辛寒，有小毒。折之汁出凝黑如漆，故名漆头。 茹色白者名草 茹。
《本经》主疽蚀恶肉，败疮死肌，杀疥虫，排脓恶血，除大风热气，善忘不寐。
发明 茹《本经》治恶肉败疮等病，而《素问》四乌 一 茹丸，当非此 茹可知也
。《圣惠》治头风旋眩，《千金》治小儿痈疽，并用漆头 茹，姚僧坦治痈疽去恶血有白
茹丸，二者皆取能散血。其治善忘不寐，亦是因风热侵犯心包、胆腑所致，散其风热，则无
不寐善忘之患矣。
苦辛大寒，有毒，反甘草。入药惟用正根，误服傍株令人冷泻，枣煮则不损脾，
乘软去骨用。
《本经》主蛊毒十二水，腹满急痛，积聚，中风皮肤疼痛，吐逆。
发明 大戟性禀阴毒，峻利首推，苦寒下走肾阴，辛散上泻肺气，兼横行经脉，故《本
经》专治蛊毒十二水，腹满急痛等证，皆浊阴填塞所致，然惟暴胀为宜。云中风者是指风水
肤胀而言，否则传写之误耳。夫大戟、甘遂之苦以泄水者，肾所主也。痰涎之为物，随气升
降无处不到，入于心则迷窍而成癫痫妄言妄见。入于肺则塞窍而成咳唾稠粘，喘急背冷。入
于肝则留伏蓄聚而成胁痛，干呕，寒热往来。入于经络则麻痹疼痛。入于筋骨则颈项胸背腰
胁手足牵引隐痛。《三因方》并以控涎丹主之。大戟能泻脏腑之水湿，甘遂能行经隧之水湿
，白芥子能散皮里膜外之痰气。惟善用者能收奇功也。痘疮变黑归肾，枣变百祥丸，用大戟
制枣去戟，用枣以泻肝邪，非泻肾也。实则泻其子，因肾邪实而泻其肝也。仲景云∶心下痞
满引胁下痛，干呕短气者，十枣汤主之，其中亦有大戟。夫干呕胁痛岂非肝胆之病乎，百祥
丸之泻肝明矣。至玉枢丹同续随子、山慈菇等解蛊毒药，则又不独肝胆矣。其脾胃肝肾虚寒
，阴水泛滥，犯之立毙，不可不审。
[Da Ji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix)]
Pungent in flavor, cold in nature, with slight toxicity. When broken, the juice exudes and coagulates into a black substance like lacquer, hence the name "Qi Tou" (Lacquer Head). The white variety is called "Cao Da Ji" (Grass Euphorbia).
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It treats carbuncles and ulcers eroding foul flesh, destroys dead muscle in deteriorating sores, kills scabies mites, discharges pus and foul blood, eliminates severe wind-heat, and treats forgetfulness and insomnia.
[Commentary]
Regarding *Da Ji*, although *Shennong Bencao Jing* indicates its use for treating foul flesh and deteriorating sores, the "Ru" used in the Si Wuie Gu Yi Ru Wan formula from *Suwen* (Plain Questions) is clearly not this herb, as can be deduced. *Taiping Shenghui Fang* uses *Da Ji* to treat dizziness caused by head wind; *Qianjin Fang* uses it for pediatric carbuncles and sores, both employing Qi Tou *Da Ji*; Yao Sengtan's Bai Da Ji Wan for removing foul blood from carbuncles also utilizes the white variety. Both preparations rely on the herb's ability to dissipate blood stasis. As for treating forgetfulness and insomnia, this is attributed to wind-heat invading the Pericardium and Gallbladder. Once the wind-heat is dissipated, the afflictions of forgetfulness and insomnia will cease.
[Gan Sui (Kansui Radix)]
Bitter and pungent in flavor, intensely cold in nature, toxic, incompatible with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Licorice Root). Only the main root is used for medicinal purposes; ingestion of lateral branches causes cold diarrhea. Boiling with Jujubae Fructus (Jujube) protects the Spleen and Stomach from damage. When preparing, remove the bones while the fruit is soft.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It treats gu poison and twelve types of fluid retention diseases, abdominal fullness with acute pain, accumulations and masses, skin pain due to wind-stroke, and vomiting/rebellious qi.
[Commentary]
Gan Sui possesses yin toxicity and is foremost among herbs for its drastic purgative action. Its bitter-cold nature descends to nourish Kidney Yin, while its pungent dispersing action ascends to drain Lung Qi, and it also traverses the meridians horizontally. Therefore, *Shennong Bencao Jing* specifically treats gu poison, the twelve types of fluid retention, abdominal fullness, and acute pain, all of which are caused by turbid yin obstruction. However, it is only suitable for sudden-onset distension. The mention of "wind-stroke" here refers to water-wind edema of the skin; otherwise, it is likely a transcription error.
The bitter properties of Gan Sui and Gan Sui (note: text implies similar action or typo for another herb, context suggests comparison of water-draining herbs) that drain water are governed by the Kidneys. Phlegm-fluids, as substances, move up and down with Qi and reach everywhere. Entering the Heart, they cloud the orifices, causing epilepsy, delirium, and hallucinations. Entering the Lungs, they obstruct the orifices, causing coughing with thick sticky sputum, panting, and coldness in the back. Entering the Liver, they stagnate and accumulate, causing hypochondriac pain, dry retching, and alternating chills and fever. Entering the meridians, they cause numbness and pain. Entering the sinews and bones, they cause pulling and dull pain in the neck, chest, back, waist, flanks, and limbs. *Sanyin Fang* treats these conditions primarily with Kong Xian Dan (Control Phlegm Pill). Gan Sui drains water-dampness from the Zang-Fu organs, Gan Sui (likely referring to Kansui or similar context of meridian water) moves water-dampness through the collaterals, and Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed) dissipates phlegm-Qi in the interstices of the skin and fascia. Only those who master its use can achieve miraculous results.
When chickenpox lesions turn black and revert to the Kidney, it is processed into Bai Xiang Wan (Hundred Auspicious Pills) using Gan Sui to process Jujube, removing the Gan Sui and using only the Jujube. This uses Jujube to drain Liver pathogenic factors, not Kidney pathogenic factors. According to the principle "when excess, drain the son," since the Kidney pathogen is excess, the Liver (the son of Water/Kidney) is drained. Zhang Zhongjing stated: "For epigastric fullness and blockage with pain radiating to the hypochondrium, dry retching, and shortness of breath, Shi Zao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction) is indicated." This formula also contains Gan Sui. Dry retching and hypochondriac pain are indeed disorders of the Liver and Gallbladder, clearly demonstrating that Bai Xiang Wan drains the Liver. Regarding Yu Shu Dan (Jade Pivot Pill), combined with Xu Sui Zi (Spurge Seed) and Shan Ci Gu (Fritillaria Cirrhosa Bulb) to resolve gu poison, its scope extends beyond just the Liver and Gallbladder. If the Spleen, Stomach, Liver, and Kidney are deficient and cold, with flooding of Yin fluids, administration of this herb will lead to immediate death; thus, careful examination is imperative.