古之用药治病，择净口嚼，水煮服之，谓之 咀。后人则用刀桶内〔细〕锉，以
竹筛齐之。
药有气味浓薄，升降浮沉补泻主治之法，各各不同，今详录之，及拣择制度修
合之法，俱列于后。
味之薄者，阴中之阳，味薄则通，酸、苦、咸、平是也。
防风 气温味辛，疗风通用，泻肺实，散头目〔中〕滞气，除上焦风邪之仙
药也，误服泻人上焦元气。《主治秘要》云∶味甘纯阳，太阳经本药也，身去上风，梢去
下风。又云∶气味俱薄，浮而升，阳也。其用主治诸风及去湿也。去芦。
羌活 气微温，味甘苦，治肢节疼痛，手足太阳〔经〕风药也。加川芎治〔足〕
太阳、少阴头痛，透关利节。《主治秘要》云∶性温味辛，气味俱薄，浮而升，阳也。其
用有五∶手足太阳引经一也。风湿相兼二也。去肢节疼痛三也。除痈疽败血四也。风湿
头痛五也。去黑皮并腐烂〔者〕，锉用。
升麻 气平，味微苦，足阳明胃、足太阴脾引经药。若补其脾胃，非此为引用不
能补。若得葱白、香芷之类，亦能走手阳明、太阳，能解肌肉间热，此手足阳明〔经
伤〕风之的药也。《主治秘要》云∶性温味辛，气味俱薄，浮而升，阳也。其用有四∶
手足阳明引经一也。升阳于至阴之下二也。阳明〔经〕分头痛三也。去〔风邪在皮
肤〕及至高之上四也。又云∶甘苦，阳中之阴，脾痹非升麻不能除。刮去黑皮腐烂
〔者用〕，里白者佳。
柴胡 气味平，微苦，除虚劳烦热，解散肌热，去早辰潮热，此少阳、厥
阴引经药也。妇人产前产后必用之药（也）。善除本经头痛，非〔他〕药〔所〕
能止。治心下痞，胸膈中痛。《主治秘要》云∶味微苦，性平微寒，气味俱轻，阳也，升
也，少阳经分药，〔能〕引胃气上升，以发散表热。又云∶苦为纯阳，去寒热往来，
胆痹非柴胡梢不能除。去芦用。
葛根 气平味甘，除脾胃虚热而渴，又能解酒之毒，通〔行〕足阳明之经。
《主治秘要》云∶味甘性寒，〔气味俱薄，体轻上行，浮而微降，阳中阴也。其用有
四∶止渴一也。解酒二也。发散表邪三也。发散小儿疮疹难出四也〕。益阳生津液，不
可多用，恐损胃气。去皮用。
威灵仙 气温味〔苦甘〕，主诸风湿冷，宣通五脏，〔去〕腹内瘕滞，腰膝冷
痛，及治伤损。《主治秘要》云∶味甘，纯阳，去太阳之风。铁脚者佳，去芦用。
细辛 气温，味大辛，治少阴〔经〕头痛如神，当〔少〕用之，独活为之使。
《主治秘要》云∶味辛性温，气浓于味，阳也，止诸阳头痛，诸风通用之。辛热，温
〔少〕阴〔之〕经，散水寒，治内寒。又云∶味辛，纯阳，〔止〕头痛。去芦并叶。华山者佳。
独活 气微温，味甘苦平，足少阴肾引经药也，若与细辛同用，治少阴〔经〕
头痛。一名独摇草，得风不摇，无风自动。《主治秘要》云∶味辛而苦，气温，性味薄而
升，治风〔须〕用，及能燥湿。经云∶风能胜湿。又云∶苦头眩目运，非此不能除。去皮净用。
香白芷 气温，味大辛，治手阳明头痛，中〔风〕寒热，解利药也，以四味升麻
汤中加之，通行手足阳明经。《主治秘要》云∶味辛性温，气味俱轻，阳也，阳明经引经
之药，治头痛〔在额〕，及疗风通用，去肺经风。又云∶苦辛，阳明本药。
鼠粘子 气平味辛，主风毒肿，（消）利咽膈，吞一枚，可出〔痈〕疽〔疮〕
头。《主治秘要》云∶辛温，润肺散气。捣细用之。
〔桔梗 气微温，味辛苦，治肺，利咽痛，利肺中气。《主治秘要》云∶味凉而苦，
性微温，味浓气轻，阳中阴也，肺经之药也。利咽嗌胸膈，治气。以其色白，故属于
肺，此用色之法也。乃散寒呕，若咽中痛，非此不能除。又云∶辛苦，阳中之阳，谓之
舟楫，诸药中有此一味，不能下沉，治鼻塞。去芦，米泔浸一宿用。〕
本 气温，味大辛，此太阳经风药，治寒气郁结于本经，治头痛〔脑〕痛齿
痛。《主治秘要》云∶味苦，性微〔温〕，气浓味薄〔而升〕，阳也，太阳头痛必
用之药。又云∶辛苦纯阳，〔足太阳〕本经药也，顶巅痛，非此不能除。
川芎 气味辛温，补血，治血虚头痛之圣药也。妊妇胎〔动〕，〔加〕当归，
二味各二钱，水二盏，煎至一盏，服之神效。《主治秘要》云∶性温，味辛苦，气浓味
薄，浮而升，阳也。其用有四∶少阳引经一也。诸头痛二也。助清阳〔之气〕三也。
〔去〕湿气在头四也。又云∶味〔辛〕纯阳，少阳经本药。捣细用。
蔓荆子 气清，味辛温，治太阳头痛、头沉、昏闷，除〔目〕暗，散风邪之药
也。胃虚人不可服，恐生痰〔疾〕。《主治秘要》云∶苦甘，阳中之〔阴〕，凉诸
经之血热，〔止〕头痛，〔主目睛内痛〕。洗净用。
秦艽 气微寒，味苦，主寒热邪气，〔风湿痹〕，下水，利小便，疗骨蒸，治
口噤，及肠风泻血。《主治秘要》云∶性平味咸，养血荣筋，中风手足不遂者用之。又
云∶阴〔中〕微阳，去手（足）阳明〔经〕下牙痛、〔口〕疮毒，〔及除〕本经
风湿。〔去芦〕净用。
天麻 气平味苦，治头风，〔主〕诸风湿痹，四肢拘急，小儿惊痫，〔除〕风
气，利腰膝，强筋力。《主治秘要》云∶其苗谓之定风草。
麻黄 气温味苦，发太阳、太阴经汗。《主治秘要》云∶性温，味甘辛，气味俱
薄，体轻清而浮升，〔阳〕也。其用有四∶去〔寒〕邪一也。肺经〔本药〕二
也。发散风寒三也。去皮肤之寒湿及风四也。又云∶〔味〕苦，纯阳，去营中寒。
去根，不锉细，微捣碎，煮二、三沸，去上沫，不然，令人烦心。
荆芥 气温，味辛苦，辟邪毒，利血脉，宣通五脏不足〔气〕。《主治秘
〔要〕》云∶能发汗，通关节，除劳〔渴〕，冷捣和醋封毒肿，去枝茎以手搓碎用。
薄荷 气温，味辛苦，能发汗，通关节，解劳乏，与薤相〔宜〕，新病〔瘥〕
人不可多食，令人虚，汗〔出〕不止。《主治秘要》云∶性凉〔味〕辛，气味俱薄，
浮而升，阳也。去高颠及皮肤风热。去枝茎，手搓碎用。
前胡 气微寒，味苦，主痰满胸胁中痞，心腹〔结〕气，治伤寒〔寒〕热，推
陈致新，明目益精。锉用。
In ancient times, when using herbs to treat diseases, one would select clean herbs, chew them into pieces, decoct them in water, and take the liquid. This process was called "ju" (chewing/crushing). Later generations used knives and mortars to finely chop the herbs and sieved them with bamboo screens for uniformity.
Herbs possess different properties regarding the density of their qi and flavor, ascending/descending or floating/sinking movements, tonifying/draining effects, and therapeutic indications. These vary greatly. The following details these characteristics, as well as methods for selection, processing, and compounding.
Herbs with thin flavors belong to yin within yang. Thin flavors promote unblocking. Sour, bitter, salty, and neutral flavors fall into this category.
*Fangfeng* (Saposhnikoviae Radix): Qi is warm; flavor is pungent. It is a universal herb for treating wind disorders, drains lung excess, disperses stagnant qi in the head and eyes, and is an immortal herb for eliminating wind pathogens in the upper jiao. However, mistaken use can drain the primordial qi of the upper jiao. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Flavor is sweet, purely yang, and is the principal herb of the Taiyang channel. The upper part treats upper wind, while the tip treats lower wind. It further states: Both qi and flavor are thin, floating and ascending, belonging to yang. Its uses include treating various wind disorders and dispelling dampness. Remove the rhizome before use.
*Qianghuo* (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix): Qi is slightly warm; flavor is sweet and bitter. It treats pain in the limbs and joints and is a wind-dispelling herb for the Hand and Foot Taiyang channels. When combined with Chuanxiong, it treats headaches of the Foot Taiyang and Shaoyin channels and penetrates the joints. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Nature is warm, flavor is pungent, both qi and flavor are thin, floating and ascending, belonging to yang. Its five functions are: 1. As a guiding herb for the Hand and Foot Taiyang channels; 2. Treating concurrent wind-dampness; 3. Removing limb and joint pain; 4. Eliminating carbuncles and decaying blood; 5. Treating wind-damp headaches. Remove black skin and rotten parts, then chop for use.
*Shengma* (Cimicifugae Rhizoma): Qi is neutral; flavor is slightly bitter. It is a guiding herb for the Foot Yangming Stomach and Foot Taiyin Spleen channels. To tonify the spleen and stomach, it cannot be effective without this guiding agent. If combined with scallion white or Angelica dahurica, it can also enter the Hand Yangming and Taiyang channels, resolving heat in the muscle layer. It is the specific herb for wind injury to the Hand and Foot Yangming channels. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Nature is warm, flavor is pungent, both qi and flavor are thin, floating and ascending, belonging to yang. Its four functions are: 1. Guiding herb for Hand and Foot Yangming channels; 2. Raising yang qi from below the supreme yin; 3. Treating headaches in the Yangming channel distribution; 4. Expelling wind pathogens from the skin and highest regions. It further states: Sweet and bitter, yang within yin; splenic bi cannot be removed without Shengma. Scrape off black skin and rotten parts; the white interior is preferred.
*Chaihu* (Bupleuri Radix): Qi and flavor are neutral, slightly bitter. It removes deficiency-heat and vexation, resolves muscle heat, and eliminates morning tidal fever. It is a guiding herb for the Shaoyang and Jueyin channels and is essential for women during pregnancy and postpartum. It excels at treating headaches originating from its own channel, which other herbs cannot stop. It treats epigastric fullness and chest/diaphragm pain. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Flavor is slightly bitter, nature is neutral and slightly cold, both qi and flavor are light, belonging to yang and ascending. It is a herb for the Shaoyang channel, guiding stomach qi upward to dissipate exterior heat. It further states: Bitter is purely yang, removing alternating chills and fever; gallbladder bi cannot be removed without the tips of Chaihu. Remove the rhizome before use.
*Gegen* (Puerariae Lobatae Radix): Qi is neutral, flavor is sweet. It removes thirst caused by spleen-stomach deficiency-heat, detoxifies alcohol, and unblocks the Foot Yangming channel. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Flavor is sweet, nature is cold, both qi and flavor are thin, body is light and ascends, floating and slightly descending, belonging to yang within yin. Its four functions are: 1. Relieving thirst; 2. Detoxifying alcohol; 3. Dissipating exterior pathogens; 4. Promoting eruption of childhood exanthems. It benefits yang and generates fluids but should not be overused to avoid damaging stomach qi. Peel before use.
*Weilingxian* (Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma): Qi is warm, flavor is bitter and sweet. It treats various wind-cold-dampness, promotes circulation in the five zang organs, removes abdominal masses and stagnation, cold pain in the waist and knees, and traumatic injuries. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Flavor is sweet, purely yang, removing wind from the Taiyang channel. Those with iron-colored roots are best. Remove the rhizome before use.
*Xixin* (Asari Radix et Rhizoma): Qi is warm, flavor is strongly pungent. It treats Shaoyin channel headaches effectively and should be used in small doses, with Duohuo as its assistant. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Flavor is pungent, nature is warm, qi is denser than flavor, belonging to yang, stopping headaches of all yang channels, and is a universal herb for wind. Pungent and hot, it warms the Shaoyin channel, disperses cold-water, and treats internal cold. It further states: Pungent flavor, purely yang, stops headaches. Remove rhizome and leaves. Those from Huashan are best.
*Duohuo* (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix): Qi is slightly warm, flavor is sweet, bitter, and neutral. It is a guiding herb for the Foot Shaoyin Kidney channel. When used with Xixin, it treats Shaoyin channel headaches. Also known as "Duyao Cao" (Independent Swaying Grass), it does not sway in the wind but moves spontaneously when there is no wind. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Flavor is pungent and bitter, qi is warm, nature and flavor are thin and ascending. It is necessary for treating wind and can dry dampness. The classics state: Wind can overcome dampness. It further states: Bitter treats dizziness and vertigo, which cannot be removed without this herb. Peel and clean before use.
*Bai Zhi* (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix): Qi is warm, flavor is strongly pungent. It treats Hand Yangming channel headaches, wind-cold-heat, and is a releasing herb. Added to the Four-Ingredient Shengma Decoction, it unblocks the Hand and Foot Yangming channels. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Flavor is pungent, nature is warm, both qi and flavor are light, belonging to yang. It is a guiding herb for the Yangming channel, treating forehead headaches, universally treating wind, and removing lung wind. It further states: Bitter and pungent, it is the principal herb of the Yangming channel.
*Niubangzi* (Arctii Fructus): Qi is neutral, flavor is pungent. It treats wind-toxic swelling, benefits the throat and diaphragm. Swallowing one fruit can help expel the head of carbuncles and sores. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Pungent and warm, moistens lungs and disperses qi. Pound finely before use.
[Jiegeng] (Platycodonis Radix): Qi is slightly warm, flavor is bitter and pungent. Treats lung conditions, benefits sore throat, and promotes lung qi. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Flavor is cool and bitter, nature is slightly warm, flavor is dense and qi is light, belonging to yang within yin. It is a lung channel herb. It benefits the throat, chest, and diaphragm, and regulates qi. Because its color is white, it corresponds to the lung; this is the method of using color. It disperses cold and vomiting; if there is throat pain, nothing else can remove it. It further states: Bitter and pungent, yang within yang, called the "keel and mast" (vessel); with this herb among others, drugs do not sink. It treats nasal congestion. Remove rhizome, soak in rice wash overnight before use.]
[Ben] (Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix): Qi is warm, flavor is strongly pungent. It is a Taiyang channel wind herb, treating cold qi stagnation in its own channel, headache, brain pain, and toothache. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Flavor is bitter, nature is slightly warm, qi is dense, flavor is thin and ascending, belonging to yang. It is a mandatory herb for Taiyang headaches. It further states: Bitter and pungent, purely yang, principal herb of the Foot Taiyang channel. Vertex headaches cannot be removed without it.
*Chuanxiong* (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma): Qi and flavor are pungent and warm. It nourishes blood and is the holy medicine for treating headaches due to blood deficiency. For pregnant women with fetal agitation, add Danggui; two qian of each, decocted in two cups of water until one cup remains, yields miraculous results. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Nature is warm, flavor is bitter and pungent, qi is dense, flavor is thin, floating and ascending, belonging to yang. Its four functions are: 1. Guiding herb for Shaoyang; 2. Treating all types of headaches; 3. Assisting clear yang qi; 4. Removing dampness in the head. It further states: Pungent flavor, purely yang, principal herb of the Shaoyang channel. Pound finely before use.
*Man Jing Zi* (Viticis Semen): Qi is clear, flavor is pungent and warm. It treats Taiyang headaches, heavy head, dizziness, improves dim vision, and is a wind-dispersing herb. It should not be taken by those with weak stomachs, as it may generate phlegm disorders. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Bitter and sweet, yang within yin, cools blood-heat in all channels, stops headaches, and treats internal eye pain. Wash clean before use.
*Qinjiao* (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix): Qi is slightly cold, flavor is bitter. It treats chills, fever, and pathogenic factors, wind-damp bi, promotes urination, treats bone-steaming fever, trismus, and intestinal wind diarrhea. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Nature is neutral, flavor is salty, nourishes blood and benefits sinews. Used for stroke with flaccidity of limbs. It further states: Yin with slight yang, removes lower toothache and mouth sores of the Hand/Foot Yangming channels, and eliminates wind-damp in its own channel. Remove rhizome and clean before use.
*Tianma* (Gastrodiae Rhizoma): Qi is neutral, flavor is bitter. It treats cephalalgia due to wind, various wind-damp bi syndromes, limb spasms, pediatric convulsions, expels wind, benefits waist and knees, and strengthens sinews and strength. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Its seedling is called Ding Feng Cao (Wind-Stabilizing Grass).
*Mahuang* (Ephedrae Herba): Qi is warm, flavor is bitter. Induces sweating in the Taiyang and Taiyin channels. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Nature is warm, flavor is sweet and pungent, both qi and flavor are thin, body is light and pure, floating and ascending, belonging to yang. Its four functions are: 1. Removing cold pathogens; 2. Principal herb of the Lung channel; 3. Dispersing wind-cold; 4. Removing cold-dampness and wind from the skin. It further states: Bitter flavor, purely yang, removes cold in the Ying level. Remove roots, do not chop finely, crush slightly, boil for two to three minutes, discard the foam on top; otherwise, it causes mental restlessness.
*Jingjie* (Schizonepetae Spica): Qi is warm, flavor is bitter and pungent. Expels evil toxins, benefits blood vessels, and promotes circulation of deficient qi in the five zang organs. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Can induce sweating, unblock joints, relieve fatigue-thirst. Crush cold with vinegar and apply externally for toxic swellings. Remove stems and branches, crush by hand before use.
*Bohe* (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba): Qi is warm, flavor is bitter and pungent. Can induce sweating, unblock joints, relieve fatigue. Compatible with Allium macrostemon. Patients recovering from acute illness should not consume it excessively, as it causes weakness and continuous sweating. *Zhu Zhi Mi Yao* states: Nature is cool, flavor is pungent, both qi and flavor are thin, floating and ascending, belonging to yang. Removes wind-heat from the vertex and skin. Remove stems and branches, crush by hand before use.
*Qianhu* (Peucedani Radix): Qi is slightly cold, flavor is bitter. Treats chest and hypochondriac fullness due to phlegm, epigastric/abdominal qi binding, chills and fever in cold damage, eliminates old and promotes new, brightens eyes, and benefits essence. Chop before use.