血淋尿血。女人宿血气心痛，温醋摩服之。治金疮生肌，亦啖马药，主马热病。小儿方，马医
多用之，此芳草也。古用合酿酒以降神。《衍义》云∶不香。丹溪云∶性轻扬，能致达酒气于
高远，如龙涎，无香，能散达诸香之气耳。因轻扬之性，古人用以治郁遏。
姜黄 味辛苦，气寒。又云∶温。无毒。（色黄类生姜而圆，有节似郁金。云是经
种三年以上老姜也。）主心腹结积疰忤，下气胀，治气为最。破血，通月经。治扑损瘀血，
产后败血攻心，消痈肿。其主治功力烈于郁金。
延胡索 味辛苦，气温。无毒。入手足太阴经。（生奚国，如半夏色黄。）主破血，产
后诸病。因血所为者，妇人月经不调，腹中结块，崩中淋露，因损下血，产后血晕，暴血冲上，
或酒摩及煮服。又治心气痛，小腹痛暴腰痛。
莎草根 （一名香附子。味甘），气微寒。阳中之阴。无毒。（阴干，石臼捣净。勿犯铁，
用须童便浸或醋煮。）主除胸中热，充皮毛，久服益气，长须眉。大能下气开郁，又逐去凝血，
炒黑能止血，治崩漏。血中之气药，凡血气药必用之。能引血药至气分而生血，妇人之仙药也。
妇人乳肿痛。（捣末，醋煮浓敷之。）
鲤肠 （即旱莲子草。）味甘酸，气平。无毒。（阴干。）主血痢，针灸疮发，洪血不可止者，
敷之立已。汁涂发眉，生速而繁，作乌药用之。
鼠尾草 味苦，气微寒。无毒。（四月采叶，七月采花，阴干。）主鼠 寒热，下痢脓
血不止。白花者主白下，赤花者主赤下。浓煎服或为末粥饮下。
刘寄奴草 味苦，气温。无毒。主破血，产后余疾，下血止痛，极效。治心腹痛，
下气水胀。
鸡冠子 气凉。无毒。（入药炒用。）主止肠风泻血，赤白痢。妇人崩中带下。
柴胡 味苦，气平，微寒。气味俱轻，阳也，升也，阴中之阳。无毒。少阳经、厥阴经行
经之药。（半夏为之使。畏女菀、藜芦、生银。夏者最良。）主心腹，去肠胃中结气，饮食
积聚，寒热邪气，推陈致新。久服轻身明目，除往来寒热，早晨潮热，伤寒心下烦热，诸
痰热结实，胸中邪逆痛，本经头痛。在经主气，在脏主血。妇人产前后必用之药。加以四物、
秦艽、牡丹皮等同为调经之剂，佐以三棱、广术、巴豆之类，能消血，治伤寒寒热往来为
最要药。又治疟必用之。又能引清气行阳道，升提胃气，上行春令。又后人治劳方中多用之，
若止虚劳而无实热用之，致死矣。
前胡 味苦，气微寒。无毒。（半夏为之使，恶皂荚，畏藜芦。）主痰满，胸膈中痞，心
腹结气，风头痛，去痰实，下气最要，治伤寒寒热，推陈致新，明目。治小儿一切疳气。）
白薇 味苦咸，气平，大寒。无毒。（恶黄 、大黄、干姜、干漆、山茱萸、大枣。三月
三日采根，阴干，不见日。）主暴中风，身热支满，忽忽不知人。狂惑邪气，寒热疼，温疟
洒洒，发作有时，疗伤中淋沥下水气。
黄连 味苦，气寒。味浓气薄，阴中阳也。无毒。入手少阴经。（黄芩、龙骨为之使。恶
菊花、芫花，玄参，畏款冬花。胜乌头，解巴豆毒服之。恶猪肉，忌冷水。）主热气，目痛
伤，泣出。明目，肠 腹痛下痢，妇人阴中肿痛。久服令人不忘。镇肝益胆，眼暴赤肿。
久下赤白脓血，为治痢之最。解热毒，泻心火，止惊悸，止消渴，调胃浓肠，除胃中湿热，
烦躁恶心，郁热在中焦，兀兀欲吐，心下痞满及诸疮肿毒必用之。又主形瘦气急，小儿疳气。
酒浸炒上行，姜汁炒辛散冲热有功。治痢，（同木香捣末，白蜜丸如桐子大，空腹下二、三十丸，
再服神效。）又方（与干姜各为末，每服用连二钱，姜半钱，空心温酒下。）久脾泄，（用一两同生
姜四两慢火炒，令姜干，去姜，取连杵末，每空心茶调二钱。） 小儿食土。（和好上泥，煎汁，
搜之，日干与服。）
胡黄连 味苦，气平。无毒。（恶菊花、玄参。生胡国，似干杨柳枝，心黑外黄，折
之尘出如烟者真。忌猪肉，令人漏精。）主久痢成疳，
伤寒咳嗽，温疟，骨蒸劳热。补肝胆，明目。理腰肾，去阴汗。小儿惊痫，寒不下食，霍
乱下痢，小儿药多用之。又治妇人胎蒸虚惊。
黄芩 味苦，气平，寒。味薄气浓，阳中阴也。无毒。入手太阴经。（山茱萸、龙骨
为之使。恶葱实。畏丹砂、牡丹、藜芦。三月三日采根阴干。）主诸热黄胆，肠 泄痢，逐水，
下血闭，恶疮疽蚀火疡，目赤肿。解在肌风热，泄肺受火邪上逆于膈上，消膈上热痰及
胃中湿热，小腹绞痛。利小肠。主天行热疾、疔疮乳痈发背。枯飘者，名宿芩，入肺经。酒
炒上行，主中部积血。圆实者名子芩，入大肠，除热，补膀胱不足，滋其化源。治下痢脓血，
腹痛后重，身热。与芍药、甘草同用，又主妊娠，为安胎之圣药，清热降火故也。又得浓朴、
黄连止腹痛。得五味子、牡蒙牡蛎，令人有子。得黄 、白蔹、赤小豆， 疾疗之。
草龙胆 味苦、涩，气大寒。气味俱浓，阴也。无毒。（贯众为之使，恶防葵、地黄。）
主骨间寒热，惊痫邪气，杀蛊毒，除胃中伏热，时气温热，黄胆。下焦湿肿。热泄下痢。去肠
中小虫，益肝胆气。止惊惕。酒浸之则上行，治两目赤肿睁胀，瘀肉高起，疼痛不可忍，佐
柴胡，眼疾必用之药也。久服益智不忘，轻身耐老。空腹勿饵，令人溺不禁。又治痈肿口疮，
小儿惊痫，客忤疳气。
防己 味辛、苦气平、寒。阴也。无毒。通行十二经。（杀雄黄毒。恶细辛。畏萆 。根
采阴干去皮。用大如车轴理解者良。汉防己君，木防己使，即根苗之名。）主风寒温疟，热
气诸痫，除邪，利大小便。疗风水气，腰以下至足湿热肿、香港脚。去膀胱热及伤寒寒热邪气，
中风手足脚挛急。又主肺气喘嗽，膈间支满。杀痈肿恶结，诸 疥癣虫疮。汉主水气。（木
主风气。）
葛根 味甘，气平。性轻浮。无毒。足阳明经行经的药。（杀野葛、巴豆百药毒。五月采
根曝干，取入士深者去皮用。）主消渴，身大热，呕吐，诸痹。起阴气，解诸毒。疗伤寒中风
头痛，解肌发表出汗。治脾虚而渴，能升提胃气，除胃热。解酒毒，疗金疮，止痛。生根汁大
寒。治天行时病，壮热烦渴，热毒吐血及妊娠热病心闷。小儿热痞，叶主金
疮，止血。葛谷主下痢十岁以上。花主消酒，并小豆花末服方寸匕，饮酒不知醉。葛粉甘寒。
主压丹石，解鸠毒。水调服三合，食之去烦热，利大小便，止渴。
栝蒌根（一名天花粉。） 味苦、气寒。味浓，阴也。无毒。（枸杞为之使。恶干姜。畏
牛膝、干漆，反乌头。入地深者良。）主消渴身热，烦满大热。补虚安中。续绝伤。除肠胃
中痼热，八疸身黄，唇干口燥，短气。通水遂，止小便，利排脓，消肿毒，生肌长肉。消乳
痈发背，痔 疮疖，扑损瘀血。茎叶治中热伤暑最效。子味苦、甘，性润。治痰嗽，利胸膈。
甘能补肺，润能降气。胸有痰者，以肺之逼，失降下之令，令得甘缓润下之助，则痰自降，
宜为治嗽之要药。又洗涤胸膈中垢腻，治消渴之妙药。又止吐血，肠风泻血，赤白痢，并炒用。
又下乳汁，取仁炒干令香熟为末，酒调一匕，合面卧少时。
苦参 味苦，气寒。沉纯阴。无毒。（玄参为之使。恶贝母、菟丝。反藜芦。少入汤
用，多作丸服或酒浸。）主心腹结气， 瘕积聚，黄胆，溺有余沥，逐水除痈肿，补中明目
止泪，治时气恶病，大热肠 ，热痢热毒，皮风肌燥。杀虫，疮疥赤癞，眉脱，治大风有功，
及遍身热，细疹痒痛，胸颈脐腹，近阴处皆然。有人用揩齿，岁久遂得腰重之疾，盖能峻补
阴气，气降而不升故也。癞疾恶物。（取五斤切，以好酒三斗，煮一斗每饮一合，日三服不绝。）
瘟病狂言，心燥，结胸垂死。（取一二两以酒二升煮一升顿服之，有汗无汗或吐皆瘥。）肠风泻
血并热痢。（炒带烟出，为末，饭饮下。）卒心痛。（取一两酒煎热服。）
防葵 味辛、甘、苦。气寒。无毒。（三月三日采根日干，根据时采者入水沉，勿误用野狼毒。）
主疝瘕肠泄，膀胱热结，溺不下。
咳逆温疟、鬼疟，癫痫惊邪狂走。小腹支满膈胀，口干。除肾邪，强志。久服坚筋骨，益
气轻身。
蓝实 味苦、甘。气寒、无毒。（即大叶蓝，茎叶可染青。）主解诸母，杀虫 。（音其，小
儿鬼也。） 疰鬼螫毒。填骨髓，明耳目，调五脏六腑，利关节，益心力。久服头不白，轻
身。其叶汁杀百药毒、毒药、毒箭、毒刺，金疡血闷，鳖瘕，虫蛇伤，蜘蛛蜂螫毒箭。疔疮肿
毒，游风热肿，天行热狂，心烦躁闷，寒热头痛，鼻红吐血，赤眼。产后血晕，小儿壮热，
热疳丹热，秃疮。治鳖瘕。（叶一斤捣，以水二升，绞取汁一升，日一服。）诸虫伤咬。
（取汁一碗，入雄黄麝香二
物，随意多少投汁中，以点咬处。若是毒者，即再服其汁神效。）青布烧作灰。（敷恶疮经年不
瘥者及炙疮止血，令不中风。）
青黛 （一名靛花。）味咸、甘。气寒。（出波斯国。染淀瓮上沫紫碧色者用之，同青黛
功。）主解诸药毒。收五脏郁火，小儿诸热，惊痫发热，天行头痛，并水研服之。治小儿
疳热痢消瘦诸病，泻肝，消食积，杀恶虫物，化为水，磨敷热疮恶肿，金疮下血，蛇犬等毒
甚效。
景天 （一名慎火。）味苦、酸。气平。无毒。一云有小毒。（四月四日、七月七日采、阴
干。）主大热，火疮身热烦，邪恶气。诸虫毒，金疮止血，风疹恶痒，热毒丹肿。浴小儿，
去烦热，惊气风疹。生捣敷小儿赤游丹毒。花主女人漏下赤白，轻身明目。
茵陈蒿 味苦、辛，气平，微寒。阴中微阳。无毒。入足太阳经。（五月及立秋采，阴干。）
主风湿寒热邪气，热结黄胆，通身发黄，小便不利。解伤寒烦热腹痛，行滞气，化痰利膈。久服
轻身，益气耐老。仲景治热湿，阳黄，茵陈栀子大黄汤。阴黄，茵陈附子汤。大抵以此药为主，
各随寒热而佐以他药。
知母 味辛、苦。气寒。无毒。足少阳经本药。（勿犯铁器，行经上颈，酒炒用。）主
消渴热中，除邪气，肢体浮肿，下水。补不足，益气。捕肾水，泻肾中火。治有汗骨蒸，热
劳往来。传尸疰病，伤寒久疟烦热，消痰止嗽，润心肺。患人虚而口干加用之。又治溪毒大胜，
兼辟射工。夏月出行，取屑自随。欲人水，先取少许投上流。
贝母 味辛、苦，气平、微寒。无毒。（浓朴、白薇为之使。畏秦艽、矾石。反乌头，若
用去心。）主伤寒烦热，淋沥邪气疝瘕，喉痹乳痈金疮风痉。腹中结实，心下满，咳嗽上气。消
痰润心肺，散心胸郁结之气殊有功。诗云∶言采其虻者是也。与连翘同主项下瘤瘿疾，敷恶疮
能敛疮口。产难及胞衣不出，（取七枚作末，酒调下。）人蓄恶疮。（烧友，油调服之。）昔有人左
膊有疮如人面，历试诸药无苦，至贝母，疮乃聚眉闭口，因以小苇筒毁其口灌之，数日成痂愈。
地骨皮 （即枸杞根。）味苦，气寒，阴也。入足少阴经、手少阳经。（去骨用根
皮。）主五内邪气，热中消渴，风湿周痹，补伤大劳，解有汗骨蒸及去肌热凉血，坚筋骨，滋
阴，利大小肠。
紫菀 味苦、辛。气温。无毒。（款冬为之使，恶天雄、瞿麦、雷丸、远志。畏茵陈。阴干蜜
水浸一宿，焙干去芦头。）主咳逆上气，胸中寒热结气。去蛊毒痿蹶，安五脏，益肺气，疗肺
痿咳唾脓血，消痰止喘悸，五劳体虚，补不足，小儿惊痫，久嗽不瘥。（款冬花各一两） 百部
半两，为末。每服三钱匕，生姜二片，乌梅一个，煎汤调，食后临卧各一服速效。）
百部 味甘、苦，气微温。又云微寒。无毒，一云有小毒。（酒浸，炒入药。）主肺热咳
嗽上气，润益肺，治嗽多用。又治疳、蛔，及传尸骨蒸劳，杀寸白、蛲虫。亦去风。煮作汤洗牛
大虱即去，并治一切树木虫蛀，烬之亦可杀蝇蠓。
款冬花 味辛甘，气温，无毒。（杏仁为之使。得紫菀良。恶硝石、玄参。畏贝母、辛荑、
麻黄、黄 、黄芩、黄连、青葙。百草中惟此罔顾冰雪，最先春也。采花，阴干。微见花，
未舒者良。）主咳逆上气，善喘息，呼吸连连不绝，涕唾稠粘。润心肺，消痰止咳。
治肺痿痈，吐脓血。心虚惊悸，洗肝明目，喉痹诸惊痫寒热邪气，除烦补劳劣。古今治嗽之最。
（取花于无风处，密器烧，用笔管吸其烟，满口则咽之，数日效。）
白前 味甘、辛，气微温。一云微寒。无毒。（白而长，比于细辛，形粗而脆。）主胸
胁逆气、咳嗽上气冲喉中，呼吸欲绝，不得眠，常作水鸡声，善能保定肺气，治嗽多用之。
以温药相佐使尤佳。
马兜铃 味苦，气寒。无毒。（青木香子也。只取向里面子，去革膜，入药妙用。）主肺
热咳嗽，气上逆，连连不息，痰结喘促。又主血痔 疮，以药于瓶中烧熏病处。
Blood lin (dysuria with blood) and hematuria. For women suffering from heart pain due to retained blood and qi stagnation, it can be taken after being mixed with warm vinegar and massaged. It treats metal weapon wounds (metal-induced trauma) to promote muscle growth, and is also used as a veterinary medicine for horses, primarily treating heat diseases in horses. In pediatric prescriptions, veterinarians often use this herb; it is an aromatic grass. In ancient times, it was used to brew wine to summon spirits. *Yanyi* states: "It has no fragrance." Danxi states: "Its nature is light and ascending, capable of carrying the aroma of wine to distant parts of the body, similar to dragon ambergris; although itself odorless, it can disperse the aroma of various spices." Due to its light and ascending nature, ancients used it to treat qi stagnation.
Jianghuang (Curcuma Longae Rhizoma) Taste: bitter, pungent. Nature: cold. Another view: warm. Non-toxic. (Yellow in color, similar to ginger but round, with nodes like Yujin. It is said to be the rhizome of old ginger planted for over three years.) Primarily treats accumulations and fixed masses in the heart and abdomen, Zhu-wu (a condition caused by evil qi leading to accumulation), qi stagnation causing distension; it is best for treating qi disorders. Breaks blood, regulates menstruation. Treats traumatic blood stasis, postpartum敗血 (decayed blood) attacking the heart, reduces carbuncles and swelling. Its therapeutic potency is stronger than that of Yujin.
Yanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizoma) Taste: bitter, pungent. Nature: warm. Non-toxic. Enters the Taiyin meridians of the hand and foot. (Grows in Xi country, yellow in color like Banxia.) Primarily breaks blood, treats various postpartum conditions. For conditions caused by blood, such as irregular menstruation in women, abdominal masses, metrorrhagia and dripping, bleeding from lower damage, postpartum syncope due to blood, sudden massive bleeding rushing upward, it can be taken after grinding with wine or decocting. Also treats heart-qi pain, lower abdominal pain, and sudden lumbar pain.
Shacaogen (Cyperi Rhizoma) (Also known as Xiangfuzi. Taste: sweet. Nature: slightly cold. Yin within Yang. Non-toxic. (Should be dried in shade, pounded clean in a stone mortar. Avoid iron. Use after soaking in child's urine or boiling in vinegar.) Primarily clears heat from the chest, nourishes skin and hair, long-term use benefits qi, promotes growth of beard and eyebrows. Greatly descends qi and opens depression, removes coagulated blood; when charred, it stops bleeding and treats metrorrhagia. It is the qi herb within blood herbs; essential in all blood-regulating formulas. It guides blood herbs into the qi level to generate blood, making it a miraculous herb for women. Treats breast swelling and pain in women. (Pound into powder, boil thickly in vinegar, and apply externally.)
Lichang (Commelina communis) (Also known as Hanliancao. Taste: sour, sweet. Nature: neutral. Non-toxic. (Dried in shade.) Primarily treats bloody dysentery, eruption of acupuncture sores, and uncontrollable hemorrhage; applying it externally brings immediate relief. Juice applied to hair and eyebrows promotes rapid and lush growth; used in preparations for darkening hair.
Shuweicao (Salvia miltiorrhiza) Taste: bitter. Nature: slightly cold. Non-toxic. (Leaves harvested in April, flowers in July, dried in shade.) Primarily treats shulou (scrofula/lymphatic tuberculosis), alternating chills and fever, persistent dysentery with pus and blood. White-flowered variety treats white dysentery; red-flowered variety treats red dysentery. Decoct strongly for oral administration or grind into powder and mix with porridge.
Liujinu (Artemisia annua) Taste: bitter. Nature: warm. Non-toxic. Primarily breaks blood, treats residual postpartum ailments, stops bleeding and relieves pain, extremely effective. Treats heart and abdominal pain, descends qi and resolves water distension.
Jiguanzi (Celosia cristata) Nature: cool. Non-toxic. (Used after stir-frying.) Primarily stops intestinal wind diarrhea with blood, red and white dysentery. Treats metrorrhagia and leukorrhea in women.
Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) Taste: bitter. Nature: neutral, slightly cold. The scent and taste are both light, belonging to Yang, ascending, and representing Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. A channel-guiding herb for Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians. (Banxia acts as its guide. Adversely affected by Nüwan, Lilü, and raw silver. Best harvested in summer.) Primarily treats heart and abdominal discomfort, removes结气 (knotted qi) in the intestines and stomach, dietary accumulations, evil qi of chills and fever, pushes out the old to bring forth the new. Long-term use lightens the body and improves vision, removes alternating chills and fever, morning tidal fever, heart vexation and heat from shaoyin cold damage, various phlegm-heat solidities, evil rebellion pain in the chest, headache along the meridian. In channels, it governs qi; in organs, it governs blood. An essential herb for women before and after childbirth. Combined with Siwu Tang, Qinjiao, and Mudanpi, it serves as a formula for regulating menstruation; assisted by Sanleng, Guangzhu, and Baidu, it can resolve blood stasis and is the most crucial herb for treating alternating chills and fever in shaoyin cold damage. It is also essential for treating malaria. It guides clear qi to circulate in the yang pathways, lifts stomach qi, and ascends to follow the spring energy. Later practitioners often used it in formulas for consumptive disease; however, if used solely for deficiency-consumption without excess-heat, it could cause death.
Qianhu (Peucedani Radix) Taste: bitter. Nature: slightly cold. Non-toxic. (Banxia acts as its guide. Dislikes Zaojiao, fears Lilü.) Primarily treats fullness of phlegm, stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm, knotted qi in the heart and abdomen, wind-type headache, removes phlegm-solidity, descends qi most importantly, treats alternating chills and fever in cold damage, pushes out the old to bring forth the new, brightens eyes. Treats all types of childhood ganyang (childhood malnutrition).
Baiwei (Cynanchi Atrati Radix) Taste: bitter, salty. Nature: neutral, very cold. Non-toxic. (Dislikes Huangqin, Dahuang, Ganjiang, Ganqi, Shanzhuyu, Dazao. Roots harvested on the third day of the third lunar month, dried in shade, avoiding sunlight.) Primarily treats sudden stroke, body heat with fullness, sudden confusion and loss of consciousness. Treats madness, evil qi, painful chills and fever, savvachilling of warm malaria occurring at specific times, treats shangzhong (internal injury) with dripping and downward flow of water qi.
Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) Taste: bitter. Nature: cold. Strong taste, thin scent, represents Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. Enters the Shaoyin meridian of the hand. (Huangqin and Longgu act as its guides. Dislikes Juhua, Yuanhua, Xuanshen, fears Kuandonghua. Overcomes Wutou, resolves Badou toxicity; taking Huanglian resolves Badou poison. Dislikes pork, avoids cold water.) Primarily treats heat qi, eye pain from injury, tearing. Brightens eyes, intestinal abdominal pain with dysentery, swelling and pain in the female genitalia. Long-term use prevents forgetfulness. Calms the liver and benefits the gallbladder, treats sudden redness and swelling of the eyes. Persistent discharge of red and white pus and blood; it is the premier herb for treating dysentery. Resolves heat toxins, drains heart fire, stops palpitations, quenches thirst, harmonizes the stomach and thickens the intestines, removes damp-heat in the stomach, vexation, nausea, middle-jiao stagnant heat, nausea and urge to vomit, epigastric fullness, and various sores and toxic swellings; it is essential. Also treats emaciation and急促 breathing, childhood ganyang. Wine-steamed and stir-fried, it ascends; ginger-juice stir-fried, it disperses pungently and contributes to clearing heat. For dysentery, (combine with Muxiang, grind into powder, form pills the size of tung seeds with white honey, take 20-30 pills on an empty stomach, subsequent doses are miraculous.) Another prescription (grind Huanglian and Ganjiang separately into powder, each dose uses 2 qian of Huanglian and half a qian of Ginger, take with warm wine on an empty stomach.) For chronic spleen diarrhea, (use 1 liang of Huanglian with 4 liang of fresh ginger, slow-fire stir-fry until ginger is dry, remove ginger, pound Huanglian into powder, take 2 qian mixed with tea on an empty stomach.) For children pica (eating dirt), (mix with high-quality mud, decoct juice, knead into dough, sun-dry, and administer.)
Huhuanglian (Picrorhizae Rhizoma) Taste: bitter. Nature: neutral. Non-toxic. (Dislikes Juhua, Xuanshen. Grows in Hu countries, resembles dried willow branches, black inside and yellow outside, true product emits smoke-like dust when broken. Avoid pork, causes seminal leakage.) Primarily treats chronic dysentery leading to ganyang, cough from cold damage, warm malaria, bone-steaming consumption fever. Benefits liver and gallbladder, brightens eyes. Regulates kidneys and waist, removes yin sweat. Childhood convulsions and epilepsy, cold inability to eat, cholera with dysentery; widely used in pediatric formulas. Also treats maternal fetal steaming and deficiency fright.
Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) Taste: bitter. Nature: neutral, cold. Thin taste, strong scent, represents Yin within Yang. Non-toxic. Enters the Taiyin meridian of the hand. (Shanzhuyu and Longgu act as its guides. Dislikes Congshi. Fears Dansha, Mudan, Lilü. Roots harvested on the third day of the third lunar month, dried in shade.) Primarily treats various heat jaundice, intestinal diarrhea and dysentery, drains water, resolves blood obstruction, malignant sores, ulcers, burns, red swollen eyes. Resolves wind-heat in the muscle layer, vents lung fire rebelling upward to the diaphragm, eliminates upper-diaphragm phlegm-heat and stomach damp-heat, lower abdominal colic. Promotes urination. Treats epidemic heat diseases, ding sores, mastitis, and back carbuncles. Withered and floating ones are called Suqin, entering the Lung meridian. Wine-stir-fried, it ascends, treating middle-jiao blood accumulation. Round and solid ones are called Ziqin, entering the Large Intestine, clearing heat, benefiting insufficient bladder function, nourishing its source. Treats dysentery with pus and blood, abdominal pain with tenesmus, body heat. Used with Shaoyao and Gancao, it also treats pregnancy, serving as a sacred herb for calming the fetus due to its heat-clearing and fire-draining properties. Combined with Houpo and Huanglian, it stops abdominal pain. Combined with Wuweizi and Muli, it aids conception. Combined with Huangqi, Bailian, and Chixiaodou, it treats malignant diseases.
Caolongdan (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix) Taste: bitter, astringent. Nature: very cold. Scent and taste are both strong, belonging to Yin. Non-toxic. (Guanzhong acts as its guide. Dislikes Fangkui, Dihuang.) Primarily treats chills and fever between bones, convulsions and evil qi, kills gu poison, removes latent heat in the stomach, seasonal warm heat, jaundice. Lower jiao damp swelling. Heat-induced diarrhea and dysentery. Removes small parasites in the intestines, benefits liver and gallbladder qi. Stops fright and tremors. Wine-soaked, it ascends, treating red swollen eyes, protruding fleshy growths, unbearable pain; combined with Chaihu, it is an essential herb for eye diseases. Long-term use improves intelligence and memory, lightens the body, and delays aging. Do not take on an empty stomach, as it causes urinary incontinence. Also treats carbuncles and mouth ulcers, childhood convulsions, ke-wu (alien pathogenic factors), and ganyang.
Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) Taste: pungent, bitter. Nature: neutral, cold. Belongs to Yin. Non-toxic. Circulates through the twelve meridians. (Kills realgar toxicity. Dislikes Xixin. Favors Bibo. Roots harvested, dried in shade, peeled. Those as thick as cart axles are superior. Hanfangji is the sovereign herb, Mu Fangji is the assistant herb, referring to root and shoot names.) Primarily treats wind-cold warm malaria, heat-related epilepsy, expels evil, promotes urination and bowel movements. Treats wind-water edema, damp-heat swelling from waist to feet, podagra. Removes bladder heat and evil qi of chills and fever from cold damage, flaccidity and spasm of limbs from wind-stroke. Also treats pulmonary asthma and cough, fullness in the diaphragm. Kills malignant sores and knots, various scabies, tinea, and insect sores. Hanfangji governs water qi. (Mu Fangji governs wind qi.)
Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) Taste: sweet. Nature: neutral. Nature is light and floating. Non-toxic. Channel-guiding herb for the Foot Yangming meridian. (Kills wild gecko, badou, and hundred drug poisons. Roots harvested in May, sun-dried, use those dug deep from soil, peeled.) Primarily treats xiaoke (wasting-thirst), severe body heat, vomiting, various bi syndromes. Raises yin qi, resolves various toxins. Treats headache from cold damage and wind-stroke, releases the muscle layer, induces sweating. Treats thirst due to spleen deficiency, lifts stomach qi, clears stomach heat. Resolves alcohol toxicity, treats metal wounds, relieves pain. Fresh root juice is very cold. Treats epidemic seasonal diseases, severe fever with vexation and thirst, heat-toxic vomiting of blood, and cardiac stuffiness from heat disease in pregnancy. Childhood heat-fullness; leaves treat metal wounds and stop bleeding. Ge Gu (seeds) treats dysentery in children over ten years old. Flowers treat alcohol intoxication; taken with adzuki bean flower powder (one cun bi), one does not get drunk. Ge Fen (starch) is sweet and cold. Suppresses danshi toxicity, resolves pigeon poison. Mix with water, take 3 he, removes vexation and heat, promotes urination and defecation, quenches thirst.
Gualougen (Trichosanthis Radix) (Also known as Tianhuafen.) Taste: bitter. Nature: cold. Strong taste, belongs to Yin. Non-toxic. (Gouqi acts as its guide. Dislikes Ganjiang. Fears Niuxi, Ganqi, counteracts Wutou. Those growing deep underground are superior.) Primarily treats wasting-thirst with body heat, vexation and fullness with severe heat. Tonifies deficiency, calms the middle. Heals severed injuries. Removes stubborn heat in the intestines and stomach, eight types of jaundice with yellow body, dry lips and mouth, shortness of breath. Unblocks water passages, stops urination, promotes pus drainage, reduces swelling and detoxifies, generates muscle and flesh. Eliminates mastitis and back carbuncles, hemorrhoids, sores, boils, traumatic blood stasis. Stems and leaves are most effective for treating mid-summer heat and heatstroke. Seeds taste bitter and sweet, nature is moistening. Treats phlegm-cough, benefits chest and diaphragm. Sweet tonifies lung, moistening descends qi. For phlegm in the chest, due to lung pressure losing its descending command, assistance from sweet-slowing and moistening-descending agents allows phlegm to descend naturally; thus, it is a key herb for treating cough. It also washes away greasiness in the chest and diaphragm, a wonderful herb for treating wasting-thirst. Stops vomiting blood, intestinal wind diarrhea with blood, red and white dysentery; all used after stir-frying. Promotes lactation; take kernel, stir-fry until fragrant, grind into powder, mix with wine (one bi), lie face down for a short time.
Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) Taste: bitter. Nature: cold. Deep and purely yin. Non-toxic. (Xuanshen acts as its guide. Dislikes Beimu, Tusizi. Counteracts Lilü. Use sparingly in decoctions, mostly made into pills or soaked in wine.) Primarily treats knotted qi in heart and abdomen, zhijiju (masses and accumulations), jaundice, dribbling urine, drains water, removes carbuncles and swelling, tonifies middle, brightens eyes, stops tearing, treats epidemic evil diseases, severe heat intestinal pain, heat-dysentery and heat-toxin, skin wind and dry muscle. Kills insects, sores, scabies, red leprosy, eyebrow loss; effective for major wind diseases, generalized heat, fine rashes with itching and pain, chest, neck, umbilicus, abdomen, and areas near genitals. Some people used it to brush teeth; over years, this led to heavy waist, because it strongly tonifies yin qi, causing qi to descend rather than ascend. Treats leprosy and evil substances. (Take 5 jin, slice, boil in 3 dou of good wine until reduced to 1 dou, drink 1 he per dose, three times daily without interruption.) Epidemic disease with delirium, heart dryness, chest binding nearing death. (Take 1-2 liang, boil in 2 sheng of wine until reduced to 1 sheng, take in one dose; whether sweating or not, or vomiting occurs, recovery follows.) Intestinal wind diarrhea with blood and heat dysentery. (Stir-fry until smoking, grind into powder, take with rice water.) Sudden heart pain. (Take 1 liang, decoct in wine, take hot.)
Fangkui (Akebiae Radix) Taste: pungent, sweet, bitter. Nature: cold. Non-toxic. (Roots harvested on the third day of the third lunar month, sun-dried. Those harvested according to season sink in water. Do not mistake for Yelangdu.) Primarily treats hernia, intestinal diarrhea, bladder heat binding, inability to urinate. Cough, warm malaria, ghost malaria, epilepsy, fright, evil qi, manic running. Fullness in lower abdomen and diaphragm, dry mouth. Removes kidney evil, strengthens willpower. Long-term use strengthens sinews and bones, benefits qi, lightens the body.
Lanshi (Isatidis Semen) Taste: bitter, sweet. Nature: cold. Non-toxic. (Also known as Dayelan, stems and leaves dye blue.) Primarily resolves mother-poison, kills insects. (Qi sound, child ghost.) Zhu-gui stinging poison. Fills marrow, brightens ears and eyes, harmonizes five zang and six fu organs, benefits joints, increases heart strength. Long-term use prevents white hair, lightens the body. Leaf juice kills hundred drug poison, toxic drugs, poisoned arrows, thorns, metal wound blood stagnation, bie jia (turtle-shaped mass), insect/snake bites, spider/bees stings, poisoned arrows. Ding sores and toxic swellings, wandering wind heat swelling, epidemic heat mania, heart vexation and stuffiness, chills and fever headache, nasal bleeding and vomiting blood, red eyes. Postpartum blood syncope, childhood severe fever, heat ganyang dan-re, bald sores. Treats bie jia. (One jin of leaves, pound, add 2 sheng water, squeeze to obtain 1 sheng juice, take once daily.) Various insect bites. (Take one bowl of juice, add realgar and musch, add appropriate amount to juice, apply to bite site. If toxic, drink remaining juice again for miraculous effect.) Blue cloth burned to ash. (Apply to malignant sores unhealed for years and cauterized sores to stop bleeding, preventing wind-stroke.)
Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) (Also known as Dianhua.) Taste: salty, sweet. Nature: cold. (Originates from Persia. Use the purple-green foam on indigo vats, same efficacy as Qingdai.) Primarily resolves various drug toxicities. Collects stagnant fire of five zang organs, childhood various heats, convulsions with fever, epidemic headache; grind with water and take. Treats childhood ganyang heat-dysentery, emaciation, and other diseases; drains liver, resolves food accumulation, kills harmful insects, dissolves into water, grinds and applies to heat sores and malignant swellings, metal wound bleeding, snake/dog venom; extremely effective.
Jingtian (Heptapleurum arboricola) (Also known as Shenhuo.) Taste: bitter, sour. Nature: neutral. Non-toxic. One view: slightly toxic. (Harvested on April 4th and July 7th, dried in shade.) Primarily treats severe heat, fire sores with body heat and vexation, evil qi. Various insect poisons, metal wounds stopping bleeding, wind-rash with severe itching, heat-toxin dan swelling. Bathe children to remove vexation and heat, fright qi, wind-rash. Raw paste applied to childhood chiyou dan du (erysipelas). Flowers treat leukorrhea (red and white discharge) in women, lighten body, brighten eyes.
Yinchenhao (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) Taste: bitter, pungent. Nature: neutral, slightly cold. Slight yang within yin. Non-toxic. Enters the Foot Taiyang meridian. (Harvested in May and at Start of Autumn, dried in shade.) Primarily treats wind-dampness, cold, heat, and evil qi, heat-binding jaundice, generalized yellowing, difficult urination. Resolves vexation, heat, and abdominal pain from cold damage, moves stagnant qi, transforms phlegm, benefits diaphragm. Long-term use lightens the body, benefits qi, and delays aging. Zhongjing treats damp-heat, yang jaundice with Yinchen Zhizi Dahuang Tang. Yin jaundice with Yinchen Fuzi Tang. Generally, this herb is the main component, assisted by other herbs according to cold or heat.
Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) Taste: pungent, bitter. Nature: cold. Non-toxic. Primary herb for Foot Shaoyang meridian. (Avoid iron vessels, travels up the neck, stir-fried with wine.) Primarily treats wasting-thirst with internal heat, removes evil qi, limb edema, drains water. Tonifies insufficiency, benefits qi. Captures kidney water, drains kidney fire. Treats bone-steaming with sweating, alternating heat-labor. Transmitted corpse-zhu disease, prolonged malaria with vexation and heat from cold damage, transforms phlegm, stops cough, moistens lungs and heart. Add if patient is deficient and has dry mouth. Also treats溪毒 (stream poison) effectively, repels Shegong (water arrow bug). When traveling in summer, carry powder with you. To enter water, throw a little upstream first.
Beimu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus) Taste: pungent, bitter. Nature: neutral, slightly cold. Non-toxic. (Houpo and Baiwei act as its guides. Fears Qinjiao, Fanshi. Counteracts Wutou; if used, remove heart.) Primarily treats vexation and heat from cold damage, dripping evil qi, hernia, throat obstruction, mastitis, metal wounds, wind-spasm. Abdominal solidity, epigastric fullness, cough with rebellious qi. Transforms phlegm, moistens lungs and heart, greatly benefits dissipating stagnant qi in chest and heart. As the poem says: "Gathering its Meng." Combined with Lianqiao, it treats neck tumors and goiters; applied to malignant sores, it contracts wound edges. Difficult labor and retained placenta. (Take seven bulbs, grind into powder, take with wine.) Accumulated malignant sores in humans. (Charred, mixed with oil and taken.) Once, a person had a sore on the left arm resembling a human face; various medicines failed. Upon using Beimu, the sore gathered eyebrows and closed its mouth. A small reed tube was used to destroy the mouth and pour medicine in; after several days, it scabbed and healed.
Digupi (Lycii Cortex) (Root of Gouqi.) Taste: bitter. Nature: cold, yin. Enters Foot Shaoyin and Hand Shaoyang meridians. (Remove woody core, use root bark.) Primarily treats evil qi in five viscera, internal heat wasting-thirst, wind-dampness generalized bi, tonifies severe fatigue from injury, resolves bone-steaming with sweating, removes muscle heat, cools blood, strengthens sinews and bones, nourishes yin, promotes urination and defecation.
Ziwan (Asteris Radix) Taste: bitter, pungent. Nature: warm. Non-toxic. (Kuandong acts as its guide. Dislikes Tianxiong, Qumai, Leiwan, Yuanzhi. Fears Yinchen. Dried in shade, soaked in honey water overnight, baked dry, remove rhizome head.) Primarily treats rebellious qi from cough, cold-heat knotted qi in chest. Removes gu poison, flaccidity, calms five zang, benefits lung qi, treats lung abscess with coughing up pus and blood, transforms phlegm, stops wheezing and palpitations, five labors and physical deficiency, tonifies insufficiency, childhood convulsions, chronic cough unhealed. (Kuandong Hua 1 liang, Baibu half liang, grind into powder. Take 3 qian bi per dose, with 2 slices of ginger and one wumei, decoct in water, take after meals and before bed for rapid effect.)
Baibu (Stemonae Radix) Taste: sweet, bitter. Nature: slightly warm. Another view: slightly cold. Non-toxic. One view: slightly toxic. (Soak in wine, stir-fry for use.) Primarily treats lung-heat cough with rebellious qi, moistens and benefits lungs, commonly used for cough. Also treats ganyang, roundworms, and transmitted bone-steaming consumption, kills Ascaris and pinworms. Also dispels wind. Decocted as soup, washes off large lice in cattle; treats wood-boring insects; burning them also kills flies and gnats.
Kuandonghua (Farfarae Flos) Taste: pungent, sweet. Nature: warm. Non-toxic. (Xingren acts as its guide. Works well with Ziwan. Dislikes Xiaoshi, Xuanshen. Fears Beimu, Xin Yi, Mahuang, Huangqi, Huangqin, Huanglian, Qingxiang. Among all herbs, only this disregards ice and snow, blooming earliest in spring. Harvest flowers, dry in shade. Flowers just visible, not fully opened, are best.) Primarily treats rebellious qi from cough, frequent panting, continuous breathing, thick sticky sputum. Moistens lungs and heart, transforms phlegm, stops cough. Treats lung abscess, vomiting pus and blood. Heart deficiency with palpitations, cleanses liver, brightens eyes, throat obstruction, various convulsions, chills and fever evil qi, removes vexation, tonifies weakness. The best herb for cough in ancient and modern times. (Harvest flowers in windless place, burn in sealed container, inhale smoke through pen tube, swallow when mouth is full; effective in several days.)
Baiqian (Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma) Taste: sweet, pungent. Nature: slightly warm. Another view: slightly cold. Non-toxic. (White and long, compared to Xixin, coarse and brittle.) Primarily treats rebellious qi in chest and hypochondrium, cough with rebellious qi rushing to throat, breathing nearly stopped, insomnia, often makes frog-like sounds, excellently stabilizes lung qi, commonly used for cough. Especially effective when assisted by warm herbs.
Madoulou (Aristolochiae Fructus) Taste: bitter. Nature: cold. Non-toxic. (Seed of Qingmuxiang. Only use inner seeds, remove membrane, excellent for medicinal use.) Primarily treats lung-heat cough, rebellious qi, continuous non-stop breathing, phlegm knotting with wheezing. Also treats bloody hemorrhoids and sores; burn medicine in a bottle and fumigate the affected area.