忌牛肉、牛乳，并忌铁器。
辛，温。有毒。入足少阴，兼足厥阴经血分。助相火，除风冷，强筋骨，益肌肤。得杞
子、茴香，治腰脚挛痹。配
焦术、甘草，治冷气不食。
清水洗净，竹刀刮去皮，以乌豆汁浸，或糯米泔浸，去赤汁出毒，酒蒸极熟用。阴虚相
火动
者禁用。中其毒，则舌胀退场门，急煎大黄、芒硝饮之。复出，芒硝、大黄末敷舌即解。
一名黑参
恶黄 、干姜、大枣、山茱萸。反藜芦。
微苦，微寒。入足少阴经。清上焦氤氲之热，滋下焦少阴之水。治伤寒沉昏身热，疗温
疟寒热发颐，退无根浮游之
火，为清肃枢机之剂。得花粉，治痰结热痈。配大力子，治急喉痹风。配甘草、桔梗，治咽
喉肿痛。配升麻、甘草，
治发斑咽痛。佐二地，除阴虚火动。煮猪肝，治赤脉贯瞳。研末，敷年久瘰 ，塞鼻疮。
用蒲草重重相隔，蒸熟焙用。勿犯铜铁器，犯则噎喉伤目。脾虚泄泻，肾经痘，二者禁
用。
肾水本寒，虚则燥热，非凉补不能滋。水之不足，至有虚而宜温养者，亦肾经之不足也，
由精水虚乏，肾气散而无
附，故尔。所以补水之中，宜加人参、杞子、菟丝之类，以助其阳，阳气盛，阴水自生，非
滋水专恃乎凉剂也。但补水
之阳，先天之不足者居多。滋水之阴，后天之失守者过半。且近今天赋日薄，生水之源日浅，
人之真水，禀受无多，而
戕贼之者十有八九，酒色之徒，劳伤之辈，将此一勺之水，消耗殆尽，未有不损乎其脏者，
所以阴虚火动者比比矣。李
士材云∶肾之经虚则寒，肾之脏虚则热。玄参助补阴之剂以滋水，劳瘵者所必需也。
Avoid beef, milk, and iron vessels.
Pungent, warm. Toxic. Enters the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian, and concurrently the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) blood level. Assists the Ministerial Fire (Mingmen Fire), dispels wind-cold, strengthens sinews and bones, and nourishes skin and flesh. Combined with Gouqi Zi (Lycium Fruit) and Huixiang (Fennel Seed), treats contracture and bi-syndrome of the waist and legs. Paired with Chao Baizhu (Stir-fried Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) and Gancao (Licorice Root), treats loss of appetite due to cold qi stagnation.
Wash clean with clear water, scrape off the peel with a bamboo knife, soak in black soybean juice or rice washing water to remove the red juice thereby eliminating toxicity, then steam thoroughly with wine until fully cooked before use. Contraindicated for those with Yin deficiency and hyperactivity of Ministerial Fire. If poisoned, the tongue swells and extends to the anus; urgently decoct Dahuang (Rhubarb Radix et Rhizoma) and Mangxiao (Mirabilite) for oral administration. If the toxin manifests externally, apply powder of Mangxiao and Dahuang to the tongue for immediate relief.
Also known as Heishen (Black Scrophularia).
Clashes with Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), Dazao (Jujube Fruit), and Shanzhuyu (Cornus Officinalis Fruit). Incompatible with Lifulu (Veratrum Nigrum Rhizome).
Bitter, slightly cold. Enters the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. Clears the turbid heat of the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner), and nourishes the Water of the Shaoyin (Kidney) in the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner). Treats deep lethargy and body heat caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage); cures Wenmian (Warm Malaria) characterized by alternating chills and fever with parotid swelling; dissipates rootless floating fire; serves as an agent for clearing and purifying the pivot mechanism. Combined with Huafen (Trichosanthes Root), treats phlegm-stagnation and hot carbuncles. Paired with Dalizi (Arctii Fructus), treats acute Houbi (Sudden Sore Throat) due to wind. Paired with Gancao (Licorice Root) and Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), treats sore throat and swelling. Paired with Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) and Gancao (Licorice Root), treats macules and sore throat. Assisted by Erdi (Shengdihuang [Rehmanniae Radix] and Shudihuang [Prepared Rehmanniae Radix]), eliminates hyperactivity of fire due to Yin deficiency. Boiled with pig liver, treats red veins crossing the pupil. Ground into powder, applied to treat chronic Luoli (scrofula), or inserted into the nose to treat nasal sores.
Steam thoroughly using layers of cattail grass as separators, then dry-roast before use. Do not come into contact with copper or iron vessels; doing so causes throat obstruction and eye damage. Contraindicated for those with Spleen deficiency leading to diarrhea, and for patients with Kidney meridian-related pox.
Kidney Water is inherently cold; when deficient, it manifests as dryness and heat, which cannot be nourished without cooling tonification. Insufficiency of Water may even present as a condition suitable for warming nourishment due to deficiency; this is also a manifestation of Kidney meridian insufficiency, arising from depletion of essence and water, causing Kidney Qi to scatter without attachment. Therefore, when replenishing Water, it is appropriate to add Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Gouqi Zi (Lycium Fruit), Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), etc., to assist Yang Qi. When Yang Qi is abundant, Yin Water generates naturally; nourishing Water does not rely solely on cooling agents. However, among those replenishing Water, most suffer from congenital Yang deficiency. Among those nourishing Water, more than half suffer from acquired Yin deficiency. Moreover, contemporary people’s innate endowment is increasingly thin, the source of generating Water is shallow, and humans receive little True Water, yet eighty to ninety percent are harmed. Those indulging in alcohol and lust, or suffering from overwork and injury, consume this "cup of water" completely, inevitably damaging their Zang organs. Thus, cases of Yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity are ubiquitous. Li Shicai stated: Deficiency of the Kidney meridians leads to cold; deficiency of the Kidney zang organ leads to heat. Xuanshen assists Yin-tonifying agents to nourish Water, making it essential for patients with Laozai (consumption/tuberculosis).