味辛，微温。主伤寒头痛，鼻塞，咳逆上气，止呕吐，去臭气。《药性论》云∶使。
痰水气满，下气。生与干并治嗽，疗时疾，止呕逆不下食。生和半夏主心下急痛。若中热
能食，捣汁和蜜服。又汁和杏仁作煎，下一切结气实，心胸壅隔，冷热气，神效。陶隐
多食伤心气。陈藏器云∶汁解毒药，自余破血，调中，去冷，除痰，开胃。需热，去皮
冷，即留皮。秦椒为使。杀∶半夏，莨菪毒。恶∶黄芩、黄连、天鼠粪。
味甘，平，无毒。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，开腠理，疗金疮，止痛，胁风痛。生根汁∶大寒。疗消渴，伤寒壮
葛谷∶主下痢十岁以上。叶∶主金疮止血。花∶主消酒。《药性论》云∶臣。治天行上气呕
逆，开胃下食，主解酒毒，止烦渴，治金疮，治时疾，解热。日华子云∶冷。治胸膈
烦闷，热狂，止血痢，通小肠，排脓破血，敷蛇虫啮，解箭毒。陈藏器云∶生，破血
堕胎，解酒毒。杀∶野葛、巴豆、百药毒。
味甘，大寒，无毒。主压丹石，去烦热，利大小便，止渴，小儿热痞。
味苦，寒，无毒。主心腹结气，症瘕积聚，黄胆，溺有余沥，逐水，除痈肿，补中，明
目止泪，养肝胆气，安五脏，定志，益精，利九窍，除伏热、肠 ，止渴，醒酒，小便黄赤，
疗恶疮下部 ，平胃气。《药性论》云∶治热毒风生疮，赤癞眉脱，除大热，治腹中冷痛
中恶腹痛。日华子云∶杀疳虫，治肠风泻血并热痢。玄参为使。恶∶贝母、漏芦、菟丝。
藜芦。
**Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Fresh Ginger):** Pungent in flavor, slightly warm in nature. It primarily treats headache and nasal congestion caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage), counteracts rebellious Qi with coughing, stops vomiting, and eliminates foul odors. *Xiaoxing Lun* states it serves as a "Shi" (Envoy) herb. For fullness of Qi due to phlegm-fluid retention, it directs Qi downward. Both fresh and dried forms treat coughs, manage epidemic diseases, stop vomiting and rebellious Qi, and promote food intake. When combined with Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), fresh ginger treats acute pain in the epigastrium. If internal heat is present and appetite is preserved, crushed juice mixed with honey may be taken. Additionally, juice mixed with Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) prepared as a decoction effectively unblocks all types of solid Qi stagnation, relieves chest and heart oppression, and resolves conflicting cold and hot Qi with miraculous efficacy. Tao Hongjing noted that excessive consumption damages Heart Qi. Chen Zangqi stated: Juice detoxifies medicines; other effects include breaking blood stasis, harmonizing the Middle Jiao, dispelling cold, eliminating phlegm, and opening the stomach. To enhance its warming property, peel the skin; to retain its cooling nature, keep the skin. Qinjiao (Sichuan Pepper) acts as an envoy. It neutralizes the toxicity of Banxia and Langdang. It is incompatible with Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Tianshu Fen (Rattus Dung).
**Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix, Kudzu Root):** Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats Xiaoke (Wasting-Thirst), high fever, vomiting, various Bi syndromes (painful obstruction), raises Yin Qi, and resolves various toxins. It treats headaches from Shanghan or Zhongfeng (Wind-Stroke), releases the muscle layer, induces sweating, opens the Couli (pores), treats Jinchuang (metal wounds), alleviates pain, and manages wind-pain in the hypochondrium. **Sheng Gegen Zhi (Fresh Kudzu Juice):** Extremely cold in nature. Treats Xiaoke and severe fever from Shanghan. **Ge Gu (Puerariae Flos, Kudzu Flower):** Primarily treats dysentery in patients over ten years old. **Ye (Leaves):** Primarily stops bleeding from metal wounds. **Hua (Flowers):** Primarily resolves alcohol intoxication. *Xiaoxing Lun* records it as a "Chen" (Minister) herb. It treats rebellious Qi and vomiting from epidemic diseases, opens the stomach for digestion, resolves alcohol toxicity, stops thirst, treats metal wounds, manages epidemic diseases, and clears heat. Ri Huazi stated it is cold. It treats chest and diaphragm irritability, manic heat, bloody dysentery, unblocks the Small Intestine, expels pus and breaks blood stasis, applies externally to snake and insect bites, and resolves arrow poison. Chen Zangqi stated: Raw Gegen breaks blood stasis, induces abortion, and resolves alcohol toxicity. It neutralizes the toxicity of Yege (Wild Kudzu), Badou (Crotonis Fructus), and Baiyao (Various Poisons).
**Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum, Gypsum):** Sweet in flavor, extremely cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily suppresses heat induced by Dan Shi (mineral pills), removes irritability and heat, promotes urination and defecation, stops thirst, and treats pediatric heat-type Pi syndrome (epigastric fullness).
**Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Sophora Root):** Bitter in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats Qi knotting in the heart and abdomen, Zheng Jia Ji Ju (masses and accumulations), jaundice, dribbling urine after voiding, drains water retention, eliminates carbuncles and swellings, tonifies the Middle, brightens the eyes and stops tearing, nourishes Liver and Gallbladder Qi, calms the Five Zang organs, stabilizes the Spirit, benefits Essence, unblocks the Nine Orifices, removes latent heat, treats Chang Pi (dysentery), stops thirst, awakens from drunkenness, treats yellow-red urine, manages malignant sores in the lower body, and regulates Stomach Qi. *Xiaoxing Lun* states: It treats sores caused by heat-toxic wind, erysipelas with eyebrow loss, removes severe heat, and treats abdominal cold pain and Zhong'e (acute poisoning/cold attack) abdominal pain. Ri Huazi stated: It kills Gi worms (parasites), treats Chang Feng Xie Xue (hematochezia due to wind-heat) and heat-dysentery. Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) acts as an envoy. It is incompatible with Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Loulu (Euphorbiae Humifusae Radix), Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), and Lilu (Veratri Radix).