补阴、清肺火。
甘苦微寒。味淡体轻。专补肺阴。清肺火。治久咳肺痿。金受火刑者宜之。寒客肺中作
嗽者
勿服。（人参补五脏之阳、沙参补五脏之阴、肺热者用之。）白实长大者良。恶防己。反藜芦
。（肺热咳嗽者、用沙参半两、水煎服之、甚效。）
南沙参（补阴、清肺火。）功同北参，而力稍逊。色稍黄。形稍瘦小而短。近有一
种味带辣者
。不可用。（产亳州。）
即荠 。寒利肺、甘解毒。
甘淡微寒。解百药毒。利肺气。和中明目。主咳嗽消渴强中。（茎长兴盛、不交精液自
出、
谓之强中。）疮毒疔肿。（李时珍本草纲目曰∶荠 寒而利肺、甘而解毒、乃良品也、而世不
知用、惜哉。人参、党参、土人参、洋参、荠 、沙参、桔梗相似、不可不辨、沙参体虚
无心而味淡、荠 体虚无心而味甘、桔梗体坚有心而味苦、党参体实有心而味甘、土人参体
实有心而味甘淡、人参体实有心而味甘、微带苦、自有余味、洋参虽似糙参、但气不香尔。）
即甜桔梗。（乃桔梗之一类二种。）
有补有泻、能表能里、可升可降、生阴血。
味甘。生用气平。补脾胃不足。而泻心火。（能生肺金。）炙用气温。补三焦元气。而散
表寒
。入和剂则补益。入汗剂则解肌。（解退肌表之热。）入凉剂则泻邪热。入峻剂则缓正气。（
姜附加之、恐其僭上、硝黄加之、恐其峻下、皆缓之之意。）入润剂则养阴血。能协和诸药
。使之不争。生肌止痛。（脾主肌肉、甘能缓痛。）通行十二经。解百药毒。故有国老之称。
疗诸痈肿疮疡。惟中满证忌之。（甘令人满、然亦有生用为泻者、以其能引诸药至于满所、
经云∶以甘补之、以甘泻之是已、故陶隐居名医别录、甄权药性论并云除满、脾健运、则满
除
也。又甘草得茯苓、则不资满而反泄满、故云∶下气除满、仲景有甘草泻心汤、治痞满。
）大而结者良。出大同。名粉草。（弹之有粉出。）细者名统草。补中炙用。宜大者。泻火生
用。宜细者。（去外赤皮。）
甘草头。（宣、涌吐。）消肿导毒。（在上部者效。）宜入吐药。
甘草梢。（达茎中。）止茎中痛。淋浊证用之。（取其径达茎中也。）白术、苦参、干漆为
使。
恶远志。反大戟、芫花、甘遂、海藻，然亦有并用者。（胡洽百病方、治痰癖、十枣汤
加甘
草、东垣治结核、与海藻同用、丹溪治劳瘵、与芫花同行、非妙达精微者、不知此理。）
Nourishes Yin, clears Lung fire.
Sweet and slightly bitter, mildly cold in nature. The taste is bland, the texture is light. It specifically nourishes Lung Yin and clears Lung fire. Indicated for chronic cough and lung atrophy (Fei Wei), suitable for cases where Metal (Lung) is subjected to Fire punishment (excessive heat). Should not be taken when cough is caused by cold pathogen lodging in the lungs. (Ren Shen [Ginseng Root] tonifies Yang of the five Zang organs; Sha Shen [Adenophora or Glehnia Root] tonifies Yin of the five Zang organs; Sha Shen is used for Lung heat.) White, solid, large, and long specimens are superior. Adversely reacts with Fang Ji [Stephania Tetrandra Root]; incompatible with Li Lu [Veratrum Nigrum Rhizome]. (For Lung heat cough, use half liang of Sha Shen, decocted in water, which is very effective.)
Nan Sha Shen (Adenophorae Radix) (Nourishes Yin, clears Lung fire.) Its efficacy is similar to Bei Sha Shen, but its power is slightly weaker. The color is slightly yellowish, and the shape is slightly thinner, smaller, and shorter. Recently, a variety with a spicy taste has appeared, which should not be used. (Produced in Bozhou.)
This is Qi Ni [Prionotus chinensis Root]. Cold in nature to benefit Lung Qi; sweet in taste to resolve toxicity.
Sweet and bland, mildly cold. Resolves toxicity of various medicines. Benefits Lung Qi, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, and brightens the eyes. Mainly treats cough, Xiao Ke [Wasting-Thirst], and Qiang Zhong [Excessive Sexual Desire/Nocturnal Emission]. (When stems and leaves grow luxuriantly, but essence does not interact and leaks out spontaneously, it is called Qiang Zhong.) Also treats sores, toxins, and carbuncles. (Li Shizhen stated in *Ben Cao Gang Mu*: "Qi Ni is cold and benefits Lung Qi, sweet and resolves toxicity, making it a fine medicinal material, yet people in the world do not know how to use it, what a pity. Ren Shen [Ginseng Root], Dang Shen [Codonopsis Root], Tu Ren Shen [Pseudostellaria Root], Yang Shen [American Ginseng Root], Qi Ni, Sha Shen, and Jie Geng [Platycodon Root] look similar and must not be confused. Sha Shen is hollow and bland-tasting; Qi Ni is hollow and sweet-tasting; Jie Geng is firm, has a heart, and is bitter-tasting; Dang Shen is solid, has a heart, and is sweet-tasting; Tu Ren Shen is solid, has a heart, and is sweet-bland tasting; Ren Shen is solid, has a heart, is sweet-tasting with a slight bitterness, leaving a lingering aftertaste; Yang Shen resembles coarse Sha Shen but lacks fragrance.")
This is Tian Jie Geng [Sweet Platycodon Root]. (It is one category containing two species/varieties of Jie Geng.)
Possesses both tonifying and purging effects; can release the exterior and treat the interior; can ascend and descend; generates Yin blood.
Sweet in taste. When raw, its qi is neutral. Tonifies deficiency of Spleen and Stomach while purging Heart fire. (Can generate Lung Metal.) When honey-fried, its qi is warm. Tonifies Yuan Qi of the San Jiao [Triple Burner] and disperses exterior cold. In harmonizing formulas, it provides tonification; in diaphoretic formulas, it releases the muscle layer. (Releases and reduces heat in the muscle layer.) In cooling formulas, it purges pathogenic heat; in harsh formulas, it moderates righteous Qi. (Adding Fu Zi [Aconite Lateral Root] may cause excessive upward movement; adding Xiao Shi [Sodium Sulfate] and Da Huang [Rhubarb Root] may cause excessively harsh purgation; adding Gan Cao [Licorice Root] serves to moderate these effects.) In moistening formulas, it nourishes Yin blood. It harmonizes various herbs, preventing them from conflicting. Generates flesh and relieves pain. (The Spleen governs muscles; sweetness can relieve pain.) Circulates through the twelve meridians. Resolves toxicity of various medicines. Hence it is known as "Guo Lao" [State Elder]. Treats various abscesses, swellings, sores, and ulcers. Contraindicated in cases of fullness in the center (abdominal distension). (Sweetness causes fullness; however, raw usage can have a purging effect because it guides other herbs to the site of fullness. The *Classic* states: "Tonify with sweetness, purge with sweetness." Thus, Tao Hongjing in *Ming Yi Bie Lu* and Zhen Quan in *Yao Xing Lun* both state it removes fullness. When Spleen function is robust, fullness is resolved. Furthermore, when Gan Cao is combined with Fu Ling [Poria], it does not contribute to fullness but rather drains it, hence the saying: "Descends Qi and removes fullness." Zhang Zhongjing's Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang treats Pi Man [epigastric fullness].) Large and compact specimens are superior. Produced in Datong, named Fen Cao [Powder Licorice]. (Powder comes out when struck.) Fine specimens are named Tong Cao. For tonifying the Middle, use honey-fried; prefer large specimens. For purging fire, use raw; prefer fine specimens. (Remove the outer red skin.)
Gan Cao Tou [Licorice Root Head]. (Disperses, induces vomiting.) Reduces swelling and guides out toxins. (Effective for conditions in the upper body.) Suitable for emetic formulas.
Gan Cao Shao [Licorice Root Tip]. (Reaches the urethra.) Relieves pain in the urethra. Used for Lin Syndrome [Dysuria] and Zhuo Zheng [Cloudy Urine]. (To take advantage of its direct pathway to the penis/urethra.) Use Bai Zhu [Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome], Ku Shen [Sophora Flavescens Root], and Gan Xi [Dryuputty Tree Resin] as guiding herbs.
Adversely reacts with Yuan Zhi [Polygala Root]; incompatible with Da Ji [Euphorbia Pekinensis Root], Yuan Hua [Genkwa Flower], Gan Sui [Kansui Root], and Hai Zao [Sargassum Thallus], although they are sometimes used together. (Hu Qian's *Bai Bing Fang*, treating Tan Pi [phlegm-stasis], adds Gan Cao to Shi Zao Tang; Li Dongyuan treats tubercles using it with Hai Zao; Zhu Danxi treats Lao Zhai [consumption] using it with Yuan Hua. Only those who thoroughly understand subtle principles know this rationale.)