辛平无毒。去壳取仁,微炒用。
《本经》主五内邪气,散皮肤、骨节中淫淫湿,行毒,去三虫化食。
发明 芜荑辛散,能祛五内、皮肤、骨节湿热之病。近世但知其有去疳杀虫及肠风痔
、恶疮疥癣之用。殊失《本经》之旨。《千金》治妇人经带崩淋之病,每同泽兰、浓朴、
本、白芷、细辛、防风、柏仁、石斛辈用之,取其去子脏中风热垢腻也。和猪脂捣涂疮。和
蜜治湿癣。及治腹中气血痰酒诸癖,以芜荑仁炒香,兼暖胃活血理气药为散服之。
甘咸平无毒。
发明 苏木阳中之阴,降多升少,肝经血分药也。性能破血,产后血肿胀闷欲死者,苦
酒煮浓汁服之。本虚不可攻者,用二味参苏饮补中寓泻之法,凛然可宗。但能开泄大便,临
证宜审。若因恼怒气阻经闭者,宜加用之,少用则和血,多用则破血。如产后恶露已净,而
血虚腹痛大便不实者禁用。
苦平,无毒。
发明 桦皮能收肥腻,故用以治湿热疠风、痈毒,取其能辟恶气、杀虫 也。《开宝
》治诸黄瘅,浓煮汁饮之,以其能利小便也。《和剂》治遍身疮疥如疠及瘾疹搔痒,面上生
风,妇人粉刺。《灵苑方》治乳痈肿痛结硬欲破,烧存性,无灰酒服之。
苦涩平,无毒。陈久者良。
发明 棕灰性涩,失血去多瘀滞已尽者,用之切当,取涩以固脱也。如积瘀未尽,误服
则气滞血瘀,益增痛结之患矣。
[Myrobalan / Terminalia chebula Resin (Wuyi)] Pungent, neutral, non-toxic. Remove the shell and use the kernel, stir-fried slightly before use.
*Shennong Benjing* states it governs pathogenic qi in the five zang organs, disperses dampness lingering in the skin and joints, promotes the circulation of toxic pathogens, eliminates three types of parasites (roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms), and aids digestion.
[Innovation] Wuyi is pungent and dispersing, capable of expelling damp-heat from the five zang organs, skin, and joints. In recent times, it has only been known for its use in treating infantile malnutrition (Gan syndrome), killing parasites, and addressing intestinal wind hemorrhoids, malignant sores, scabies, and tinea. This greatly deviates from the original intent of *Shennong Benjing*. *Qianjin Fang* treats women's menstrual disorders, leukorrhea, metrorrhagia, and strangury by combining it with Zelan (Lycopus Herba), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Gaoben (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Bairen (Platycladi Semen), and Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis). This utilizes its ability to clear wind-heat and greasy turbidity from the uterus. When pounded with suet (pig fat) and applied externally, it treats sores; when mixed with honey, it treats damp tinea. To treat various accumulations of qi, blood, phlegm, and wine in the abdomen, stir-fry the Wuyi kernel until fragrant, combine with herbs that warm the stomach, invigorate blood, and regulate qi, and take as a powder.
[Su Mu / Sappan Wood] Sweet and salty, neutral, non-toxic.
[Innovation] Su Mu belongs to yin within yang, with descending action predominating over ascending action; it is a herb entering the Liver channel blood level. Its nature breaks blood stasis. For postpartum cases where blood swelling and distension cause suffocation-like distress approaching death, boil it in Kujiu (vinegar) to make a concentrated decoction and drink. If the root deficiency makes aggressive treatment inadvisable, use Erwei Rensu Yin, employing a method of tonifying the middle while containing purgative effects; this rigorous approach is worthy of respect. However, since it can open and unblock the bowels, clinical judgment is essential. In cases of amenorrhea due to anger obstructing qi flow, it is suitable to add this herb: used in small doses, it harmonizes blood; used in large doses, it breaks blood. It is contraindicated in postpartum cases where lochia has cleared but blood deficiency causes abdominal pain and loose stools.
[Hua Pi / Birch Bark] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
[Innovation] Hua Pi has the property of absorbing grease, thus it is used to treat leprosy caused by damp-heat and carbuncles/toxins, taking advantage of its ability to repel foul odors and kill parasites. *Kaibao Bencao* records its use for various forms of jaundice; boil thickly and drink the juice, as it promotes urination. *Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang* treats widespread sores and scabies resembling leprosy, urticaria with itching, facial wind acne, and women's comedones. *Lingyuan Fang* treats breast abscesses with swelling, pain, induration, and impending rupture; calcine the bark preserving its charred nature, and administer with unadulterated wine.
[Zong Lu / Palm Fruit Spine] Bitter, sweet, and astringent, neutral, non-toxic. The older it is, the better.
[Innovation] Zonghui (Palm charcoal) is astringent. It is precisely indicated for patients who have lost excessive blood and whose blood stasis has already been exhausted, utilizing its astringency to secure collapse and stop bleeding. If blood stasis remains unresolved, mistaken use will lead to qi stagnation and blood stasis, exacerbating pain and nodular accumulation.