（共四百味）
诸药之性。各有奇功。温凉寒热。补泻宣通。君臣佐使。运用于衷。相反畏恶。立见吉
凶。
人参味甘。大补元气。止渴生津。调荣养卫。（去芦用。反藜芦）
黄 性温。收汗固表。托疮生肌。气虚莫少。（绵软如箭干者。疮疡生用。补虚蜜水炒
用。）
白术甘温。健脾强胃。止泻除湿。兼祛痰痞。（去芦。淘米泔水洗。薄切晒干。或陈东
壁土炒。）
茯苓味淡。渗湿利窍。白化痰涎。赤通水道。（去黑皮。中有赤筋。要去净。不损人目
）
甘草甘温。调和诸药。炙则温中。生则泻火。（一名国老。能解百毒。反甘遂、海藻、
大戟、芫花）
当归甘温。生血补心。扶虚益损。逐瘀生新。（酒浸。洗净切片。体肥痰盛。姜汁浸酒
身养血。尾破血。全活血。）
白芍酸寒。能收能补。泻痢腹痛。虚寒勿与。（有生用者。有酒炒用者。）
赤芍酸寒。能泻能散。破血通经。产后勿犯（宜用生）
生地微寒。能消湿热。骨蒸烦劳。兼消破血。（一名 。怀广出者。用酒洗。竹刀切片
）
熟地微温。滋肾补血。益髓填精。乌须黑发。（用怀广生地黄。酒拌蒸至黑色。竹刀切
片。勿犯铁器。忌萝卜葱蒜。用姜汁炒。除膈闷。）
麦门甘寒。解渴祛烦。补心清肺。虚热自安。（水浸。去心用。不令人烦。）
天门甘寒。能治肺痈。消痰止嗽。喘热有功。（水浸。去心皮。）
黄连味苦。泻心除痞。清热明眸。浓肠止痢。（去须。下火童便。痰火姜汁。伏火盐汤
气滞火吴萸。肝胆火猪胆。实火朴硝。虚火酒炒。）
黄芩苦寒。枯泻肺火。子清大肠。湿热皆可。（去皮枯朽。或生或酒泡。）
黄柏苦寒。降火滋阴。骨蒸湿热。下血堪任。（去粗皮。或生或酒或蜜或童便或乳汁炒
一名黄 。）
栀子性寒。解郁除烦。吐衄胃痛。火降小便。（生用清三焦实火。炒黑清三焦郁热。又
能清曲屈之火。）
连翘苦寒。能消痈毒。气聚血凝。湿热堪逐。（去梗心）
石膏大寒。能泻胃火。发渴头疼。解肌立妥。（或生或 。一名解石。）
滑石沉寒。滑能利窍。解渴除烦。湿热可疗。（细腻洁白者佳。粗纹青黑者勿用。研末
以水飞过。）
贝母微寒。止嗽化痰。肺痈肺痿。开郁除烦。（去心。黄白色轻松者佳。）
大黄苦寒。实热积聚。蠲痰润燥。疏通便闭。
柴胡味苦。能泻肝火。寒热往来。疟疾均可。（去芦。要北者佳。）
前胡微寒。宁嗽化痰。寒热头痛。痞闷能安。（去芦。要软者佳。）
升麻性寒。清胃解毒。升提下陷。牙痛可逐。（去须。青绿者佳。）
桔梗味苦。疗咽肿痛。载药上升。开胸利壅。（去芦。青白者佳。）
紫苏叶辛。风寒发表。梗下诸气。消除胀满。（背面皆紫者佳）
麻黄味辛。解表出汗。身热头痛。风寒发散。（去根节。宜陈久。止汗用根。）
葛根味苦。祛风发散。温疟往来。止渴解酒。（白粉者佳。）
薄荷味辛。最清头目。祛风化痰。骨蒸宜服。（一名鸡苏。龙脑者佳。辛香通窍而散风
热。）
防风甘温。能除头晕。骨节痹疼。诸风口噤。（去芦）
荆芥味辛。能清头目。表汗祛风。治疮消瘀。（一名假苏。用穗又能止冷汗虚汗。）
细辛辛温。少阴头痛。利窍通关。风湿皆用。（华阴者佳。反藜芦。能发少阴之汗。）
羌活微温。祛风除湿。身痛头疼。舒筋活血。（一名羌青。目赤亦要。）
独活甘苦。颈项难舒。两足湿痹。诸风能除。（一名独摇草。又名胡王使者。）
知母味苦。热渴能除。骨蒸有汗。痰咳皆舒。（去皮毛。生用泻胃火。酒炒泻肾火。）
白芷辛温。阳明头痛。风热瘙痒。排脓通用。（一名芳香。可作面脂。）
本气温。除头巅顶。寒湿可去。风邪可屏。（去芦）
香附味甘。快气开郁。止痛调经。更消宿食。（即莎草根。忌铁器。）
乌药辛温。心腹胀痛。小便滑数。顺气通用。（一名旁其。一名天台乌。）
枳实味苦。消食除痞。破积化痰。冲墙倒壁。（如龙眼。色黑。陈者佳。水浸去积。切
片麸炒。）
枳壳微温。快气宽肠。胸中气结。胀满堪尝。（水浸去穣。切片麸炒。）
白蔻辛温。能去瘴翳。益气调元。止呕和胃。（去壳取仁）
青皮苦寒。能攻气滞。削坚平肝。安胃下食。（水浸。去穣切片。）
陈皮甘温。顺气宽膈。留白和胃。消痰去白。（温水略洗。刮去穣。又名橘红。）
苍术甘温。健脾燥湿。发汗宽中。更去瘴疫。（米泔水浸透。搓去黑皮。切片炒。）
浓朴苦温。消胀泄满。痰气下痢。其功不缓。（要浓如紫茎者佳。去粗皮。姜汁炒。）
南星性热。能治风痰。破伤强直。风搐自安。（姜汤泡透。切片用。或为末包入牛胆内
名曰牛胆南星。）
半夏味辛。健脾燥湿。痰厥头疼。嗽呕堪入。（一名守田。反乌头。滚水泡透。切片。
姜汁炒。）
藿香辛温。能止呕吐。发散风寒。霍乱为主。（或用叶。或用梗。叶与梗并兼用。）
槟榔味辛。破气杀虫。祛痰逐水。专除后重。（如鸡心者佳）
腹皮微温。能下膈气。安胃健脾。浮肿消去。（多有鸠粪毒。用黑豆汤洗净。）
香薷味辛。伤暑便涩。霍乱水肿。除烦解热。（陈久者佳）
扁豆微凉。转筋吐泻。下气和中。酒毒能化。（微炒）
猪苓味淡。利水通淋。消肿除湿。多服损肾。（削去黑皮。切片。）
泽泻苦寒。消肿止渴。除湿通淋。阴汗自遏。（去尾）
木通性寒。小肠热闭。利窍通经。最能导滞。（去皮切片）
车前子寒。溺涩眼赤。小便能通。大便能实。（去壳）
地骨皮寒。解肌退热。有汗骨蒸。强阴凉血。（去骨）
木瓜味酸。湿肿香港脚。霍乱转筋。足膝无力。（酒洗）
威灵苦温。腰膝冷痛。消痰 癖。风湿皆用。（去芦酒洗）
牡丹苦寒。破血通经。血分有热。无汗骨蒸。（去骨）
玄参苦寒。清无根火。消肿骨蒸。补肾亦可。（紫黑者佳。反藜芦。）
沙参味苦。消肿排脓。补肝益肺。退热除风。（去芦。反藜芦。）
丹参味苦。破积调经。生新去恶。祛除带崩。（反藜芦。）
苦参味苦。痈肿疮疥。下血肠风。眉脱赤癞。（反藜芦）
龙胆苦寒。疗眼赤疼。下焦湿肿。肝经热烦。
五加皮寒。祛痛风痹。健步坚筋。益精止沥。（此皮浸酒。轻身延寿。宁得一把五加。
不用金玉满车。）
防己气寒。风湿脚痛。热积膀胱。消痈散肿。
地榆沉寒。血热堪用。血痢带崩。金疮止痛。（如虚寒水泻。切宜忌之）
茯神补心。善镇惊悸。恍惚健忘。兼除怒恚。（去皮）
远志气温。能驱惊悸。安神镇心。令人多记。（甘草汤浸一宿。去骨晒干。）
酸枣味酸。敛汗驱烦。多眠用生。不眠用炒。（去复选仁）
菖蒲性温。开心利窍。去痹除风。出声至妙。（去毛。一寸九节者佳。忌铁器。）
柏子味甘。补心益气。敛汗扶阳。更疗惊悸。（去壳取仁。即柏仁。）
益智辛温。安神益气。遗溺遗精。呕逆皆治。（去壳取仁。研碎）
甘松味香。善除恶气。治体香肌。心腹痛已。
小茴性温。能除疝气。腹痛腰疼。调中暖胃。（盐水炒）
大茴味辛。疝气香港脚。肿痛膀胱。止呕开胃。（即茴香子）
干姜味辛。表解风寒。炮苦逐冷。虚热尤堪。（纸包水浸。火煨。切片慢火煨至极黑。
亦有生用者。）
附子辛热。性走不守。四肢厥冷。回阳功有。（皮黑。头正丸。一两一枚者佳。面裹火
煨。去皮脐。童便浸一宿。慢火煮。晒干密封。旋切片用。亦有该生用者。）
川乌大热。搜风入骨。湿痹寒疼。破积之物。（顶歪斜。制同附子。）
木香微温。散滞和胃。诸风能调。行肝泻肺。（形如枯木。苦口粘牙者佳。）
沉香降气。暖胃追邪。通天彻地。卫气为佳。
丁香辛热。能除寒呕。心腹疼痛。温胃可晓。（雄丁香如钉子长。母丁香如枣核大。）
砂仁性温。养胃进食。止痛安胎。通经破滞。（去壳取仁）
毕澄茄辛。除胀化食。消痰止哕。能逐邪气。（系嫩胡椒。青时摘取者是。）
肉桂辛热。善通血脉。腹痛虚寒。温补可得。（去粗皮。不见火。妊娠用要炒黑。浓者
肉桂。薄者官桂。）
桂枝小便。横行手臂。止汗舒筋。治手足痹。
吴萸辛热。能调疝气。心腹寒疼。酸水能治。（去梗。汤炮。微炒。）
延胡气温。心腹卒痛。通经活血。跌扑血崩。（即元胡索）
薏苡味甘。专除湿痹。筋节拘挛。肺痈肺痿。（一名穿谷米。去壳取仁。）
肉蔻辛温。脾胃虚冷。泻痢不休。功可立等。（一名肉果。面包。煨熟切片。纸包。捶
去油。）
草蔻辛温。治寒犯胃。作痛吐呕。不食能食。（建宁有淡红花内白色子是真的。）
诃子味苦。涩肠止痢。痰嗽喘急。降火敛肺。（又名诃藜勒。六棱黑色者佳。火煨去核
）
草果味辛。消食除胀。截疟逐痰。解瘟辟瘴。（去壳取仁）
常山苦寒。截疟除痰。解伤寒热。水胀能宽。（酒浸切片）
良姜性热。下气温中。转筋霍乱。酒食能攻。（结实秋收名红豆蔻。善解酒毒。余治同
）
山楂味甘。磨消肉食。疗疝催疮。消膨健胃。（一名糖球子。俗呼山里红。蒸。去核用
）
神曲味甘。开胃进食。破积逐痰。调中下气。（炒黄色。）
麦芽甘温。能消宿食。心腹膨胀。行血散滞。（炒。孕妇勿用。恐坠胎元。）
苏子味辛。驱痰降气。止咳定喘。更润心肺。
白芥子辛。专化胁痰。疟蒸痞块。服之能安。（微炒）
甘遂苦寒。破 消痰。面浮蛊胀。利水能安。（反甘草）
大戟甘寒。消水利便。腹胀 坚。其功瞑眩。（反甘草）
芫花寒苦。能消胀蛊。利水泻湿。止咳痰吐。（反甘草）
商陆辛甘。赤白各异。赤者消风。白利水气。（一名章柳）
海藻咸寒。消瘿散 。除胀破 。利水通闭。（粤海带昆布。散结溃坚功同。反甘草。）
牵牛苦寒。利水消肿。蛊胀 癖。散滞除壅。（黑者属水力速。白者属金力迟。并取头
末用。）
葶苈辛苦。利水消肿。痰咳 瘕。治喘肺痈。（隔纸略炒）
瞿麦辛寒。专治淋病。且能堕胎。通经立应。
三棱味苦。利血消癖。气滞作痛。虚者当忌。（去毛。火 。切片。醋炒。）
五灵味甘。血痢腹痛。止血用炒。行血用生。
莪术温苦。善破 癖。止渴消瘀。通经最宜。（去根。火煨。切片。醋炒。）
干漆辛温。通经破瘕。追积杀虫效如奔马。（捣。炒令烟尽。生则损人伤胃。）
蒲黄味甘。逐瘀止崩。补血须炒。破血用生。
苏木甘咸。能行积血。产后月经。兼治扑跌。
桃仁甘寒。能润大肠。通经破瘀。血瘕堪尝。（汤浸。尖皮皆去尽。研如泥。）
姜黄味辛。消痈破血。心腹结痛。下气最捷。
郁金味苦。破血生肌。血淋溺血。郁结能舒。
金银花甘。疗痈无对。未成则散。已成则溃。（一名忍冬。一名鹭鸶藤。一名金钗股。
一名老翁须。）
漏芦性温。去恶疮毒。补血排脓。生肌长肉。（一名野兰）
蒺藜味苦。疗疮瘙痒。白癜头疮。翳除目朗。
白芨味苦。功专收敛。肿毒疮疡。外科最善。
蛇床辛苦。下气温中。恶疮疥癞。逐瘀祛风。
天麻味辛。能驱头眩。小儿惊痫。拘挛瘫痪。
白附辛温。治面百病。血痹风疮。中风痰症。
全蝎味辛。却风痰毒。口眼 斜。风痫发搐。（去毒）
蝉蜕甘平。消风定惊。杀疳除热。退翳侵睛。
僵蚕味咸。诸风惊痫。湿痰喉痹。疮毒瘢痕。（去丝酒炒）
蜈蚣味辛。蛇虺恶毒。止痉除邪。堕胎逐瘀。（头足赤者佳。炙黄。去头足。）
木鳖甘寒。能追疮毒。乳痈腰疼。消肿最速。
蜂房咸苦。惊痫螈 。牙疼肿毒。瘰 肺痈。
花蛇温毒。瘫痪 斜。大风疥癞。诸毒称佳。（口有四撩牙。头戴二十四朵花。尾上有
个佛指甲是。出蕲州者佳。）
蛇蜕辟恶。能除翳膜。肠痔蛊毒。惊痫搐搦。
槐花味苦。痔漏肠风。大肠热痢。更杀蛔虫。
鼠粘子辛。能除疮毒。瘾疹风热。咽疼可逐。（一名牛蒡子。一名大力子。一名恶实。）
茵陈味苦。退疸除黄。泻湿利水。清热为凉。
药花辛温。最消瘀热。多则通经。少则养血。
蔓荆子苦。头疼能治。拘挛湿痹。泪眼可除。
兜铃苦寒。能熏痔漏。定喘消痰。肺热久嗽。（去膈膜。根名青木香。散气。）
百合味甘。安心定胆。止嗽消浮。痈疽可啖。
秦艽微寒。除湿荣筋。肢节风痛。下血骨蒸。（新好罗文者佳）
紫菀苦辛。痰喘咳逆。肺痈吐脓。寒热并济。（去头）
款花甘温。理肺消痰。肺痈喘咳。补劳除烦。（要嫩茸。去本。）
金沸草寒。消痰止嗽。明目祛风。逐水尤妙。（一名旋复花。一名金钱花。）
桑皮甘辛。止嗽定喘。泻肺火邪。其功不少。（风寒新嗽生用。虚劳久嗽。蜜水炒用。
去红皮。）
杏仁温苦。风寒喘嗽。大肠气闭。便难切要。（单仁者。泡去皮尖。麸炒入药。双仁者
有毒。杀人。勿用。）
(Comprising four hundred medicinal substances in total)
The properties of various medicines each possess unique efficacies. The warming, cooling, cold, and hot natures, along with tonifying, purging, dispersing, and unblocking actions, are applied within the framework of Sovereign (Jun), Minister (Chen), Assistant (Zuo), and Envoy (Shi) roles; the key lies in appropriate application. Adverse interactions such as mutual incompatibility (Xiang Fan), mutual fear (Xiang Wei), and mutual aversion (Xiang Wu) exist among herbs; misapplication leads to immediate auspicious or inauspicious outcomes.
Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) has a sweet flavor, greatly tonifies Yuan Qi (Primary Qi), stops thirst, generates fluids, and harmonizes Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi. (Remove the rhizome head before use. Incompatible with Veratrum Root/Lihlu.)
Astragali Radix (Huangqi) is warm in nature, arrests sweating, consolidates the exterior, expels pus and promotes tissue regeneration; it should not be omitted in cases of Qi deficiency. (Select those soft and fleshy like arrow shafts. Use raw for sores and ulcers; use honey-fried for tonifying deficiency.)
Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) is sweet and warm, strengthens the spleen and stomach, stops diarrhea, eliminates dampness, and also dispels phlegm and epigastric fullness. (Remove the rhizome head, wash with rice bran water, slice thinly, dry in the sun, or stir-fry with aged earth from the east wall.)
Poria (Fuling) has a bland flavor, leaches out dampness and opens orifices; white Poria transforms phlegm and saliva, while red Poria promotes urination. (Remove the black skin; any red veins inside must be removed completely to avoid damaging vision.)
Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) is sweet and warm, harmonizes various herbs; roasted it warms the middle, raw it clears heat. (Also known as Guolao, it can resolve hundred toxins. Incompatible with Kansui Root/Gansui, Sargassum/Hai Zao, Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix/Da Ji, and Genkwa Flos/Yuan Hua.)
Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) is sweet and warm, generates blood and tonifies the heart, supports deficiency and benefits injury, expels stasis and generates new blood. (Soak in wine, wash clean, and slice. For those with abundant phlegm due to obesity, soak in ginger juice-wine to nourish blood; the tail breaks blood, the whole root invigorates blood.)
Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao) is sour and cold, possesses astringent and tonifying properties; indicated for dysentery and abdominal pain, but contraindicated in deficiency-cold patterns. (Some are used raw, some are wine-fried.)
Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao) is sour and cold, possesses purgative and dispersing properties, breaks blood and unblocks collaterals; contraindicated postpartum (use raw).
Rehmanniae Radix Recens (Shengdi) is slightly cold, clears damp-heat, treats bone-steaming fever and fatigue, and also breaks blood.
Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudi) is slightly warm, nourishes the kidney and tonifies blood, benefits marrow and fills essence, darkens hair and beard. (Use Rehmannia from Huaiqing, mix with wine, steam until black, slice with a bamboo knife, avoid iron vessels, forbid radish/scallion/garlic, may be fried with ginger juice to relieve chest oppression.)
Ophiopogonis Radix (Maimendong) is sweet and cold, relieves thirst and removes irritability, tonifies the heart and clears the lungs, calming deficiency heat. (Soak in water, remove the heart to prevent causing irritability.)
Asparagi Radix (Tianmendong) is sweet and cold, treats lung abscess, resolves phlegm and stops cough, effective for wheezing and heat. (Soak in water, remove the heart and peel.)
Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) is bitter, clears Heart fire and removes epigastric fullness, clears heat and brightens the eyes, thickens the intestines and stops dysentery. (Remove the roots. To subdue fire use child's urine; for phlegm-fire use ginger juice; for latent fire use salt water; for qi-stagnation fire use Evodia Fruit/Wuyu; for Liver/Gallbladder fire use pig bile; for excess fire use Mirabilite/Puxiao; for deficiency fire use wine-fried.)
Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) is bitter and cold; dried root clears Lung fire, seed clears Large Intestine damp-heat; both treat damp-heat. (Remove woody bark, use raw or wine-soaked.)
Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai) is bitter and cold, descends fire and nourishes Yin, treats bone-steaming damp-heat and lower jiao bleeding. (Remove coarse bark, use raw or fried with wine/honey/child's urine/milk, also known as Huangbo.)
Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) is cold, resolves depression and removes irritability, treats vomiting and nasal bleeding and stomach pain; as fire descends, urination improves. (Raw clears excess fire of the Triple Burner; charred clears depressed heat of the Triple Burner; also clears constrained fire.)
Forsythiae Fructum (Lianqiao) is bitter and cold, eliminates carbuncles and toxicity, treats qi stagnation and blood coagulation, and expels damp-heat. (Remove stems and pith.)
Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) is very cold, clears Stomach fire, treats thirst and headache, and resolves the muscle layer effectively. (Raw or calcined, also known as Xiexi.)
Talcum (Huashi) is heavy and cold, its slipperiness opens orifices, relieves thirst and removes irritability, treats damp-heat. (Fine and white is best; coarse, green-black grains are avoided. Grind into powder and process by water flotation.)
Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu) is slightly cold, stops cough and transforms phlegm, treats lung abscess and lung atrophy, resolves depression and removes irritability. (Remove the heart; yellow-white and light texture is best.)
Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang) is bitter and cold, treats excess heat accumulation, dispels phlegm and moistens dryness, unblocks bowel obstruction.
Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) is bitter, clears Liver fire, treats alternating chills and fever and malaria. (Remove the rhizome head; Northern origin is best.)
Peucedani Radix (Qianhu) is slightly cold, calms cough and transforms phlegm, treats alternating chills, headache, and epigastric fullness. (Remove the rhizome head; soft texture is best.)
Bistortae Rhizoma (Shengma) is cold, clears the Stomach and resolves toxicity, raises sunken Qi, treats toothache. (Remove the roots; green color is best.)
Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) is bitter, treats sore throat and swelling, carries herbs upward, opens the chest and relieves congestion. (Remove the rhizome head; green-white is best.)
Perillae Folium (Zisu Ye) is acrid, releases the exterior and disperses wind-cold; Perillae Causulis (Zisu Geng) directs Qi downward, eliminating fullness. (Best when both sides are purple.)
Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) is acrid, releases the exterior and induces sweating, treats body heat and headache, disperses wind-cold. (Remove roots and nodes; aged material is preferred; roots stop sweating.)
Puerariae Radix (Gegen) is bitter, disperses wind and releases the exterior, treats warm malaria with alternating symptoms, stops thirst and resolves alcohol toxicity. (Those with white starch are best.)
Menthae Haplocalyx (Bohe) is acrid, most effective for clearing the head and eyes, disperses wind and transforms phlegm, suitable for bone-steaming fever. (Also known as Jisu; Menthol variety is best; acrid and aromatic to open orifices and disperse wind-heat.)
Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng) is sweet and warm, removes dizziness, treats joint bi-pain and various wind-induced facial paralysis. (Remove the rhizome head.)
Schizonepetae Spica (Jingjie) is acrid, clears the head and eyes, induces sweating and disperses wind, treats sores and resolves stasis. (Also known as Jiasu; using the spike also stops cold and deficiency sweating.)
Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin) is acrid and warm, treats Shaoyin headache, opens orifices and unblocks passages, used for wind-dampness. (Huayin origin is best; incompatible with Lihlu; induces Shaoyin sweating.)
Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo) is slightly warm, disperses wind and eliminates dampness, treats body pain and headache, relaxes sinews and invigorates blood. (Also known as Qiangqing; useful for red eyes.)
Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (Duohuo) is sweet and bitter, treats stiff neck, damp-bi of both legs, dispels various winds. (Also known as Duyao Cao, or Huwang Shenzhe.)
Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu) is bitter, removes heat and thirst, treats bone-steaming with sweat and phlegm-cough. (Remove skin and hairs; raw clears Stomach fire, wine-fried clears Kidney fire.)
Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi) is acrid and warm, treats Yangming headache, wind-heat itching, commonly used to discharge pus. (Also known as Fangxiang, can be used as facial cream.)
Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix (Gaoben) is warm in nature, treats vertex headache, removes cold-dampness, screens out wind pathogenic factors. (Remove the rhizome head.)
Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) is sweet, moves Qi and resolves depression, stops pain and regulates menstruation, further digests retained food. (This is Cyperi Rotundus Rhizoma; avoid iron vessels.)
Linderae Radix (Wuyao) is acrid and warm, treats heart and abdominal distending pain, frequent slippery urination, generally moves Qi. (Also known as Pangqi, or Tiantai Wuyao.)
Immature Tangerine Peel (Zhishi) is bitter, digests food and removes fullness, breaks accumulation and transforms phlegm, powerful action. (Like a longan, black color, aged is best; soak in water to remove fermentation, slice, stir-fry with bran.)
Mature Tangerine Peel (Zhike) is slightly warm, moves Qi and widens the intestines, treats Qi knot in the chest and fullness. (Soak in water, remove pulp, slice, stir-fry with bran.)
Amomi Fructus Rotundus (Baikou) is acrid and warm, removes miasma and opacity, benefits Qi and harmonizes Yuan, stops vomiting and harmonizes the Stomach. (Remove shell, take the kernel.)
Green Tangerine Peel (Qingpi) is bitter and cold, attacks Qi stagnation, hardens and flattens the Liver, calms the Stomach and promotes appetite. (Soak in water, remove pulp, slice.)
Aged Tangerine Peel (Chenpi) is sweet and warm, directs Qi and widens the diaphragm, keeping the white part harmonizes the Stomach, removing the white part transforms phlegm. (Briefly wash with warm water, scrape off pulp, also known as Juhong.)
Atractylodis Rhizoma Cangzhu (Cangzhu) is sweet and warm, strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, induces sweating and widens the middle, further removes miasma and epidemic pathogens. (Soak thoroughly in rice bran water, rub off black skin, slice and fry.)
Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo) is bitter and warm, reduces bloating and empties fullness, treats phlegm-Qi dysentery, efficacy is steady. (Select thick ones like purple stems; remove coarse bark, stir-fry with ginger juice.)
Arisaema Cum Bile (Nanxing) is hot in nature, treats wind-phlegm, treats tetanus after injury and wind convulsions. (Soak thoroughly in ginger soup, slice, or make powder and pack into cow gallbladder to make Niudan Nanxing.)
Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia) is acrid, strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, treats phlegm syncope headache, cough and vomiting. (Also known as Shoutian; incompatible with Aconitum lateral-radix preparata/Wutou; rinse with boiling water until permeable, slice, stir-fry with ginger juice.)
Agastaches Herba (Huoxiang) is acrid and warm, stops vomiting, releases the exterior and disperses wind-cold, is the primary herb for cholera-like syndrome. (Can use leaves or stems, both can be used together.)
Arecae Semen (Binglang) is acrid, breaks Qi and kills parasites, transforms phlegm and drives out water, specifically removes tenesmus. (Those shaped like chicken hearts are best.)
Arecae Pericarpium (Fupi) is slightly warm, directs Qi downward from the diaphragm, calms the Stomach and strengthens the spleen, eliminates edema. (Often contains pigeon droppings toxin; wash clean with black bean decoction.)
Moslae Herba (Xiangru) is acrid, treats summerheat with difficult urination, cholera-like syndrome and edema, removes irritability and clears heat. (Aged is best.)
Lablab Semen Album (Biandou) is slightly cool, treats muscle cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, directs Qi downward and harmonizes the middle, resolves alcohol toxicity. (Lightly stir-fry.)
Polyporus (Zhuling) is bland, promotes urination and unblocks strangury, reduces swelling and eliminates dampness, excessive use damages the Kidney. (Scrape off black skin, slice.)
Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie) is bitter and cold, reduces swelling and stops thirst, eliminates dampness and unblocks strangury, inhibits genital sweating. (Remove the tail.)
Akebiae Caulis (Mutong) is cold, treats Small Intestine heat closure, opens orifices and unblocks collaterals, best at guiding stagnation. (Remove skin, slice.)
Plantaginis Semen (Cheqianzi) is cold, treats difficult urination and red eyes, promotes urination and solidifies stool. (Remove shell.)
Lycii Cortex (Digupi) is cold, resolves the muscle layer and reduces fever, treats bone-steaming with sweat, strengthens Yin and cools blood. (Remove the wood.)
Chaenomelis Fructus (Mu Gua) is sour, treats damp swelling and Hong Kong foot (athlete's foot), cholera-like syndrome with cramps, weakness of feet and knees. (Wash with wine.)
Syneilesidis Rhizoma (Weilingxian) is bitter and warm, treats cold pain in waist and knees, transforms phlegm and masses, used for wind-dampness. (Remove rhizome head, wash with wine.)
Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi) is bitter and cold, breaks blood and unblocks collaterals, treats blood-level heat and bone-steaming without sweat. (Remove the wood.)
Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen) is bitter and cold, clears rootless fire, reduces swelling and bone-steaming, can also tonify the Kidney. (Purple-black is best; incompatible with Lihlu.)
Glehniae Radix (Shashen) is bitter, reduces swelling and discharges pus, tonifies the Liver and Lung, reduces fever and dispels wind. (Remove rhizome head; incompatible with Lihlu.)
Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (Danshen) is bitter, breaks accumulation and regulates menstruation, generates new blood and removes evil, treats leukorrhea and metrorrhagia. (Incompatible with Lihlu.)
Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Kushen) is bitter, treats carbuncles, sores, scabies, lower bleeding and intestinal wind, eyebrow loss and red leprosy. (Incompatible with Lihlu.)
Gentiana Scabra Radix (Longdan) is bitter and cold, treats red painful eyes, lower jiao damp swelling, Liver meridian heat irritability.
Eucommiae Cortex (Wujia Pi) is cold, dispels wind and treats bi-syndrome, strengthens steps and sinews, benefits essence and stops dribbling. (Infuse this bark in wine for lightening the body and prolonging life: "Better a handful of Wujia than a cart full of gold and jade.")
Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix (Fangji) is cold in nature, treats wind-damp leg pain, heat accumulation in the Bladder, reduces carbuncles and dissipates swelling.
Sanguisorbae Radix (Diyu) is heavy and cold, usable for blood-heat, treats bloody dysentery, leukorrhea and metrorrhagia, stops pain from metal wounds. (Strictly contraindicated for deficiency-cold watery diarrhea.)
Poria cum Radice Xyli (Fushen) tonifies the Heart, excellently calms palpitations and fright, treats absent-mindedness and forgetfulness, further removes anger and resentment. (Remove outer skin.)
Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi) is warm in nature, dispels palpitations and fright, calms the Spirit and anchors the Heart, enhances memory. (Soak in Licorice decoction overnight, remove woody core, dry in sun.)
Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suanzaoren) is sour, astringes sweat and drives away irritability; use raw for hypersomnia, use stir-fried for insomnia. (Remove double shells, select kernels.)
Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Changpu) is warm in nature, opens the Heart and benefits orifices, removes bi-syndrome and dispels wind, excellent for voice production. (Remove hairs; one inch with nine nodes is best; avoid iron vessels.)
Plumula Nucis Juglandis (Baiziren) is sweet, tonifies the Heart and benefits Qi, astringes sweat and supports Yang, further treats palpitations. (Remove shell, take kernel, i.e., Baoren.)
Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus (Yizhi) is acrid and warm, calms the Spirit and benefits Qi, treats enuresis and spermatorrhea, vomiting and counterflow Qi. (Remove shell, take kernel, crush.)
Nardi Rhizoma (Gansong) has a fragrant odor, excellently eliminates foul odors, treats body fragrance issues, resolves heart and abdominal pain.
Foeniculi Fructus (Xiaohui) is warm in nature, treats hernia, abdominal and lower back pain, regulates the middle and warms the Stomach. (Stir-fry with salt water.)
Anisi Stellati Fructus (Da Hui) is acrid, treats hernia and Hong Kong foot, bladder swelling and pain, stops vomiting and opens appetite. (This is Anise Seed.)
Zingiberis Rhizoma干燥 (Ganjiang) is acrid, releases the exterior and disperses wind-cold; roasted Ginger is bitter and drives out cold, especially suitable for deficiency heat. (Wrap in paper, soak in water, roast over fire, slice, slow-roast until very black; some are used raw.)
Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Fuzi) is acrid and hot, its nature moves rather than stays, treats cold limbs, has merit in restoring Yang. (Black skin, round shape, 1 liang per piece is best; wrap in flour, roast over fire, remove skin and navel, soak in child's urine overnight, boil slowly on low heat, dry and seal tightly, slice as needed; some are used raw.)
Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix (Chuanwu) is very hot, searches for wind entering bones, treats damp-bi and cold pain, breaks accumulation. (Crooked top, processing same as Fuzi.)
Costi Radix (Muxiang) is slightly warm, disperses stagnation and harmonizes the Stomach, regulates various winds, moves Liver and drains Lung. (Resembles dead wood, bitter taste and sticky to teeth is best.)
Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chenxiang) descends Qi, warms the Stomach and pursues evil, connects heaven and earth, good for Wei Qi.
Syzygii Aromatica Flos (Dingxiang) is acrid and hot, removes cold vomiting, treats heart and abdominal pain, warms the Stomach. (Male Dingxiang is nail-shaped and long; Female Dingxiang is date-seed sized.)
Amomi Fructus (Sharen) is warm in nature, nourishes the Stomach and promotes intake, stops pain and calms the fetus, unblocks collaterals and breaks stagnation. (Remove shell, take kernel.)
Piperis Kadsurae Fructus (Bichengqie) is acrid, reduces bloating and digests food, transforms phlegm and stops hiccups, expels pathogenic factors. (It is young pepper, picked when green.)
Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui) is acrid and hot, excellently unblocks blood vessels, treats abdominal pain and deficiency-cold, provides warming and tonification. (Remove coarse bark, do not expose to fire; pregnant women should use charred; thick bark is Rougui, thin bark is Guangui.)
Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guizhi) travels horizontally through arms, stops sweating and relaxes sinews, treats hand and foot bi-syndrome.
Evodiae Fructus (Wuyu) is acrid and hot, regulates hernia, treats heart and abdominal cold pain, resolves acid water. (Remove stems, soak in water, lightly stir-fry.)
Cyperoni Rhizoma (Yanhusu) is warm in nature, treats sudden heart and abdominal pain, unblocks collaterals and invigorates blood, treats trauma and metrorrhagia. (This is Yuanhusu.)
Coicis Semen (Yiyiren) is sweet, specifically treats damp-bi, tendon and joint spasms, lung abscess and atrophy. (Also known as Chuanggu Mi, remove shell, take kernel.)
Myristicae Semen (Roukou) is acrid and warm, Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold, continuous dysentery, efficacy is immediate. (Also known as Rouguo, wrap in bread, roast until cooked, slice, wrap in paper, beat to remove oil.)
Cardamomi Fructus (Caokou) is acrid and warm, treats cold invading the Stomach, pain and vomiting, restores appetite. (White seeds inside pale red flowers from Jianning are authentic.)
Terminalia Chebula Retzii Fructus (Hezi) is bitter, astringes intestines and stops dysentery, treats phlegm-cough and wheezing urgency, descends fire and astringes Lung. (Also known as Helile, six-sided black ones are best; roast over fire, remove pit.)
Tsaoko Fructus (Caoguo) is acrid, digests food and removes bloating, interrupts malaria and expels phlegm, resolves plague and dispels miasma. (Remove shell, take kernel.)
Dichroae Radix (Changshan) is bitter and cold, interrupts malaria and transforms phlegm, resolves Shanghan heat, relieves water distension. (Soak in wine, slice.)
Alpiniae Galangae Rhizoma (Liangjiang) is hot in nature, descends Qi and warms the middle, treats cramps and cholera-like syndrome, attacks alcohol and food retention. (Fruit harvested in autumn is named Hongdoukou, excellently resolves alcohol toxicity; other treatments are the same.)
Crataegi Fructus (Shanzha) is sweet, grinds and digests meat, treats hernia and promotes sores, reduces distension and strengthens the Stomach. (Also known as Tangqiuzi, commonly called Shanlihong; steam, remove pits, use.)
Massae Fermentatae Medicinalis (Shenqu) is sweet, opens appetite and promotes intake, breaks accumulation and expels phlegm, regulates the middle and directs Qi downward. (Stir-fry until yellow.)
Hordei Fructus Germinatus (Maiya) is sweet and warm, digests retained food, treats heart and abdominal distension, moves blood and disperses stagnation. (Stir-fry; pregnant women should avoid, fearing miscarriage.)
Perillae Fructus (Su Zi) is acrid, expels phlegm and descends Qi, stops cough and calms wheezing, further moistens Lung and Heart.
Sinapis Albae Semen (Baijiezi) is acrid, specifically transforms hypochondriac phlegm, treats malaria steaming and mass, administration brings peace. (Lightly stir-fry.)
Kansui Radix (Gansui) is bitter and cold, breaks masses and transforms phlegm, facial edema and gu-distension, promoting urination brings peace. (Incompatible with Gancao.)
Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix (Daji) is sweet and cold, promotes urination and facilitates bowel movement, abdominal distension and hardness, its effect causes dizziness. (Incompatible with Gancao.)
Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua) is cold and bitter, reduces distension and gu, promotes urination and drains dampness, stops cough and expectoration. (Incompatible with Gancao.)
Phytolaccae Radix (Shanglu) is acrid and sweet, red and white differ; red dispels wind, white promotes urination and moves Qi. (Also known as Zhangliu.)
Sargassum (Haizao) is salty and cold, reduces goiter and dissipates nodules, removes bloating and breaks masses, promotes urination and unblocks closure. (Kelp from Guangdong has similar efficacy in resolving nodules and breaking hardness; incompatible with Gancao.)
Pharbitidis Semen (Qianniu) is bitter and cold, promotes urination and reduces swelling, gu-distension and masses, disperses stagnation and removes congestion. (Black belongs to Water, fast acting; White belongs to Metal, slow acting; use the finest powder.)
Descurainiae Semen seu Lepidii Semen (Tingli) is acrid and bitter, promotes urination and reduces swelling, phlegm-cough and masses, treats wheezing and lung abscess. (Lightly stir-fry between papers.)
Persicae Herba (Qumai) is acrid and cold, specifically treats strangury, can also induce abortion, unblocks collaterals with immediate effect.
Sparganii Rhizoma (Sanleng) is bitter, benefits blood and transforms masses, Qi stagnation causes pain, deficiency patients should avoid. (Remove hairs, roast over fire, slice, stir-fry with vinegar.)
Trogopterori Faeces (Wulingzhi) is sweet, treats bloody dysentery and abdominal pain; for stopping blood use stir-fried, for moving blood use raw.
Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (Ezhu) is warm and bitter, excellently breaks masses, stops thirst and resolves stasis, most suitable for unblocking collaterals. (Remove roots, roast over fire, slice, stir-fry with vinegar.)
Lacca Resina (Ganqi) is acrid and warm, unblocks collaterals and breaks masses, pursuing accumulation and killing parasites is swift as a galloping horse. (Pound, stir-fry until smoke ceases; raw damages people and harms the Stomach.)
Typhae Pollen (Puhuang) is sweet, expels stasis and stops metrorrhagia; for tonifying blood use stir-fried, for breaking blood use raw.
Sappan Lignum (Sumu) is sweet and salty, moves accumulated blood, treats postpartum menstruation and trauma.
Persicae Semen (Taoren) is sweet and cold, moistens the Large Intestine, unblocks collaterals and breaks stasis, treats blood masses. (Soak in water, remove tips and skins completely, grind into paste.)
Curcumaet Longae Rhizoma (Jianghuang) is acrid, reduces carbuncles and breaks blood, treats heart and abdominal knotted pain, descending Qi is most rapid.
Curcumae Phaeocaulis Radix (Yujin) is bitter, breaks blood and generates flesh, treats bloody strangury and hematuria, resolves depression.
Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) is sweet, treating carbuncles has no equal; if unformed it disperses, if formed it suppurates. (Also known as Rendong, Lusitanos Teng, Jinchaigu, Laowengxu.)
Radix Rhubarbi (Loulu) is warm in nature, removes toxic sores, tonifies blood and discharges pus, generates flesh and grows tissue. (Also known as Yelan.)
Tribuli Fructus (Jili) is bitter, treats sores and itching, vitiligo and scalp sores, removes nebula and brightens eyes.
Bletillae Rhizoma (Baiji) is bitter, function is specifically astringent, treats swollen toxins and sores, best for external medicine.
Cnidii Fructus (Shechuang) is acrid and bitter, descends Qi and warms the middle, treats malignant sores, scabies and leprosy, expels stasis and dispels wind.
Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tianma) is acrid, dispels vertigo, treats pediatric epilepsy and spasms/paralysis.
Fangfengiae Radix (Baifu) is acrid and warm, treats facial diseases, blood bi and wind sores, stroke with phlegm syndrome.
Scorpio (Quanxie) is acrid, repels wind-phlegm toxicity, treats facial paralysis and wind-epilepsy convulsions. (Remove venom.)
Cicadae Perioxa (Chantui) is sweet and neutral, dispels wind and calms fright, kills childhood malnutrition and removes heat, removes nebula invading the eye.
Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan) is salty, treats various winds, fright-epilepsy, damp-phlegm throat obstruction, sore toxicity and scars. (Remove silk, stir-fry with wine.)
Scolopendra (Wugong) is acrid, treats snake and insect venom, stops spasms and expels evil, induces abortion and expels stasis. (Red head and feet are best; roast until yellow, remove head and feet.)
Momordicae Semen (Mubie) is sweet and cold, pursues sore toxicity, treats mastitis and lower back pain, reduces swelling most rapidly.
Apis Melliferae Cellula (Fefang) is salty and bitter, treats fright-epilepsy convulsions, toothache and swelling/toxicity, scrofula and lung abscess.
Zaocys (Huahuashe) treats warm toxicity, paralysis and deviation, severe wind scabies and leprosy, excellent for various toxins. (Mouth has four protruding teeth, head wears twenty-four flowers, tail has a Buddha fingernail; Qizhou origin is best.)
Coluber Skin (Shetui) repels evil, removes nebula membrane, treats intestinal hemorrhoids and gu-toxin, fright-epilepsy convulsions.
Sophorae Tonkinensis Flos (Huaihua) is bitter, treats hemorrhoids and fistulas, intestinal wind, Large Intestine heat dysentery, further kills roundworms.
Arctii Fructus (Shuniu Zi) is acrid, removes sore toxicity, urticaria and wind-heat, resolves sore throat. (Also known as Niubangzi, Dali Zi, Eshi.)
Artemisiae Scopariae Herba (Yinchen) is bitter, resolves jaundice and removes yellowness, drains dampness and promotes urination, clears heat and is cooling.
Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong (Yaohua) is acrid and warm, best at resolving stasis-heat; large doses unblock collaterals, small doses tonify blood.
Viticis Fructus (Manjingzi) is bitter, treats headache, spasms and damp-bi, relieves tearing eyes.
Brassicae Semen (Doulou) is bitter and cold, can fumigate hemorrhoids/fistulas, calms wheezing and transforms phlegm, treats Lung heat chronic cough. (Remove septum; root is Qingmuxiang, disperses Qi.)
Lilii Bulbus (Baihe) is sweet, calms the Heart and stabilizes the Gallbladder, stops cough and reduces floating, edible for carbuncles and sores.
Gentianae Macrophydae Radix (Qinjiao) is slightly cold, eliminates dampness and nourishes sinews, treats limb and joint wind-pain, lower bleeding and bone-steaming. (New good Luo Wen quality is best.)
Asteli Radix (Ziwan) is bitter and acrid, treats phlegm-wheezing and reverse cough, lung abscess and pus vomiting, balances cold and heat. (Remove head.)
Farfarae Flos (Kuanhua) is sweet and warm, regulates the Lung and transforms phlegm, treats lung abscess wheezing/cough, tonifies labor and removes irritability. (Select tender buds, remove stem.)
Inulae Flos (Jinfecao) is cold, transforms phlegm and stops cough, brightens eyes and dispels wind, draining water is particularly wonderful. (Also known as Xuanjufang, Jinqianhua.)
Mori Cortex Sangbaipi (Sangpi) is sweet and acrid, stops cough and calms wheezing, drains Lung fire and evil, its merit is considerable. (Wind-cold new cough use raw; deficiency-labor chronic cough use honey-fried; remove red skin.)
Prunus Armeniaca Seminal (Xingren) is warm and bitter, treats wind-cold wheezing/cough, Large Intestine Qi closure, essential for difficult defecation. (Single kernel: soak, remove skin and tip, stir-fry with bran for medicine; double kernel is toxic, kills humans, do not use.)