苗名小草
辛苦温，无毒。甘草汤泡，去骨，制过不可陈久，久则油气戟入喉
。
《本经》主咳逆伤中，补不足，除邪气，利九窍，益智慧，耳目聪明不忘，强志倍力，
久服轻身不老。
发明 远志入足少阴肾经气分，非心经药也。专于强志益精，主梦泄。盖精与志皆肾所
藏，肾气充，九窍利，智慧生，耳目聪明，邪气不能为害。肾气不足则志气衰，不能上通于
心，故迷惑善忘。不能闭蜇封藏，故精气不固也。小便赤浊，用远志、甘草、茯神、益智为
丸，枣汤服效，取其为阴火之向导也。昔人治喉痹失音作痛，远志末吹之，涎出为度，取其
通肾气而开窍也。又治妇人血噤失音，及一切痈疽搐鼻，治脑风，杀乌附毒，惟水亏相火旺
者禁服，以其善鼓龙雷之性也。《本经》言治咳逆伤中，详远志性温助火，非咳逆所宜，当
是呕逆之误，以其性禀纯阳，善通诸窍，窍利则耳目聪明，强志不忘，皆益肾气之验。《别
录》云，去心下膈气非呕吐之类乎，一切阴虚火旺，便浊遗精，喉痹肿痛慎用。苗名小草，
亦能利窍兼散少阴风气之结也。
一名仙灵脾
辛温无毒，羊脂或酒炒用。
《本经》主阴痿绝伤，茎中痛，利小便，益气力，强志。
发明 淫羊霍手足阳明三焦命门药也。辛以润肾，温以助阳，故《本经》治阴痿绝伤等
证，真阳不足者宜之。坚筋骨消瘰 ，一切冷风劳气，筋骨挛急，四肢不仁，补腰膝，强气
力。一味仙灵脾酒，为偏风不遂之要药，惟阴虚走精、强阳不痿禁服。
[Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi)]
Also known as Xiao Cao.
Pungent, bitter, and warm in nature; non-toxic. Soak in Licorice Decoction (Gancao Tang), remove the woody core/bone. Prepared roots should not be stored for a long time; otherwise, their aromatic oil will irritate the throat.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It treats cough with counterflow qi and internal injury, tonifies deficiencies, eliminates pathogenic factors, unblocks the nine orifices, enhances wisdom, makes ears and eyes clear, prevents forgetfulness, strengthens willpower, increases strength, and with long-term use, lightens the body and delays aging.
[Commentary]
Polygalae Radix enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, not the Heart Meridian. It specializes in strengthening willpower and benefiting essence, primarily treating nocturnal emission. Since both essence and will are stored by the Kidney, when Kidney Qi is abundant, the nine orifices are unblocked, wisdom arises, ears and eyes are clear, and pathogens cannot cause harm. If Kidney Qi is insufficient, willpower declines, and essence cannot ascend to connect with the Heart, leading to confusion and forgetfulness. Inability to close and store properly results in insecure essence. For red and turbid urine, Polygalae Radix, Licorice Root (Gancao), Poria (Fushen), and Chinese Yam Seed (Yizhiren) are made into pills and taken with Jujube Decoction (Zao Tang) for efficacy, utilizing its role as a guide for ministerial fire. In the past, for treating throat obstruction (Hou Bi) with aphonia and pain, Polygalae Radix powder was insufflated into the throat until phlegm was discharged, taking advantage of its ability to unblock Kidney Qi and open orifices. It also treats women with blood stagnation causing aphonia, and all types of carbuncles and sores by insufflating into the nose to induce sneezing, treats brain wind, detoxifies Aconite (Wutou) and Prepared Root of Monkshood (Fuzi). However, it is contraindicated for those with Kidney Yin deficiency and hyperactive ministerial fire, as it tends to stir up dragon-fire (ministerial fire). The *Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions treating "cough with counterflow qi and internal injury"; upon detailed analysis, since Polygalae Radix is warm and aids fire, it is not suitable for cough. It is likely a miswriting of "vomiting with counterflow qi," because its nature is purely yang, good at unblocking various orifices. When orifices are unblocked, ears and eyes become clear, and willpower is strengthened without forgetfulness, all of which are manifestations of benefiting Kidney Qi. The *Bielu* states it removes diaphragmatic qi below the heart; is this not related to vomiting? All cases of Yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity, turbid urine, seminal emission, throat obstruction, and swelling/pain should use it with caution. Its sprout, named Xiao Cao, can also unblock orifices and dissipate the accumulation of Shaoyin wind-pathogens.
[Epimedium Herba (Yinyanghuo)]
Also known as Xianlingshi.
Pungent, warm, and non-toxic; used after stir-frying with mutton fat or wine.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It treats impotence and severe injuries, pain in the penis, promotes urination, benefits Qi and strength, and strengthens willpower.
[Commentary]
Epimedium Herba acts on the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians, the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), and the Mingmen (Gate of Life). Its pungency moistens the Kidney, and its warmth assists Yang. Therefore, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* indicates it is suitable for conditions like impotence and severe injuries due to deficiency of True Yang. It solidifies bones and tendons, eliminates scrofula, treats all cold wind and consumptive diseases, tendon spasms and stiffness, numbness of the four limbs, tonifies the waist and knees, and strengthens Qi and power. Wine-infused Epimedium Herba alone is a key herb for treating hemiplegia and inability to move. However, it is contraindicated for those with Yin deficiency causing seminal leakage or persistent erection without flaccidity.