\r何首乌\pq41a.bmp\r
禀中和之性。益肾培肝。得坤土之纯。悦颜黑发。固真阴而性涩。崩中遗滑堪医。
续后嗣以添精。坚骨强筋可赖。祛风养血。毒化疮消。豆制酒蒸。延年却病。藤可夜交熟寐
。味则甘苦微温。（何首乌味甘苦略兼涩味。有赤白二种。夜则苗蔓相交。年久则其根成形
。
得土之精气而生。补肝肾。固精髓。以其赤白交互。故能长养气血。气血太和。则悦颜黑发
。风可去而疮可愈耳。首乌之补肝肾阴血。与地黄相同。却无地黄之凝滞。性虽固涩。而又
流利血脉。大抵生用则流利。制用则固补。赤者名红内消。专用于外科。概可想见。）
\r马兜铃\pq41.bmp\r
轻浮象肺。降痰嗽有解散之功。清肃归金。平喘促得苦寒之力。（马兜铃藤蔓之属
。附木而生。叶脱时其实尚垂。状如马项之铃。熟则四开象肺。苦寒轻举。而又有下降之性
。故能清肺热。降肺气。凡一切咳嗽痰喘属于肺热者。均可用之。兜铃虽主清热降气。而又
能散肺中结气。以其苦而兼辛也。根名青木香。苦冷有毒。可作吐药。不常用。）
\r百部\pq42a1.bmp\r
治肺寒之咳嗽。甘苦微温。除虫积之稽留。功能独擅。（百部其藤蔓生。其根如天门
冬之形。百十连属。若部伍然。但天门冬味甘而润。百部味苦而枯。天门冬寒而百部热。故
虽
皆入肺治嗽。一治寒嗽。一治热嗽。为不同。其杀虫之功。尤为百部所独擅也。）
Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu)
Endowed with a balanced nature. Tonifies the Kidney and nourishes the Liver. Derives pure essence from Kun Earth (Spleen/Earth element), promoting a healthy complexion and blackening hair. Secures True Yin with an astringent nature; suitable for treating metrorrhagia (abnormal uterine bleeding) and seminal emission/spermatorrhea. Continues the lineage by replenishing Essence; reliable for strengthening bones and sinews. Disperses Wind and nourishes Blood; resolves toxicity and eliminates sores. Prepared with black beans and steamed in wine to prolong life and ward off disease. The vines intertwine at night, thus promoting deep sleep. Flavor: Sweet, Bitter, Slightly Warm. (Polygonum multiflorum has a sweet and bitter taste with slight astringency. There are red and white varieties. At night, the vines intertwine. After many years, the root takes human form. It grows by absorbing the essence of the earth, tonifying the Liver and Kidney, and securing Essence and Marrow. Due to the intermingling of red and white, it can nourish Qi and Blood. When Qi and Blood are harmonious, the complexion becomes radiant and hair turns black, Wind is dispelled, and sores heal. The effect of Polygonum multiflorum in tonifying Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood is similar to Rehmanniae Radix (Di Huang), but without its cloying stagnation. Although its nature is astringent, it also promotes free flow in the blood vessels. Generally, raw use promotes circulation, while processed use secures and tonifies. The red variety is named Hong Nei Xiao, used specifically in surgery; other effects can be inferred.)
Aristolochia debilis (Ma Dou Ling)
Light and floating, corresponding to the Lung organ. Descends phlegm and relieves cough with dispersing properties. Clears and purifies, returning to Metal (Lung); alleviates wheezing due to its bitter and cold power. (Aristolochia debilis belongs to the vine family, growing by attaching to trees. When leaves fall, the fruit still hangs, shaped like a bell on a horse's neck. When ripe, it splits into four parts resembling lungs. Bitter, cold, light, and ascending, yet possessing descending properties. Thus, it clears Lung Heat and descends Lung Qi. It can be used for all types of coughs, expectoration, and wheezing caused by Lung Heat. Although Aristolochia debilis mainly clears heat and descends Qi, it can also dissipate stagnant Qi in the Lung because its flavor is bitter and acrid. The root is named Qing Mu Xiang, bitter, cold, toxic, and can be used as an emetic, but is not commonly used.)
Stemona sessilifolia (Bai Bu)
Treats coughs caused by Lung Cold. Flavor: Sweet, Bitter, Slightly Warm. Eliminates parasitic accumulation; excels in this function alone. (Stemona sessilifolia grows as a vine. Its roots resemble Asparagi Radix (Tian Dong), connected in clusters of tens or hundreds, like military units. However, Asparagi Radix is sweet and moist, while Stemona sessilifolia is bitter and dry; Asparagi Radix is cold, while Stemona sessilifolia is warm. Therefore, although both enter the Lung to treat coughs, one treats cold coughs and the other treats hot coughs, differing significantly. Its vermifuge efficacy is particularly unique to Stemona sessilifolia.)