苦辛温小毒。紫浓者佳，姜汁炒用。忌黑豆，宜用滚水泡数次，切之不可久浸，
气有伤脾气。
《本经》主中风伤寒，头痛寒热，惊悸逆气，血痹死肌，去三虫。
发明 浓朴苦温，先升后降，为阴中之阳药，故能破血中气滞。《本经》中风伤寒头痛
寒热者，风寒外伤于阳分也。其治惊悸逆气，血痹死肌者，寒湿入伤于腠理也。湿热内着于
肠胃而生三虫，此药辛能散结，苦能燥湿，温能祛虫，故悉主之，消风散用之，深得《本经
》之义。今世但知浓朴为温中散滞之药。而治肠胃湿满寒胀，温中下气，消痰止吐，平胃散
用以治腹胀者，味辛能散滞气也。若气实人误服参、 胀闷作喘，宜此泻之。与枳实、大黄
同用能泻实满，所谓消痰下气也。与苓、术、橘皮同用能泻湿满，所谓温中益气也。然行气
峻猛，虚者勿服。气温即止，不可久服。
辛甘温无毒。盐酒炒断丝用。
《本经》主腰脊痛，补中益精气，坚筋骨强志，除阴下痒湿，小有余沥。
发明 杜仲，古方但知补肾，而《本经》主腰脊痛，补中益精气等病，是补火以生土也
。王好古言是肝经气分药。盖肝主筋，肾主骨，肾充则骨强，肝充则筋健。屈伸利用皆属于
筋，故入肝而补肾，子能令母实也。但肾虚火炽，梦泄遗精而痛者勿用，以其辛温引领虚阳
下走也。
[Background Information]
Book: Benjing Fengyuan (Supplement to the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica)
Author: Zhang Lu
Dynasty: Qing
Chapter: Houpu (Magnolia Bark) / Duzhong (Eucommia Bark)
Category: Comprehensive
[Original Text Translation]
(Bitter, acrid, warm in nature, with slight toxicity.) The purple-colored material is of better quality; it should be stir-fried with ginger juice before use. It is contraindicated with black soybeans. It is advisable to rinse the slices several times with boiling water; do not soak them for a long time, as this may damage the Spleen Qi (Spleen energy).
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states that it treats wind-stroke and cold-pathogen febrile diseases, headache with alternating chills and fever, palpitations with rebellious Qi (upward counterflow of Qi), blood bi syndrome (obstruction causing pain) with dead muscle tissue, and expels three types of parasites.
Invention/Analysis: Houpu is bitter and warm. Its action trend rises first and then descends, making it a Yang medicine within Yin. Therefore, it can break through Qi stagnation in the Blood aspect. The treatment of wind-stroke, cold-pathogen febrile diseases, headache, and alternating chills and fever mentioned in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* addresses external invasion of Wind-Cold pathogens into the Yang aspects (exterior). The treatment of palpitations, rebellious Qi, blood bi syndrome, and dead muscle tissue addresses Cold-Dampness invading and damaging the Couli (interstitial spaces/pores). When Damp-Heat settles internally in the Stomach and Intestines, generating parasites, this herb's Acridity disperses nodules, its Bitterness dries Dampness, and its Warmth expels parasites; thus, it addresses all these conditions. It is used in Xiaofeng San (Wind-Dispersing Powder), deeply adhering to the principles of the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Nowadays, people only know Houpu as a herb for warming the Middle and dispersing stagnation. For treating Cold distension and fullness due to Dampness in the Stomach and Intestines, descending Qi, resolving phlegm, stopping vomiting, Pingwei San (Stomach-Pacifying Powder) uses it to treat abdominal distension because its Acrid flavor disperses stagnant Qi. If a person with Excess Qi mistakenly takes Renshen (Ginseng Root), leading to distension, oppression, and wheezing, it is appropriate to use this herb to purge. Used together with Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), it purges Excess fullness, which is referred to as resolving phlegm and descending Qi. Used together with Lingzhi (Poria), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), and Jupi (Tangerine Peel), it purges Damp-fullness, which is referred to as warming the Middle and benefiting Qi. However, its Qi-moving action is harsh and fierce; those with Deficiency should not take it. Stop taking it once the temperature sensation resolves; do not take it for a long time.
(Acrid, sweet, warm in nature, non-toxic.) It should be stir-fried with salt wine until the fibers break.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states that it treats lower back and spine pain, tonifies the Center and benefits Essence and Qi, strengthens sinews and bones, stabilizes willpower, eliminates itching and dampness in the genital region, and treats slight residual dribbling of urine.
Invention/Analysis: Duzhong, in ancient prescriptions, was only known for tonifying the Kidney. However, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions its treatment of lower back and spine pain, tonifying the Center, and benefiting Essence and Qi, which represents the method of tonifying Fire to generate Earth (Wang Haogu's theory). Wang Haogu stated that it is a herb for the Qi aspect of the Liver Meridian. This is because the Liver governs the sinews, and the Kidneys govern the bones. When Kidney Essence is充盈 (abundant), bones become strong; when Liver Blood/Essence is abundant, sinews become robust. Flexion and extension movements all belong to the sinews; therefore, entering the Liver to tonify the Kidney follows the principle that "the Child can make the Mother real" (tonifying the Child organ to benefit the Mother organ). However, patients with Kidney Deficiency and blazing Fire, experiencing nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhea, and pain, should not use it, because its Acrid-Warm nature guides deficient Yang to descend and leak out.