世之医者，于妇人一科，有《专治妇人方》、有《产宝方》。治以“专”言，何专攻也；
方以“宝”言，爱重之也。盖医之术难，医妇人尤难，医产中数体则又险而难。彼其所谓
《专治》者、《产宝》者，非不可用也。纲领散漫而无统，节目谆略而未备。医者尽于简
易，不能深求遍览。有才进一方不效，辄束手者；有无方可据，揣摩臆度者；有富贵家鄙药
贱，而不服者；有贫乏人惮药贵，而无可得服者；有医之贪利以贱代贵，失其正方者。古云∶
看方三年，无病可治；治病三季，无药可疗。又云∶世无难治之病，有不善治之医；药无难
代之品，有不善代之人。此之谓也。
仆三世学医，家藏医书若干卷。既又遍行东南，所至必尽索方书以观。暇时闭关净室，
翻阅涵泳，究极未合，采摭诸家之善，附以家传经验方，秤而成编。始自调经，讫于产后，
凡八门，门数十余体，总二百六十余论。论后有药，药不惟其贵贱，惟其效。纲领节目，灿
然可观。庶几病者随索随见，随试随愈。
仆于此编，非敢求异昔人也，盖亦补其偏而会其全，聚于散而敛于约，期更无憾云。
愚者千虑，必有一得。君子毋以人废言。
时嘉熙元年八月良日建康府明道书院医谕临川陈自明良父序
凡药有宜火、宜酒者，有用子、用皮者，有去子、去皮者，有去苗、芦者，有别研入药
者，有煎成汤去滓后入者，若此之类，各各不同。今备于前，无复更注于逐方之下。
辰砂（如镜面粉，旋者为上。） 雄黄（如鸡冠，通明者为上。） 雌黄（无夹石者为上。）
石硫黄（如鹅儿黄色为上，赤者名石亭脂） 伏龙肝（正对釜月下土是也。） 太阴玄精
石
以上并研，令极细如面、无声为妙。
禹余粮 代赭石 磁石（极细者妙） 自然铜 紫石英（有紫色如箭簇者为上） 云母
石太乙余粮
以上并用火 ，令通赤，酽醋淬，如此七次或十次，方可研令极细如面，或用水飞尤妙。
赤石脂 白石脂 阳起石（有云头雨脚，轻松如野狼牙者，产于此地方可用。若是铺茸茁
角者不可用。以上并用火 ，一出时研如面，或有生用者。） 青礞石（每一两用硝石二两，
入银锅子内 一日一夜，自然解散。研为面，仍用水飞为妙。） 梁上尘（炒令烟尽，研如
粉。） 绛矾 青矾（并生研细。） 白矾（枯过，亦有生用者。） 石膏（如无真者，以方
解石代之。凡诸石入汤，并碎以绵裹。） 滑石（出桂府者，明白而坚者，方可用。若赤色
而暗者，是吉州所产。色黑者名 石，皆不可用。） 苏合香油（先用生布绞去滓，秤；却
用炼熟蜜解开用。） 竹茹（轻轻刮淡竹皮是也。） 桑寄生（仆随仓使吴常丞寓广州方识此
物。枝梗类木，其叶如柘，对节而生，根侵入树柯上而生，度冬不凋，夏生小花，用之果有
奇效。锉细用） 木通（有川木通，有钱子木通，即拿藤者为正。今之所用者力浅，但得随
众，宜去皮节，细切。） 罂粟壳（去须、蒂、筋膜，净冼，蜜水淹一宿，炒令焦黄） 阿
魏（以面搜和成饼，炙黄用） 葛根（当用家葛，切片晒干用。今人多取于铺家者，乃野葛
也，有大毒，能动胎气。多见医者赎铺家现成升麻葛根汤，孕妇服之动了胎孕。小儿药中亦
不宜用） 麻黄（拣小者为上，去根节。若以止汗用根节，用水煮，去黄沫，焙干。不尔，
令人发烦躁） 人参（拣色黄明莹，裹面有泽而不油者为上。《本草》云∶不去芦则吐。人
仍煎煮，喜河水） 北细辛（拣直而极细、味辛辣如川椒者为上） 地榆 威灵仙 柴胡 前
胡羌活 独活（宜用紫色，言有蚕头、节稀者为上。王子亨云∶独活乃是极大羌活。自是
有曰如鬼眼状。寻常白色者乃是老宿前胡，谨不可用。《本草经》云∶二物同一类。今人以
紫色节密者为羌活，黄色作块者为独活。又云∶独活即羌活母类也。疗风宜用独活，兼水宜
用羌活） 白薇 紫菀（取茸芦如北细辛者良，以牢山出者为上，沂、兖次之。郓以东，市
上皆有之，形色、气味皆与《神农本经》唐注、日华子相应，此药肺病最为急需。今京师所
有，皆车前草、旋复花根以赤土染之。又味咸，大抵咸走血，又能热中腹，利小便。且肺病
本因亡津液而得之，今又服走津液药，为害滋甚，医者宜思之）
秦艽 茜根 本 升麻 漏芦 防风（拣软而裹面有泽，芦似蚕头者为上，去叉、股、芦） 桔梗（今人多以荠
为之。
要拣味苦、肥白者为上，或生或炒皆有用）
以上并洗，去苗、芦，细切，晒干，秤用。
木香（拣如朽骨，气味辛辣甚者为上。近时川人采南云根以乱真，其性大寒，利大、小
便。《本草》谓之青木香；《证类》谓之独行根。又云土青木香，不堪入药。凡方书云当用
青木香者，皆当用南木香） 沉香（种类不一，惟色黄而沉者为上） 丁香 檀香 白芷 官
桂（愈嫩则愈浓，愈老则愈薄。仍用紫色紧卷者，去皮至有油处，别为末用） 藿香 荆芥
薄荷 紫苏
诸香药并不可见火，或急用，宜多纸裹怀KT 用。
北艾（先去梗，焙燥碾烂，以马尾罗隔去灰末，只留黄。先秤分量，却用糯米粉打糊捏
成饼子，炙黄用。或以酒炒亦可） 败酱（即今之苦蓍也） 喝起草（即苍耳也） 泽兰叶 紫
苏藿香 荆芥 薄荷 香薷（音柔） 柏叶 茵芋 大青 莽草 樗枝 石楠叶 石
苇（去毛） 枇杷叶（先用温水浸，刷去毛，却用姜汁炙）
以上并去梗取叶，以纱隔去尘土。惟紫苏、藿香饮药中宜兼嫩梗，大能下气。
黄连（宜拣大而似鹰爪者尤佳） 石菖蒲（一寸九节者佳。此种类甚多，取生于石上，
叶有剑脊者真，无剑脊者名溪荪，生于泥中者名昌阳，可解巴豆毒。二味并去须，细切） 舶
上茴香 北茴香 葫芦巴（酒炒） 破故纸 蛇床子 薏苡仁 紫苏子（除是自种自取方是
真者，可以伐病。虽云细而香者是真，今人多采野苏子以乱其真。其子亦小，却以真苏叶
令香，更不可辨） 子 葶苈子（甜者，拣细而脆者真。要分甜、苦） 黑牵牛（亦有
半生半炒） 牛蒡子 芫花（醋浸过，炒令黄色去梗）
以上并隔纸炒香。
五味子（色黑内有羊肾者佳。入补药中宜炒用，入嗽药中宜生用） 木鳖子（去壳切，
以麸炒） 巴豆（川中来者似菘子而差小者为上。去壳及皮，必用皮纸裹打去油，如此者三、
五次油方尽。或有不去油者） 车前子 兔丝子（二味先用温水淘洗，去泥砂，控干，以好
酒浸四、五日，蒸四、五次，研令极烂，捏成饼子，焙干，方可为末） 香附子 金毛狗脊 骨
碎补并细切，炒令黄色，舂擦去毛令尽方秤） 石斛（拣色黄如金、大者，去根皮，细切，
用好酒浸一宿，蒸一炊久，慢火炒燥秤用） 卷柏 甘松（并洗，去根土用） 肉苁蓉（拣
香而肥有鳞甲分明者，乃其端有心者方真。有盐霜者不用） 当归（拣如马尾重半两以上，
气香味甜者为上。微炒） 川牛膝（拣如鼠尾，软而甜者为上）
并去芦，酒浸半日，不可太过，久则失味。洗净，慢火焙干，切，方秤分两。
五加皮 桂心（补药用浓者，发散用薄者） 海桐皮 黄柏皮 杨梅皮 白藓皮 杜仲
浓朴 桑白皮（或炙炒。今人多以橘树根皮为伪，最要仔细辨）
并削去粗皮，细切方用。惟杜仲、浓朴，每一斤用生姜一斤研取自然汁，罨一宿，次日
炒令黄色。
甜瓜子 栝蒌子 冬瓜仁（去皮） 杏仁 桃仁 郁李仁（并先去尖、双仁，却用水煮
一、二沸，去皮，以麦麸炒黄，秤用） 酸枣仁（去皮，炒香用） 柏子仁（拣去壳，别炒、
研用） 皂角（去皮弦子，酥炙） 川椒（拣色红而口白辛香者为上。去棱目及闭口者，然
后慢火炒令色变，以纸乘于地上，碗覆出汗为度） 山栀（小者佳，一名越桃） 缩砂 白
豆蔻 益智 草果（并去皮，取仁秤） 槟榔（如鸡心者佳） 大腹子（二味生用） 肉豆
蔻（三味面裹炮，令面黄为度） 山茱萸 诃子（炮去核，取肉秤。双核者名诃藜勒，独核
名诃子） 川楝子（蒸，去皮核、炒秤） 大黄（湿纸裹煨令香熟。亦有酒洗生用） 三棱
（亦有以红蒲根为伪者） 蓬莪术（二味并用湿纸裹，炮令香软，细切。或更用酽醋浸半日
用） 郁金 野狼毒 紫河车（三味并洗，切，焙） 神曲 半夏曲 麦芽 谷芽（并捣碎、
炒黄用） 白姜（出大通池州者尤佳） 天雄（重两半以上，有象眼者佳） 附子（拣圆而
坚实者为上） 草乌 川乌（重七、八钱，如鹅脑者为上）
五味并用灰火炮裂，去皮、尖、脐用。
天南星（重一两者佳，忌用虎掌。炮去皮，或以白矾水浸一、二宿） 吴茱萸（去枝叶）
半夏
二味并用，汤泡七次。
半夏曲（以洗过半夏为末，以生姜自然汁捏为饼子，炙黄用） 生地黄（洗，焙干秤。
亦用研取自然汁） 熟地黄（温水净洗，焙干，却以好酒发湿，却用巾子乘于甑上蒸，再用
酒洒，九蒸九爆，焙燥秤。地黄生者平宣，熟者温补。虚人须补药，当用熟。《本草》云∶
男子宜用熟者，女子宜用生者） 滴乳香（用蚌粉略炒，挂窗孔中风干，研） 延胡索（去
根皮） 贝母（去心，姜浸一宿） 山药 川芎 芍药 知母 续断（川中来者，色赤而瘦
者佳） 小蓟根（以上略洗、细切，慢火焙干用） 巴戟（拣紫色者为上，水浸软） 牡丹
皮枸杞根（即地骨皮也。初虞世云∶此药至贱，都下并无真者。大抵都人虽一贱亦作伪） 石
莲乌药（洪州者为上） 麦门冬 天门冬（略用水浸软。此二门冬去心、子，火上焙热，
即当风凉之，如此不过三、四次即易干，仍不损药力。它药并宜如此） 远志（泔浸一宿） 黄
芩（一名枯肠草，刮去朽者）
以上有心者并捶去心，只取肉焙干秤用。
青橘皮 橘皮（取多年拣小而红者佳；若大而黄者，柑皮也，恐不堪入药。大治产后肌
浮。雷公云∶产后肌浮，柑皮酒服者此也）
二味用温水洗净，却于砂盆内磨去白，焙干秤。
枳壳（拣小而实者为上，去穣，麸炒黄用。《本草》有枳实一条。王子亨云∶此物本名
曰枳，凡草木有花必有实。夫枳壳即枳实之类也） 茯苓（补药宜用白色，利水药宜赤色。
坚者佳） 茯神（去木用，色白者为上） 猪苓（水浸软）
以上三味，并去黑皮，细切，焙燥秤。
苍术（取茅山者为上，米泔浸二、三宿，打洗去皮，切，焙） 白术（拣白而肥者，方
是浙术；瘦而皮黄色者，出幕阜山，力弱不堪用。油者去之）
二术并去芦，切细、焙干，却以麦麸炒令黄燥用。
甘草（炙黄） 黄 （拣如箭竿，直而甜者佳。去叉芦，锉令长四、五寸，捶扁，以蜜
水或盐水浸透，炙令酥脆为上） 甘菊花（取自栽可以烹茶者，俟花未开者采之佳） 旋复
花鹤虱
诸花并去萼、蒂。
血余（皂角水洗尽，烧存性） 童子小便（夏月要入薄荷浸之，方免臭坏） 龙齿 龙
骨（并拣有布纹者佳。色白为上，五色者次之，黑者为下。火 通赤，以乳钵炙令极细，不
可犯铁器。或有生用者） 虎头骨 虎脊骨 天灵盖 虎前胫骨 龟甲 鳖头 鹿茸（拣嫩
而有血色者佳。大者为麋茸，小者为鹿茸。冬至曰麋角解，夏至曰鹿角解。麋得阳而角解，
所以利补阳；鹿得阴而角解，是以利补阴。麋茸性热，鹿茸性温。并洗，燎去毛，涂酥，炙
令黄脆。无酥，以好酒浸炙）
并用酥炙黄用。
紫梢花（即湖泽中鱼生卵于竹木之上，如糖 状者是，去木用之） 鹿角胶 阿胶（拣
明亮者为上。阿胶不必须东平，自为之甚佳。补虚用牛皮胶，治风用驴皮胶。东平皆京师伪
胶，杂以马皮，并故鞍鞯鞋底之类，其恶为甚）
二味并细切，以蚌粉炒燥如珠方用。
桑螵蛸（去木，涂酥，炙黄，或以酒炒亦可） 真珠母（取未钻者研令极细） 玳瑁（宜
生用） 犀角（有竹纹者色黑为上） 羚羊角（有马鞭节，仍有 痕者佳）
诸角宜用马龈先镑取屑，怀KT 为末，方可入药。
牡蛎（取左顾者佳。用盐泥固济 用） 地龙（以生布袋盛，捶出沙土，只取皮秤） 乌
贼骨（一名海螵蛸，去壳用） 僵蚕（去嘴，切、炒令丝尽） 穿山甲（又名鲮鲤甲。去大
皮，细切、蛤粉炒燥用） 水蛭（伪者以血调面而为之，宜仔细辨认，以盐炒黄） 虻虫
青红娘子 斑蝥（并去头、翅、足，用糯米同炒，令米赤为度） 蜈蚣（去头、足，炙黄
用） 全蝎（去毒，略炒） 蛇蜕（拣全而头向下者为妙，烧存性用。亦有缠于青竹上，炙
黄焦用） 蝉蜕（温水洗去土石，仍去前足） 石蜥蜴 蛤蚧（并酒炙用） 乌蛇（拣尾小
穿得一百二十钱者，仍眼如活者为上） 白花蛇（拣眼如活者，尾端有佛指甲，腹两边有念
珠斑者为上）
Physicians of the world, in the specialty of gynecology, have *Zhuanzhi Furen Fang* (Special Formulas for Treating Women) and *Chanbao Fang* (Precious Formulas for Childbirth). The term "special" (*zhuan*) refers to specialized attack; the term "precious" (*bao*) indicates value and respect. Generally, medical art is difficult, treating women is even more difficult, and treating various conditions during childbirth is yet more dangerous and difficult. Those so-called *Zhuanzhi* and *Chanbao* are not unusable. However, their general principles are scattered without unity, and details are brief and incomplete. Physicians content themselves with simplicity and ease, failing to seek deeply and read extensively. Some, with limited talent, if one prescription fails, remain helpless; some, lacking prescriptions to rely on, speculate and guess; some from wealthy families despise cheap medicines and refuse to take them; some from poor families fear expensive medicines and cannot afford to take them; some physicians, greedy for profit, substitute cheap drugs for expensive ones, losing the correct formula intent. As the ancients said: "Study formulas for three years, yet no disease can be treated; treat diseases for three seasons, yet no medicine can cure." It is also said: "There are no incurable diseases in the world, only doctors who are bad at treatment; there are no irreplaceable drugs in the world, only people who are bad at substitution." This is what is meant.
My family has practiced medicine for three generations, and we possess several volumes of medical books at home. Later, I traveled extensively through the southeast, and wherever I went, I diligently sought out prescription books to read. In my spare time, I closed myself in a quiet room, reading and immersing myself in the texts, exploring until I reached the ultimate understanding, collecting the merits of various schools, and attaching my family's experienced prescriptions. After weighing, I compiled them into a book. Starting from regulating menstruation (*Tiaojing*), ending with postpartum care, it comprises eight categories, each containing dozens of conditions, totaling over two hundred and sixty discussions. Following each discussion are the associated herbs. Medicines are chosen not by price but by efficacy. The general principles and details are clear and observable. Hopefully, patients can find remedies as they search and recover as they try.
Regarding this compilation, I dare not claim originality against predecessors. Rather, I aim to supplement their biases and integrate completeness, gathering scattered knowledge and condensing it into brevity, hoping to leave no regrets. Even a fool may have one good idea after a thousand reflections. A gentleman should not discard words because of the speaker's status.
Preface by Chen Ziming, courtesy name Liangfu, Medical Instructor at Mingdao Academy, Jiankang Prefecture, on an auspicious day in August of the first year of Jiaxi.
Generally, herbs are suitable for fire processing or wine processing; some use seeds, some use bark; some remove seeds, some remove bark; some remove sprouts and rhizomes; some require separate grinding before adding to the decoction; some are added after the decoction is strained. Such cases vary greatly. These are detailed above, so they will not be repeated under each individual formula.
*Cinnabar* (Shachen): Fine powder like a mirror surface, with spiral patterns is superior.
*Realgar*: Like a rooster's comb, transparent and bright is superior.
*Orpiment*: Without stone impurities is superior.
*Sulfur*: Yellow like a gosling is superior; red is called *Shitingzhi*.
*Longan Earth*: Soil directly beneath the center of a cooking pot.
*Xuanjing Stone*: All these should be ground extremely fine like flour, silent when rubbed, which is ideal.
*Yuyuliang*, *Daihezhi*, *Cishi* (magnetite, finest is best), *Zirantong*, *Zi Shiy ing* (purple like arrowheads is superior), *Yunmu Shi*, *Taiyi Yuliang*.
These should all be calcined until red-hot, quenched in strong vinegar, repeated seven or ten times, then ground extremely fine like flour. Water levigation is even better.
*Chishizhi*, *Baishizhi*, *Yangqishi* (with cloud-head and rain-foot shapes, light like wild wolf teeth, produced locally is usable; those resembling mossy horns are unusable). Calcine these, grind immediately upon removal from fire like flour, or some may be used raw.
*Qingmengshi*: Mix one tael with two taels of *Xiaoshi* (Niter) in a silver pot for a day and night until naturally dispersed. Grind into powder; water levigation is best.
*Dust from Beams*: Stir-fry until smoke ceases, grind into powder.
*Jiangfan*, *Qingfan*: Both ground raw and fine.
*Bai Fan* (Alum): Calcined, though some use raw.
*Shigao* (Gypsum Fibrosum): If genuine is unavailable, substitute with *Fangjieshi*. When using any stone in decoctions, crush and wrap in cotton.
*Huashi* (Talcum): From Guifu, clear and hard is usable. Red and dull ones are from Jizhou. Black ones are named *Shi*, all unusable.
*Suhe Xiangyou* (Styrax Oil): Squeeze residue out with raw cloth, weigh; then dissolve in refined honey for use.
*Zhuru* (Bamboo Shavings): Gently scrape the skin of light green bamboo.
*Sangjisheng* (Taxillus): I learned of this herb while residing in Guangzhou with Commissioner Wu Changcheng. Branches resemble wood, leaves like mulberry, growing opposite each other, roots penetrating tree branches, evergreen in winter, small flowers in summer. It indeed has miraculous effects. Cut finely for use.
*Mutong* (Akebia Stem): Includes Sichuan Mutong and Qianzi Mutong; the vine type is authentic. Current usage has weak potency; peel nodes and cut finely.
*Yangsuhuang* (Poppy Shell): Remove stamens, calyx, and membranes, wash clean, soak in honey water overnight, stir-fry until scorched yellow.
*Asafoetida* (awei): Knead with flour into cakes, roast until yellow.
*Gegen* (Pueraria Root): Use cultivated Pueraria, slice and sun-dry. Most now buy from shops, which is wild Pueraria, highly toxic, can disturb fetal qi. Many doctors buy ready-made *Shengma Gegen Tang*; pregnant women taking it may miscarry. Also unsuitable for children.
*Mahuang* (Ephedra Herb): Small pieces are superior. Remove root and joints. For stopping sweat, use root/joints, boil in water, remove yellow foam, dry. Otherwise, it causes irritability.
*Renshen* (Ginseng Root): Yellow, bright, glossy but not greasy is superior. *Bencao* states: Do not remove rhizome (Lu) or it induces vomiting. People prefer river water for decoction.
*Beixixin* (Asarum): Straight, very fine, pungent like Sichuan pepper is superior.
*Diyu*, *Weilingxian*, *Chaihu*, *Qianhu*, *Qianghuo*, *Duhuo* (Purple is preferred, indicating silkworm head and sparse nodes is superior. Wang Ziheng says Duhuo is a large form of Qianghuo. White ones are old Qianhu, do not use. *Bencao Jing* says they are similar. Now, purple dense nodes are Qianghuo, yellow lumps are Duhuo. Duhuo is the mother of Qianghuo. For wind, use Duhuo; for dampness, use Qianghuo).
*Baiwei*, *Ziwan* (Take fluffy rhizomes like Beixixin, Laoshan origin is best, Yichuan/Yanzan next. East of Yun, market varieties match *Shennong Benjing* notes. Essential for lung diseases. Capital city varieties are often *Cheqiancao* or *Xuanfuhua* roots dyed red. Salty taste enters blood, heats middle jiao, promotes urination. Lung disease stems from fluid loss; using diuretics worsens it. Doctors should consider this.)
*Qinjiao*, *Qianggen*, *Gaoben*, *Shengma*, *Loulou*, *Fangfeng* (Soft, glossy, silkworm-head rhizome is superior. Remove forks, legs, rhizome).
*Jiegeng* (Platycodon Root): Often substituted with shepherd's purse root. Choose bitter, plump, white ones. Raw or roasted both usable.
Wash all, remove sprouts/rhizomes, cut finely, sun-dry, weigh.
*Muxiang* (Aucklandia Root): Rotten bone-like, pungent/spicy is superior. Sichuan people now use *Nanyungen* (false Aucklandia), cold nature, promotes urination. Called *Qingmuxiang* in *Bencao*, *Duxinggen* in *Zhenglei*. Earth *Qingmuxiang* is unfit. Wherever formulas say *Qingmuxiang*, use South *Muxiang*.
*Chenxiang* (Agarwood): Various types, yellow and sinking is superior.
*Dingxiang* (Clove), *Tanxiang* (Sandalwood), *Baizhi* (Angelica Dahurica), *Guangui* (Cinnamon Twig): Tenderer is stronger, older is weaker. Use purple, tightly rolled, peel to oily layer, grind separately.
*Huoxiang*, *Jingjie*, *Bohe*, *Zisu* (Perilla Leaf).
All aromatic herbs should not be exposed to direct fire. If needed urgently, wrap in many papers and keep warm in bosom.
*Beiai* (Mugwort): Remove stems, dry, grind, sieve with horsehair mesh to remove ash, keep yellow part. Weigh, make paste with glutinous rice flour, shape into cakes, roast yellow. Or stir-fry with wine.
*Baijiang* (Patrinia): Known as *Kushu*.
*Heqicao* (Xanthium): Known as *Canger*.
*Zelan Ye*, *Zisu*, *Huoxiang*, *Jingjie*, *Bohe*, *Xiangru* (Elsholtzia), *Baiye*, *Yinyu*, *Daqing*, *Mangcao*, *Chuzhi*, *Shinanye*, *Shiwei* (remove hairs), *Pipaye* (soak warm, brush hairs, roast with ginger juice).
Remove stems, keep leaves, sieve dust with gauze. For *Zisu* and *Huoxiang* drinks, tender stems are beneficial for descending Qi.
*Huanglian* (Coptis Rhizome): Large, eagle-claw shaped is best.
*Shichangpu* (Acorus Rhizome): One inch long with nine nodes is good. Many varieties. True ones grow on rocks, sword-ridge leaves. No ridge is *Xisun*. Mud-grown is *Changyang* (antidote for croton poison). Remove whiskers, cut fine.
*Boshang Huixiang*, *Beihuixiang* (Fennel), *Huluba* (Trigonella Foenum-graecum, wine-fried), *Poguzhi* (Cibotium Barometz), *Shechuangzi* (Cnidium Fruit), *Yiyiren* (Coix Seed), *Zisuzi* (Perilla Seed): Only self-grown is true. Thin and fragrant is true, but wild seeds are often used. Small seeds mixed with fragrant true leaves are indistinguishable.
*Tinglizi* (Descurainia Seed): Sweet, thin and crisp is true. Distinguish sweet/bitter.
*Heiqianniu* (Morning Glory Seed): Half raw, half fried.
*Niubangzi* (Arctium Fruit), *Yanhua* (Genkwa Flower): Soak in vinegar, fry yellow, remove stems.
隔纸炒香 (Stir-fry between paper until fragrant).
*Wuweizi* (Schisandra Berry): Black with kidney-shaped interior is good. Fry for tonics, raw for coughs.
*Mubiezi* (Momordica Seed): Peel, slice, bran-fry.
*Badou* (Croton Seed): Sichuan origin, smaller than cabbage seed is best. Peel, wrap in leather paper, pound to remove oil (3-5 times). Some do not remove oil.
*Cheqianzi* (Plantago Seed), *Tusizi* (Cuscuta Seed): Wash with warm water, drain, soak in good wine 4-5 days, steam 4-5 times, grind to paste, shape into cakes, dry, grind to powder.
*Xiangfuzi* (Cyperi Rhizoma), *Jinmao Gouji* (Cibotium Rhizoma), *Gusuibu* (Drynaria Rhizoma): Cut fine, fry yellow, pound/rub to remove hairs, weigh.
*Shihu* (Dendrobium Stem): Yellow like gold, large, remove root bark, cut fine, soak in good wine overnight, steam, slow-fire dry.
*Juanbai*, *Gansong* (Nardostachys): Wash, remove root soil.
*Roucongrong* (Cistanche Stem): Fragrant, fat, distinct scales, heart-shaped tip is true. Avoid salty frost.
*Danggui* (Angelica Sinensis): Horse-tail like, >0.5 tael, fragrant/sweet is best. Lightly fry.
*Chuan Niuxi* (Achyranthes Root): Mouse-tail like, soft/sweet is best.
Remove rhizomes, soak in wine for half a day (not too long to lose flavor). Wash, slow-fire dry, cut, weigh.
*Wujapi*, *Guixin* (Cinnamon Heart): Thick for tonics, thin for dispersing.
*Haitongpi*, *Huangbopi*, *Yangmeipi*, *Baixianpi*, *Duzhong*, *Houpo*, *Sangbaipi* (or roast/fry). Often faked with orange root bark;辨 carefully.
Scrape coarse bark, cut fine. *Duzhong* and *Houpo*: 1 jin herb + 1 jin fresh ginger juice, cover overnight, fry yellow next day.
*Tianguazi*, *Gualouzi*, *Dongguaren* (peeled), *Xingren*, *Taoren*, *Yuliren*: Remove tips/double kernels, boil 1-2 times, peel, bran-fry yellow.
*Suanzaoren* (Ziziphus Seed): Peel, fry fragrant.
*Baiziren* (Biota Seed): Shell remove, fry/grind separately.
*Zaojiao* (Gleditsia Sinensis): Remove pod/string, roast with butter.
*Chuanjiao* (Sichuan Pepper): Red/white/pungent is best. Remove spines/closed ones, slow-fry until color changes, sweat under bowl on paper.
*Shanzhi* (Gardenia Fruit): Small is good, alias *Yuetao*.
*Suosha*, *Baidoukou*, *Yizhi*, *Caoguo*: Peel, take kernel, weigh.
*Binglang* (Areca Nut): Chicken-heart shape is good.
*Dafuzi*: Used raw.
*Roudoukou*: Wrapped in flour, roasted until flour is yellow.
*Shanzhuyu*, *Hezi* (Terminalia Chebula): Roast, remove pit, take flesh. Double pit = *Helile*, single = *Hezi*.
*Chuanlianzi*: Steam, remove pit, fry/weigh.
*Dahuang* (Rhubarb Root): Wrap in wet paper, bake until fragrant. Or wine-wash raw.
*Sangling* (Burreed Tuber): Sometimes faked with red cattail root.
*Peng'e Zhu* (Curcuma Zedoaria): Wrap in wet paper, roast soft, cut fine. Or soak in strong vinegar half day.
*Yujin*, *Yelangdu*, *Ziheche* (Placenta): Wash, cut, dry.
*Shenqu*, *Banxia Qu*, *Maiya*, *Guya*: Crush, fry yellow.
*Baijiang* (White Ginger): Datong/Chizhou origin is best.
*Tianxiong* (Aconitum Lateralis Radix Praeparata): >0.5 tael, elephant-eye pattern is good.
*Fuzi* (Prepared Aconite): Round/solid is best.
*Caowu*, *Chuanwu* (Raw Aconite): 7-8 qian, goose-brain shape is best.
Fire-roast in ashes until cracked, remove skin/tip/navel.
*Tian Nanxing* (Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum): 1 tael is good. Avoid *Huzhang*. Roast/remove skin, or soak in alum water 1-2 nights.
*Wuzhuyu* (Evodia Fruit): Remove branches/leaves.
*Banxia* (Pinelliae Rhizoma): Both soaked in hot water 7 times.
*Banxia Qu*: Powder of washed Pinellia, kneaded with fresh ginger juice into cakes, roasted yellow.
*Sheng Dihuang* (Rehmannia Root): Wash, dry, weigh. Or extract juice.
*Shu Dihuang* (Prepared Rehmannia): Wash, dry, moisten with good wine, steam in steamer over towel, sprinkle wine, repeat 9 times, dry. Raw is neutral/venting; cooked is warm/tonifying. Deficient patients need cooked. *Bencao*: Men use cooked, women use raw.
*Diruxiang* (Frankincense): Lightly fry with clam powder, hang in window draft, grind.
*Yanhusuo* (Corydalis Rhizoma): Remove root skin.
*Beimu* (Fritillaria Bulb): Remove heart, soak in ginger water overnight.
*Shanyao*, *Chuanxiong*, *Shaoyao*, *Zhimu*, *Xuduan* (Sichuan origin, red/thin is good), *Xiaoji Gen*: Wash lightly, cut fine, slow-fire dry.
*Baji* (Morinda Root): Purple is best, soak soft.
*Mudanpi*, *Gouqigen* (Goji Root/Bark): *Chu Yushi* says cheap and fake in capital.
*Shilian*, *Wuyao* (Hongzhou origin is best), *Mendong*, *Tiandong*: Soak slightly soft. Remove heart/seeds, heat on fire, cool in wind. Repeat 3-4 times to dry without losing potency. Other herbs similarly.
*Yuanzhi*: Soak in rice water overnight.
*Huangqin* (Scutellaria Root): Alias *Kuchangcao*, scrape rotten parts.
Remove hearts by pounding, take flesh, dry, weigh.
*Qingjupi*, *Jupi* (Citrus Reticulata Peel): Old, small, red is good. Large/yellow is *Ganpi* (tangerine peel), likely unfit. Treats postpartum edema. *Leigong* says *Ganpi* with wine treats postpartum edema.
Wash with warm water, rub white pith off in mortar, dry, weigh.
*Zhiqiao* (Aurantii Fructus): Small/solid is best. Remove pulp, bran-fry yellow. *Bencao* lists *Zhishi*. Wang Ziheng: *Zhi* means fruit; *Zhiqiao* is a type of *Zhishi*.
*Fuling* (Poria): White for tonics, red for diuretics. Hard is good.
*Fushen* (Poria with Hostwood): Remove wood, white is best.
*Zhuling* (Polyporus): Soak soft.
Remove black skin, cut fine, dry, weigh.
*Cangzhu* (Atractylodes Rhizoma): Maoshan origin is best. Soak in rice water 2-3 nights, scrub/remove skin, cut, dry.
*Bai Zhu* (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma): White/plump is Zhejiang origin; thin/yellow is Mufu Mountain, weak potency, avoid oily ones.
Remove rhizomes, cut fine, dry, bran-fry yellow.
*Gancao* (Licorice Root): Honey-roasted yellow.
*Huangqi* (Astragalus Root): Arrow-rod like, straight/sweet is good. Remove forks/rhizome, cut 4-5 cun, flatten, soak in honey/salt water, roast crispy.
*Ganjuhua* (Chrysanthemum Flower): Cultivated for tea, pick before bloom.
*Xuanfuhua*, *Heshi*: Remove calyx/stalk.
*Xueyu* (Human Hair): Wash with soap pod water, burn to charcoal.
*Tongzi Xiaoniao* (Child Urine): Add mint in summer to prevent spoilage.
*Longchi*, *Longgu* (Dragon Bone/Fossil): Cloth-pattern texture is good. White best, five-color next, black worst. Calcine red-hot, grind in mortar (avoid iron). Some use raw.
*Hutoubone*, *Hujigu*, *Tianlinggai*, *Huqianjinggu*, *Guijia*, *Bietou*, *Lurong* (Deer Antler): Tender/bloody is good. Large = Elk antler, Small = Deer antler. Elk sheds at Winter Solstice (Yang), benefits Yang tonification; Deer sheds at Summer Solstice (Yin), benefits Yin tonification. Elk antler hot, Deer antler warm. Wash, burn hairs, coat with butter, roast yellow/crisp. No butter? Soak in wine.
Roast yellow with butter.
*Zishaohua* (Fish Spawn on Bamboo): Sugar-like spawn on bamboo/wood in lakes. Remove wood.
*Lujiao Jiao*, *Ejiao* (Donkey-Hide Gelatin): Bright is best. Dongping origin is common fake (mixed with horse hide/saddles). Homemade is good. Cow-hide for deficiency, Donkey-hide for wind.
Cut fine, fry with clam powder until pearl-like.
*Sangpiaoxiao* (Mantis Egg Case): Remove wood, coat butter, roast yellow, or wine-fry.
*Zhenzhumu* (Mother-of-Pearl): Unpierced, grind fine.
*Daimao* (Tortoise Carapace): Use raw.
*Xijiao* (Rhino Horn): Bamboo-stripe/black is best.
*Lingyangjiao* (Antelope Horn): Horse-whip nodes, stripe marks are good.
Grind horn shavings with horse gum first, keep warm in hand to powder before use.
*Muli* (Oyster Shell): Left-facing is good. Seal with salt mud for use.
*Dilong* (Earthworm): Put in cloth bag, pound out sand, weigh skin only.
*Wuzeigu* (Cuttlebone): Remove shell.
*Jiangcan* (Bombyx Batryticatus): Remove mouth, cut, fry until silk gone.
*Chuanshanjia* (Pangolin Scale): Remove large skin, cut fine, fry with clam powder.
*Shizhi* (Leech): Fake ones made with blood/flour. Identify carefully, salt-fry yellow.
*Mengchong*, *Qinghongniangzi*, *Banmao* (Mylabris): Remove head/wings/legs, stir-fry with glutinous rice until rice turns red.
*Wugong* (Centipede): Remove head/legs, roast yellow.
*Quanxie* (Scorpion): Remove venom, light fry.
*Shetui* (Snake Slough): Whole, head-down is best. Burn to charcoal. Or roast on bamboo until yellow/scorched.
*Chantui* (Cicada Slough): Wash warm water, remove front legs.
*Shixiyi*, *Hejie* (Gecko): Wine-roast.
*Wushe* (Black Snake): Tail small, pierced with 120 coins, eyes live-looking is best.
*Baihuashe* (Banded Krait): Eyes live-looking, tail has Buddha-nail mark, belly has bead-spots is best.