肢拘挛，不能动摇，跌筋结肉，诸不足。补五劳七伤，主时疾寒热，虚劳客热，头痛目痛， 烂
泪出，心腹结气，湿毒脚膝痛，茎中寒。久服去面黑 ，好颜色润泽，轻身不老。又云，主霍
乱泄利。
薏苡仁 味甘，气微寒，无毒。（八月采实，采根无时。）主筋急拘挛，不可屈伸，风湿
痹。下气，除筋骨邪气不仁，利肠，消水肿。令人能食，久服轻身，益气。其根下三虫，此药
力势和缓，凡用须倍于他药。古方心肺药多用之。治肺痿肺痈，吐脓血，咳嗽涕唾，上气，（取仁十
两，水三升，煎一升，入少酒服。）蛔虫攻心腹痛。（取根切，水煮浓汁服之，虫死尽出。）
石斛 味甘，气平，无毒。（恶凝水石、巴豆。畏僵蚕、雷丸。生石上，采茎阴干，酒洗蒸用。）
主伤中除痹，下气。补五脏虚劳
羸瘦，强阴益精，壮筋骨，补内绝不足，治胃中虚热有功。平胃气，长肌肉，逐皮肤邪热痱痛，
脚膝疼，冷痹软弱。久服浓肠胃，轻身延年，定志除惊。
巴戟天 味辛甘，气微温，无毒。（覆盆子为之使。恶雷丸、丹参。采根阴干。）主大风
邪气，阴痿不起，强筋骨，安五脏，补中增志益气，疗头面游风，大风血癞，小肠及阴中相
引痛。补五劳，利男子，治夜梦鬼交泄精。病患虚损加而用之。
补骨脂（一名破故纸。）味苦辛，气大汤，无毒。（恶甘草，忌羊内。酒浸一宿，东流水
洗，蒸半日，日干。）主五劳七伤，风虚冷痹，四肢疼痛，骨髓伤败，阳衰肾冷精流，腰痛膝
冷，囊湿，小便利，及妇人血气衰，男子劳伤，下元虚冷，添精益气。（用一斤制，再用乌麻油
一升合炒，令麻子声绝，播去麻子，取补骨脂为末，醋者面糊丸，如梧桐子大，温酒或盐汤下。
又方，同胡桃肉研烂为丸。）
芎 味辛，气温，无毒。少阳经药，入手足厥阴经。（白芷为之使。畏黄连。形块重实
色白者良。）主中风入脑，头痛寒痹，筋挛，锾急金疮。妇人血闭无子。治少阳头痛，血虚头痛
之圣药。散肝经风，头面风不可缺。又治一切血破 结宿血，养新血，鼻洪吐血、溺血，痔 ，
脑痈发背，瘰 瘿赘。排脓消瘀、长肌。上行头目，下行血海，通肝经，血中之气药也。治一切
心腹坚痛，胁痛，疝痛，温中散寒，开郁行气，燥湿。叶名蘼芜，辛香，亦治风辟邪。《春秋》
注云∶麦鞠鞠 所以御湿。行细辛，疗金疮止痛。得牡蛎疗头风吐逆，单服久服则走散真气，
辛散故也。妇人经络住验胎法。（生为末，空心浓煎，又汤下一匙，腹内微动，是有胎也。）妇
人崩中不止，（一两锉，酒一大盏，前五分，入生地黄汁二合，煎二三沸，食前分作二服。）
当归 味甘辛，气温。阳中微阴。无毒。入手少阴经，足太阴、厥阴经。（畏菖蒲、海藻。恶
热面。阴干，酒浸用。）主咳逆上气，温疟虚劳寒热，洗疥癣在皮肤中。妇人漏下绝子，诸恶
疮疡，金疡，煮饮之。又温中止痢腹痛，疗齿痛不可忍。酒蒸治头痛，诸头痛皆属木，故以
血药治之。治血通用和血、补血、破恶血，大补不足，
决取立效之药。气血昏乱，服之即定，能使气血各有所归，故名当归。妇人产后备急，男
子补虚速效，不可缺也。头止血，身和血，尾破血，全用无奖。又云∶全用和血，大抵全用，
在参、 皆能补血，在大黄、牵牛皆能破血。从桂、附则热，从硝、黄则寒。
芍药 味苦酸，气微寒。气薄味浓，阴也，降也，阴中之阳。有小毒。入手足太阴经。
（雷丸为之使。恶石斛，畏硝石、鳖申、小蓟。反藜芦。有赤白一种，花亦有一色。）主邪气腹
痛，除血痹，破坚积，寒热疝症，利小便，益气，通顺血脉。抑肝缓中，扶阳收阴补血，散
恶血，利大小肠，通月水，消痈肿发背，痔 ，又下痢疾必用之。痢而腹中痛者炒用，后重
生用。脾经之药。白者补，赤者泻。赤者利小便，下气，白者止痛散血。得炙甘草为佐，治腹
中痛。夏月少加黄芩，如恶寒而痛加肉桂。又云∶惟治血虚腹痛，盖诸痛宜辛散，芍药酸收
故也。酒浸炒与白术同用，能补脾；与川芎同用，则能泻肝；与参、术同用，则能补气。又
产后不便用，以其酸寒伐生发之气也。又血虚寒禁用。又云∶冬月减芍药以避中寒。
茺蔚子 （即益母草。）味辛甘，气微温，无毒。主明目益精，除水气，疗血逆，大
热头痛，心烦，产前后诸疾，行血养血，难产久服轻身。茎主瘾疹痒，可作汤浴。苗、叶同功，
捣敷疔肿乳痈。捣苗绞汁服，消疔肿，诸恶毒肿，子死腹中，产后血胀，血晕，小儿疳痢。
车前子 味甘咸，气寒。无毒。（五月五日采，阴干。）主气癃，止痛，利水道，小
便淋沥，除湿痹。虽利小便而不走气。与茯苓同功，明目，疗肝中风热冲目赤痛。养肺强阴，益
精，令人有子。又治妇人产难，为末，酒服之。叶及根主鼻衄、瘀血，尿血，捣汁饮之。热痢
捣叶汁一盏，入少蜜煎服。
实 （ 草之实。）味苦酸，气平，无毒。（八月、九月采，日干。）主益气，充
肌肤，明目聪慧先知。久服不饥不老，轻身。
卷柏 味辛甘，气温平微寒，无毒。（五月、七月采，阴干。）主五脏邪气，女子阴
中寒热痛。 瘕血闭绝子。治脱肛，散淋结，头中风眩，痿蹶，强阴益精。镇心，治鬼邪啼泣，
久服轻身和颜色。生用破血，炙过止血。
蒲黄 味甘，气平。无毒。主心腹膀胱寒热，利小便，止血消瘀血。久服轻身益气
力，延年。治一切吐衄、唾、崩、肠风、血痢，尿血，扑血，血症，带下，月候不匀，心腹
痛，产后诸血病，并疮疖风肿。若破血消肿，即生用，补血、止血则炒用。蒲萼，筛黄粉
下后，有赤滓是。炒用以涩肠已泄，殊胜。
续断 味苦辛，气微温。无毒。（地黄为之使。恶雷丸。阴干，节节断皮黄皱者为真。
酒浸用。）主伤寒，补不足，调血脉，金疮痈伤折跌，续筋骨。妇人乳难，产后一切病，崩
中漏血，尿血，金疮血内漏，止痛生肌及腕伤恶血腰痛，关节缓急。缩小便，止泄精，子宫冷，
久服益气力。
骨碎补 味苦，气温。无毒。（采根无时，削去毛用。）主破血，止血，补伤折骨碎，
疗骨中毒瓦斯，风血疼痛，五劳六极，亦入妇人血气药。本名胡孙姜，唐明皇以其主折伤有效
故名。捣末煮黄米粥和之裹伤处。
子 味苦，气微寒，微温。无毒。（荆实为之使。阴干，状如蒿艾之类。）主五脏瘀
血，腹中水气，肿胀留热，风寒湿痹，身体诸痛，腰脚重，骨节烦疼。妇人月水不通，消食
明目。久服轻身，延年不老。人家种此辟蛇。诸瘀血不散变成痈，（捣取生汁一升服之。）打
扑损折瘀血。（并单服，煮服之更妙。）
蒺藜子 味苦辛，气温微寒。无毒。（乌头为之使。有黑白二种，黑者有二角刺，不入
汤药，入丸散并妙。）主恶血，破 结积聚，喉痹乳痈。久服长肌肉，明目轻身。治身体风痒，
头痛咳逆，伤肺肺痿，小儿头疮，痈肿阴疮，止遗沥泄精溺血。治风明目最良。其叶主风痒，
可煮以浴，白癜风。（取白子生捣为末，酒调服之。又收花，阴干为末，每服二三钱，
饭后温酒调服。）
地肤子 （又名落帚。）味苦，气寒。无毒。（乌头为之使。）主膀胱热，利小便，
补中益精气，强阴。久服耳目聪明，轻身耐老。作汤沐浴，去皮肤中热气，洗目去热暗雀
盲涩痛。其叶捣绞汁，主泄泻。止赤白痢，解恶疮毒。
决明子 味咸苦甘，气平微寒。无毒。（ 实为之使。恶大麻子。十月十日采，阴干，
忌日。）主青盲，淫肤，赤白膜，眼赤痛出，除肝家热。久服益精志轻身。又解蛇毒。贴脑心，
止鼻红，日取一匙，挪令净，空心吞之，百日见夜光。作枕胜黑豆，治头痛明目。
青葙子 味苦，气微寒。无毒。（三月采茎、叶阴干。五月、六月采子。）主邪气，皮
肤中热，风瘙身痒，杀虫，虫恶疮疥虱痔蚀，下部 疮。子名草决明，疗唇口青，治肝
脏热毒冲眼，赤障青盲，翳肿，益脑髓，明耳目，镇肝。
漏芦 味苦咸，气寒。无毒。主皮肤热，恶疮疽痔，乳痈，温痹，下乳汁，止遗溺，
泄精，尿血，肠风。治扑损，续筋骨，敷金疮止血长肉。久服轻身益气，耳目聪明，不
老延年。
天名精 （一名麦句姜。）味甘，气寒。无毒。（垣衣为之使，五月采。）主瘀血血
症欲死，下血止血，利小便，治金疮折伤。久服轻身耐老。
丹参 味苦，气微寒。无毒。（畏咸水。犯藜芦。五月采根，曝干。又云∶冬采良，夏
采虚恶。）主心腹邪气，鸣肠幽幽如走水，寒热积聚，破 除瘕，止烦满，益气养血，破宿血，
生新血，安生胎，落死胎，止血崩带下，调妇人经脉不匀。治骨节疼痛，四肢不遂，腰脊强，
脚痹软弱，风邪留热，头痛眼赤，热温狂闷，中恶百邪鬼魅，腹痛，恶疮瘿赘肿毒，排脓止痛，
生肌肉。
玄参 味苦咸，气微寒。无毒。足少阴经君药。（恶黄 、干姜、大枣、山茱萸。反藜芦。
三四月采根，日干。凡用时勿犯铜。）主腹中寒热积聚，女子产乳余疾。补肾气，令人目明。
强阴益精，治暴中风伤寒，身热支满，狂邪忽忽不知人，温疟洒洒，头风热毒，骨蒸传尸邪气，
血瘕坚 ，散颈下核，痈肿。又此药乃枢机之剂，管领诸气上下，整肃而不浊，治空中气、
氤氲之气、无根之火，此为圣药也。
紫参 味苦辛，气寒，无毒。（畏辛荑。三月采根，火炙使紫色。）主心腹积聚，寒热
邪气，通九窍，利大小便，疗肠胃大热，唾血衄血，肠中聚血，妇人血闭，痈肿诸疮，仲景治
痢用之。
茜根 （一名地苏木。）味苦，气寒。阴中微阳。（二三月采入药。炒用。勿犯铁器。）
主寒湿风痹，黄胆。补中，治六极伤心肺，衄血吐血，内崩下血，尿血，产后血晕，乳结，
损扑瘀血，去诸死血，主蛊毒尤胜。《周礼》∶庶氏掌除蛊毒，以嘉草攻之，蓑荷与茜也。中
蛊或吐下血如烂肝。（茜草根、 荷叶各二两切，水四升煮取一升，顿服之。）
茅根 味甘，气寒。无毒。（六月采。）主劳伤虚羸，补中益气，除瘀血，血闭寒热，
利小便，下五淋，止消渴，解肠胃热，妇人崩中。苗如针，谓之茅针，可啖，益小儿，生采，
敷金疮止血并痛。煮服之，主鼻衄及下血溺血，恶疮肿未溃者。煮服之主溃，一针一孔，二
针二孔。花亦主衄血、吐血、金疮。
艾叶 味苦，气微温，阴中之阳。无毒。（三月三日，五月五日采陈久者良。亦生捣汁
用，又作煎，勿见风。）主灸百病，可作煎，止下痢赤白，吐血，衄，泻血，妇人漏血，安
胎止腹痛，辟风寒，暖子宫，使人有子，除心腹恶气，一切鬼气，利阴气，生肌肉，疗五脏痔，
下部 疮，汁杀蛔虫。醋煎作煎，治癣良。实主明目，壮阳，助阴，治鬼气，治百恶鬼气。（取
实和干姜，上为末，蜜九如桐子大，空心服一、二十丸，以饭压之，日再服。又熟艾如鸡子大三枚，
水五升，煎取二升，顿服亦可。）病患齿无色，舌上白，喜睡不知痛痒处，或下痢，此 虫食
下部也，急治之。（以竹筒一头纳下部孔中，一头烧艾令烟入，更入少雄黄良。）
地榆 味苦甘酸，气微寒。气味俱浓，阴也。无毒。（得发良。恶麦门冬。）主妇人乳
痛，七伤，带下病，月水不止，血崩，产前后诸血疾，肠风血痢，赤白痢及小儿疳热泻
痢极效。疗金疮，止痛，除恶肉，蚀脓，诸 恶疮，热疮，可作金疮膏。性沉寒，入下焦，热
血痢则可，若虚寒人水泻及冷痢勿轻用。小儿疳痢，浓煮汁饮之。
大小蓟根 味甘苦，气温，又云凉。（五月阴干。）主养精保血，大蓟主女子赤白沃，安
胎，止吐血、衄血、下血。疗痈肿恶疮，生研，酒并小便任服。又盐研 敷。小蓟专主血疾。
红蓝花 味辛甘苦，气温。阴中之阳。无毒。（堪作脂胭，又染真红。）主产后血晕，
口噤，腹内恶血不尽绞痛，胎死腹中，并酒煮服。又主蛊毒，下血。多用则破血，少用则入
心养血、和血。与当归同功。苗生捣敷游肿。子吞数粒，主天行疮子不出。胭脂主小儿 耳，滴
耳中。喉痹塞不通，（捣湿花绞汁一小升，细服之瘥，为一度。无湿花，浸干者如前法，极神
验之。）一切肿，（捣取汁，服之不过再三服。量肿大小而多少服之。）女子中风，血热烦渴兼血气
刺痛。取子一升杵碎，酒拌晒干，重杵
为末，蜜丸如桐子大，空腹酒下四十丸。）
牡丹 味辛苦，气寒。阴中微阳。无毒。入手厥阴经，足少阴经。（畏菟丝子，采根皮去心。）
主寒热，中风螈 ，惊痫邪气，虚劳无汗，骨蒸热，泻阴中火，除 坚瘀血留舍肠胃
不散，衄血，吐血。女子经脉不通，血沥腰痛，治胎下胞产后一切冷热血气。治神志不足，安
五脏，疗痈疮，排脓止痛。
郁金 味辛苦，气寒。纯阳。无毒。（色赤似姜黄。）主血积下气，凉心止血，破恶血，
Limb spasms and contractures, inability to move, tendons knotted in muscles, various deficiencies. Tonifies five labors and seven injuries; primarily treats epidemic diseases with alternating chills and fever, deficiency labor with guest heat, headache and eye pain, excessive tearing with ulceration, qi stagnation in the heart and abdomen, damp-toxity causing pain in the feet and knees, cold sensation in the urethra. Long-term use removes facial blackness, improves complexion luster, lightens the body, and delays aging. It is also said to treat cholera with diarrhea.
Coix Seed (Yiyiren): Sweet flavor, slightly cold qi, non-toxic. (Harvest fruits in August; roots can be harvested at any time.) Primarily treats tendon urgency and contracture, inability to flex or extend, wind-damp bi syndrome. Descends qi, eliminates pathogenic qi from bones and muscles causing numbness, promotes intestinal function, reduces edema. Promotes appetite; long-term use lightens the body and tonifies qi. Its root expels lower parasites. This herb has a mild and slow action; dosage must be doubled compared to other herbs. Frequently used in ancient formulas for heart and lung conditions. Treats lung abscess and pulmonary fibrosis, expectoration of pus and blood, cough with sputum, rebellious qi. (Take 10 liang of Coix Seed, 3 sheng of water, decoct to 1 sheng, add a little wine and take.) Ascariasis attacking the heart causing abdominal pain. (Slice the root, decoct in water to make a strong juice, take when worms are dead and expelled.)
Dendrobium (Shihu): Sweet flavor, neutral qi, non-toxic. (Dislikes Nephrite [Ning Shui Shi], Croton Seed [Badou]; fears Silkworm [Jiangcan], Ophiopogon [Leiwan]. Grows on rocks; harvest stems, dry in shade, wash with wine, steam before use.) Primarily treats internal injury eliminating bi syndrome, descends qi. Tonifies five zang organs for deficiency labor and emaciation, strengthens yin and benefits essence, strengthens sinews and bones, supplements internal insufficiency, effectively treats empty heat in the stomach. Harmonizes stomach qi, promotes muscle growth, expels pathogenic heat and fei pain from skin, pain in feet and knees, cold bi weakness. Long-term use thickens intestines and stomach, lightens body, prolongs life, calms spirit, eliminates fright.
Morinda Root (Bajitian): Pungent and sweet flavor, slightly warm qi, non-toxic. (Rubus Chamaemorus [Fupenzi] acts as its guide. Dislikes Leiwan, Salvia Miltiorrhiza [Danshen]. Harvest roots, dry in shade.) Primarily treats severe wind-pathogen, impotence, strengthens sinews and bones, calms five zang organs, tonifies middle jiao, enhances will and qi, treats wandering wind on head and face, severe wind causing blood leprosy, pulling pain in small intestine and genitalia. Tonifies five labors, benefits men, treats nocturnal emission due to dream intercourse. Use when patient's deficiency worsens.
Psoralea Fruit (Buguzhi) (also known as Poguzhi): Bitter and pungent flavor, very warm qi, non-toxic. (Dislikes Licorice [Gancao]; avoids mutton. Soak in wine overnight, wash with east-flowing water, steam for half a day, dry in sun.) Primarily treats five labors and seven injuries, wind-cold-bi, limb pain, bone marrow damage, yang deficiency with cold kidneys and seminal leakage, low back pain with cold knees, scrotal dampness, frequent urination, and women's blood/qi decline, men's labor injury, lower yuan cold deficiency, enriches essence and qi. (Process 1 jin, stir-fry with 1 sheng black sesame oil until sesame cracks, remove sesame, grind Psoralea into powder, make pills with vinegar and wheat paste, size of paulownia seeds, take with warm wine or salt water. Another method: grind with walnut meat into pills.)
Sichuan Lovage Rhizome (Xiongqiong): Pungent flavor, warm qi, non-toxic. Shaoyang channel herb, enters Hand and Foot Jueyin channels. (Angelica Dahurica [Baizhi] acts as its guide. Dislikes Coptis [Huanglian]. Heavy, solid, white pieces are superior.) Primarily treats wind-stroke entering brain, headache with cold-bi, tendon spasm, tendon urgency, traumatic injuries. Women's blood obstruction leading to infertility. The divine herb for treating Shaoyang headache and blood-deficiency headache. Dispels liver channel wind, indispensable for head and face wind. Also treats all blood stasis and old blood accumulation, nourishes new blood, epistaxis, hematemesis, hematuria, hemorrhoids, brain abscess, carbuncle on back, scrofula, goiter, and warts. Expels pus, resolves stasis, promotes tissue regeneration. Ascends to head and eyes, descends to sea of blood, unblocks liver channel; it is the qi-moving herb in blood. Treats all hard and painful masses in heart and abdomen, hypochondriac pain, hernia pain, warms middle and dispels cold, opens depression, moves qi, dries dampness. Leaves named Miwu, pungent and fragrant, also treats wind and expels evil. Annotation in Spring and Autumn Annals states: Maijuju is used to resist dampness. Combined with Asarum [Xixin], treats traumatic injuries and stops pain. Combined with Oyster Shell [Muli], treats wind-headache and vomiting. Single long-term use disperses true qi due to its pungent dispersion. Method for women to check pregnancy. (Grind raw into powder, decoct strongly while fasting, drink one spoonful of soup; slight movement in abdomen indicates pregnancy.) For metrorrhagia not stopping. (1 liang chopped, 1 large cup of wine, decoct to 5 fen, add 2 he of fresh Rehmannia Juice [Sheng Dihuang Zhi], boil 2-3 times, divide into two doses before meals.)
Chinese Angelica Root (Danggui): Sweet and pungent flavor, warm qi. Slightly yin within yang. Non-toxic. Enters Hand Shaoyin, Foot Taiyin, and Jueyin channels. (Dislikes Acorus [Changpu], Sargassum [Haizao]; dislikes hot flour. Dry in shade, soak in wine before use.) Primarily treats cough with rebellious qi, warm malaria with deficiency labor chills/fever, washes tinea corporis in skin. Women's leukorrhea with infertility, various malignant sores, traumatic injuries, decoct and drink. Warms middle, stops dysentery and abdominal pain, treats unbearable toothache. Wine-steamed for headache; all headaches belong to wood, thus treated with blood herbs. Universally treats blood disorders: harmonizes blood, tonifies blood, breaks bad blood, greatly supplements insufficiency; a drug for immediate effect. Calms chaotic qi and blood instantly; makes qi and blood return to their proper places, hence named Danggui (Returning to Origin). Essential for emergency postpartum care in women and rapid deficiency tonification in men. Head stops bleeding, body harmonizes blood, tail breaks blood; whole root used without bias. Also says: Whole root harmonizes blood; generally, whole root combined with Ginseng/Astragalus tonifies blood, combined with Rhubarb/Fermented Wheat Germ breaks blood. With Cinnamon Twig/Aconite becomes hot; with Mirabilite/Rhubarb becomes cold.
Peony Root (Shaoyao): Bitter and sour flavor, slightly cold qi. Thin qi, strong flavor, yin, descending, yang within yin. Slightly toxic. Enters Hand and Foot Taiyin channels. (Ophiopogon [Leiwan] acts as its guide. Dislikes Dendrobium [Shihu]; fears Mirabilite [Xiaoshi], Turtle Shell [Biejia], Small Thistle [Xiaoji]; opposes Veratrum [Lilu]. Has red and white varieties; flowers also vary in color.) Primarily treats pathogenic abdominal pain, eliminates blood bi, breaks firm accumulations, cold-heat hernia, promotes urination, tonifies qi, unblocks blood vessels. Suppresses liver, moderates middle, supports yang, gathers yin, tonifies blood, disperses bad blood, benefits large and small intestines, regulates menstruation, reduces carbuncles on back, hemorrhoids; essential for dysentery. Stir-fry for abdominal pain in dysentery; raw for tenesmus. Herb of Spleen channel. White tonifies, red purges. Red promotes urination and descends qi; white stops pain and disperses blood. Combined with Roasted Licorice [Zhigancao] as assistant, treats abdominal pain. Add small amount of Scutellaria [Huangqin] in summer; add Cinnamon Bark [Rougui] if chills and pain occur. Also says: Only treats blood-deficiency abdominal pain, because most pains should be dispersed with pungent herbs, but Peony is sour and astringent. Wine-soaked and stir-fried with Atractylodes [Baizhu] tonifies spleen; combined with Ligusticum [Chuanxiong] purges liver; combined with Ginseng/Atractylodes tonifies qi. Not used postpartum if constipation exists, as its sour-cold nature damages generating qi. Contraindicated in blood deficiency with cold. Also says: Reduce Peony in winter to avoid middle-jiao cold.
Motherwort Seed (Chongweizi) (i.e., Motherwort/Yimucao): Pungent and sweet flavor, slightly warm qi, non-toxic. Primarily brightens eyes, benefits essence, eliminates fluid retention, treats blood rebellion, severe headache with heat, irritability, pre- and postpartum disorders, moves and nourishes blood, difficult labor; long-term use lightens body. Stems treat urticaria and itching, can be used for bath decoction. Seedlings and leaves have same efficacy; crush and apply to carbuncles and mastitis. Crush seedlings, squeeze juice, drink to reduce carbuncles, all malignant swellings, fetal death in uterus, postpartum blood distension, blood syncope, pediatric malnutrition dysentery.
Plantago Seed (Cheqianzi): Sweet and salty flavor, cold qi. Non-toxic. (Harvest on 5th day of 5th lunar month, dry in shade.) Primarily treats urinary difficulty, stops pain, promotes water passages, dribbling urine, eliminates wind-damp bi. Although promoting urination, it does not deplete qi. Same function as Poria [Fuling]; brightens eyes, treats liver wind-heat rushing to eyes causing redness and pain. Nourishes lungs, strengthens yin, benefits essence, enables conception. Also treats difficult labor in women; grind into powder, take with wine. Leaves and roots treat epistaxis, blood stasis, hematuria; crush and squeeze juice to drink. For hot dysentery, crush leaf juice (1 cup), add little honey, decoct and take.
Descurainia Seed (Tinglishi) (Seed of Tingli grass): Bitter and sour flavor, neutral qi, non-toxic. (Harvest Aug/Sep, dry in sun.) Primarily tonifies qi, fills flesh, brightens eyes, enhances wisdom and foresight. Long-term use prevents hunger and aging, lightens body.
Selaginella (Juanbai): Pungent and sweet flavor, warm/neutral/slightly cold qi, non-toxic. (Harvest May/Jul, dry in shade.) Primarily treats pathogenic qi in five zang organs, cold-heat pain in female vagina. Masses, blood obstruction, infertility. Treats rectal prolapse, dissipates strangury knots, wind-dizziness from stroke, flaccidity, strengthens yin and benefits essence. Calms heart, treats ghost-induced weeping. Long-term use lightens body and harmonizes complexion. Raw breaks blood; roasted stops bleeding.
Typha Pollen (Puhuang): Sweet flavor, neutral qi. Non-toxic. Primarily treats cold-heat in heart, abdomen, bladder; promotes urination, stops bleeding, resolves blood stasis. Long-term use lightens body, tonifies qi and strength, prolongs life. Treats all vomiting/epistaxis, sputum, metrorrhagia, intestinal wind, bloody dysentery, hematuria, traumatic bleeding, blood disorders, leukorrhea, irregular menstruation, heart/abdominal pain, postpartum blood diseases, boils, wind-swelling. For breaking blood/reducing swelling, use raw; for tonifying/stopping blood, use roasted. Puhua (catkin): After sifting yellow pollen, red residue remains. Roasted to astringe intestones and stop diarrhea, highly effective.
Dipsacus Root (Xuduan): Bitter and pungent flavor, slightly warm qi. Non-toxic. (Rehmannia [Dihuang] acts as its guide. Dislikes Leiwan. Dry in shade; true product has segmented, wrinkled yellow bark. Soak in wine.) Primarily treats cold damage, supplements insufficiency, regulates blood vessels, traumatic injuries/abscesses/fractures, reconnects sinews and bones. Women's nursing difficulties, all postpartum diseases, metrorrhagia/leukorrhea, hematuria, internal bleeding from trauma, stops pain, generates tissue, treats wrist injury with bad blood/low back pain, joint stiffness/relaxation. Reduces urination volume, stops seminal emission, uterine cold; long-term use tonifies qi and strength.
Drynaria Rhizome (Gusuibu): Bitter flavor, warm qi. Non-toxic. (Harvest roots anytime, scrape off hairs before use.) Primarily breaks blood, stops bleeding, supplements fractured bones, treats bone poisoning by gas, wind-blood pain, five labors and six extremes, also enters women's blood/qi formulas. Originally named Hsunjiang; Emperor Mingtang of Tang named it Gusuibu due to efficacy in fractures. Grind into powder, mix with millet porridge, apply to wound.
Verbena Seed (Mabianzi): Bitter flavor, slightly cold/warm qi, non-toxic. (Vitex [Jingshi] acts as its guide. Dry in shade, resembles Artemisia/Mugwort.) Primarily treats five zang organ blood stasis, abdominal fluid retention, swelling with retained heat, wind-cold-damp bi, bodily pains, heavy waist/legs, painful joints. Women's amenorrhea, aids digestion, brightens eyes. Long-term use lightens body, prolongs life, prevents aging. Planted by households to repel snakes. All unresolved blood stasis turning into carbuncles. (Crush raw, take 1 sheng juice.) Traumatic bruising/fractures with blood stasis. (Single dose, decocted is better.)
Tribulus Fruit (Jilizi): Bitter and pungent flavor, warm/slightly cold qi, non-toxic. (Aconite [Wutou] acts as its guide. Black and white varieties; black has two horn-like spines, not used in decoctions, good for pills/powders.) Primarily treats bad blood, breaks mass accumulations, throat obstruction, mastitis. Long-term use grows muscle, brightens eyes, lightens body. Treats body wind-itch, headache with cough/rebellious qi, lung injury/fibrosis, infantile scalp sores, carbuncles/genital sores, stops seminal leakage/dysuria/hematuria. Best for treating wind and brightening eyes. Leaves treat wind-itch, can be boiled for bathing, vitiligo. (Take white seeds, crush raw into powder, mix with wine. Or collect flowers, dry in shade, powder, take 2-3 qian after meal with warm wine.)
Kochia Fruit (Difuzi) (also known as Luozhou): Bitter flavor, cold qi. Non-toxic. (Aconite [Wutou] acts as its guide.) Primarily treats bladder heat, promotes urination, tonifies middle, benefits essence/qi, strengthens yin. Long-term use brightens ears/eyes, lightens body, resists aging. Bath decoction removes heat from skin, washes eyes to remove heat/blindness/asthenopia/pain. Leaf juice treats diarrhea. Stops bloody/non-bloody dysentery, resolves malignant sore toxins.
Cassia Seed (Juemingzi): Salty, bitter, sweet flavor, neutral/slightly cold qi. Non-toxic. (Descurainia [Tinglishi] acts as its guide. Dislikes Hemp Seed [Dazima]. Harvest Oct 10, dry in shade, avoid specific days.) Primarily treats blindness, skin overgrowth, red/white membranes, red painful eyes with discharge, clears liver heat. Long-term use benefits essence/spirit, lightens body. Also resolves snake venom. Apply to head/heart, stop epistaxis; take one spoon daily, clean thoroughly, swallow fasting; see night vision in 100 days. Pillow better than black bean, treats headache and brightens eyes.
Celosia Seed (Qingxiangzi): Bitter flavor, slightly cold qi. Non-toxic. (Harvest stems/leaves in Mar, dry in shade; harvest seeds in May/Jun.) Primarily treats pathogenic qi, heat in skin, wind-itch, kills parasites, parasitic/malignant sores/scabies/lice/hemorrhoid erosion, lower orifice sores. Seed named Cao Jueming, treats blue lips/mouth, clears liver heat/toxin rushing to eyes, red opacity/blindness, swelling, benefits brain marrow, brightens ears/eyes, calms liver.
Euphorbia Root (Loulu): Bitter and salty flavor, cold qi. Non-toxic. Primarily treats skin heat, malignant sores/carbuncles/hemorrhoids, mastitis, warm bi, promotes lactation, stops enuresis/seminal emission/hematuria/intestinal wind. Treats trauma, reconnects sinews/bones, applies to traumatic wounds to stop bleeding/grow flesh. Long-term use lightens body, tonifies qi, brightens ears/eyes, prevents aging/prolongs life.
Hyptis Root (Tianmingjing) (also known as Maijujiang): Sweet flavor, cold qi. Non-toxic. (Wall moss [Yuanyi] acts as its guide, harvest May.) Primarily treats fatal blood stasis/disorders, stops/promotes bleeding, promotes urination, treats traumatic fractures. Long-term use lightens body, resists aging.
Salvia Root (Danshen): Bitter flavor, slightly cold qi. Non-toxic. (Dislikes saline water; opposes Veratrum [Lilu]. Harvest roots May, sun-dry. Also says: Winter harvest good, summer harvest empty/bad.) Primarily treats pathogenic qi in heart/abdomen, bowel sounds like flowing water, cold-heat accumulations, breaks masses, stops fullness, tonifies qi/blood, breaks old blood, generates new blood, calms fetus, expels dead fetus, stops metrorrhagia/leukorrhea, regulates irregular menstruation. Treats joint pain, limb paralysis, stiff spine, weak legs, wind-heat retention, headache/red eyes, fever/manic oppression, evil qi/ghosts, abdominal pain, malignant sores/goiters/swellings, expels pus/stops pain, generates tissue.
Scrophularia Root (Xuanshen): Bitter and salty flavor, slightly cold qi. Non-toxic. Sovereign herb of Foot Shaoyin channel. (Dislikes Scutellaria [Huangqin], Ginger [Ganjiang], Jujube [Dazao], Cornus [Shanzhuyu]; opposes Veratrum [Lilu]. Harvest roots Mar/Apr, sun-dry. Avoid copper during use.) Primarily treats cold-heat accumulations in abdomen, residual diseases after childbirth/lactation. Tonifies kidney qi, brightens eyes. Strengthens yin, benefits essence, treats acute wind-stroke/cold damage, body heat/fullness, manic confusion/unconsciousness, chills from warm malaria, wind-headache with heat toxin, bone-stealing transmission qi, blood masses hardness, dissipates neck nodes, carbuncles. This herb is a pivot agent, managing qi up/down, orderly not turbid; treats floating qi, misty qi, rootless fire; this is a divine herb.
Periplocae Cortex (Zishen): Bitter and pungent flavor, cold qi, non-toxic. (Dislikes Magnolia Bud [Xinyi]. Harvest roots Mar, roast until purple.) Primarily treats heart/abdominal masses, cold-heat pathogenic qi, opens nine orifices, benefits large/small intestines, treats intense gastrointestinal heat, sputum/epistaxis, intestinal blood accumulation, women's blood obstruction, carbuncles/all sores; Zhang Zhongjing uses it for dysentery.
Qian Cao Root (Qiangen) (also known as Dishumu): Bitter flavor, cold qi. Slightly yang within yin. (Harvest Feb/Mar, roast before use. Avoid iron.) Primarily treats cold-damp wind-bi, jaundice. Tonifies middle, treats six extremes injuring heart/lungs, epistaxis/hematemesis, internal rupture/below bleeding, hematuria, postpartum syncope, breast lump, traumatic blood stasis, removes dead blood, especially effective for gu poison. Rites of Zhou: Shushi manages gu poison removal using Jiacao; Suohe and Qiancao. Gu poisoning causes vomiting/bowel bleeding like rotten liver. (Qian Cao Root/Lotus Leaf 2 liang each, chopped, decoct 4 sheng water to 1 sheng, take at once.)
Imperata Rhizome (Maogen): Sweet flavor, cold qi. Non-toxic. (Harvest Jun.) Primarily treats labor injury/emaciation, tonifies middle/qi, removes blood stasis, blood obstruction with cold-heat, promotes urination, treats five stranguries, stops thirst, clears gastrointestinal heat, women's metrorrhagia. Shoots like needles called Maozhen, edible, benefits children; raw applied to traumatic wounds stops bleeding/pain. Decocted for epistaxis/below bleeding/hematuria, malignant sores un-ulcerated. Decocted for ulcers: one needle one hole, two needles two holes. Flowers also treat epistaxis/hematemesis/trauma.
Artemisia Leaf (Aiye): Bitter flavor, slightly warm qi, yang within yin. Non-toxic. (Harvest Mar 3, May 5; aged is best. Can crush raw for juice or make decoction, avoid wind.) Primarily moxa for hundred diseases, can make decoction, stops bloody/non-bloody dysentery, hematemesis, epistaxis, bloody diarrhea, women's leukorrhea, calms fetus/stops abdominal pain, repels wind-cold, warms uterus, enables conception, removes heart/abdominal evil qi, all ghost qi, benefits yin qi, generates tissue, treats five zang hemorrhoids, lower orifice sores, juice kills roundworms. Vinegar-decoction treats tinea well. Fruits brighten eyes, strengthen yang, assist yin, treat ghost qi/hundred evil ghosts. (Mix fruits with dried ginger, powder, honey pills paulownia size, take 10-20 fasting, press with rice, twice daily. Or 3 cooked Ai eggs size, 5 sheng water, decoct to 2 sheng, take at once.) Patient with colorless teeth, white tongue, lethargy, unaware of pain/itch, or dysentery: this worm eats lower orifice, treat urgently. (Insert bamboo tube into lower orifice, burn Ai at other end to smoke in, add realgar.)
Sanguisorba Root (Diyu): Bitter, sweet, sour flavor, slightly cold qi. Strong qi/flavor, yin. Non-toxic. (Good with hair; dislikes Ophiopogon [Mendong].) Primarily treats women's breast pain, seven injuries, leukorrhea, continuous menstruation, metrorrhagia, pre/postpartum blood diseases, intestinal wind bloody dysentery, red/white dysentery, pediatric malnutrition heat dysentery (highly effective). Treats trauma, stops pain, removes foul flesh, erodes pus, all malignant sores, heat sores, can make trauma ointment. Nature sinking/cold, enters lower jiao; suitable for hot bloody dysentery, but do not use lightly for deficiency-cold watery diarrhea/cold dysentery. Pediatric malnutrition dysentery: decoct strongly, drink juice.
Great/Small Thistle Roots (Daxiao Ji Gen): Sweet and bitter flavor, warm qi, also said cool. (May, dry in shade.) Primarily nourishes essence/protects blood. Great Thistle treats women's red/white discharge, calms fetus, stops hematemesis/epistaxis/below bleeding. Treats carbuncles/malignant sores; crush raw, take with wine/urine. Also rub with salt. Small Thistle specifically treats blood diseases.
Carthamus Flower (Honglanhua): Pungent, sweet, bitter flavor, warm qi. Yang within yin. Non-toxic. (Can make rouge, dyes true red.) Primarily treats postpartum syncope, locked jaw, abdominal bad blood retention/cramping, fetal death in uterus; decoct with wine. Also treats gu poison, below bleeding. Large dose breaks blood; small dose enters heart to nourish/harmonize blood. Same function as Danggui. Young shoots crushed apply to wandering swelling. Swallow several seeds for epidemic pustules not erupting. Rouge treats infant ear issues, drip in ear. Pharyngeal obstruction not passing. (Crush wet flowers, squeeze 1 sheng juice, sip slowly to cure, one dose. If no wet flowers, soak dry ones same way, extremely effective.) All swellings. (Crush juice, take not more than 2-3 doses. Adjust amount based on swelling size.) Women's wind-stroke, blood heat/thirst/qi-blood stabbing pain. Take 1 sheng seeds, crush, mix with wine, dry, crush again to powder, honey pills paulownia size, take 40 pills fasting with wine.
Moutan Cortex (Mudan): Bitter and pungent flavor, cold qi. Slightly yang within yin. Non-toxic. Enters Hand Jueyin, Foot Shaoyin channels. (Dislikes Dodder [Tusizi]; harvest root bark, remove heart.) Primarily treats cold-heat, wind-stroke convulsions, fright/epilepsy/pathogenic qi, deficiency labor with no sweat, bone-steaming heat, drains fire from yin, removes firm blood stasis staying in intestines/stomach, epistaxis, hematemesis. Women's menstrual obstruction, bloody discharge with low back pain, treats post-delivery placenta expulsion, all cold/heat qi postpartum. Treats insufficient spirit, calms five zang organs, treats carbuncles, expels pus/stops pain.
Curcuma Tuber (Yujin): Bitter and pungent flavor, cold qi. Pure yang. Non-toxic. (Reddish like Turmeric [Jianghuang].) Primarily treats blood accumulation, descends qi, cools heart/stops bleeding, breaks bad blood,