俗名赤眼老母草
咸寒，无毒。
《本经》主腰脊痛不得着床，俯仰艰难。除热可作汤浴。
发明 爵床善通血脉。苏恭言，疗血胀下气，杖疮，捣汁涂之立瘥。观《本经》诸品，
不出活血舒筋之用也。
又名假苏
辛微温，无毒。产后止血，童便制黑用。凡食河豚及一切无鳞鱼与驴
肉俱忌之；食黄 鱼后服之，令人吐血，惟地浆可解。与蟹同食动风。
《本经》主寒热鼠痿，瘰 生疮，破结聚气，下瘀血，除湿疽。
发明 荆芥穗入手太阴、足厥阴气分，其功长于祛经络中之风热。观《本经》所主，皆
是搜经中风热痰血之病。又能清头目，去瘀血，破结气，消疮毒。故风病、血病、疮病、产
后为要药。治风兼治血者，以其入风木之脏，即是藏血之地，故并主之。华元化治产后中风
、口噤发痉，及血晕不醒，荆芥末三钱，豆淋酒调服神效。产后血晕，热童便调服。而表虚
自汗，阴虚面赤者禁用。今人但遇风证，概用荆芥，此流气饮之相沿耳。
辛温，无毒。叶紫者能散血脉之邪，最良。
发明 苏叶味辛入气分，色紫入血分，升中有降。同橘皮、砂仁则行气安胎。同藿香、
乌药则怏气止痛。同麻黄、葛根则发汗解肌。同芎 、当归则和营散血。同木瓜、浓朴则散
湿解暑。同桔梗、枳壳则利膈宽中。同杏仁、菔子则消痰定喘。然不宜久服，泄人真气。单
用煮汁解蟹毒。若脾胃虚寒人过服，多致滑泄，往往不觉也。其梗能行气安胎，但力浅薄，
难于奏效。亡血家大虚及妊妇、产妇发散，用苞最佳，本乎天者亲上，取其包含子气，且气
味皆薄，而无过汗、伤中之患也。
Juechu (Strobilanthes cusia)
Commonly known as Chiyan Laomucao.
Salty, cold, non-toxic.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Classic of the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states it primarily treats pain in the waist and spine that prevents lying down, making flexion and extension difficult. It clears heat and can be used for medicinal baths.
[Invention] Juechu is adept at unblocking blood vessels. Su Gong stated that it treats blood distension, directs qi downward, and for杖疮 (caning wounds), applying the crushed juice leads to immediate recovery. Observing the categories in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, its uses do not extend beyond activating blood and relaxing tendons.
Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica)
Also known as Jasus.
Pungent, slightly warm, non-toxic. Used to stop bleeding postpartum; processed with child's urine until black. It is contraindicated when consuming pufferfish, all scaleless fish, and donkey meat. Consuming it after eating yellow croaker causes hematemesis; only Dipu (earth slurry) can antidote this. Eating it with crab induces wind disorders.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats chills and fever, Shulou (scrofula/lymphatic tuberculosis), Luoli (swollen lymph nodes) with sores, breaks up accumulated qi, descends stasis, and eliminates wet abscesses.
[Invention] Jingjie Sui enters the Qi aspect of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. Its efficacy lies in dispelling wind-heat from the collaterals. The conditions treated in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* are all diseases involving wind-heat, phlegm, and blood stasis within the meridians. It also clears the head and eyes, removes blood stasis, breaks up stagnant qi, and dissipates toxin sores. Thus, it is a crucial herb for treating wind disorders, blood disorders, sores, and postpartum conditions. Treating wind disorders while addressing blood disorders works because it enters the Zang organ of Wind-Wood (Liver), which is the repository of blood, thereby governing both. Hua Yuanhua treated postpartum wind-stroke, trismus with spasms, and syncope due to blood loss not regaining consciousness by administering three qian of Jingjie powder mixed with Doulinjiu (bean-dripping wine), yielding miraculous results. For postpartum syncope, mix with hot child's urine. However, it is contraindicated in cases of exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating and yin deficiency with facial redness. Nowadays, people indiscriminately use Jingjie for all wind disorders, merely following the precedent of Liuyiqin.
Zisu (Perillae Folium)
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Leaves that are purple are best at dispersing pathogens in the blood vessels.
[Invention] Suye (Perillae Folium) has a pungent taste entering the Qi aspect, and its purple color enters the Blood aspect; it ascends while containing descending properties. Combined with Chuanpi (Tangerine Peel) and Sharen (Amomum Fruit), it moves qi and calms the fetus. Combined with Huoxiang (Patchouli Herb) and Wuyao (Lindera Root), it promotes qi flow and relieves pain. Combined with Mahuang (Ephedra Herb) and Gegen (Pueraria Root), it induces sweating and releases the muscle layer. Combined with Xiongqiong (Szechwan Lovage Rhizome) and Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), it harmonizes Ying and disperses blood. Combined with Mugua (Chaenomeles Fruit) and Houpo (Magnolia Bark), it disperses dampness and resolves summerheat. Combined with Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) and Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), it benefits the diaphragm and broadens the middle jiao. Combined with Xingren (Apricot Seed) and Fuzi (Radish Seed), it resolves phlegm and calms wheezing. However, it should not be taken for long periods, as it depletes true qi. Taken alone and boiled into a decoction, it antidotes crab toxicity. In individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, excessive consumption often leads to slippery diarrhea, frequently unnoticed. Sugeng (Perillae Stem) can move qi and calm the fetus, but its power is shallow and thin, making it difficult to achieve efficacy. For those with massive blood loss and severe deficiency, as well as pregnant women and postpartum women requiring dispersion, Zubao (Perilla Bud) is optimal. Following the principle "that which originates from heaven adheres to the upper," it utilizes the quality of containing seed qi. Moreover, its flavor and aroma are light, avoiding the risks of excessive sweating and damaging the interior.