胡葱良,蟠葱即龙爪葱
辛平,无毒。服地黄、常山、蜜桂者犯之无效。生葱尤
忌。葱与鸡雉、犬肉食之,令人动血。
《本经》作汤,治伤寒寒热中风,面目浮肿,能作汗。
发明 葱茎味辛温,上升入手太阴、足阳明经,专主发散,以通上下阳气,即《本经》
作汤以下主治,故伤寒头痛如破,用连须葱白香豉汤。少阴病下利清谷,里寒外热,厥逆脉
微者,白通汤内用葱白,以其辛温通阳气也。妊娠风邪喘嗽,非葱白、橘皮不除,且能安胎
顺气。金疮折伤血出疼痛不止者,用葱连叶煨熟敷之,冷即频易,其痛立止,更无瘢痕也。
以葱叶专散血气。葱须专行经络。葱花主心痹痛如刀刺。葱子明目,补中气不足。蟠葱专主
冷热疝气。胡葱化五石,消桂为水,疗肿毒。
小者曰蒜,大者曰胡
辛温小毒。服云母人切禁,胡蒜、独颗蒜尤忌。
发明 胡之与蒜功用仿佛,并入手太阴、阳明。气味薰烈,能通五脏,达诸窍,去寒湿
,辟邪恶,消痈肿,化症积肉食,主溪毒下气。治蛊传蛇虫沙虱疮,此其功也。夏月食之解
暑,多食伤气损目。养生者忌之。艾火炙用独颗蒜甚良,以其力专也。凡中暑毒人烂嚼三四
瓣下咽即知。又鼻衄不止者,捣贴足心,衄止即拭去之。蒜齑水顿服二升,吐腹中虫积。噎
膈食不得下,腹热如火,手不可近者,皆效。但胃虚少食者,误投是速其咎也。香港脚风病,
及时行病后忌食,为其能鼓午余毒也。服云母、钟乳人勿食,为其能搅散药力,犯之必腹痛
泄利,前功尽弃也。小蒜主霍乱腹中不安,温中除邪痹毒瓦斯。《黄帝》云,食小蒜、啖生鱼
,令人夺气阴核疼,不可共韭食,令人身重。
Hucong (Allium fistulosum var. bulbiferum) is of good quality; Pancong (Allium cepa var. ascalonicum, also known as Dragon Claw Scallion).
It is pungent and neutral in nature, non-toxic. It is contraindicated for those taking Dihuang Tang (Rehmannia Root Decoction), Changshan (Dichroa Root), or Miguui (Honey-processed Cinnamon Twig), as consuming it will render the medicinal efficacy ineffective. Raw Cong (Scallion/Garlic Chive) is particularly to be avoided. Consuming Cong together with chicken, pheasant, or dog meat can induce blood disorders (bleeding or abnormal blood circulation).
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* records that decocting Cong into a soup treats chills and fever associated with Shanghan (Cold Damage), wind-stroke, and edema of the face and eyes, promoting sweating.
[Invention/Commentary]
The stem of Cong has a pungent and warm flavor, ascending to enter the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. It specializes in dispersing pathogens and unblocking Yang Qi throughout the upper and lower body, which corresponds to the therapeutic indications recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Therefore, for severe headache caused by Shanghan, Xiangchi Tang (Fermented Soybean Decoction with Scallion White) containing scallion white with roots is used. In Shaoyin disease presenting with diarrhea of undigested food, internal cold with external heat, cold limbs, and a faint pulse, Congbai (White Part of Scallion) is included in Baitong Tang (Bai Tong Decoction) because its pungent-warm nature unblocks Yang Qi. For asthma and cough due to wind pathogen during pregnancy, only Congbai and Jupi (Tangerine Peel) can eliminate the condition, and they also calm the fetus and regulate Qi. For traumatic injuries (Jinchuang) with fractures, bleeding, and unceasing pain, cooked scallions with leaves are applied topically; replacing them frequently while warm stops the pain immediately without leaving scars. This is because Congye (Scallion Leaves) specifically dissipates blood and Qi, Congxu (Scallion Roots) specifically promotes meridian circulation, Conghua (Scallion Flowers) treats heart bi syndrome with stabbing pain like a knife, and Congzi (Scallion Seeds) brightens the eyes and supplements insufficient Middle Qi. Pancong specifically treats cold and hot hernia. Hucong (Large Green Onion) resolves the "Five Minerals" (Wushi San), dissolves Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) into water, and treats carbuncles and toxic swellings.
Garlic bulbs that are small are called Suan (Garlic); large ones are called Husuan (Wild Garlic/Large Garlic).
They are pungent and warm in nature, with slight toxicity. They are strictly forbidden for those taking Yunmu (Mica). Husuan and Dukesuan (Single-clove Garlic) are especially contraindicated.
[Invention/Commentary]
Husuan and ordinary Suan have similar functions, entering both the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Their aroma is pungent and fierce; they can penetrate the Five Zang Organs, reach all orifices, dispel cold-dampness, ward off evil qi, resolve carbuncles and swellings, transform accumulations (Zhengji) and meat stagnation, treat "stream poison" (toxicity from mountain streams), and direct Qi downward. They are effective for treating gu poison (parasitic diseases), snake and insect bites, and shashi sores (sandfly/mite dermatitis). Consuming garlic in summer helps relieve summerheat, but excessive consumption damages Qi and harms the eyes. Those practicing health preservation should avoid it. Roasting single-clove garlic over moxa fire is highly effective due to its concentrated potency. For patients suffering from summerheat toxicity, chewing three or four cloves and swallowing provides immediate relief. For persistent epistaxis (nosebleed), crushed garlic applied to the sole of the foot stops the bleeding once it ceases, after which it should be wiped off. Drinking two sheng (approx. 400ml) of garlicky juice at once induces vomiting to expel intestinal parasites. It is also effective for yige (dysphagia/chest obstruction) where food cannot be swallowed, abdominal heat like fire, and extreme tenderness to touch. However, for patients with deficient stomach Qi and poor appetite, misusing this method accelerates adverse outcomes. It is contraindicated in jiaoxie (footQi/polyneuritis) and after epidemic diseases, as it may stir up residual pathogens. Those taking Yunmu (Mica) or Zhongru (Stalactite) must not consume it, as it disrupts medicinal efficacy, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea, rendering previous treatments futile. Xiaosuan (Small Garlic) treats abdominal discomfort in Huoluan (Cholera-like disorder), warms the Middle Jiao, and eliminates pathogenic obstruction and toxic vapors. The *Huangdi Neijing* states: consuming Xiaosuan and raw fish depletes Qi and Yin, causing pain in the genitalia; it should not be eaten with Jiucai (Chinese Chives), as this combination causes heaviness of the body.