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[Shangpin Category of the Classic of Materia Medica]
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, astringent, greatly cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats alternating cold and heat between the bones, pathogenic factors causing fright convulsions and epilepsy, reconnects severed injuries, stabilizes the five zang organs, and kills gu poison.
[Analysis] It is stated: It grows everywhere, with those from Wuxing being superior. The perennial roots are yellowish-white, growing vertically downward in clusters of ten to twenty roots, resembling Achyranthes root (Niuxi) but shorter. The stems grow vertically upward, reaching over one chi in height, resembling tender garlic shoots but thinner. Flowers bloom in the seventh month, resembling Morning Glory flowers, bell-shaped; the stems resemble bamboo branches, becoming scorched and withered after fruiting in winter. There is another variety with an extremely bitter and astringent taste that does not wither in winter, named Shilongdan (Stone Gentian), which resembles it in form but differs in species. Processing: Select those dried in the shade, slice with a copper knife, remove fibrous roots, soil, and the root head, grind into fine powder, soak in Licorice Decoction for one night, drain, and dry in the sun.
[Commentary] It is said: Carefully examining its name and meaning, it aligns with the structure and function of the "Jia Gallbladder" (referring to the Liver-Gallbladder system). It is suitable for entering the Liver's fu organ, serving as a pivot medicine for the Shaoyang channel. Its nature is cold, treating heat by counteraction as the root, with Yang as the branch, and Ministerial Fire as the transformative source. Its flavor is bitter; while bitterness typically flares upward, its actual property moves downward, and bitterness can enter the bones. Therefore, it treats alternating cold and heat between the bones, as well as qi rebellion due to fright and qi sinking due to epilepsy, conditions that do not follow the imagery of the Shaoyang pivot. The phrase "reconnecting severed injuries" exists because the Gallbladder governs the resolution and separation of armor/shells (metaphorically implying decisive action). The phrase "stabilizing the five zang organs" exists because the decision-making of the five zang organs depends on the Gallbladder; only after decision-making can they be stabilized. Gu poison belongs to the category of dead Yin, whereas the Gallbladder belongs to the category of living Yang. How can dead Yin occupy a place dominated by living Yang? (Combining the growth characteristics of Longdan, it is indeed a pivot medicine of the Shaoyang channel, serving as a counter-treatment method for Shaoyang. The transforming qi of Shaoyang belongs to Ministerial Fire, which is why Longdan has both bitter and cold properties. The Dragon is a yang entity. Breath condenses into clouds; it can transform into water and fire. Piya states: Dragon fire burns when wet and blazes when meeting water. It extinguishes when driven away by human fire, so the Ministerial Fire of humans is similar to it. Hence, it is named "Dragon," taking advantage of the bitter flavor of the Gallbladder. The flaming upward nature of Dragon fire is like the splintered wood from a cracking shell, capable of ascending to heaven; it does not solely govern descending, but also treats fire diseases of the eyes.)