实，主皮肤寒热，胃中热气心烦满。除风寒湿痹，坚筋骨，长肌肤，令人嗜食。治妇人血气烦闷，产后血晕
并经脉不止，崩中带下。止鼻洪吐血，通小肠，利大小二便。解酒毒，消一切疮疖肿毒金疮。治黄病，敷虫咬，
杀簟毒，茎叶功同。根，治中蛊毒，下血如鸡肝欲死者，取为末，水下寸匕，
随吐效。三月采花，五月采实，阴干。
川楝子
川楝子苦寒微毒，伤寒大热痛心腹，利疝气又补血精，皮洗游风根杀 。
子，可浣衣练绢，即金铃子。阴中之阳也，入心经。主温疾伤寒大热烦狂，利水道，止上下部腹痛，心暴痛，
非此不除。治肾脏气伤，膀胱连小肠气痛。东垣云∶治疝气而补精血是也。又治脏毒下血，杀三虫疥疡、酒浸湿
蒸软去皮核，取肉晒干。皮、叶治游风疹疮疥癞，小儿壮热，煎汤浸洗。根，杀诸虫，利大肠，以醋磨汁涂疥甚
良。俗名苦楝树，今人端午佩叶以辟恶。处处有之，川产者佳，入药当用结子雌树。凡雌树根皮一两，入糯米五
十粒煎煮，杀毒，泻多以冷粥止，不泻以热葱粥发。其不结子雄树，能吐泻杀人。
王瓜
王瓜寒苦除邪热，愈聋止渴清诸血，利疸肿兮消痈毒，带溺不禁尤堪啮。
王，大也，独生于诸瓜之前，月令四月王瓜生，即此也，一名土瓜根。处处有之，生田野及人家垣墙间，
藤蔓，叶圆无缺，有刺如毛，闽人谓之毛桃。五月开黄花，花下结子如弹丸，如栝蒌，小如栀子，无棱，色黄，
根如葛，细而多粘。三月采根，阴干。无毒。主诸邪气热结，及天行热疾，愈耳聋益气。止消渴，内痹瘀血，
月闭寒热酸疼。破 癖，落胎。逐四肢骨节中水。散痈肿留血鼠 ，疗马骨刺入疮，妇人带下及小便遗溺不禁。
又治黄胆变黑疸，生捣汁顿服，当有黄水随小便出。汁和酒服，吐蛊毒；为末酒下，下乳汁。子，润心肺，治
黄病生用；肺痿、吐血、肠风下血、赤白痢疾炒用。
地龙
地龙咸寒治热狂，蛊毒蛇瘕服之良，更医肾风注脚胫，粪治痢丹及犬伤。
即蚯蚓。无毒。丹溪云∶属土而有水与木，性寒。大解诸热毒，行湿病及伤寒伏热狂谬，大腹黄胆。杀
伏尸鬼疰蛊毒蛇瘕，去三虫长虫。治肾脏风，下注脚风不可缺也，仍须盐汤为使。又治中风痫疾喉痹，小便不
通，及交接劳复阴缩，并绞汁服之。中蛊吐下血若猪肝欲死者，取十枚，以苦酒渍汁饮之。一方将地龙入葱叶
中，紧捏两头，频摇动即化成水，涂蜘蛛咬，点耳中，治耳聋及蜒蚰入耳。粪，主赤白热痢，取无砂者炒令烟
尽，水沃滤汁服之。治热疮丹毒蛇犬伤，并盐捣敷之。入药炒用。取白颈自死者，去土，盐水洗微炙。雷公用
糯米泔浸一宿取出，又用酒浸一日取出焙干。凡制二两，入川椒、糯米各一分同熬，令糯米熟，去椒米用。若人
被其毒，以盐汤饮之。并洗伤处即解。
石决明
石决明咸寒又平，去皮盐水瓦瓶烹，善除肝肺经风热，更治青光内障盲。
出南海，附石而生，形似蛤，大如掌，小如指，明耀五色，内亦含珠，生七孔九孔者良。凡用先磨去粗
皮，用盐水入瓦罐中煮一伏时，取出为末如粉。无毒。主肝肺风热，骨蒸劳极，及青盲目障翳痛，水飞点之。
五淋水调服，服后永不得吃山桃，犯之令人丧明。
珍珠
珍珠气寒除烦渴，镇心坠痰细作末，点翳膜兮催死胎，小儿惊风亦可活。
珍，珍重也；珠，圆明也。生南海，采老蚌剖珠充贡。无毒。主手足皮肤逆胪，镇心坠痰止泄。为粉点
目中，主肤翳障膜，用绵裹塞耳主聋，敷面令润泽好颜色。合知母疗烦热消渴，合左缠银治小儿麸疮入眼，
为末酒下，治难产下胞衣及子死腹中。小儿惊热药中多用之。取新完未经钻缀者研极细方可饵服，不尔伤人脏腑。
禹余粮
禹余粮壳味甘寒，大热烦满不自安，咳逆 瘕并痞痢，崩带赤白镇之安。
大禹行山乏食，采以弃粮而弃其余。无毒。主大热邪气，咳逆寒热烦满，血闭 瘕，伤寒下痢不止，
心下痞硬，利在下焦，及妇人崩中带下赤白。《本经》云∶重可以去怯，禹余粮之重为镇固之剂也。又治小腹
痛结及骨节烦疼，四肢不仁，痔 等疾。久服益脾，安五脏，耐寒暑，轻身延年。形如鸭卵，外有壳重迭，
轻敲则碎，中有黄细末如蒲黄者佳。如卵内有子一块者，不堪用，令人肠干。火 醋淬七次，研末水飞，用杜
仲、牡丹为使，畏贝母、菖蒲、铁落。又有一种石中黄，即禹余粮壳中未成粮黄浊水也，功同上，去壳研用。
食盐
食盐入肾味咸寒，能除寒热吐痰顽，止心腹痛杀蛊疰， 疮齿血亦能干。
即所食之盐。盐，淹也，淹物久留不坏。无毒，能引药入肾。主伤寒寒热，吐胸中痰癖，止心腹卒痛，
杀鬼邪蛊疰毒及下部 疮，坚齿，止齿缝出血。又炒盐青布裹熨妇人阴痛及火灼疮。化汤洗蚯蚓毒。小儿卒不
尿，盐灸脐中。空心盐揩齿吐水，洗眼夜见小字。陶隐君云∶五味惟盐不可缺。然淡为五味之本，北方人食不
欲咸而颜完少病，古有终身不服盐而寿高须发不白者。盖盐能伤肺走血损筋，令人肤黑，病嗽及水肿者全禁。
炒赤，或水飞过，不可多用，漏芦为使。盐黑丸∶食盐一升研末，入瓦瓶内筑实，黄泥封固，火 令透，候冷
取出，入豆豉一升熬焦，桃仁一两麸熬令熟，巴霜二两，各研末和匀，蜜丸梧子大。每三丸，平旦时服，未吐
利，更服二丸，天行时气，豉汁及茶下，服后多吃茶汁以行药力。心痛酒下，血痢饮下，鬼疟茶饮下，骨热白
蜜汤下。忌冷浆水。凡服药后吐利勿怪，服药二日，忌口二日。吐利苦多煎黄连汁服之。其药宜冬月修合，瓷
盒收贮，勿令泄气，惟小儿女子不可服多。
青盐
青盐咸寒去痰热，明目固齿乌须发，除诸血疾腹心疼，滋肾镇心涂疮乌。
即戈盐，出北方西羌，一名胡盐。四海皆有盐，北青南赤。食盐以河东鲜州精白者为胜，入药以北海青
黑色、形块方棱、明莹者佳。无毒。主烦热痰满，治目痛瘀赤昏涩、牙疼。固齿乌须，止吐血溺血、齿舌出血，
去蛊毒心腹痛，除五脏 结积聚。补下元，助水脏，益精气，坚筋骨，益气镇心。敷痈肿瘰 疥癣疮疖。水飞
过用。
卤盐
卤盐苦咸寒无毒，主大烦热渴欲狂，消痰磨积涤肠垢，去湿热喘满相当。
卤，水也，可煎盐者，即石碱。主大热消渴狂烦，消痰磨积块，涤五脏肠胃留热结气，去湿热，消心下
坚、食已呕逆喘满，除邪气，下蛊毒，柔肌肤明目，治目痛。量虚实用之，过服损人。
银屑
银屑辛平除邪热，惊悸癫狂腰痛折，能安五脏定心神，丹毒磨水忌诸血。
银，限也，天地所产有限，禀气西方辛阴之神，服之则伤肝，生者仍有毒。主邪热癫狂、惊悸发痫、
恍惚谵语，夜卧不安，除邪气鬼祟，明目定志，安五脏，镇心神，治妊娠卒腰背痛如折。水煎饮之。小儿诸热
丹毒，并冷水磨服。入药多用银器，或银箔。畏磁石铁，忌一切血。外科用末，当以文银锉末，用水银研令
消也，或用银箔以水银消之。入硝石及盐研为粉，烧出水银，淘去盐石，为粉极细，用之乃佳。
金屑
金屑辛平除风热，善止惊痫镇心神，止咳血渴退蒸劳，坚髓利脏生杀人。
金，禁也，刚严而禁制也；屑，砂中生末也。金生于土，故从土。禀气中央阴已之魂，生者杀人，热者服
之亦伤肌。雷公云∶凡金银铜铁器，借气以生药力而已。入药用则消人脂，有毒。主风热癫痫，除邪毒瓦斯，
镇心神，安魂
魄，吐上气咳嗽，伤寒肺损吐血作渴，骨蒸劳，坚骨髓，利五脏，调和血脉。又主小儿惊伤五脏，风痫失志。
入药多用金器，水煎取汁，或金箔。畏水银，恶锡。误中生金毒者，惟鹧鹕肉可解。
腊雪
腊雪甘寒解诸毒，善祛天行大热疫，酒后暴热或发黄，小儿狂痫可温服。
雨下遇寒，气凝而为雪，春雪不堪收，十二月者佳。无毒。主解一切毒。治天行时气瘟疫热疾，及丹石发
动酒后暴热黄胆。小儿热痫狂啼，仍小温服之。藏淹一切果实良。冬霜无毒。主解酒后诸热、伤寒鼻塞，治暑
月汗渍，腋下赤肿及痱疮，和蛇粉敷之立愈。凡用瓦木上霜，以鸡翎扫取，收瓷瓶中，时久不坏。秋露水，味
甘美，无毒。在百花上者，止消渴，愈百疾，调五脏，润肌肤；在柏叶上者，主明目，俱于朝露未 时拂取之。
正月雨水，夫妻各饮一杯，还房当获时有子神效。若煎服之，令人阳气上升。夏冰，味甘大寒无毒，主去热烦，
热熨人乳石发热肿。暑夏盛热与气候相反，当时暂快，久皆成疾。
人黄
人黄气寒诸毒散，时行大热癫狂乱，破开疔肿醋和敷，中毒恶疮清汁灌。
即人屎。味苦。无毒。解诸毒，时行大热心躁，狂乱奔走，状似癫痫，言语不定及骨蒸劳热温病，劳后食
复。宜用干陈者入罐内，以泥固济，火 半日，取出去火毒，研末，新汲水或沸汤调服三钱，未效再服。又善
破疔肿，开以新者封之，一日根烂。发背欲死，烧灰醋调，敷肿处良。粪清汁冷，亦主天行热狂热疾，中毒
并恶疮蕈毒箭毒，取汁服。取法∶腊月截淡竹一段去毒，留底二节，上节发窍，以大甘草纳竹筒内，以木塞上
窍，以留节一头插于粪缸中，浸一月，取出晒干待用。厕溺坑中青泥，疗喉痹，消痈肿，若已有脓即溃。
人溺
人溺气寒能降火，鼻洪吐血血攻心，劳嗽肺痿胎难产，扑杖蛇伤患处淋。
即人尿。味咸。无毒。疗寒热头疼温气，童男者尤良。丹溪云∶降火最速，热劳方中多用之。主吐血衄血
卒血攻心，和姜汁煎二三沸乘热服瘥。止劳嗽失音肺痿，破 积，明目益气，润肌肤，利大肠，推陈致新之药，
胃虚及气血虚无热者不可用。又治难产及胞衣不下，和姜葱煎三沸，热服即下。产后饮一杯，压下败血恶物，免
血晕之疾。伤胎血结心腹痛，并扑打瘀血攻心，单煎，服之效。被蛇犬等咬，以热尿淋患处。人中白，即尿桶
中澄底结白者，须置风露下，经二三年者可用，又名秋白霜。丹溪云∶能泻肝火，降阴火，故治传尸热劳肺痿，
心膈热，鼻衄吐血，羸瘦渴疾。又敷汤火灼疮及紧辱疮。凡用须刮在新瓦上，用火逼干研末。
以上治热通用。
防葵 出兴州，根似防风，叶似葵，每茎三叶，一本十茎，中发一干，花如葱花，与野狼毒相似，但置水不
沉耳，世亦稀有。味苦辛，气平寒。无毒。主膀胱热结溲溺不下，疝瘕肠泄。疗五脏虚气，小腹支满胪胀。止
癫痫惊邪狂走，咳逆湿喑鬼疟。消气血瘤，杀百邪。久服益气强志，坚筋骨，除肾邪。中火者不可服。去虫
末，甘草水浸一宿晒干。
景天 叶似马齿苋而大作层，上茎极脆，开红紫花，今人以盆养于屋上以辟火，故又名慎火草。味苦酸。
气平。无毒。主大热身热烦邪恶气，诸蛊毒痂疵寒热，诸不足。治火疮风疹恶痒，游风疮毒。小儿丹毒赤肿，
生捣敷之。其花主女人漏下赤白。七月采阴干。
蓄 在处有之，苗似瞿麦，叶细绿如竹，茎赤如钗，股有节，花青黄色，可食。味苦，气平。无毒。主
热黄五痔，及丹石毒发冲眼肿痛，并捣汁顿服。霍乱吐利不止，以五味调和煮羹食之。又主浸淫疥瘙热肿，恶疮
痒痛，并捣敷之女子阴蚀。小儿蛔虫攻心心痛，面青口
中沫出欲死者，空心服之，其虫自下。五月采苗，阴干用。
王不留行 在处有之，高七八寸，叶尖如小匙头，实如松子，四月开花黄紫色，本名剪金花。因蜀主素好
此花，后因降宋迁汴，人言此花曰王不留行。味苦甘，气平。无毒。阳中之阴也。止心烦鼻衄，除诸风痉风痹
内寒，金疮止血，逐痛出刺，痈疽恶疮 乳发背游风风疹。通血脉，调月经，催难产，下乳汁。三月收苗，
五月收子，蒸两时，入浆水浸一宿，取出焙干用。
贯众 生山谷阴处，苗赤叶绿，如叶茎干三棱，似雉尾，根大如瓜，紫黑色，有毛，凌冬不死，又谓之
贯节。味苦，微寒。有毒。主腹中邪热气诸毒，除头风，破 瘕，止鼻血金疮，杀三虫，去寸白。二八月采根
阴干，去毛皮。赤小豆使。
白英 生山谷，似葛叶有毛，实如龙葵子，一名白草。春采叶，夏采茎，秋采花，冬采根用。味甘，寒。
无毒。主寒热八疸消渴，补中益气，故作羹饮，甚疗劳。夏月煮粥食，极解热毒。又主烦热风疹丹毒疟瘴寒热，
小儿结热，煮汁饮之。
爵床 生田野，似香薷叶长而大，今人谓之香苏。味咸寒。无毒。主腰脊痛不得着床，俯仰艰难。除热
可作浴汤。
翘根 味甘，寒平。小毒，主下热气，益阴精。久服悦颜明目耐老，以作蒸饮酒病患。
屈草 味苦，微寒。无毒。主胸胁下痛邪气，肠间寒热阴痹。久服益气，轻身耐老。
羊桃 山野甚多，似家桃，又非山桃，叶蔓，花赤，实如枣核。味苦，寒。有毒。主 热身暴赤色，风
水积聚，除小儿热，去五脏五水大腹，利小便，益气。可作浴汤，洗风痒恶疡，诸疮肿毒。二月采阴干。
[Background Information]
Book: *Yixue Rumen* (Introduction to Medicine)
Author: Li Su
Dynasty: Ming
Chapter: Treating Heat Disorders (4/5)
Category: Medical Discourse
Shi (Di Yu, *Sanguisorbae Radix*), indicated for skin chills and fever, stomach heat causing mental restlessness and fullness. It dispels wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, strengthens sinews and bones, nourishes muscles and skin, and increases appetite. It treats women's blood qi stagnation with mental oppression, postpartum blood dizziness, and continuous menstruation, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea. It stops epistaxis and hematemesis, unblocks the Small Intestine, and promotes urination and defecation. It resolves alcohol toxicity and eliminates various sores, carbuncles, boils, swelling, toxins, and metallic wounds. It treats jaundice and is applied externally for insect bites. It kills "dian" toxins (toxins from bamboo mats or dampness). The stems and leaves have the same efficacy. The root treats gu poisoning; when bloody stool resembling chicken liver occurs leading to near-death state, take the root, grind into powder, and swallow with water (one cun spoonful); it takes effect upon vomiting out the toxin. Flowers are harvested in the third lunar month, fruits in the fifth, and dried in the shade.
Chuan Lian Zi (Toosendan Fructus)
Chuan Lian Zi is bitter and cold with slight toxicity. It treats severe heat from Shanghan (Cold Damage) causing heart and abdominal pain, benefits hernia qi, and nourishes blood and essence. The bark washes away wandering wind; the root kills parasites. The fruit can be used for washing clothes and sizing silk; it is also known as Jin Ling Zi. It belongs to Yang within Yin and enters the Heart Meridian. It indicates warm diseases and Shanghan with severe heat, irritability, and mania; it promotes water passages and stops upper and lower abdominal pain, sudden heart pain, which cannot be removed without this herb. It treats Kidney qi injury and Bladder connecting to Small Intestine qi pain. Dong Yuan stated: treating hernia while tonifying blood and essence refers to this. It also treats internal organ toxicity with bloody stool and kills three types of parasites and scabies. Soak in wine until moist, steam until soft, remove peel and seeds, take the flesh, and dry in the sun. The peel and leaves treat wandering wind, rash, sores, scabies, and leprosy; pediatric high fever; decoct for bathing. The root kills various insects and promotes Large Intestine movement; apply vinegar-grinded juice for scabies with good effect. Commonly known as Ku Lian Shu (Bitter Chinaberry Tree). People wear its leaves on Dragon Boat Festival to ward off evil. It grows everywhere, but Sichuan production is superior. For medicinal use, female trees bearing fruit should be used. For one liang of female tree root bark, add fifty grains of glutinous rice, decoct to detoxify. If diarrhea is excessive, stop with cold congee; if no diarrhea, promote sweating with hot green onion congee. Male trees that do not bear fruit can cause fatal vomiting and diarrhea.
Wang Gua (Trichosanthes Cucumerina Root)
Wang Gua is cold and bitter, removing pathogenic heat, curing deafness, stopping thirst, clearing blood, benefiting jaundice and swelling, eliminating toxin, and especially suitable for incontinence of urine and leukorrhea.
"Wang" means large; it grows alone before other melons. The *Monthly Ordinances* state "Wang Gua grows in April," referring to this. Also named Tu Gua Gen. It grows everywhere, in fields and between walls. It has vines, round leaves without defects, and hairs like spines. In Fujian, it is called Mao Tao. It blooms yellow flowers in May; fruits form under flowers like pellets, similar to Gua Lou but smaller like Gardenia, without ridges, yellow color. Roots resemble Kudzu, thin and sticky. Harvest roots in March, dry in shade. Non-toxic. Indicates various pathogenic heat accumulations, epidemic febrile diseases, cures deafness, and benefits qi. Stops thirst, internal obstruction, blood stasis, amenorrhea with chills, fever, and soreness. Breaks up masses and aborts fetus. Drains water from limbs and joints. Disperses abscesses, retained blood, and scrofula. Treats horse bone splinters entering wounds, leukorrhea, and urinary incontinence. Also treats jaundice turning into black jaundice; crush fresh and take once; yellow water will pass via urine. Mix juice with wine to vomit gu poison; take powder with wine to promote lactation. Seeds moisten Lung and Heart, treat jaundice raw; fried for Lung萎 (flaccidity), hematemesis, intestinal wind bleeding, and dysentery.
Di Long (Pheretima / Earthworm)
Di Long is salty and cold, treating heat mania; effective for gu, snake, and abdominal masses; also treats Kidney wind affecting calves; feces treat dysentery, erysipelas, and dog bites.
It is the earthworm. Non-toxic. Dan Xi said: It belongs to Earth but contains Water and Wood qualities, and is cold. It greatly resolves various heat toxins, moves dampness diseases, and Shanghan latent heat with mania and delirium, and massive abdominal jaundice. Kills latent corpses, ghost infections, gu poisons, snake venoms, and abdominal masses; removes three parasites and long worms. Treats Kidney wind; essential for downward flowing Wind affecting legs, still requiring Salt Decoction as a guiding drug. Also treats stroke, epilepsy, throat obstruction, urinary retention, and yin retraction after sexual exhaustion relapse; all taken as crushed juice. For gu poisoning with vomiting and bloody stool resembling pig liver leading to death, take ten earthworms, soak in vinegar, and drink the juice. Another method: place earthworms inside green onion leaves, pinch both ends tightly, shake frequently until they turn into water; apply to spider bites, drop into ears to treat deafness and earwigs entering ears. Feces treat red and white dysentery; take those without sand, stir-fry until smoke ceases, add water, filter, and drink. Treat heat sores, erysipelas, snake and dog bites; crush with salt and apply. Stir-fry for medicinal use. Take self-dead ones with white necks, remove soil, wash with salt water, and lightly roast. Lei Gong's method: soak in glutinous rice washing water overnight, take out, soak in wine for one day, take out, and bake dry. For two liang prepared, add one fen of Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Pepper) and glutinous rice, simmer until rice is cooked, remove pepper and rice. If poisoned by it, drink salt water and wash the wound to resolve. Shi Jue Ming (Haliotidis Concha)
Shi Jue Ming is salty, cold, and level. Remove skin, cook in salt water in a clay pot. Good at removing Wind-Heat from Liver and Lung meridians; also treats glaucoma and cataracts.
Found in the South Sea, growing attached to stones. Shape resembles clams, size from palm to finger, shining with five colors, containing pearls inside. Those with seven or nine holes are good. Before use, grind off coarse skin, boil in salt water in a clay jar for one shichen (2 hours), take out, and grind into powder. Non-toxic. Indicates Liver-Lung Wind-Heat, bone-stealing consumption, and blue-eye blindness with nebula and pain; apply water-powdered suspension. For five stranguries, mix with water. After taking, never eat mountain peaches, or it will cause blindness.
Zhen Zhu (Margarita / Pearl)
Zhen Zhu is cold in qi, removing irritability and thirst; settles Heart, sinks phlegm, ground fine; dots nebula, induces delivery of dead fetus; pediatric convulsions can also be saved.
Zhen means precious; Zhu means round and bright. Found in the South Sea, collected from old oysters for tribute. Non-toxic. Indicates inverted skin on hands and feet; settles Heart, sinks phlegm, stops diarrhea. As powder for eyes, indicates skin nebula and membranes; wrapped in cotton and inserted in ear for deafness; applied to face for smooth and good complexion. Combined with Zhi Mu treats irritability, heat, and thirst; combined with Zuo Chan Yin treats pediatric fungal infection entering eyes; take powder with wine for difficult labor, retained placenta, and dead fetus in womb. Often used in pediatric heat-convulsion medicines. Take new, complete, unperforated pearls, grind extremely fine before ingestion, otherwise it damages viscera.
Yu Yu Liang (Haematitum / Hematite)
Yu Yu Liang shell is sweet and cold; for severe heat, irritability, and discomfort; cough, asthma, masses, and痞 (fullness) and dysentery; metrorrhagia and leukorrhea red/white, calms them.
Da Yu lacked food while traveling mountains, gathered it and discarded the rest. Non-toxic. Indicates severe pathogenic heat, cough, asthma, chills, fever, irritability, fullness, blood closure, masses, continuous dysentery from Shanghan, epigastric hardness, lower jiao diarrhea, and women's metrorrhagia and leukorrhea red/white. *Ben Jing* states: Heaviness can dispel fear; Yu Yu Liang's heaviness acts as a sedative and consolidating agent. Also treats lower abdominal pain and knots, joint烦疼 (annoying pain), limb numbness, hemorrhoids, etc. Long-term use benefits Spleen, calms Five Viscera, resists cold and heat, lightens body, and prolongs life. Shape like duck egg, with overlapping outer shells, breaks easily on light knock; inner yellow fine powder resembling Puhuang is good. If there is a solid core inside the egg shape, it is unusable as it causes dry intestines. Calcine in fire, quench in vinegar seven times, grind, and process with water floating. Use Du Zhong and Mu Dan Pi as guides; adverse with Bei Mu, Chang Pu, and Tie Luo. There is also a "Stone Middle Yellow," which is the unformed yellow turbid water in Yu Yu Liang shells; efficacy is the same, remove shell and grind.
Yan Yan (Sal / Salt)
Yan Yan enters Kidney, salty and cold; can remove chills/fever, vomit stubborn phlegm; stop heart/abdominal pain, kill gu and ghost infections; treat ulcers, teeth, and blood, also can dry.
It is common table salt. Yan means to preserve/pickle; preserves things from spoiling. Non-toxic, guides drugs into Kidney. Indicates Shanghan chills/fever, vomits phlegm-stagnation in chest, stops sudden heart/abdominal pain, kills ghost/pathogenic gu toxins and lower body ulcers, strengthens teeth, stops gum bleeding. Also, stir-fried salt wrapped in blue cloth moxibustion for women's vulvar pain and burn wounds. Dissolve in water to wash earthworm venom. For infants suddenly unable to urinate, moxa umbilicus with salt. Rub teeth with salt on empty stomach to spit water; wash eyes to see small characters at night. Tao Yin Jun said: Among five flavors, only salt is indispensable. However, blandness is the root of five flavors; northerners who eat less salty food have better faces and fewer illnesses; ancients lived long with white hair/beards without eating salt. Salt damages Lung, moves Blood, harms sinews, darkens skin; completely prohibited for cough and edema patients. Stir-fry until red, or process with water floating; do not use excessively. Lu Lu is the guide. Yan Hei Wan (Black Salt Pill): One sheng of salt, ground, packed in clay jar, sealed with yellow mud, calcined thoroughly, cool down, add one sheng fermented soybeans roasted until scorched, one liang peach kernels roasted with bran until cooked, two liang Ba Jiang (Croton Seed), each ground and mixed evenly, honey pills sized like wu zi. Take three pills at dawn; if no vomiting/diarrhea, take two more. For epidemics, take with fermented bean juice and tea; drink more tea afterwards to promote drug action. For heart pain, take with wine; for bloody dysentery, drink; for ghost malaria, take with tea; for bone heat, take with white honey soup. Avoid cold grain water. Do not be surprised by vomiting/diarrhea after taking medicine; fast for two days after two days of medication. If vomiting/diarrhea is severe, decoct Huang Lian juice to take. Prepare in winter, store in porcelain box, prevent gas leakage; children and women should not take too much.
Qing Yan (Blue Salt)
Qing Yan is salty and cold, removing phlegm-heat; brightens eyes, strengthens teeth, blackens beard/hair; removes blood diseases, abdominal pain, nourishes Kidney, calms Heart, applies to sores to blacken.
Also known as Ge Yan, from Western Qiang in the North, also Hu Yan. Salt exists in four seas; North is blue, South is red. Table salt from Xianzhou in Hedong is best refined white; for medicine, Northern Blue Salt, black-blue, block-shaped with square edges, clear and shiny is best. Non-toxic. Indicates irritability, heat, phlegm-fullness; treats eye pain, stasis, redness, dimness, astringency, toothache. Strengthens teeth, blackens beard, stops hematemesis, hematuria, gum/tongue bleeding, removes gu poison, heart/abdominal pain, removes Five Viscera knotting and accumulations. Tonifies lower origin, assists Water Visera, benefits essence/qi, strengthens sinews/bones, benefits qi, calms Heart. Apply to abscesses, scrofula, scabies, tinea, sores. Process with water floating.
Lu Yan (Brine Salt)
Lu Yan is bitter, salty, cold, non-toxic; indicates severe irritability, heat, thirst, madness; dissolves phlegm, grinds masses, cleans intestinal filth; removes damp-heat, wheezing/fullness is appropriate.
Lu means water, which can be boiled to make salt, i.e., Stone Alkali. Indicates severe heat, thirst, mania; dissolves phlegm, grinds masses, cleans residual heat/qi knotting in Five Viscera and intestines/stomach, removes damp-heat, reduces epigastric hardness, vomiting/wheezing/fullness after eating, removes pathogenic qi, drains gu poison, softens skin, brightens eyes, treats eye pain. Use according to deficiency/excess; overdose harms people.
Yin Ye (Silver Flakes)
Yin Ye is acrid and level, removing pathogenic heat; palpitations, epilepsy, mania, waist/back fracture; can calm Five Viscera, settle mind/spirit; erysipelas grind with water, avoid all blood.
Yin means limit; heaven and earth produce limited amounts. Inherits Qi of Western Acrid-Yin Spirit; taking it damages Liver; raw form is still toxic. Indicates pathogenic heat, epilepsy, palpitations, seizure,恍惚 (trance), delirium, restless sleep; removes pathogenic qi and ghosts, brightens eyes, settles will, calms Five Viscera, anchors mind/spirit, treats sudden back/waist pain like fracture during pregnancy. Decoct in water and drink. For pediatric heat/erysipelas, grind with cold water and take. Medicinal use often involves silver vessels or silver foil. Adverse with Magnetite and Iron; avoid all blood. For surgery, use powder: file Wen Yin (fine silver) into powder, grind with Mercury until dissolved, or dissolve silver foil with mercury. Add Niter and Salt, grind to powder, burn to extract Mercury, wash away salt/stones, grind to very fine powder for best use.
Jin Xie (Gold Dust)
Jin Xie is acrid and level, removing wind-heat; good at stopping convulsions/epilepsy, calming mind/spirit; stops cough/blood-thirst,退了 steaming consumption; strengthens marrow, benefits organs, raw form kills people.
Jin means prohibit/restrict; rigid and strict; Xie means dust from sand. Gold is born from Earth, thus follows Earth. Inherits Qi of Central Yin-Ji Soul. Raw form kills people; hot constitution taking it also damages muscle. Lei Gong said: All gold/silver/copper/iron vessels only borrow qi to generate drug power. Used in medicine, it consumes human fat and is toxic. Indicates wind-heat epilepsy, removes pathogenic toxic vapors, calms mind/spirit, soothes soul, expels upper qi cough, Shanghan lung damage with hematemesis/thirst, bone-steaming consumption, strengthens bone marrow, benefits five viscera, harmonizes blood vessels. Also indicates pediatric shock damaging five viscera, wind-epilepsy loss of will. Medicinal use often uses gold vessels, decoct water for juice, or gold foil. Adverse with Mercury, detests Tin. For accidental gold poisoning, only Partridge meat can resolve it.
La Xue (Winter Snow)
La Xue is sweet and cold, resolving all toxins; good at dispelling epidemic severe heat/plague; post-alcohol sudden heat or jaundice; pediatric wild epilepsy can be taken warm.
Rain meets cold, qi condenses into snow. Spring snow is not suitable for collection; December snow is best. Non-toxic. Indicates resolving all toxins. Treats epidemic plague heat diseases, and Dandan activation post-alcohol sudden heat jaundice. Pediatric heat epilepsy crying wildly, still take slightly warm. Good for preserving fruits. Winter frost is non-toxic. Indicates resolving post-alcohol heat, Shanghan nasal congestion, treating summer sweat stains, axillary red swelling, and prickly heat; mix with snake powder and apply for immediate cure. Use frost from tiles/wood, sweep with chicken feather, store in porcelain bottle, does not spoil over time. Autumn dew is sweet, beautiful, non-toxic. On hundred flowers: stops thirst, cures hundred diseases, harmonizes five viscera, moistens skin; on Cinnabar Leaf: brightens eyes. Collect before morning dew dries. First lunar month rainwater: husband and wife each drink one cup, returning to bed yields miraculous conception. If decocted, causes yang qi to rise. Summer ice is sweet, great cold, non-toxic; indicates removing heat/irritability, hot compress for breast stone heat/swelling. Summer extreme heat opposes climate; temporarily pleasant initially, but long-term becomes illness.
Ren Huang (Human Excrement)
Ren Huang is cold in qi, scattering all toxins; epidemic severe heat, epilepsy/maniacal confusion; break open carbuncle, mix with vinegar and apply; poisoned malignant sores, pour clear juice.
It is human feces. Bitter taste. Non-toxic. Resolves all toxins, epidemic severe heat with restlessness, manic running, resembling epilepsy, indeterminate speech, bone-steaming consumption heat/warm disease, relapse after labor/food. Use dry aged ones, put in jar, seal with mud, calcine for half a day, take out to remove fire toxicity, grind to powder, mix with fresh well water or boiling water, take three qian, repeat if ineffective. Also good at breaking carbuncles; cut open, seal with fresh material, root rots in one day. For fatal back carbuncle, burn to ash, mix with vinegar, apply to swelling with good effect. Cold fecal juice also treats epidemic heat/manic diseases, poisoning, malignant sores, mushroom/toxin/arrow poison; take juice. Collection method: In December, cut a section of light bamboo, remove toxicity, leave bottom two sections, open top hole, insert large Gan Cao into bamboo tube, plug top hole with wood, insert remaining end into latrine pit, soak for one month, take out, dry, and use. Green mud from toilet/urine pit treats throat obstruction, dissipates abscesses; if pus already formed, it will rupture.
Ren Ni (Human Urine)
Ren Ni is cold in qi, able to descend fire; epistaxis, hematemesis, blood attacking heart;劳 cough, Lung flaccidity, difficult birth, trauma/snake bite, pour on affected area.
It is human urine. Salty taste. Non-toxic. Treats chills/fever, headache, warm qi; male child urine is especially good. Dan Xi said: Descends fire fastest, often used in heat/consumption formulas. Indicates hematemesis, epistaxis, sudden blood attacking heart; mix with ginger juice, decoct 2-3 boils, take hot to recover. Stops劳 cough, aphonia, Lung flaccidity, breaks masses, brightens eyes, benefits qi, moistens skin, promotes Large Intestine, pushes out old and generates new; not for Stomach deficiency, qi/blood deficiency without heat. Also treats difficult birth and retained placenta; mix with ginger/onion, decoct 3 boils, take hot to deliver. Drink one cup postpartum to press down bad blood/evil matter, avoiding blood dizziness. Trauma blood knotting heart/abdominal pain, and beating blood attacking heart; decoct alone, effective. For snake/dog bites, pour hot urine on wound. Ren Zhong Bai (Human Urine Sediment), the white sediment at bottom of urine bucket, must be placed in wind/dew for 2-3 years before use, also named Qiu Bai Shuang. Dan Xi said: Can drain Liver fire, descend Yin fire, thus treats transmission corpse heat/lung flaccidity, heart/chest heat, epistaxis/hematemesis, emaciation/thirst. Also applies to scalds/burns and tight/rubbing sores. For use, scrape onto new tile, force dry with fire, grind to powder.
The above are generally used for treating heat.
Fang Kui (Akebiae Caulis? Note: Text describes distinct herb, likely distinct from modern Akebia)
Found in Xingzhou, root resembles Fang Feng, leaves resemble Kui, three leaves per stem, ten stems per plant, one central stalk, flowers like scallion flowers, similar to Ye Lang Du but does not sink in water, rare in world. Bitter/acrid, level/cold qi. Non-toxic. Indicates Bladder heat knotting with inability to urinate, hernia/masses, intestinal diarrhea. Treats Five Viscera deficient qi, lower abdominal distension/fullness. Stops epilepsy, fright, evil spirit, wild running, cough, damp aphonia, ghost malaria. Eliminates qi-blood tumors, kills hundred evils. Long-term use benefits qi, strengthens will, strengthens sinews/bones, removes Kidney evil. Not for those with Fire excess. Remove worm powder, soak in Gan Cao water overnight, dry.
Jing Tian (Sedum aizoon?)
Leaves resemble Ma Chi Xian but layered, upper stems very brittle, bloom red-purple flowers. Now people grow in pots on roofs to ward off fire, hence also named Shen Huo Cao. Bitter/sour, level qi. Non-toxic. Indicates severe body heat, irritability, evil qi, various gu poison, scabs, chills/fever, various deficiencies. Treats fire burns, wind-rash, severe itching, wandering wind toxin. Pediatric erysipelas red/swelling, crush fresh and apply. Its flowers treat women's leaking red/white discharge. Harvest in July, dry in shade.
Bian Xu (Polygonum aviculare)
Grows everywhere, seedling resembles Qu Mai, leaves fine green like bamboo, stems red like hairpin, segments have nodes, flowers blue-yellow, edible. Bitter, level qi. Non-toxic. Indicates heat jaundice, five hemorrhoids, and Dandan toxin attacking eyes swelling/pain, crush juice and take once. Cholera vomiting/diarrhea continuous, mix five flavors, cook as soup and eat. Also treats impetigo, scabies, heat swelling, malignant sores, itching/pain, crush and apply to women's vaginal erosion. Pediatric roundworm attacking heart causing heart pain, blue face, foam from mouth, near death; take on empty stomach, worms will pass naturally. Harvest seedlings in May, dry in shade.
Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccariae Semen)
Grows everywhere, height 7-8 cun, leaf tips like small spoon heads, fruits like pine nuts, blooms yellow-purple in April, originally named Jian Jin Hua. Because Shu ruler loved this flower, later surrendered to Song and moved to Bian, people called this flower Wang Bu Liu Xing. Bitter/sweet, level qi. Non-toxic. Yin within Yang. Stops mental irritability, epistaxis, removes various wind spasms, wind-bi, internal cold, metallic wounds stop bleeding, drives out pain/thorns, carbuncles/malignant sores, breast abscesses, back carbuncles, wandering wind, wind-rash. Promotes blood vessels, regulates menstruation, induces difficult labor, promotes lactation. Harvest seedlings in March, fruits in May, steam for two shichen, soak in sour water overnight, take out, bake dry, and use.
Guan Zhong (Cyrtomii Rhizoma)
Grows in shady valleys, red seedlings, green leaves, stem/leaf veins three-edged, resembles pheasant tail, root large like melon, purple-black, hairy, survives winter, also called Guan Jie. Bitter, slightly cold. Toxic. Indicates abdominal pathogenic heat and all toxins, removes head wind, breaks masses, stops epistaxis/metallic wounds, kills three parasites, removes tapeworms. Harvest roots in 2nd/8th months, dry in shade, remove hairy skin. Red Bean is the guide.
Bai Ying (Solanum lyratum?)
Grows in valleys, leaves resemble Kudzu with hairs, fruits like Long Kui Zi, also named Bai Cao. Spring harvest leaves, Summer stems, Autumn flowers, Winter roots. Sweet, cold. Non-toxic. Indicates chills/fever, eight jaundices, thirst, tonifies middle, benefits qi, thus make soup/drink, greatly treats consumption. Summer cook porridge to eat, greatly resolves heat toxin. Also indicates irritability, wind-rash, erysipelas, malaria, chills/fever, pediatric heat knot, decoct juice and drink.
Jue Chu (Centranthera chinensis?)
Grows in fields, leaves resemble Xiang Ru but longer/larger, now called Xiang Su. Salty, cold. Non-toxic. Indicates back/spine pain unable to lie flat, difficulty bending/straightening. Removes heat, can be made as bath soup.
Qiao Gen (Unknown Root)
Sweet, cold/level. Slight toxicity. Indicates descending heat, benefits Yin essence. Long-term use beautifies face, brightens eyes, resists aging, make steamed wine for patients.
Qu Cao (Unknown Grass)
Bitter, slightly cold. Non-toxic. Indicates chest/hypochondriac pain, pathogenic qi, intestinal chills/fever, yin bi. Long-term use benefits qi, lightens body, resists aging.
Yang Tao (Unknown Fruit/Plant)
Many in mountains/wilds, resembles domestic peach, not mountain peach, leafy vines, red flowers, fruits like date pits. Bitter, cold. Toxic. Indicates heat body sudden red color, wind-water accumulation, removes pediatric heat, removes Five Viscera/Five Waters/Large Abdomen, promotes urination, benefits qi. Can be bath soup, wash wind-itch, malignant sores, various swelling/toxins. Harvest in February, dry in shade.