远志∶味酸微辛，性平。其酸也能 ，其辛也能辟，故其性善理肺，能使肺叶之 辟纯任自然，而肺中之
呼吸于以调，痰涎于以化，即咳嗽于以止矣。若以甘草辅之，诚为养肺要药，至其酸敛之力，入肝能敛戢肝火，
入肾能固涩滑脱，入胃又能助生酸汁，使人多进饮食，和平纯粹之品，夫固无所不宜也。若用水煎取浓汁，去
渣重煎，令其汁浓若薄糊，以敷肿疼疮疡及乳痈甚效，若恐其日久发酵，每一两可加蓬砂二钱溶化其中。
愚初次细嚼远志尝之，觉其味酸而实兼有矾味，西人谓其含有林檎酸，而林檎酸中固无矾也。后乃因用
此药，若末服至二钱可作呕吐，乃知其中确含有矾味，因悟矾能利痰，其所以能利痰者，亦以其含有矾味也。
矾能解毒，《本草纲目》谓其解天雄、附子、乌头毒，且并能除疮疡肿疼者，亦以其兼有矾味也。是以愚用此
药入汤剂时，未尝过二钱，恐多用之亦可作呕吐也。
龙胆草∶味苦微酸，性寒，色黄属土，为胃家正药。其苦也
能降胃气、坚胃质，其酸也能补益胃中酸汁、消化饮食，凡胃热气逆、胃汁短少、不能食者，服之可以开胃进
食，西人浑以健胃药称之，似欠精细。为其微酸属木，故又能入胆肝、滋肝血、益胆汁、降肝胆之热使不上炎，
举凡目疾、吐血、衄血、二便下血、惊痫、眩晕、因肝胆有热而致病者，皆能愈之。其泻肝胆实热之力，数倍
于芍药，而以敛戢肝胆虚热，固不如芍药也。
Polygala Radix (Yuanzhi): It tastes sour with a slight pungency and has a neutral nature. Its sour property can astringe, and its pungent property can disperse; therefore, it is good at regulating the Lung, allowing the expansion and contraction of lung tissue to follow natural laws, thereby harmonizing respiration within the lungs, transforming phlegm and saliva, and stopping cough. When assisted by Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), it is indeed an essential herb for nourishing the Lung. Regarding its astringent power, when entering the Liver, it can restrain Liver Fire; when entering the Kidney, it can consolidate and prevent slipping (such as seminal emission or incontinence); when entering the Stomach, it can assist in generating acidic digestive juices, promoting appetite. It is a mild and pure substance, suitable for almost all conditions. If decocted in water to obtain a thick liquid, filtered, and then re-decocted until the liquid is thick like a thin paste, it is very effective for applying externally to swollen, painful sores and mastitis (Ru Yong). If concerned about fermentation over time, two qian of Borax (Pengsha) can be added per liang of the herb to dissolve within it.
When I first chewed Polygala Radix carefully, I found it tasted sour but actually had a flavor resembling alum. Westerners claim it contains malic acid, but malic acid does not contain alum components. Later, upon using this herb, if taken as powder up to two qian, it could induce vomiting, leading me to realize it indeed contains alum-like properties. From this, I deduced that alum can benefit the expulsion of phlegm, and its ability to do so is due to its alum-like content. Alum can detoxify; *Bencao Gangmu* states it resolves the toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Tianxiong), Aconiti Radix (Fuzi), and Aconiti Radix (Wutou), and can also eliminate swelling and pain from sores, precisely because it possesses these alum-like properties. Therefore, when I use this herb in decoctions, I never exceed two qian, fearing that excessive use might induce vomiting.
Gentianae Radix (Longdancao): It tastes bitter with a slight sourness and has a cold nature. Its yellow color corresponds to Earth, making it a primary herb for treating the Stomach. Its bitterness can descend Stomach Qi and strengthen Stomach substance; its sourness can replenish acidic juices in the Stomach and aid digestion. For cases of Stomach Heat with rebellious Qi, insufficient Stomach fluids, and inability to eat, taking it can open the appetite and promote food intake. Westerners generally classify it merely as a stomachic, which seems imprecise. Because its slight sourness corresponds to Wood, it can also enter the Gallbladder and Liver, nourish Liver Blood, increase bile secretion, and descend Gallbladder and Liver heat to prevent it from flaring upward. It can cure eye diseases, hematemesis, epistaxis, bleeding from the lower orifices, convulsions, epilepsy, and vertigo caused by Gallbladder and Liver heat. Its power to drain excess heat from the Gallbladder and Liver is several times that of Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao); however, in restraining deficient heat of the Gallbladder and Liver, it is inferior to Shaoyao.