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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Mingyi Bielu*)
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, slightly warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats rebellious Qi in the chest and hypochondrium, cough with Qi rushing upward, and breathing nearly ceasing.
[Verification] It is said: Baiqian (Caulis Petasitis) grows on sandy islets or gravelly shores. Its seedling is about one chi high; its leaves resemble those of willow or possibly *Peganum harmala* (Yuanhua). The root resembles that of Baishao (Radix Bupleuri? No, *Baiwei* - Radix Clematidis) or Xixin (Radix Asari). Those that are thick, long, hard, straight, white with a slight yellow tint, and break easily are Baiqian; those that are thin, short, soft, flexible, yellowish-white, and do not break easily are Baiwei. Processing method: Soak in water infused with raw Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) for one shichen (12 hours); drain, remove the head and fibrous roots, dry by baking, and store for use.
[Elucidation] It is said: In colors, it corresponds to White; in Zang organs, it enters the Lung. "Qian" (Front/Before) implies arriving while seated, advancing without walking. It should enter the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. It is the sovereign herb for treating cough. The Classics state: "Cough with Qi rushing upward, with Jue Qi located in the chest, involves the Hand-Taiyin and Hand-Yangming meridians." It also states: "When the White Pulse (Lung Pulse) arrives, if wheezing prevents normal flow, it forms Jue syndrome or Accumulation." Li Daming holds that it primarily treats Ben Tun (Rushing Pig) and rebellious Kidney Qi, which is also indicative of excess below and deficiency above. However, the efficacy of Baiwei (Radix Clematidis) applies to all three causes (internal, external, and neither), enters all Zang and Fu organs, and reaches the interstices and skin/hair without exception; it is likely named after its function.
(The Yellow Emperor asked: Why does the Lung cause cough? Qibo replied: All five Zang and six Fu organs can cause cough, not just the Lung. The Emperor said: I wish to hear its manifestations. Qibo said: The skin and hair are the exterior correspondence of the Lung. When pathogenic factors first invade the skin and hair, they transmit inward via this correspondence. If cold food/drink enters the Stomach, the cold travels up along the Lung channel to the Lung, causing Lung cold. Lung cold leads to the combination of external and internal pathogenic factors; when these lodge within, it results in Lung cough. Each of the five Zang organs becomes diseased during its respective season; if not its season, pathogenic factors from other organs transmit to it. Humans correspond with Heaven and Earth, so each Zang organ regulates according to the season. Contracting cold in its season leads to disease. Mild cases result in cough; severe cases result in diarrhea or pain. In Autumn, the Lung is affected first; in Spring, the Liver first; in Summer, the Heart first; in Late Summer (Zhi Yin), the Spleen first; in Winter, the Kidney first. The Emperor asked: How to distinguish them? Qibo said: The manifestation of Lung cough is cough with wheezing and audible sounds; severe cases involve spitting blood. The manifestation of Heart cough is cough accompanied by heart pain, a sensation of obstruction in the throat like a stuck object; severe cases involve swollen throat and Bi syndrome. The manifestation of Liver cough is cough with pain under both hypochondria; severe cases make turning difficult, and turning causes fullness under both hypochondria. The manifestation of Spleen cough is cough with pain in the right hypochondrium, dull pain radiating to the shoulder and back; severe cases make movement difficult, and movement exacerbates the cough. The manifestation of Kidney cough is cough with pulling pain between the waist and back; severe cases involve coughing up saliva. The Emperor asked: What about cough of the six Fu organs? Where does the disease originate? Qibo said: Chronic cough of the five Zang organs transfers to the six Fu organs; if Spleen cough persists, the Stomach is affected; the manifestation of Stomach cough is cough with vomiting, and severe vomiting may expel roundworms; if Liver cough persists, the Gallbladder is affected; the manifestation of Gallbladder cough is cough with vomiting of bile; if Lung cough persists, the Large Intestine is affected; the manifestation of Large Intestine cough is cough with involuntary defecation; if Heart cough persists, the Small Intestine is affected; the manifestation of Small Intestine cough is cough with passing flatus, where gas escapes with the cough; if Kidney cough persists, the Bladder is affected; the manifestation of Bladder cough is cough with urinary incontinence; chronic cough unrelieved affects the Sanjiao; the manifestation of Sanjiao cough is cough with abdominal fullness and loss of appetite. These conditions all gather in the Stomach and relate to the Lung, causing people to have much...