可和丹药。苗捣汁，涂面瘢神效。
补骨脂
补骨脂辛大温燥，肾伤腰痛阴湿瘙，精冷髓败便溺频，风虚顽痹尤可靠。
能补骨中脂髓，又名破故纸，因番语呼为婆固脂，即胡韭子也。无毒。主房劳过度，肾经有伤，腰痛，阴
囊湿痒，阳衰精冷自流，骨髓伤败，小便利，腹中冷，易泄；又治风虚冷痹，四肢疼痛及妇人血气堕胎，兼明
耳目。一切劳伤火衰者用之。雷公云∶性大燥。酒浸一宿，漉出，用水浸三宿，蒸三时久，日干，紧急微炒，
止泄面炒，补肾用麻子仁炒。恶甘草，忌羊肉。
茴香
茴香无毒味辛平，助阳开胃止痛疼，冷疝香港脚并霍乱，诸 恶痈叶更灵。
又云 香者，茴， ，声相近也。助阳者，温肾与膀胱、小肠。治冷气 疝肿痛及干湿香港脚。一云本膀
胱药，以其先丙能润燥，丙与壬合。此药入手足少阴，太阳，以开上下三经之通道，而回阳散冷，故曰茴香。
开胃者，调和胃气，止呕吐，定霍乱及瘴疟，破一切臭气口气。止疼痛者，一切肾冷脾寒，心腹气痛，肋如刀
刺及外肢节疼痛。又治诸 漏，生肌止痛，盖阳气回而邪自散也。凡使，酒浸一宿，取出炒黄色捣碎。又有一
种八角茴香，气味燥烈，专主腰疼。古方单角茴散，炒为末，酒下二钱，治腰重痛有效。
胡芦芭
胡芦芭热治肾冷，面青腹胁膨如鲠，膀胱疝痛肾虚寒，壮阳消痰力最猛。
即番萝葡子也，胡俗呼为芦芭。味苦，气大温。纯阳，无毒。得硫黄、附子，治肾虚冷、面色青黑、腹
肋胀满；得茴香、桃仁治膀胱冷、疝气，甚效；得补骨脂、肉豆蔻，治元脏虚寒易泄；得硫黄、茴香，治阳衰
阴痿、冷痰壅上。酒洗微炒用。
吴茱萸
吴茱萸辛热毒小，治心腹冷痛如绞，疝痹肠风香港脚攻，霍乱咳逆咽膈饱，食萸性同疗水浮，颗粒差大力
却少。
出吴地。可升可降，阳也。震坤合见，其色青绿，气味俱浓。入足三阴经。疗心腹冷气，冷痰，冷食，
癖，心腹绞痛难忍，中恶及鱼骨入腹刺痛，亦效。又下焦寒湿、疝痛、寒气，不可缺也。逐风邪，开腠理，
除湿滞血冷，遍身痿痹，腰脚软弱。利大肠壅气，肠风痔疾，杀肠中三虫。香港脚冲心，单用和生姜汁饮之，下
气最速。止霍乱转筋，胸满，吞酸吐酸，泻痢。又寒邪所膈，气不得上下，食则口开目瞪，久则寒中胀满者，
立效。东垣云∶咽嗌寒气，噎寒而不通，胸中冷气闭塞而不利，一切咳逆寒热或厥冷并验。盖此药性好上冲胸
膈，下则开胃浓肠。兼治产后余血。虚羸盗汗，或子肠脱出。凡阳衰虚冷者最宜。但多服亦散元气，肠虚者尤
不可单服。凡使，汤浸去苦汁六七遍，然后用盐水或黄连水炒。蓼实为使。恶丹参、硝石、白垩。畏紫石英。
东行根白皮，杀三虫，寸白、蛔虫。治喉痹、咳逆、泄注下痢、食不消、女子经产余血，兼治白癣。南行枝，
主大小便卒关格不通，取断如手第二指中节长，含之即下。食茱萸，处处有之，比吴产者颗差大，经久色黄皮
黑，辛热，无毒。疗水肿甚佳，功同吴萸，但力少劣耳。多服冲眼脱发，六七月食之，伤气发疮。
山茱萸
山茱萸酸涩微湿，补肾强阴固精无，去头面风除疝瘕，逐痹调经益肝源。
生山中。茱，言色红；萸，肥润也。无毒。补肾气，兴阳道，坚长阴茎，添精髓，止遗精及小便利，去
头风骨痛，风气去来，鼻塞鼻 ，目黄，耳鸣耳聋，面 面疮，肠胃风邪亦验。又除疝瘕，逐寒湿痹，治女子
月水不定。本草云∶发汗通九窍，去心下寒热邪气。本涩剂也，何以能通发耶？盖诸病皆系下部虚寒，用之补
养肝肾，以益其源，则五脏安和，闭者通而利者止，非若他药轻飘疏通之谓也。酒浸去核，每一斤取皮肉四两，
慢火焙干。核能滑精，故去之。蓼实为使。恶桔梗、防风、防己。
杜仲
杜仲辛甘温无毒，肾虚风冷背腰缩，脚弱阴痒小便遗，强志坚盘精自足。
昔有人姓杜名仲，用治腰痛而愈，故名。沉而降，阳也。治肾虚冷生风，腰疼背痛，甚则腰脊挛缩，浑
身强直，脚膝酸疼不欲践地，阴下湿痒，小便余沥，强志，坚筋骨，益精气，兼治妇人胎脏不安，产后诸疾。
削去粗皮，酥蜜涂炙，或姜汗涂炙，以丝断为度。恶蛇蜕、玄参。叶嫩时采食之，主风毒香港脚及久积风冷，肠痔
下血。
续断
续断苦辛温壮阳．止精能令腰脚强，止血调经安胎产，破瘀消痈疗折伤。
无毒。主劳伤不足，益气力，兴阳道，止泄精，缩小便。治腰疼脚软，关节缓急，与桑寄生同功。止血，
妇人崩漏带下，尿血为最。又能宣通经脉，胎前胎动漏血，产后血晕，寒热难禁，恹恹气欲绝，单煎一两，温服，
即验。一切面黄虚肿、 结，子宫冷症皆治。破瘀血，消疮肿痈毒、乳痈瘰 ，折伤扑损、金疮，乃所主也。盖
因能止痛生肌续筋骨，故名曰续断。出川中，皮黄皱，节节断有烟尘起者佳。酒浸焙。地黄为使。恶雷丸。
萆
萆 无毒苦甘平，肾冷停水背腰疼，阴痿失溺白浊证，风痹恶疮多怒情。
萆，卑下也； ，解也；言性能治下部疾也。主肾虚冷，停蓄宿水，腰痛背强，阴痿失溺，小便混浊，
瘫痪软风，关节老血，寒湿周痹，恶疮不瘳，肠风痔漏，热气伤中，恚怒。兼补水脏，坚筋骨，益精明目。出川
中虚软者佳。酒浸，或盐水煮焙。干薏苡为使。畏葵根、大黄、柴胡、牡蛎。
乌药
乌药辛温疏寒疫，肾冷冲心腹及脊，消食宽膨霍乱宁，诸气诸风诸疮熄。
色黑，根似乌樟；药乃治病总名，从草从乐，草部居多，人病则忧，病去则乐也。无毒。入足阳明、少
阴经，乃疏气散寒之剂。治天行寒疫及阴毒伤寒，能发汗回阳立瘥；治膀胱肾间冷气攻冲背膂，心腹疼痛。
《衍义》云∶与沉香磨服，治胸膈冷气甚验。消宿食，宽膨胀，除黄胆，利小便，止霍乱吐泻、下痢。得香附，
治诸般气症；入风药疏一切风；入疮药治诸痈疖疥癞。兼治中恶、鬼疰、蛊毒，心腹疼痛，妇人血气刺痛，
小儿腹中诸虫及猫犬百病。此药气胜味薄，无滋益，但取辛散凝滞而已。香附治内，内和而外自释。乌药疏散
宣通甚于香附，不可多服。岭南者色褐而坚硬，天台者色白而香软可爱，但天台出者难得，土产者亦好。去皮
心，略炒。叶及根嫩时采，代茶服，补中益气，偏止小便滑数。
以上治下焦虚寒药。
黄精
黄精无毒味甘平，大补劳伤心肺清，除风湿益牌胃气，十年专服可长生。
得太阳之精也。补五劳七伤，润心肺，除风湿，益脾胃，补中益气，安五脏，耐寒暑，服十年乃可延年
不饥。其花胜其实，但难得耳。二月采正精，阴干入药，生用。若单服之，先用滚水绰去苦汁，九蒸九晒。但此
物与钩吻相似，误用杀人。钩吻即野葛，蔓生，叶头尖处有两毛钩子。黄精如竹叶相对，根如嫩姜，黄色。又偏
精不用。
蓍实
蓍实性平酸苦味，开心强志有先知，明目聪耳兼益气，轻身不老亦不饥。
即蓍草之实，天地间寿考物也。
五芝
五芝青黄赤白黑，平补五脏应五色，惟有紫芝性更温，疗痔医聋皆难得。
王者仁慈，则芝生于土，瑞草也。青芝，色如翠羽，味酸平，补肝气，明目安魂；黄芝，色如紫金，味甘
平，益脾气，治心腹五邪；赤芝，色如珊瑚，味苦平，补心气，去胸中结滞；白芝，色如截肪，味辛平，益肺
气，治咳逆，通利口鼻；黑芝，色如泽漆，味咸平，益肾气，利水道，通九窍；紫芝，味甘温，保神，益精气，
坚筋骨，悦颜色，利关节，治耳聋，疗痔疮。相传紫芝最多，非五芝之类。但芝自难得，岂能久服轻身不老耶？
仙茅
仙茅气温味甘辛，补肾兴阳益老人，虚劳失溺脚腰痹，散胃冷令食入唇。
叶似茅，服之延年，故称仙。有毒。主肾虚无子，益阳道，老人失溺，丈夫虚劳，腰脚冷风挛痹不能行，
开胃下气。治心腹冷气不能食，久服通神强记，助筋骨，益肌肤，长精神，明目。传云∶服十斤乳石，不及一斤
仙茅。蜀川江湖两浙有之。叶青如茅，冬枯春发，三月有花如栀子黄，不结实，独根傍有细根相附，外皮粗褐，
内肉黄白。二月八月采根，阴干，米泔浸去赤汁。忌铁、牛肉。单方∶合五加皮等分煎膏，最益人。
石龙芮
石龙芮苦平无毒，平肾胃补阴不足，茎冷失精多躁烦，起痹通关和心腹。
处处有之，一丛数茎，茎青紫色，每茎茎叶其芮芮短小多刻。五月采子如葶苈，色黄；二八月采皮，阴干
用。陆生者叶有毛而子锐，主平肾胃气，补阴不足，茎常冷失精，久服轻身不老，明目润肌，令人有子；生水中
者，叶光而子圆，主风寒湿痹，逐诸风，利关节，治心腹邪气，烦满热燥。大戟使，畏吴茱、蛇蜕。
骨碎补
骨碎补苦温无毒，破血止血折伤续，劳极骨内血风疼，下虚齿痛耳鸣促。
本名胡孙姜，唐明皇以其主折伤有功，故名。主破血止血，补伤折骨碎，疗骨中毒瓦斯，血风疼痛，五劳
六极，右手不收，上热下冷。亦入妇人血气药用。兼治下虚齿痛耳鸣及恶疮蚀烂肉，杀虫。生树石上，五月采
根，铜刀削去毛，细切，蜜水蒸，晒干。
淫羊藿
淫羊藿辛性亦平，补肾助阳壮阴茎，又治冷风筋骨痹，益气强志消痈形。
羊食之则淫，人食之好为阴阳，故名。俗云仙灵脾。无毒。补肾虚助阳，主阴痿绝伤，茎中痛，小便不
利，丈夫绝阳不兴，女子绝阴不产。又治一切冷风劳气，筋骨挛急，偏风手足不遂，四肢皮肤不仁。益气力，
强心志，老人昏耄，中年健忘，消赤痈瘰 ，下部有疮洗虫出。按此兴阳之剂，本草云久服无子者，何也？盖
不补真元，徙助虚阳，致动欲火，妄交妄合，精气不实，宜乎无子也。惟阳衰阴痿，略用以鼓动则可。生汉中
不闻水声者良，夹刀夹去叶四旁花枝，细锉，羊脂拌炒。山药为使，得酒良。
腽肭脐
腽肭脐咸热无毒，疗痨尸疰攻心腹，精冷面黑膝腰疼，补中破癖并血宿。
腽，温也；肭，内也；脐，剂也，温内之剂。又水物多以脐交，言其性也。东垣云∶疗痨瘵，更壮元阳，脾
肾虚损极有功也。主鬼气尸疰，梦与鬼交，鬼魅狐魁及中恶邪气，心腹作痛，肾衰精冷，阴痿面黑，腰膝酸疼，
脾衰脐腹积冷，少气羸瘦，痞块 癖。此药补中益气，又兼消导，能破宿血，治惊狂痫疾。出东海，状若鹿，
长尾，两足，头似狗，故名海狗。遇日出，浮于水面，弓矢采之，取其补肾，上有红紫斑点，两重薄膜裹其
肉核。收密器中，常润湿如新，取置睡犬傍，犬忽惊跳若狂者真。又严冬置盂水浸之，不冻者真。凡使，火燎去
毛，酒浸一日，微微火上炙令香，细锉另研用。如无真者，以黄狗肾三枚可代一枚。
原蚕蛾
The shape resembles ginger but is yellow in color. *Ri Hua* states: Those growing in Hainan are called Ezhu (Curcuma zedoaria), while those growing in Jiangnan are called Jianghuang (Turmeric). The taste is bitter and pungent, the nature is greatly cold, and its potency is stronger than Yujin (Curcuma aromatica).
It is most effective for treating Qi stagnation; it is used for cold Qi, retained food, and distension and pain caused by accumulations and masses in the heart and abdomen. It breaks up evil blood, blood masses, and Jia (abdominal masses), unblocks menstruation, and is particularly effective for postpartum敗血 (decayed blood) rushing to the heart. It also dispels wind-heat and pain caused by sudden storms; reduces carbuncles and swellings, and treats bruised injuries with blood stasis. Use after stir-frying with vinegar.
Bitter Bean (Badou)
Bitter Bean has great toxicity, a pungent and hot nature. It primarily sweeps away cold accumulations and knots in the stomach, eliminates phlegm, food, and fluid retention forming Pi (accumulations), promotes menstruation, and expels pus and blood.
It originates from Bashu and resembles beans. One variety, called "Gangzi," is small like a jujube pit with pointed ends; this can be fatal. Materia Medica states: Raw Badou is warm, cooked Badou is cold. Its true nature is hot, and it is a toxic drug.
It is only used raw to urgently open the water and grain passages, removing the heart membrane and absorbing oil with paper; for slow treatment to dissolve hardness and grind down accumulations, boil five times or stir-fry until smoke ceases and the color turns black before grinding. It can unblock the intestines or stop diarrhea, a fact unknown to the world, according to Leigong. It primarily sweeps away cold accumulations in the stomach, Jia, Pi, cold Qi and blood masses, phlegm Pi, retained food, retained fluids, edema, and unblocks all obstructions and blockages. It treats Qi dysentery, accumulated malaria, amenorrhea in women, and rotten fetus. It is contraindicated in Cold Damage with heat closure. It also removes internal evils, expels pus, reduces swelling, dispels ghost toxins and Gu-Zhu (pestilential diseases), kills insects, and antidotes fish, Mawoo (Mylabris), and snake venoms. Li Dongyuan said: It is an agent that cuts through gates and seizes doors. Do not use lightly. If poisoned by mistake, antidote with Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and soybean juice; Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos) is the assistant. It is opposed by Cao (unspecified herb), and fears Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Huanglian, and Lilü (Veratrum nigrum). Avoid Asparagus stems, sauces, fermented beans, and cold water; fire processing is good. Ancient Formula Zhi Ba Wan: Take two large Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), remove the pith, insert one Badou bean into each, tie with thread, place in a clay pot, soak in vinegar overnight, boil until dry, and grind to powder. Apply wetted with medicine to the root of hemorrhoids; once healed, apply Shengji San (Flesh-Generating Powder); for chronic stubborn fistulas, apply mixed with saliva, and necrotic flesh will naturally fall off. Alternatively, remove Badou, make pills with vinegar paste, size of wutong seeds, take 15 pills with clear tea water to treat hemorrhoidal fistula bleeding, itching, and pain.
These above are drugs for treating middle-jiao cold.
Cuscuta Seed (Tusizi)
Cuscuta seed is sweet and pungent, neutral in nature, tonifies Wei Qi, treats kidney cold, seminal emission, and bi-syndrome of waist and legs; moistens heart and lungs, stops thirst and dryness, brightens eyes, removes accumulations, and strengthens spleen and stomach.
Its root initially resembles a rabbit, its sprout initially resembles silk; it climbs and parasitizes other plants and does not necessarily attach specifically to pine trees. It bears fruit in mid-spring, inheriting neutral energy to condense correct Yang Qi. Its nature is neutral and non-toxic. It preferentially tonifies Wei Qi and assists human sinews and vessels. It treats kidney deficiency causing cold penis and spontaneous seminal emission, enuresis, and hematuria. It strengthens Yin, benefits essence, solidifies marrow and bones, heals severed injuries, and treats soreness, pain, and numbness of waist and knees. It moistens heart and lung dryness, stops thirst and bitter tongue. It treats liver deficiency wind, brightens eyes, treats infantile scalp sores, itchy and collapsed rashes, and hemorrhoid pain. It benefits spleen and stomach, promotes appetite, removes cold blood accumulations. It makes the body strong upon consumption; long-term use leads to obesity, longevity, lightness of body, and fertility. Immortal formulas often use it ground alone; long-term use causes Qi stagnation and constipation, which should be resolved with moistening drugs. If made into pills alone, long-term use is harmless. It is not used in decoctions. Wash with water to remove sand and soil, dry in shade, select and remove impurities, soak in wine for two to three days, steam until sprouting, pound into paste for pills; or make into cakes, dry, and use. For emergencies, simply stir-fry with wine and grind. Roots move blood and can be combined with alchemical pills. Sprouts pounded for juice applied to face scars is miraculous.
Psoralea Fruit (Buguzhi)
Psoralea fruit is pungent, greatly warm and drying. It treats kidney injury, lower back pain, dampness and itching in the yin, cold essence, depleted marrow, frequent urination, and wind-deficiency stiff-bi syndrome reliably.
It can replenish bone marrow and fat, also known as Po Guzhi. Because it was called Poguzhi in foreign languages, it is also Hujiuzi. Non-toxic. It treats excessive sexual activity, kidney meridian injury, lower back pain, scrotal dampness and itching, yang decline with spontaneous cold essence, marrow depletion, frequent urination, abdominal cold, and easy diarrhea. It also treats wind-deficiency cold bi, limb pain, and women's blood-Qi disorders leading to miscarriage, and improves hearing and vision. It is used for all cases of consumptive injury and fire decline. Leigong said: Its nature is greatly drying. Soak in wine overnight, drain, soak in water for three nights, steam for three shichen (6 hours), dry in sun. For emergencies, slightly stir-fry; for stopping diarrhea, stir-fry with flour; for tonifying kidney, stir-fry with hemp seeds. It opposes Gancao (Licorice Root) and avoids mutton.
Fennel (Huixiang)
Fennel is non-toxic, pungent and neutral. It aids yang, opens appetite, relieves pain, treats cold hernia, gout, and cholera; leaves are more effective for various malignant carbuncles.
It is also said that "Xie" (Allium chinense) is fragrant, similar in sound to "Hui." Its yang-aiding function warms the kidney, bladder, and small intestine. It treats cold Qi hernia swelling and pain, and dry/wet gout. Some say it is originally a bladder herb because Bing (Fire element) first moistens dryness, and Bing combines with Ren (Water element). This herb enters the Foot Shaoyin and Taiyang meridians, opening channels between upper and lower parts to restore Yang and disperse cold, hence named Huixiang.
Its appetite-opening function harmonizes stomach Qi, stops vomiting, stabilizes cholera and malarial fevers, and breaks foul breath. Its pain-relieving function treats all kidney cold and spleen cold, Qi pain in heart and abdomen, stabbing rib pain, and limb joint pain. It also treats various fistulas, generates flesh, and relieves pain, as returning Yang disperses pathogens. Preparation: Soak in wine overnight, take out, stir-fry until yellow, and crush. There is also Star Anise (Bajiao Huixiang), with pungent and hot properties, specifically treating lower back pain. Ancient Formula Danjiao Huixiang San: Stir-fry to powder, take 2 qian with wine, effective for heavy and painful waist.
Chrysanthemum Seed (Huluba)
Chrysanthemum seed is hot and treats kidney cold. It addresses green complexion, abdominal and hypochondriac fullness like obstruction, bladder hernia pain, kidney deficiency cold. It strongly tonifies yang and resolves phlegm.
It is the seed of the radish, called Luba by barbarians. Bitter taste, greatly warm nature. Pure Yang, non-toxic. Combined with Sulfur and Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root), it treats kidney deficiency cold, blue-black complexion, and abdominal/hypochondriac distension. Combined with Huixiang and Taoren (Peach Kernel), it treats bladder cold and hernia, very effective. Combined with Buguzhi and Roudoukou (Nutmeg), it treats primal organ deficiency cold and easy diarrhea. Combined with Sulfur and Huixiang, it treats yang decline, impotence, and cold phlegm congestion above. Wash with wine and slightly stir-fry.
Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu)
Evodia fruit is pungent and hot with slight toxicity. It treats heart and abdominal cold pain like twisting, hernia bi, intestinal wind, gout attacks, cholera, cough/counterflow, throat/chest fullness. Edible Evodia has similar properties and treats floating edema; its granules are smaller but potency is less.
Originates from Wu region. It can ascend and descend, belongs to Yang. Zhen and Kun combine, color is green-blue, aroma and taste are strong. Enters Foot Three Yin meridians. Treats heart/abdominal cold Qi, cold phlegm, cold food, Pi masses, unbearable heart/abdominal colic, Zhong-E (sudden severe illness), and fish bone stuck in abdomen causing stabbing pain, also effective. It is indispensable for lower-jiao damp-cold, hernia pain, and cold Qi. Drives out wind pathogens, opens interstices, removes damp-stagnation and cold-blood, generalized flaccidity-bi, weak waist and legs. Benefits large intestine Qi stagnation, intestinal wind hemorrhoids, kills intestinal parasites. For gout attacking the heart, use alone with fresh ginger juice to drink, descending Qi is fastest. Stops cholera with tendon twitching, chest fullness, acid regurgitation, diarrhea/dysentery. For cold pathogen blocking Qi movement, causing mouth open and eyes staring when eating, leading to cold accumulation and fullness, it acts immediately. Li Dongyuan said: For throat cold Qi, choking and blockage, chest cold Qi obstruction and discomfort, all cough/counterflow, cold-heat alternating, or cold extremities, it is verified effective. Generally, this herb's nature likes to rush upward to chest/diaphragm, and downward opens appetite and thickens intestines. It also treats residual blood postpartum, emaciation with night sweats, or uterine prolapse. Most suitable for yang decline and deficiency cold. However, excessive use dissipates primal Qi, especially contraindicated for single use in those with weak intestines. Preparation: Soak in decoction to remove bitter juice six or seven times, then stir-fry with salt water or Huanglian water. Liaoshi (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis) is the guide. Opposes Danshen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza), Xiaoshi (Natrii Sulfas), Bai'e (Kaolin). Fears Zhi Shiyin (Fluorite). Eastward-growing root white bark kills three worms, tapeworms, and roundworms. Treats throat obstruction, cough/counterflow, diarrhea/dysentery, indigestion, residual blood postpartum, and white tinea. Southward-growing branches treat sudden obstruction of urine and stool; break a piece length of the second joint of the hand, hold in mouth to pass. Edible Evodia is common, larger than Wu produce, yellow skin black over time, pungent hot, non-toxic. Excellent for edema, same efficacy as Wu Zhu Yu but weaker. Excessive use harms eyes and causes hair loss; eating in June-July damages Qi and causes sores.
Cornus Fruit (Shanzhuyu)
Cornus fruit is sour and astringent, slightly moist. It tonifies kidney, strengthens Yin, secures essence without side effects, removes head/face wind, eliminates hernia/Jia, drives out bi, regulates menstruation, and benefits liver source.
Grows in mountains. "Zhu" means red color; "Yu" means plump and moist. Non-toxic. Tonifies kidney Qi, promotes sexual function, strengthens penis, adds essence/marrow, stops seminal emission and frequent urination, removes head wind and bone pain, wandering wind, nasal congestion/obstruction, yellow eyes, tinnitus/deafness, facial acne/sores, and gastrointestinal wind pathogens. Also eliminates hernia/Jia, drives out cold-damp bi, treats irregular menstruation in women. Materia Medica says: Promotes sweating, unblocks nine orifices, removes cold-heat pathogens under the heart. It is essentially an astringent agent; why can it promote sweating/unblocking? Probably because all diseases relate to lower-jiao deficiency cold. Using it to tonify and nourish liver/kidney to benefit the source brings harmony to five viscera; blocked becomes unblocked, and loose becomes stopped. This is not like other herbs that are light and floating to unblock. Soak in wine, remove pits. From every jin (500g), take 4 liang (200g) of peel/flesh, slowly roast dry. Pits cause seminal slipperiness, so remove them. Liaoshi is the guide. Opposes Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Fangji (Stephania Root).
Eucommia Bark (Duzhong)
Eucommia bark is pungent and sweet, warm, non-toxic. It treats kidney deficiency wind-cold causing back/waist contraction, weak legs, yin itching, urinary incontinence. It strengthens will, solidifies bones/joints, and ensures sufficient essence.
Named after a man surnamed Du named Zhong who cured his lower back pain with it. Heavy and descending, belongs to Yang. Treats kidney deficiency cold generating wind, lower back pain, even spinal contraction, whole-body stiffness, sore/weak knees unwilling to tread on ground, damp itching below yin, dribbling urine. Strengthens will, solidifies bones/joints, benefits essence/qi. Also treats unstable fetal organ in women and postpartum diseases. Peel coarse skin, coat with butter/honey and roast, or coat with ginger juice and roast, until silk threads break. Opposes Shed Snake Skin and Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root). Pick tender leaves to eat; treats wind-toxic gout and long-standing wind-cold, intestinal hemorrhoids with bleeding.
Dipsacus Root (Xuduan)
Dipsacus root is bitter and pungent, warm. It tonifies yang, stops seminal emission, strengthens waist/legs, stops bleeding, regulates menstruation, calms fetus/birth, breaks stasis, reduces carbuncles, treats fractures.
Non-toxic. Treats insufficiency from labor/injury, boosts strength, promotes sexual function, stops seminal leakage, reduces urination. Treats lower back pain and leg weakness, joint laxity/tightness, same effect as Sangjisheng (Taxilli Herba). Stops bleeding, most effective for women's metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, and hematuria. Also unblocks meridians; for antenatal/postnatal bleeding, postpartum fainting, uncontrollable chills/fever, lethargy with near-death Qi, decoct 1 liang alone, take warm, effective immediately. Treats sallow complexion with false swelling, nodules, and cold uterus. Breaks blood stasis, reduces carbuncles/pus/toxins, mammary abscesses, scrofula, fractures/bruises/sword wounds. Named Xuduan because it heals pain, generates flesh, and reconnects bones/tendons. Originates from Sichuan; yellow wrinkled skin, segments breaking with smoke rising are best. Soak in wine, roast. Dihuang (Rehmannia Root) is the guide. Opposes Leiwan (Polyporus).
Smilax Glabra Rhizome (Bixie)
Smilax glabra rhizome is non-toxic, bitter and sweet, neutral. It treats kidney cold with water retention causing back/waist pain, impotence, enuresis, white turbidity, wind-bi, malignant sores, and anger.
"Bixie" means lowly and resolving; indicating its ability to treat lower-jiao diseases. Treats kidney deficiency cold, retained old water, lower back pain/stiffness, impotence/enuresis, cloudy urine, paralysis/flaccidity, old blood in joints, cold-damp generalized bi, malignant sores not healing, intestinal wind hemorrhoids, heat damaging middle, resentment. Also supplements water organ, solidifies bones/joints, benefits essence and brightens eyes. Best from Sichuan, soft texture. Soak in wine or boil in salt water and roast. Dry Coix Seed is the guide. Feeds Kui Gen (Marshmallow Root), Dahuang, Chaihu (Bupleurum Root), Muli (Oyster Shell).
Lindera Root (Wuyao)
Lindera root is pungent and warm. It disperses cold epidemics, treats kidney cold rushing to heart/abdomen/spine, digests food, relieves bloating, calms cholera, extinguishes various Qi, wind, and sores.
Black color, root resembles Wuzhang; "Yao" is general name for medicine, from grass and joy; people worry when sick, rejoice when cured. Non-toxic. Enters Foot Yangming and Shaoyin meridians; an agent to disperse Qi and cold. Treats seasonal cold epidemics and Yin-Du Cold Damage, promotes sweating and restores Yang for immediate recovery. Treats cold Qi attacking back/spine from bladder/kidney, heart/abdominal pain. *Yanyi* says: Ground with Chenxiang (Aquilaria Wood), very effective for chest/diaphragm cold Qi. Digests retained food, relieves bloating, removes jaundice, benefits urination, stops cholera vomiting/diarrhea/dysentery. With Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), treats various Qi disorders; with wind-dispelling herbs, treats all wind; with sore-treating herbs, treats carbuncles/furuncles/scabies. Also treats Zhong-E, ghost diseases, Gu poison, heart/abdominal pain, women's blood-Qi stabbing pain, children's intestinal worms, and cat/dog diseases. This herb has strong Qi and thin taste, no nourishing effect, only takes pungent dispersion of stagnation. Xiangfu treats internally; when internal is harmonized, external releases naturally. Wuyao disperses and unblocks more than Xiangfu, do not take excessively. Lingnan variety is brown and hard; Tiantai variety is white, fragrant, soft, and lovely, but rare; local varieties are also good. Remove peel and heart, slightly stir-fry. Pick tender leaves and roots, brew as tea, tonifies middle, benefits Qi, specifically stops slippery/frequent urination.
These above are drugs for treating lower-jiao deficiency cold.
Polygonatum Rhizome (Huangjing)
Polygonatum rhizome is non-toxic, sweet and neutral. It greatly tonifies labor-injury, clears heart/lungs, removes wind-damp, benefits spleen/stomach Qi. Ten years of exclusive use can lead to longevity.
Obtains the essence of Sun. Tonifies five labors and seven injuries, moistens heart/lungs, removes wind-damp, benefits spleen/stomach, tonifies middle, benefits Qi, calms five viscera, resists cold/heat. Taking for ten years extends life and prevents hunger. Its flowers surpass its fruits, but are hard to obtain. Harvest in February, dry in shade for medicine, use raw. If taken alone, blanch in boiling water to remove bitter juice, steam nine times and sun-dry nine times. Beware it resembles Gouwen (Gelsemium), mistaken use is fatal. Gouwen is wild gelsemium, climbing, leaf tips have two hooked hairs. Huangjing leaves face each other like bamboo leaves, roots resemble tender ginger, yellow color. Also, Pian Jing is not used.
Aster Fruit (Shishi)
Aster fruit is neutral, sour and bitter. It opens heart, strengthens will, has precognition, brightens eyes, sharpens ears, benefits Qi, lightens body, prevents aging and hunger.
It is the fruit of the Aster plant, a longevity object in heaven and earth.
Five Mushrooms (Wuzhi)
Five Mushrooms (Green, Yellow, Red, White, Black) neutral-tonify five viscera corresponding to five colors. Only Purple Mushroom is warmer; treating hemorrhoids and deafness is hard to obtain.
When kings are benevolent, mushrooms grow in soil; they are auspicious herbs. Green Mushroom, color like kingfisher feathers, sour neutral, tonifies liver Qi, brightens eyes, calms soul. Yellow Mushroom, color like purple gold, sweet neutral, benefits spleen Qi, treats five evils in heart/abdomen. Red Mushroom, color like coral, bitter neutral, tonifies heart Qi, removes chest stagnation. White Mushroom, color like cut fat, pungent neutral, benefits lung Qi, treats cough/counterflow, unblocks mouth/nose. Black Mushroom, color like spurge sap, salty neutral, tonifies kidney Qi, benefits water passages, unblocks nine orifices. Purple Mushroom, sweet warm, protects spirit, benefits essence/qi, solidifies bones/joints, beautifies complexion, benefits joints, treats deafness, cures hemorrhoids. Legend says Purple Mushroom is most abundant, not part of the Five Mushrooms. But mushrooms are naturally hard to obtain; how can long-term use lighten body and prevent aging?
Curculigo Rhizome (Xianmao)
Curculigo rhizome is warm, sweet and pungent. Tonifies kidney, promotes yang, benefits elderly. Treats deficiency-labor, enuresis, waist/leg bi. Disperses stomach cold, promotes appetite.
Leaves resemble cogon grass; taking it extends life, hence "Immortal." Toxic. Treats kidney deficiency with infertility, benefits sexual function, elderly enuresis, male deficiency-labor, cold wind spasms/bi in waist/legs preventing walking, opens appetite, descends Qi. Treats heart/abdominal cold Qi preventing eating; long-term use clarifies spirit, strengthens memory, assists bones/joints, benefits skin/flesh, prolongs spirit, brightens eyes. Legend: Taking 10 jin of Rushi (Calcined Oyster Shell) is inferior to 1 jin of Xianmao. Found in Shuchuan, Jianghu, Liangzhe. Leaves green like cogon, withers in winter, sprouts in spring. March flowers like gardenia yellow, no fruit. Single root with fine attached roots, rough brown outer skin, yellow-white inner flesh. Harvest roots in Feb/Aug, dry in shade, soak in rice wash to remove red juice. Avoid iron and beef. Simple formula: Equal parts with Wujia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex) decocted into paste, most beneficial.
Ranunculus Root (Shilongru)
Ranunculus root is bitter and neutral, non-toxic. Calms kidney/stomach, supplements insufficient Yin. Cold stem, seminal emission, restlessness/vexation. Resolves bi, unblocks orifices, harmonizes heart/abdomen.
Common everywhere, clusters of several stems, stems green-purple, leaves small and serrated. Harvest seeds in May like Thistle seeds, yellow; harvest bark in Feb/Aug, dry in shade. Land-dwelling variety has hairy leaves and sharp seeds; treats calming kidney/stomach Qi, supplementing insufficient Yin, cold stem/seminal emission; long-term use lightens body, prevents aging, brightens eyes, moistens skin, enables fertility. Water-dwelling variety has smooth leaves and round seeds; treats wind-cold-damp bi, drives out wind, benefits joints, treats heart/abdomen pathogens, vexation/fullness/heat/dryness. Daji (Euphorbia Root) is the guide. Feeds Wuzhuyu and Shed Snake Skin.
Drynaria Rhizome (Gusuibu)
Drynaria rhizome is bitter and warm, non-toxic. Breaks blood, stops bleeding, heals fractures, reconnects. Treats extreme labor, intra-osseous blood-wind pain, lower deficiency toothache, tinnitus.
Originally named Husunjiang. Tang Minghuang renamed it because it was effective for fractures. Treats breaking blood, stopping bleeding, repairing broken bones, treating bone poisoning from vapors, blood-wind pain, five labors and six extremes, right hand paralysis, upper heat/lower cold. Also used in women's blood-Qi medicines. Also treats lower deficiency toothache/tinnitus, malignant sores eating flesh, killing insects. Grows on trees/rocks, harvest roots in May, scrape hairs with copper knife, slice finely, steam with honey water, dry.
Epimedium Herb (Yinyanghuo)
Epimedium herb is pungent, nature also neutral. Tonifies kidney, aids yang, enlarges penis. Treats cold wind bone/tendon bi, benefits Qi, strengthens will, reduces carbuncles.
Sheep eat it and become lustful; humans eat it and desire intercourse, hence the name. Commonly called Xianlingpi. Non-toxic. Tonifies kidney deficiency, aids yang. Treats impotence, severed injuries, penile pain, difficult urination, male absolute yang failure, female absolute yin infertility. Treats all cold wind labor-Qi, tendon spasms, hemiplegia/limb immobility, limb skin anesthesia. Boosts strength, strengthens will, treats elderly dementia, middle-aged forgetfulness, reduces red carbuncles/scrofula, washes下部 sores to expel worms. Regarding this yang-promoting agent, Materia Medica says long-term use causes childlessness. Why? It does not tonify true Yuan, only assists deficient Yang, stirring desire fire, reckless intercourse, insubstantial essence, thus childlessness. Only for yang decline/impotence, use slightly to stimulate. Best from Hanzhong where no water sounds are heard. Clip leaves and flower branches, chop finely, stir-fry with sheep fat. Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome) is the guide; good with wine.
Sea Cucumber Testis (Tan'naqi)
Sea cucumber testis is salty and hot, non-toxic. Treats tuberculosis/ghost diseases attacking heart/abdomen, cold essence, black face, knee/waist pain. Tonifies middle, breaks Pi, resolves old blood.
"Tan" means warm; "Na" means internal; "Qi" means agent; an internal warming agent. Aquatic animals often mate via umbilicus, describing its nature. Li Dongyuan said: Treats tuberculosis, strongly tonifies primal Yang, highly effective for extreme spleen/kidney deficiency. Treats ghost Qi, corpse pestilence, dreaming of ghost intercourse, demons, Zhong-E pathogens, heart/abdominal pain, kidney decline with cold essence, impotence/black face, sore waist/knees, spleen decline with cold accumulation in umbilicus/abdomen, shortness of breath/emaciation,痞块 (masses)/Pi. This herb tonifies middle, benefits Qi, aids digestion, breaks old blood, treats fright/manic epilepsy. Originates from East Sea, resembles deer, long tail, two feet, dog-like head, hence "Sea Dog." Floats at sunrise, hunted with bows/arrows. Kidney tonification part has red-purple spots, wrapped in double membrane around meat nucleus. Store in sealed vessel, keep moist like new. Place next to sleeping dog; if dog jumps wildly, it is genuine. In deep winter, place in water basin; if it doesn't freeze, it is genuine. Preparation: Fire-burn off hair, soak in wine for one day, roast gently until fragrant, chop finely and grind separately. If genuine unavailable, three yellow dog kidneys substitute one.
Silkworm Moth (Yuancang'e)