久嗽肺燥肺痿。
羊肺(一具) 杏仁(净研) 柿霜 真酥 真粉(各一两) 白蜜(二两)
上先将羊肺洗净,次将五味入水搅粘,灌入肺中,白水煮熟,如常服食,前七药相间服
之亦佳。
真粉真酥并柿霜,杏仁净研两平当。蜜加二两调粘用,灌入肺中水煮尝。
血去则燥,燥则火旺,肺必枯。欲从肾源滋水,而不先滋水之母,有是理乎?然肺为多
气少
寒,不独凉金,且以培土,人所未知也。润肺之中,意则甚美,故曰∶医者,意也。
陈修园按∶方中真粉,即《伤寒论》猪肤汤之白粉也。本文未明为何粉,一说即天花粉
,主
中土,交水火而止烦燥,而且藉土气以生金。二说俱有深义,余每用则从后说,今读先生此
方,又阅周氏所注,真白粉即天花粉无疑。嘉庆丁巳岁,余应兴泉观察阿公,泉州郡伯张公
聘,主清源书院讲席。日者用天花粉一味,药铺送白粉一包,其色晶莹洁白,迥出诸药之上
。余传问之,答曰∶此物最贱,而制造却难,惟冬月叶落,其气尽归于根,掘取,以法取汁
,和水淘洗,澄之,晒干收贮,才有如此宝色,若无此色,恐伪物弗效,不如止用天花粉片
之较妥也。今先生加一真字,何等郑重其辞。推而论之,《金匮》于虫病制有甘草粉蜜汤以
杀虫,若虚痨久嗽,为瘵虫蚀虫,铅粉性毒,能杀三虫,今杂于蜂蜜柿霜羊肺之中,诱虫食
之,旋而甘味尽,毒性发而虫患除矣。此非正解,亦可备之,以启悟机。
Chronic cough leading to Lung dryness (Fei Zao) and Lung atrophy (Fei Wei).
Sheep lung (one whole), Apricot Kernels (Bitter, peeled and ground), Persimmon Frost, True Butter/Ghee, True Powder (each 1 liang), White Honey (2 liang).
First, wash the sheep lung clean. Then, add the five ingredients to water, stir until viscous, and inject into the lung. Boil in plain water and consume as usual. It is also good to take the first seven ingredients separately.
True powder, true butter/ghee, and persimmon frost are equal in weight to the peeled and ground apricot kernels. Add two liang of honey to adjust for viscosity, inject into the lung, boil in water, and consume.
Blood loss leads to dryness; dryness leads to excessive fire, causing the Lung to wither. If one wishes to nourish water from its source (Kidney), but does not first nourish the mother of water (Lung, as Metal generates Water), is this logical? However, the Lung is abundant in Qi and deficient in Blood. It requires not only cooling Metal (clearing Lung heat) but also fortifying Earth (Spleen/Stomach) to generate Metal, a fact unknown to many. The intent within this method of moistening the Lung is excellent, hence it is said: "The physician relies on intention" (Yi Zhe, Yi Ye - medical practice involves intuitive reasoning).
Chen Xiuyuan's Note: The "true powder" in this formula refers to the "white powder" in Zhu Fu Tang (Pig Skin Decoction) from Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage). This text does not specify which powder it is. One theory suggests it is Trichosanthis Radix (Gualou Gen/Tianhuafen), which primarily acts on the Middle Jiao, harmonizes Water and Fire to relieve irritability, and utilizes Earth Qi to generate Metal. Both theories hold profound meaning. I usually adopt the latter theory. Having read Mr. [the author's] formula here and reviewed Zhou's annotations, it is undoubtedly that the true white powder is Trichosanthis Radix. In the Ding-Si year of the Jiaqing era, I was invited by Governor A of Xingquan and Magistrate Zhang of Quanzhou to preside over the Qingyuan Academy. One day, when using Trichosanthis Radix alone, the pharmacy delivered a bag of "white powder." Its color was crystal clear and pure white, surpassing other medicines. I asked about its origin. The reply was: "This item is cheapest but difficult to manufacture. Only in winter, after leaves fall, does the medicinal energy return to the root. After digging it up, extracting juice according to method, washing with water, settling, and sun-drying, one obtains such precious color. Without this color, it may be fake and ineffective; it is safer to use slices of Trichosanthis Radix directly." Now, Mr. adds the character "true," how solemn the wording. Deductively speaking, Jingui Yaolue (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet) formulated Gancao Fenmi Tang (Licorice, Powder, and Honey Decoction) to expel parasites in cases of intestinal worms. If chronic cough due to deficiency consumption is caused by "Zhai Chong" (tubercle bacilli/pathogenic worms), Lead Powder (Qianfen) is toxic and can kill three types of parasites. By mixing it with honey, persimmon frost, and sheep lung, it lures the parasites to ingest it. Once the sweet taste is exhausted, the toxicity activates, eliminating the parasitic infestation. Although this is not the orthodox explanation, it serves as a reference to inspire insight.