柳叶
苦寒无毒。
《本经》主风水黄瘅，面热黑。
发明 柳华性寒，故能疗风水黄瘅。《本经》虽云柳絮，实柳华也，絮则随风飞扬，何
从觅之。《千金》治女人积年不孕，吉祥丸中与丹皮、桃仁、芎 同为散血之用，亦属柳花
无疑。柳叶治恶疥痂疮，煎汤洗之立愈，以其力能杀虫也。痘疮生蛆，以儿卧柳叶上其蛆立
化；无叶时根皮亦可用之。
俗名西河柳
甘咸平无毒。
发明 柽柳独入阳明，故其功专发麻疹兼解酒毒去风。煎汤浴风疹身痒效，其治剥牛马
血入肉者，取以火炙熨之，亦可煮汁浸之，其毒即解。
苦平无毒。枝硬叶润，条不下垂，其材可造矢者为水杨。其枝软叶细，条叶下垂
者谓之柳。
发明 柳叶杀虫，痘烂生虫用铺卧下，其虫即出。煎汤洗漆疮恶疥。杨枝解毒，浴之消
痈肿疮疡。根治痘疮顶陷浆滞，《博爱心鉴》有水杨浴法，如无水杨根以忍冬藤汤代之。然
南方皮腠薄弱，良非所宜。《肘后》治乳痈用柳根。《永类钤方》以水杨根捣贴乳痈，其热
如火，再贴遂平。大抵二根性味不甚相远。
《本经》名零榆
甘平滑，无毒。
《本经》治大小便不通，利水道，除邪气。
发明 榆有二种。一种二月生荚，其荚飘零，故谓零榆。一者八月生荚，皮有滑汁，谓
之榔榆。性皆滑利。然入手足太阳、手阳明经。《本经》治大小便不通，取其有逐湿利窍之
功，故五淋肿满及胎产宜之。《本草十剂》云，滑以去着，冬葵子、榆白皮之属，盖亦取其
通利渗湿，消留着有形之物耳。榔榆甘寒，其下热淋利水道之功则一，但服之令人睡，较零
榆之除邪气稍有不同，二者性皆疏利。若胃寒而虚者服之，恐泄真气，良非所宜。
Liu Ye (Salix Leaf)
Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) indicates it treats wind-water jaundice and facial heat with darkening.
[Invention] Liu Hua (Willow Flower) is cold in nature, thus capable of treating wind-water jaundice. Although *Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions Liu Xu (Willow Catkin), it actually refers to Liu Hua, as catkins fly with the wind and are difficult to collect. In *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), for treating women with infertility lasting many years, the Jixiang Wan (Auspicious Pill) uses Liu Hua together with Mudan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Taoren (Prunus Seed), and Xiong (Szechwan Lovage Rhizome) as a powder to invigorate blood and dissipate stasis; this undoubtedly utilizes the properties of Willow Flower. Liu Ye treats malignant scabies and crusty sores; washing with decoction brings immediate cure due to its insecticidal power. When maggots appear in smallpox lesions, having the child lie on willow leaves causes the maggots to dissolve immediately; when leaves are unavailable, the root bark can also be used.
Su Ming Xihe Liu (Common Name: Western River Willow / Tamarisk Twig)
Sweet, salty, neutral, non-toxic.
[Invention] Cheng Liu (Tamarisk Twig) enters only the Yangming channel, so its function specializes in diffusing measles, resolving alcohol toxicity, and dispelling wind. Decoction bath is effective for treating wind-rash with body itching. For treating cases where cow or horse blood enters the flesh during skinning, taking Cheng Liu, heating it by fire, and applying it as a hot compress, or boiling it into juice for soaking, resolves the toxicity.
(Based on context, this section distinguishes Shuiyang from Liu)
Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Branches are hard, leaves are moist, branches do not droop; wood suitable for making arrows is called Shuiyang (Poplar/Willow species). Branches are soft, leaves are fine, branches and leaves droop; this is called Liu (Willow).
[Invention] Liu Ye kills insects; when smallpox ulcerates and produces worms, spreading it under the patient causes the worms to exit. Decoction wash treats lacquer dermatitis and malignant scabies. Yang Zhi (Poplar Twig) resolves toxicity; bathing with it reduces carbuncles, swelling, and sores. Gen (Root) treats depressed smallpox tops and stagnant pus; *Boai Xinjian* (Mirror of Compassionate Heart) describes a Shuiyang bath method. If Shuiyang root is unavailable, Rendong Teng (Honeysuckle Stem) decoction can substitute. However, people in the South have thin skin and delicate pores, making this method unsuitable. *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Emergency Prescriptions Kept Up One's Sleeve) uses Liu Gen (Willow Root) for mammary abscess. *Yonglei Qianfang* applies mashed Shuiyang Gen to mammary abscess; initially feeling hot like fire, subsequent application calms the condition. Generally, the nature and flavor of these two roots are not significantly different.
Yu Gen Bai Pi (Elm Root Bark)
Named Ling Yu in *Shennong Bencao Jing*.
Sweet, smooth, neutral, non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* treats obstruction of urination and defecation, promotes water passages, and eliminates pathogenic factors.
[Invention] There are two types of Yu (Elm). One produces pods in February which scatter, hence called Ling Yu. The other produces pods in August with slippery juice in the bark, called Lang Yu. Both possess slippery and draining properties. They enter the Hand-Taiyang, Foot-Taiyang, and Hand-Yangming channels. *Shennong Bencao Jing* treats urinary and fecal obstruction by leveraging its ability to drive out dampness and open orifices, making it suitable for five types of strangury, edema, fullness, and conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth. *Bencao Shi Ji* states: "Slippery substances remove adhesion," referring to Dong Kui Zi (Malva Seed) and Yu Bai Pi (Elm White Bark), utilizing their ability to promote urination, drain dampness, and eliminate tangible accumulated pathogens. Lang Yu is sweet and cold; its efficacy in clearing heat, treating strangury, and promoting water passage is the same, but it induces sleep, differing slightly from Ling Yu's ability to eliminate pathogenic factors. Both possess dispersing and draining natures. If taken by those with cold stomach and deficiency, it may leak true qi, making it highly unsuitable.