入肝益筋与血，病腰肾脚膝无力不可缺也。本草云∶益肺而去湿，和胃而滋脾。雷公云∶调荣卫，助谷气，解
酒毒。但单服多服损齿及骨。出宣州者佳。忌铅铁，以铜刀削去皮子，用黄牛乳汁拌蒸三时，日干。
赤小豆
赤小豆甘酸性平，腹肿香港脚热寒宁，止吐泻与卒下血，消渴痈疽亦有情。
色赤形小。无毒。阴中阳也。主下水，大腹水肿，皮肌胀满及香港脚肿满入腹，利小便，止小便数，除烦满寒
热，止泻及吐逆卒 、肠痔下血及舌忽出血不止，消渴，大能解毒，排痈肿脓血，散恶血不尽。兼催难产，下
乳汁及产后心闷烦满不食，乃行水通气健脾之剂。久服燥津，令人虚且黑瘦。入药炒用，捣末醋调，或鸡子清调
敷疮肿乳肿丹毒，取汁洗小儿急黄烂疮。赤豆粉，治烦解热，补血脉，坚筋骨，解小麦热毒。叶，食之明目。
花，味辛，平，有腐气，故名腐婢。主下水气， 疟，寒热邪气，散气满不能食，止泻痢，明眼目，起阴气，
止消渴，酒病头痛，兼治小儿丹毒热肿。
百合
百合甘平医百合，消腹胀痞痛心胁，肺痿寒热遍身疼，喉风癫涕疮痈捷。
其根百片，累合而生。无毒。治伤寒坏症，百合病，腹中满痛及阴毒伤寒。消浮肿，胪胀痞满，大小便不利，
心下急痛胁满，肺痿肺痈，肺热咳嗽，喉痹，烦闷寒热，遍身疼痛。治癫邪涕泣狂叫，及惊悸心胆不宁，兼治乳
痈发背，诸疮肿，杀蛊毒，养五脏，补中气，通耳窍，亦渗利中之美药。花白者佳。采根，日干。
葶苈
葶苈大寒辛苦味，善消水肿泻肺气，更医肾瘅破脾积，解毒祛风治疙痱。
葶，定也；苈，沥也，行也。能定肺喘而行水。无毒。沉也，阴中阴也。东垣云∶除遍身之浮肿，逐膀胱之
留热，定肺痈上气喘促，疗胸中积壅痰嗽。兼治肾瘅唇干，破 瘕积聚结气，饮食寒热，解一切毒入腹不可
疗及马汗。用一两炒研浸水，利下恶血，又煎汤洗头风，捣末敷白秃，身暴中风热痱痒者亦可洗且涂之。
丹溪云∶属火，性急走泄为功，苦者尤甚，甜者少缓。病患稍涉虚者远之，杀人甚捷。不必久服乃虚，隔纸炒
香，或蒸熟。榆皮为使。恶干姜、石龙芮。含膏丸∶葶苈、知母、贝母各一两，枣肉五钱，砂糖一两半，丸如
弹子。每以新绵裹一丸含咽，治嗽喘，三丸即效。
牵牛
牵牛苦寒利肿膨，走脾肾治脚腰疼，下气除嗽破 癖，堕胎泻蛊性不平。
出田野人牵牛易药，因以名之。有毒。利小便及大肠风秘，热壅结涩，善消鼓胀水肿。又治腰疼脚满及
风毒香港脚，胫肿捏之没指者，行脾肾气故也。下一切湿热气壅，消痰嗽，破 癖气块，堕胎，泻蛊毒。海藏云∶以
气药引之则入气，以大黄引之则入血。罗谦甫云∶味辛辣，泻人元气，非湿胜不得施泄以致便闭肿满，不可轻
用。虚者尤宜慎之。况湿病根在下焦血分，饮食劳倦亦皆血分受病，如用辛辣泻上焦太阴之气，是血病泻气，
俾气血俱病也。黑白二种，白属金，黑属水，其实感南方热火之气而生，故性烈而善走也。《局方》多用黑
者。水淘去浮者，取沉者晒干，酒拌蒸三时，炒熟舂去皮，每斤取头末四两。生者尤急，治水肿以乌牛尿浸；
治风气积滞，以童便浸。得青木香、干姜、山茱萸良。
大戟
大戟苦甘寒有毒，消十二肿宽胸腹，破癖逐瘀通经孕，祛风散肿辟瘟疫。
枝茎似戟，处处有之。春生红芽，叶似初
生杨柳，根似苦参。秋冬采根。大寒。阴中微阳。主利大小肠，消十二水肿，胸腹胀满急痛，破 结癖块，下
恶血，通月水，堕胎孕，治中风，皮肤瘾疹疼痛，吐逆，颈腋痈肿及天行黄病，温疟，蛊毒，头疼便秘。此药
能汗且下之。珍云∶泻肺损真气，与甘遂同为驱逐剂耳。细锉蒸或微炒。赤小豆为使。恶山药，畏芦草、鼠屎，
反芫花、海藻，毒用菖蒲解之。泽漆，即大戟苗，生川泽，采时叶有白叶如漆。味苦辛，微寒，无毒。主皮肤
热，大腹水气，四肢面目浮肿，利大小肠，止疟，止咳，消痰，杀蛊毒。端午日采，日干。赤小豆为使，恶山
药。
甘遂
甘遂苦寒善攻决，消水肿满开胸结，化痰饮与食宿留，又破 坚及痞热。
甘者，土之味；遂者，田沟行水之道。纯阳。有毒。此药专能行水攻决，下五水，散膀胱留热，面目肌肤遍
身浮肿，心腹坚满。伤寒水结胸症非此不除，以其气能直透达所结处也。化痰饮，宿、食留饮，破 坚积聚、
大腹疝瘕，痞热气肿满。虚者慎用。皮赤肉白，作连珠实重者麸炒。雷公用甘草汤、荠 汁同浸三日，东流水洗
净焙干。盖欲其相激而力尤胜也。瓜蒂为使，恶远志，反甘草。
芫花
芫花苦寒消水肿，咳逆喉鸣痰气壅，心腹腰脚胀且疼，破积杀虫拔毛孔。
芫，元也，始也。元气始动而花开，处处有之，生坡涧傍，二月开紫花作穗。有毒。主利五水在五脏，
皮肤肿胀，咳逆上气；喉鸣或肿，喘嗽，消胸中痰水喜唾，治心腹及腰脚膨胀作痛，破积聚气块疝瘕，杀虫鱼肉
毒。一切恶疮痈肿，风痹蜷挛，皆能通利血脉而愈。又治金疮疥癣，生肌止血，宜烧灰用。兼治蛊毒鬼疟，内搜
肠胃，外达毛孔。《快捷方式》云∶须知此物力如山，体实者久服则虚，虚者禁用。醋炒不可近眼。决明为使。反
甘草。根，主疗疥疮，可毒鱼。一方，取入土根洗净，捣汁入银器内煎膏，以丝线于膏内度过，如痔 有头者，
将此线系之，候落时以纸捻入膏药于窍内除根。未落不得使水，系瘤亦效。
商陆
商陆酸辛气亦平，直疏五水有神灵，兼疗胸邪身痿痹，疝瘕痈肿鬼物精。
陆，路也。多生路傍，故又名当陆，俗名樟柳根。如人形者有神。有毒。降也，阳中之阴。利大小肠，直
疏五脏水气，疗胞中邪水腹胀，痿痹脚软，疝瘕痈肿如石，瘰 恶疮，杀鬼精物，又泻蛊毒，堕胎。为末，外敷喉
痹效。铜刀刮去皮，薄切，东流水浸三日，取出和绿豆同蒸半日，去豆晒干或焙。有赤白二种，白者入药，赤
者但可贴肿，服之伤人。忌犬肉，得大蒜良。
续随子
续随子辛温有毒，利水宽膨效最速，消痰破积逐瘀凝，通经解蛊利肠腹。
初生一茎，茎端生叶，叶中复出相续随生实也，一名千金子。治肺气、水气，下水最速。又治心腹痛。
冷气胀满。除痰饮呕逆不下食，破积聚 瘕 瘕，下一切恶物宿滞，逐瘀血。通妇人月闭血结，杀蛊毒鬼疰，
利大小肠及腹内诸疾。但多服损人，泻不止者，以浆水薄醋煮粥止之。兼治一切恶疮疥癣，蛇咬，茎中白汁剥
人面皮，去 、白癜甚效。川产者良。去壳研，以纸包用物压去油，研粉。
海藻
海藻咸寒利小便，消水下气破瘕疝，瘿瘤颈核单服之，化痰通血尤堪羡。
海中之草，色黑如乱发，叶类水藻而大。无毒。沉也，阴中阴也。利小便闭结，下十二水肿及气疾急满，
香港脚，奔逐气，腹中上下鸣， 瘕坚气，疝气疼痛，核肿。破结气痈肿，瘿瘤气，颈下核如梅李。或卒结囊，
单用酒渍数日，稍稍饮之。又消宿食，化五膈痰壅，通妇人血结月闭，石淋。孟诜云∶起男子阴气，可常食之，
惟北人不宜。洗去咸味，用黑豆、紫背天葵
同蒸一时晒干。反甘草。
昆布
昆布咸酸性冷寒，能消水肿利漩难，瘿瘤结硬真良剂，阴 煮汁咽之安。
昆，大也；形如布。无毒。主十二水肿，利水道，散瘿瘤聚结气，疮 坚硬者最妙，咸能软坚故也。
项下结囊，和海藻等分蜜丸含咽。 卵肿者，单煮汁涸之。久服令人腹痛，发气吐沫，以热醋少饮解之。凡
海菜寒中，有小螺者尤损人，胃虚者慎服。东流水煮半日，去咸味，焙干。昆布 ；取一斤以米泔浸一宿，切细
煮烂，入葱、盐、椒、豉、橘皮，和粳米饭食，极下气，治膀胱急，妨海藻亦根据此法。
以上行湿利大小便药。
楮实
楮实甘寒治肿水，明目补气壮阴痿，皮汁生涂疥癣疮，叶茎风疹可煎洗。
楮，赭也，其实赤色，皮斑者名楮，皮白者名彀。无毒。主除水肿，明目益气，补虚劳，助阳气，壮阴
痿，健腰膝，充肌肤，益颜色。但单服多服令人骨软。入药，水沉去浮者，去皮酒浸蒸半日，焙干。树皮，主
逐水利小便。又可造纸，其纸烧灰酒调服，能止血晕血崩，金疮出血。皮间白汁，疗疥癣，敷蛇虫蜂犬咬。叶，
主恶疮生肉，又鼻衄不止，捣汁饮之。痢疾，焙为末，乌梅煎汤下。小儿身热，食不生肌，可作浴汤。枝茎，
主瘾疹风痒，煎汤洗浴。
泽兰
泽兰甘苦辛微温，皮肤骨节水难存，逐旧生新和血脉，妇人百病可寻源。
生池泽，其香似兰。无毒。入手少阳经。利身面四肢肚腹浮肿及骨节中水，通九窍，利关脉，养新血，
破宿血，消 瘕。产后腹痛，衄血，中风余疾，濒产血气衰冷，成痨羸瘦，头风月痛，血沥腰疼，百病审因皆
效，妇人急用药也。兼治丈夫鼻衄吐红面黄，金疮痈肿，排脓生肌长肉，扑损瘀血。有二种，叶圆根青黄者，
能生血调气；叶上斑根须尖者，能破血通久积。四五月采。细锉，绢袋盛，风干。
庵 子
庵 （子）苦治阳水肿，消瘀成痈及食冗，目昏身痹也能医，妇人经闭何须恐。
形似艾蒿，处处有之。庵舍屋闾中多种之以辟蛇，性微寒，无毒。主腹中水气，肿胀留热及五脏瘀血变成痈
毒。消食明目，除心下坚，膈中寒热，风寒湿气周痹遍身骨节烦疼，腰脚重痛，膀胱疼及妇人月闭不通，治折
伤，破血活血剂也。十月采实，阴干，或生捣汁服。荆衬、薏苡为使。
蓼实
蓼实辛温能下水，明目温中去寒暑，霍乱转筋腹内疼，破癖消痈及疮瘰，叶洗脚肿敷蛇伤，肠蛭马蓼独可
取。
蓼，蓼也，至秋柯枝高硕寥寥然。茎赤叶大，上有黑点，生水泽中。《衍义》云∶即水蓼之实也。无毒。
下水气、面目浮肿，明目温中，治风寒及夏月中 心闷欲死，霍乱转筋，心腹疼痛，并水煮服之。又治 癖、
痈疮、瘰 ，久服则效，效则已。小儿头疮敷之良，除大小肠邪气，通五脏壅。多食令人吐水，损肾阳气。二
月食之发心痛寒热；合鱼 食，令人阴冷疼，气欲绝。入药微炒研碎。叶，煮汤捋脚，消气肿及脚痛成疮；
生绞汁服，治蛇毒入内心闷，仍捣敷伤处。马蓼，去肠中蛭虫。抑考蓼有七种∶香蓼可作菜食，治腰脚。青蓼，
可酿酒，主风冷。红蓼，可作酱。水蓼，一名大蓼，即水红蓼，主恶疮，去痹气，诸蓼叶俱狭小，惟马、水二
种阔大。花皆黄白，子皆青黑。
樗白皮
樗白皮寒苦燥湿，久泻久痢皆能涩，男精女带儿疳虫，肠痔尸疰蛊毒戢，一种香椿性颇同，洗风疮疥煎取
汁。
樗木疏，有花有荚而气臭；椿木实而无花，叶香可啖，发于春首，木之长也。樗根白皮，小毒。性燥而涩，
善止滑泻，赤白久痢，男子遗精，小便不禁，女人崩带，小儿疳痢、疳
虫、蛔虫。又治痔疾、肠风下血不止，鬼疰传尸蛊毒。但合猪肉、热面频食则中满，盖壅经脉也。入药蜜炙用。
椿白皮，味苦温，有毒。动风，熏十二经脉、五脏六腑，多食令人神昏血气微。治男子白痢脏毒，女子血崩赤
带、产后血不止，小儿疳 。叶，洗疮疥风疽，性与樗木大同，但不涩耳。故雷公云∶入药用东行根皮，以生
葱同蒸半日，去葱阴干用，偏利溺涩也。
金樱子
金樱子酸涩性平，燥脾益肾止遗精，和血调脏治痢泻，久服耐老身亦轻。
色如金，形如罂。无毒。疗脾泻下痢，止小便利，涩精气，久服养精益肾，调和五脏，活血驻颜，耐老
轻身。丹溪云∶属土而有金水。经络隧道以通畅为和平，昧者反取涩性为快，中寒有痞者禁服。凡采，须十月半
熟时，不尔，复令人利。煎膏法见六卷。花，平。止冷热痢，杀寸白虫。皮，止泻血及崩带。
无食子
无食子又名没石，温苦止泻痢白赤，养血生精安气神，乌须长肉治疳 。
出西戎波斯国，其树似桃，三月开花，子如弹，初青，熟乃黄白。虫蚀成孔者入药。土人每食以代果，番
胡呼为无食没石。雷公云∶墨石子者是也。无毒。主肠虚，赤白冷痢，肠滑泄泻，神效。益血生精，和气安神，
乌须发，长肌肉。治阴毒、阴痿、阴汗疮，烧灰，先用温水浴了，即以帛微裹，后敷灰囊上甚良。凡使勿犯铜
铁，并被火惊者。颗小文细者佳，炒用，细研。
钓樟
钓樟辛烈温无毒，消水下气安心腹，破积止吐止霍乱，中恶金疮辟时疫。
叶尖长如钓钩，文似樟木也。消水肿，下奔豚香港脚，水煎服。治腹胀，宿食不消，常吐酸水，鬼疰，霍乱，
中恶心腹绞痛，并酒煎服。又为末，疗金疮断血。煎汤洗疮痍风痒，疥癣，悬门辟天行时疫。八九月根皮，
日干，略炒用。
榆皮
榆皮滑利性甘平，利水通便产易生，心痛头疮当采实，小儿痫热用花清。
俞，合也。三月生荚相合。无毒。利水道，消肿满，通大小便，治五淋。除肠胃邪热气，治不眠。疗 通
Enters the Liver to nourish sinews and blood; indispensable for treating weakness of the lower back, kidneys, and knee joints. The Materia Medica states: It benefits the Lungs and dispels dampness, harmonizes the Stomach and moistens the Spleen. Lei Gong said: It regulates Ying and Wei (Defensive and Nutritive Qi), assists Gu Qi (Grain Qi), and resolves alcohol toxicity. However, single or excessive use damages teeth and bones. Those from Xuanzhou are superior. Avoid contact with lead and iron; peel and remove seeds with a copper knife, mix with milk from a yellow cow, steam for three shichen (6 hours), then dry in the sun.
Adzuki Bean (Chi Xiao Dou)
Adzuki Bean is sweet, sour, and neutral in nature. It treats abdominal swelling, Hong Kong foot (Gouty Arthritis/Beijia), and alternating chills and fever; it stops vomiting, diarrhea, and sudden hematochezia; and it is effective for Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) and carbuncles.
The beans are red and small. Non-toxic. It belongs to Yin within Yang. It primarily promotes urination, treating massive abdominal edema, distension of skin and muscles, and Hong Kong foot swelling extending into the abdomen; it promotes urination, reduces urinary frequency, relieves irritability and fullness, chills and fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sudden rectal bleeding, hemorrhoidal bleeding, and sudden unceasing tongue bleeding; it treats Xiao Ke; it has strong detoxifying properties, expels pus and blood from carbuncles, and disperses stagnant evil blood. It also induces labor, promotes lactation, and treats postpartum chest oppression, irritability, anorexia; it is a formula that moves water, circulates Qi, and strengthens the Spleen. Long-term use dries up body fluids, causing debility, emaciation, and darkening of the skin. For medicinal use, stir-fry before use. Grind into powder, mix with vinegar for application, or mix with egg white for sores, breast abscesses, and erysipelas. Juice can be used to wash acute jaundice and ulcers in children. Adzuki bean flour treats irritability, clears heat, nourishes blood vessels, strengthens sinews and bones, and resolves heat toxicity from wheat. Leaves, when eaten, brighten the eyes. Flowers are pungent and neutral, with a putrid odor, hence named "Fu Bi" (Rotting Bean). They promote water metabolism, treat malaria, chills and fever pathogens, relieve Qi stagnation and anorexia, stop dysentery, brighten eyes, raise Yin Qi, stop Xiao Ke, treat headache after drinking alcohol, and pediatric erysipelas with heat swelling.
Lily Bulb (Bai He)
Lily Bulb is sweet and neutral, treating Bai He Bing (Lily Disease), reducing abdominal distension, epigastric pain, and hypochondriac pain; it treats Lung Abscess, chills and fever, generalized body pain, and is effective for throat wind, epilepsy, rhinorrhea, and sores.
Its root consists of many scales fused together. Non-toxic. It treats complications of Cold Damage, Bai He Bing, abdominal fullness and pain, and Yin Toxic Cold Damage. It reduces edema, abdominal distension and fullness, difficulty in urination and defecation, subcostal urgency and pain, Lung Abscess, pulmonary heat cough, bi-syndrome of the throat, irritability, chills and fever, and generalized body pain. It treats manic episodes with weeping and shouting, palpitations, and restlessness of the Heart and Gallbladder; it also treats breast abscesses, back carbuncles, various sores, kills gu poison, nourishes the Five Zang organs, tonifies Middle Qi, opens the ear orifices, and is a fine herb for promoting fluid metabolism. White flowers are best. Harvest roots and dry in the sun.
Descurainia Seed (Ting Li)
Descurainia Seed is very cold, pungent, and bitter. It excels at eliminating edema and draining Lung Qi; it also treats Kidney Dan (Heat Syndrome), breaks Spleen accumulation, detoxifies, dispels wind, and treats paralysis.
"Ting" means to stabilize; "Li" means to drain or move. It stabilizes asthma and moves water. Non-toxic. It sinks and belongs to Yin within Yin. Dong Yuan stated: It eliminates generalized edema, drives out retained heat in the Bladder, stabilizes asthma due to Lung Abscess, and treats phlegm-cough caused by chest congestion. It also treats Kidney Dan with dry lips, breaks masses and accumulations, addresses dietary irregularities and temperature extremes, resolves all internal toxins including horse sweat toxicity. Use 1 liang, stir-fry, grind, soak in water to evacuate evil blood; decoct for washing head wind; grind into powder for alopecia capitis; washing and applying to sudden wind-heat prickly heat is also effective. Dan Xi stated: It belongs to Fire, acts swiftly and drainingly; bitterness intensifies this, while sweetness moderates it. Avoid in patients with any deficiency, as it can kill quickly. It causes deficiency not only through long-term use but also if not processed correctly; process by stir-frying between papers until fragrant, or steaming. Periploca Bark is the guiding herb. It is incompatible with Dry Ginger and Batrachium. Lozenge Pill Recipe: Ting Li, Anemarrhena Rhizome, and Fritillaria Bulb each 1 liang, Date Flesh 5 qian, Rock Sugar 1.5 liang. Form pills like marbles. Hold one pill wrapped in new cotton in the mouth to swallow for cough and asthma; three pills bring immediate effect.
Morning Glory Seed (Qian Niu)
Morning Glory Seed is bitter and cold, reducing swelling and distension, acting on the Spleen and Kidneys to treat leg and waist pain, descending Qi, relieving cough, breaking masses, inducing abortion, and purging gu poison; its nature is uneven.
Named because people in fields traded with ox-draggers. Toxic. Promotes urination and relieves intestinal wind constipation, heat obstruction and stagnation; excels at eliminating drum-like distension and edema. Treats waist pain, leg fullness, wind-toxic Hong Kong foot, and shin swelling where indentation remains (pitting edema), due to its action on Spleen and Kidney Qi. Evacuates all damp-heat obstruction, resolves phlegm-cough, breaks mass-forming Qi, induces abortion, purges gu poison. Hai Zang stated: Guided by Qi-moving herbs, it enters the Qi level; guided by Rhubarb, it enters the Blood level. Luo Qianfu stated: Pungent and spicy, it drains Original Qi; it should not be used unless there is excess dampness causing constipation and edema. Deficient patients must be especially cautious. Since damp disease roots in the Lower Jiao Blood level, and dietary/labor injuries also affect the Blood level, using pungent/spicy herbs to drain Upper Jiao Taiyin Qi constitutes draining Qi in a Blood disease, damaging both Qi and Blood. Black and white varieties exist; white corresponds to Metal, black to Water. Both originate from Southern Fire-Heat Qi, hence their fierce and mobile nature. The Imperial Pharmacy Formula uses black seeds most often. Wash in water, discard floating seeds, keep sinking ones, dry in sun, mix with wine, steam for three shichen, stir-fry, pound to remove skins, take the finest powder (4 liang per jin). Raw seeds act more urgently; for edema, soak in urine of a black bull; for wind-Qi stagnation, soak in child's urine. Synergistic with Acorus Tatarinowii, Dry Ginger, and Cornus Fruit.
Knoxia Root (Da Ji)
Knoxia Root is bitter, sweet, and cold, toxic. It eliminates twelve types of swelling, relaxes chest and abdomen, breaks masses, expels stasis, unblocks menstruation, dispels wind, reduces swelling, and wards off epidemics.
Branches resemble halberds; found everywhere. Red buds emerge in spring; leaves resemble young willow; roots resemble Sophora Root. Harvest roots in autumn and winter. Very cold. Slightly Yang within Yin. Promotes urination and defecation, eliminates twelve types of edema, chest/abdominal fullness and acute pain, breaks masses, evacuates evil blood, regulates menstruation, induces abortion, treats stroke, skin hives and pain, vomiting, neck/axillary abscesses, epidemic jaundice, warm malaria, gu poison, headache, and constipation. This herb induces sweating and purgation. Zhen stated: It drains the Lungs and damages True Qi; like Kansui, it is a driving-out agent. Finely cut, steam or lightly stir-fry. Adzuki Bean is the guiding herb. Incompatible with Yam; fears Reed Grass and Rat Droppings; inversely compatible with Genkwa Flower and Sargassum; toxicity resolved by Acorus. Ze Qi (Phytolacca Acinosa), the seedling of Da Ji, grows in rivers and marshes; leaves have white sap like lacquer when harvested. Bitter, pungent, slightly cold, non-toxic. Treats skin heat, massive abdominal water retention, edema of limbs and face, promotes urination/defecation, stops malaria, relieves cough, resolves phlegm, kills gu poison. Harvest on Dragon Boat Festival Day, dry in sun. Adzuki Bean is the guiding herb; incompatible with Yam.
Kansui Root (Gan Sui)
Kansui Root is bitter and cold, excellent at attacking and resolving; eliminates edema and fullness, opens chest constriction, transforms phlegm-fluids and retained food/fluid, breaks hardness, and treats epigastric heat-fullness.
"Gan" is the taste of Earth; "Sui" refers to water channels in fields. Pure Yang. Toxic. This herb specifically moves water and attacks obstructions, evacuating the Five Waters, dissipating retained heat in the Bladder, treating edema of face/skin/body, and hard fullness of heart/abdomen. Cold Damage with water-binding in the chest cannot be resolved without this herb, as its Qi penetrates directly to the site of binding. Transforms phlegm-fluids, retained food/fluid, breaks hard masses, massive hernias, and epigastric heat-fullness. Use cautiously in deficiency. Roots with red skin and white flesh, bead-like and heavy, are stir-fried with bran. Lei Gong soaked them in Licorice Decoction and Shepherd's Purse juice for three days, washed with east-flowing water, and dried. This interaction enhances potency. Melon Tip is the guiding herb; incompatible with Polygala; inversely compatible with Licorice.
Genkwa Flower (Yuan Hua)
Genkwa Flower is bitter and cold, eliminating edema; treats cough with wheezing and phlegm obstruction, abdominal/waist/leg distension and pain, breaks accumulations, kills parasites, and extracts pathogens from pores.
"Yuan" means origin or beginning. Flowers bloom when Original Qi begins to move; found everywhere, growing on slopes and stream banks, blooming purple spikes in February. Toxic. Promotes urination of the Five Waters in the Five Zang, skin swelling, cough with rebellious Qi; wheezing or swollen throat, asthma/cough, resolves chest phlegm/fluid and excessive saliva, treats abdominal/waist/leg distension/pain, breaks masses/hernias, kills fish/meat poison. All malignant sores/carbuncles, wind-bi with curling/spasms can be cured by unblocking blood vessels. Also treats traumatic wounds, scabies/tinea, generates flesh, stops bleeding (best used as ash). Treats gu poison and ghost malaria, searching intestines/stomach internally, reaching pores externally. "Quick Method" states: Know that this herb is powerful as a mountain; those with robust constitutions become deficient with long-term use; deficient patients must avoid it. Vinegar-processed; avoid contact with eyes. Cassia Seed is the guiding herb. Inversely compatible with Licorice. Roots treat scabies and can poison fish. One method: Wash underground roots, crush, extract juice, boil in silver vessel to make paste. Pass silk thread through paste; tie around hemorrhoid with a head; wait for it to fall off, then insert medicated paper roll into orifice to eradicate root. Keep dry until it falls; also effective for tying tumors.
Phytolacca Root (Shang Lu)
Phytolacca Root is sour, pungent, and neutral in aroma. It directly drains the Five Waters with spiritual efficacy; treats chest pathogens, body wasting/bi, hernias, masses, abscesses, and demonic essences.
"Lu" means road. Grows by roadsides, hence named Dang Lu, commonly known as Zhang Liu Gen. Those resembling human form possess spirit. Toxic. Descending, Yang within Yin. Promotes urination/defecation, directly drains Five Zang water Qi, treats bladder pathogenic water/abdominal distension, wasting/bi with soft legs, stone-hard hernias/masses, scrofula/malignant sores, kills demonic essences, purges gu poison, induces abortion. Grind into powder for external application to sore throat (effective). Scrape skin with copper knife, slice thinly, soak in east-flowing water for three days, steam with mung beans for half a day, remove beans, dry or bake. Red and white varieties exist; white for internal use, red only for external application to swelling (poisonous if ingested). Avoid dog meat; synergistic with Garlic.
Euphorbia Lathyris Seed (Xu Sui Zi)
Euphorbia Lathyris Seed is pungent, warm, and toxic. Promotes urination and reduces distension with rapid effect; resolves phlegm, breaks accumulations, drives out stasis coagulation, unblocks menstruation, resolves gu poison, benefits intestines/abdomen.
Initially produces one stem; leaves grow at stem tip; fruits follow sequentially among leaves, hence the name, also known as Thousand Gold Seed. Treats Lung Qi and Water Qi, drains water fastest. Treats heart/abdominal pain from cold Qi distension. Resolves phlegm-fluids, vomiting, inability to eat, breaks accumulations/masses, evacuates all evil matter/residual stagnation, drives out stasis blood. Unblocks female amenorrhea/blood clots, kills gu poison/gu zhu, benefits intestines/bladder and abdominal diseases. Excessive use harms humans; if diarrhea persists, stop with porridge boiled in sour water/vinegar. Also treats all malignant sores/scabies/tinea, snake bites; white sap from stems peels human facial skin, effectively treating vitiligo. Sichuan production is superior. Remove shell, grind, wrap in paper, press to remove oil, grind into powder.
Sargassum (Hai Zao)
Sargassum is salty and cold, promoting urination; drains water, descends Qi, breaks masses/hernias, goiters, and cervical nodes when taken alone; transforming phlegm and unblocking blood is admirable.
Seaweed, black like messy hair, leaves large like algae. Non-toxic. Sinks, Yin within Yin. Relieves urinary retention, drains twelve types of edema and Qi disorders with acute fullness, Hong Kong foot, rushing Qi, abdominal borborygmus, hard Qi masses, hernia pain, nodular swelling. Breaks Qi-binding abscesses, goiter Qi, cervical nodes like plums. Or sudden cyst formation: soak alone in wine for several days, drink slowly. Also resolves retained food, transforms five diaphragm phlegm obstruction, unblocks female blood-clot amenorrhea, stone strangury. Meng Shen stated: Raises male Yang Qi, suitable for regular consumption, but unsuitable for northerners. Wash away saltiness, steam with Black Soybean and Purple Back Tian Kui for one shichen, dry in sun. Inversely compatible with Licorice.
Kelp (Kun Bu)
Kelp is salty, sour, cold, and chilling. It eliminates edema, facilitates difficult urination, is a true good remedy for hard goiters/nodules, and brings peace when decocted and swallowed for Yin obstruction.
"Kun" means large; shape like cloth. Non-toxic. Treats twelve types of edema, promotes water pathways, disperses goiter/nodule Qi aggregation; best for hard sores due to salt's ability to soften hardness. Cervical cysts: mix equal parts with Sargassum, honey pills, hold in mouth to swallow. Scrotal swelling: decoct alone until dry. Long-term use causes abdominal pain, Qi emission, foaming; resolve with hot vinegar. Seaweed entering the stomach is cold; those with small snails are particularly harmful; caution in weak Stomach. Boil in east-flowing water for half a day, remove saltiness, bake dry. Kelp Soup: Soak 1 jin in rice wash overnight, cut fine, boil soft, add green onion, salt, pepper, fermented soybeans, tangerine peel, mix with japonica rice meal. Strongly descends Qi, treats Bladder urgency. If incompatible with Sargassum, follow this method.
Above are herbs for moving dampness and promoting urination/defecation.
Celtis Fruit (Chu Shi)
Celtis Fruit is sweet and cold, treating edema/water; brightens eyes, tonifies Qi, strengthens Yang impotence; bark juice applied raw treats scabies/sores; leaves/stems decocted wash wind-rash.
"Chu" means ochre; fruit is red. Bark spotted is named Chu, white bark is named Gou. Non-toxic. Eliminates edema, brightens eyes, benefits Qi, tonifies deficiency-labor, aids Yang Qi, strengthens Yang impotence, strengthens waist/knees, fills flesh, improves complexion. Single/excessive use causes bone softness. For medicine: sink in water, discard floating, remove skin, soak in wine, steam half a day, bake dry. Bark promotes water movement and urination. Can make paper; paper ash mixed with wine stops bleeding, syncope, metrorrhagia, traumatic bleeding. White sap between bark treats scabies, applies to snake/insect/beast bites. Leaves treat malignant sores with flesh growth, unceasing epistaxis (juice drunk); dysentery (powder with Mume decoction). Pediatric fever with poor muscle gain (bath water). Branches/stems treat hives/wind-itch (decoction bath).
Lycopus Herb (Ze Lan)
Lycopus is sweet, bitter, pungent, slightly warm. Water难以 retain in skin/bones/joints; removes old, generates new, harmonizes blood vessels; source for treating women's myriad diseases.
Grows in pools/marshes, fragrance like orchid. Non-toxic. Enters Shaoyang Hand Meridian. Benefits edema of body/face/limbs/abdomen and joint water, opens nine orifices, benefits collateral pulses, nourishes new blood, breaks old blood, resolves masses. Postpartum abdominal pain, epistaxis, residual stroke symptoms, pre-delivery Qi/Blood deficiency/cold, consumptive emaciation, head-wind/menstrual pain, blood-stasis waist pain; effective for hundred diseases when etiology is examined; urgent medicine for women. Also treats men's epistaxis, hematemesis, sallow face, traumatic wounds/abscesses, expels pus, generates flesh, treats contusions/stasis. Two types: round leaves/yellow-green roots generate blood/regulate Qi; spotted leaves/sharp roots break blood/unblock chronic accumulation. Harvest April/May. Finely cut, store in silk bag, air dry.
Acanthophyllis Fruit (An Xu Zi)
Acanthophyllis Fruit is bitter, treating Yang edema; resolves stasis into abscesses and food retention; treats dim vision and body bi; no need to fear female amenorrhea.
Resembles Mugwort, found everywhere. Planted near houses to repel snakes. Slightly cold, non-toxic. Treats abdominal water Qi, swelling/retained heat, Five Zang stasis turning into abscess poison. Digests food, brightens eyes, removes subcardiac hardness, diaphragm chills/heat, wind-cold-dampness generalized bi with joint pain, waist/leg heaviness/pain, bladder pain, female amenorrhea; treats fractures, blood-breaking/moving agent. Harvest fruits in October, dry in shade, or crush fresh for juice. Vitex and Coix Seed are guiding herbs.
Polygonum Fruit (Liao Shi)
Polygonum Fruit is pungent and warm, draining water; brightens eyes, warms middle, dispels cold/summerheat; treats cholera with tendon twitching and abdominal pain; breaks masses, resolves abscesses, sores/scrofula; leaves wash foot swelling, apply to snake bites; Horse Polygonum alone removes intestinal leeches.
"Liao" describes the plant; in autumn, branches stand tall and sparse. Red stems, large leaves with black spots, grows in wetlands. "Yan Yi" states: Fruit of Water Smartweed. Non-toxic. Drains water Qi, facial edema, brightens eyes, warms middle, treats wind-cold and summerheat mid-heat causing suffocation/cholera/twitching/abdominal pain; decoct and drink. Treats masses, abscesses, scrofula; long-term use effective until cured. Good for pediatric head sores; removes Large/Small Intestine pathogens, unblocks Five Zang obstruction. Excessive eating causes water vomiting, damages Kidney Yang Qi. Eating in February triggers heart pain/chills-fever; eating with fish causes genital cold pain, Qi exhaustion. Medicinal use: lightly stir-fry and crush. Leaves: boil water to soak feet, reduce Qi swelling/foot sores; fresh juice treats snake venom causing chest stuffiness, apply paste to wound. Horse Polygonum removes intestinal leeches. Note seven types: Fragrant Polygonum edible, treats waist/legs; Green Polygonum for wine, treats wind-cold; Red Polygonum for sauce; Water Polygonum (Big Polygonum/Water Red Polygonum) treats malignant sores, removes bi Qi. Most leaves narrow, except Horse and Water which are broad. Flowers yellow-white, seeds blue-black.
Toona White Bark (Chu Bai Pi)
Toona White Bark is cold, bitter, drying dampness; astringent for chronic diarrhea/dysentery; treats male spermatorrhea, female leukorrhea, pediatric malnutrition worms, intestinal hemorrhoids, corpse transmission, gu poison restraint. A type of Toona is similar; decoct juice for wind-sores/scabies.
Toona wood is sparse, has flowers/pods, foul odor; Chun wood is solid, no flowers, leaves fragrant/eatable, sprouts early spring, represents wood growth. Toona root white bark, slightly toxic. Dry and astringent, stops slippery diarrhea, chronic red/white dysentery, male spermatorrhea, urinary incontinence, female metrorrhagia/leukorrhea, pediatric malnutrition dysentery/worms/roundworms. Treats hemorrhoids, intestinal wind bleeding, ghost transmission/gu poison. Frequent eating with pork/hot noodles causes abdominal fullness (meridian obstruction). Medicinal use: honey-roasted. Chun White Bark, bitter/warm, toxic. Moves wind,熏 (smokes/permeates) Twelve Meridians/Five Zang/Six Fu, excessive eating causes mental confusion/Qi-Blood depletion. Treats male white dysentery/visceral toxin, female metrorrhagia/red leukorrhea/postpartum bleeding, pediatric malnutrition accumulation. Leaves: wash sores/scabies/wind-abscess, nature similar to Toona but less astringent. Lei Gong stated: Use east-facing root bark, steam with raw green onion half a day, remove onion, dry in shade; particularly benefits difficult urination.
Cherokee Rose Fruit (Jin Ying Zi)
Cherokee Rose Fruit is sour, astringent, neutral. Dries Spleen, benefits Kidney, stops spermatorrhea; harmonizes blood, regulates viscera, treats dysentery/diarrhea; long-term use delays aging, lightens body.
Color like gold, shape like urn. Non-toxic. Treats Spleen diarrhea/dysentery, stops frequent urination, astringes Essence/Qi; long-term use nourishes Essence/Kidney, harmonizes Five Zang, invigorates blood, preserves youth, delays aging, lightens body. Dan Xi stated: Belongs to Earth, contains Metal/Water. Meridians thrive on smooth flow; ignorants misuse astringency for pleasure; contraindicated in Cold-Damp with epigastric fullness. Harvest when half-ripe in mid-October; otherwise causes diarrhea. Paste recipe in Vol 6. Flowers: neutral. Stops cold/heat dysentery, kills tapeworms. Bark: stops bloody diarrhea/metrorrhagia/leukorrhea.
Myrobalan (Wu Shi Zi)
Myrobalan, also called Mo Shi, is warm, bitter, stopping dysentery (red/white); nourishes blood, generates Essence, calms Qi/Spirit, blackens hair, builds flesh, treats malnutrition accumulation.
From Western Regions/Persia. Tree resembles peach, blooms March, fruit like marble, green initially, yellow-white when ripe. Infested with holes for medicine. Locals eat as fruit, Barbarians call Wu Shi Mo Shi. Lei Gong stated: It is Ink Stone Seed. Non-toxic. Treats intestinal deficiency, red/white cold dysentery, slippery diarrhea; miraculous effect. Benefits blood/Essence, harmonizes Qi/calms Spirit, blackens hair, builds flesh. Treats Yin Toxic, Yang impotence, sweaty genital sores; burn to ash, bathe in warm water, wrap slightly in cloth, apply ash pouch; very good. Avoid copper/iron and fire shock during processing. Small size/fine texture best; stir-fry, grind fine.
Cinnamomum Camphora (Diao Zhang)
Cinnamomum Camphora is pungent, fierce, warm, non-toxic. Drains water, descends Qi, calms chest/abdomen; breaks accumulations, stops vomiting/cholera, treats evil invasion, traumatic wounds, wards off seasonal epidemics.
Leaves sharp-long like hooks, pattern like camphor wood. Reduces edema, descends Ben Tun (rushing Qi) and Hong Kong foot; decoct and drink. Treats abdominal distension, retained food not digesting, acid regurgitation, ghost Zhu, cholera, evil invasion with abdominal cramping; decoct in wine. Powder treats traumatic wounds to stop bleeding. Decoction washes sores/wind-itch/scabies; hangs at door to ward off epidemic. August/September root bark, dry in sun, lightly stir-fry.
Elm Bark (Yu Pi)
Elm Bark is slippery, lubricating, sweet, neutral. Promotes urination, unblocks bowels, eases childbirth; harvest fruits for heart pain/head sores; use flowers to clear pediatric epilepsy-heat.
"Yu" means joining. Pods join in March. Non-toxic. Promotes water pathway, reduces swelling/fullness, unblocks Large/Small Intestine, treats five stranguries. Removes gastrointestinal pathogenic heat, treats insomnia. Treats...