\r半夏\pq63a.bmp\r
性温体滑。入阳明并走心脾。质燥味辛。治呕吐专消痰饮。通阴阳而和胃。不寐堪医
。散逆气以调中。郁邪可解。痰厥头疼当取服。中风暴卒急宜求。辛润通肠。半硫主津凝虚
闭。温宣消痞。制法系姜汁青盐。（半夏味辛。质滑。性温。有小毒。善劫痰水。导大便。
痰水去则土燥。脾喜燥而恶湿。故宜之。味辛善散逆结之气。故能解郁调中。为治呕吐蠲饮
邪之圣药。总之脾有湿邪者宜用。若阴虚血燥之人当为禁服。）
\r南星\pq63.bmp\r
温燥能行。逐风痰于肝脏。苦辛有毒。散坚结于脾家。性刚善走夫阳明。妊娠忌用。
制法须藏乎牛胆。惊痫宜求。（南星一名虎掌。其根大如掌。四围有子。形皆扁。故名。苦
辛温有毒。入太阴阳明厥阴。治风痰。散坚结。但性燥而紧。猛于半夏。能散血堕胎。用牛
胆套之。制其燥烈之性。善治肝胆经风痰。为小儿痫痉等证要药。）
\r附子\pq64a1.bmp\r
味辛性热。能回脾肾元阳。质燥气刚。可逐下中寒湿。斩关夺门之将。痼冷何愁。善
行疾走之功。沉寒立解。或温经发汗。痹病赖此以宣通。或益气调营。补药仗之而有力。乌
头即附子之母。性猛祛风。天雄乃乌附之长。形单无附。均皆有毒。各自分名。（附子甘辛
大温。有毒。乌头如芋婆。附子如芋子。从劳相附而生。入脾肾。助元阳。逐寒湿。其性刚
猛。为剽悍之将。同表药则发散。同补药则温补。乌头之性味相同附子。但附子长于治寒。
乌头长于治风。附子可用于补药中。乌头则不能。故乌头燥散之性。较附子为过之。天雄乃
乌头之形长。而四围无附子者。故为之雄。性味主治。与乌头相同。而方尤大。以上皆出川
中。土人种植而货也。另有一种草乌。系野出。虽能治大风顽痹等证。直前无往。见效固速
。然辛热大毒之物。不可轻用。）
Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma)
Nature is warm, texture is slippery. Enters the Yangming channel and acts on the Heart and Spleen. Quality is dry, taste is pungent. Specifically treats vomiting by eliminating phlegm-fluids. Unites Yin and Yang to harmonize the Stomach; capable of treating insomnia. Disperses rebellious Qi to regulate the Middle Jiao; resolves stagnant pathogens. For headache due to Phlegm-Jue (syncope), it should be taken; for sudden onset of wind-stroke emergencies, it should be sought. Its pungent and moistening nature unblocks the intestines; Banshu Wan (Half-Sulfur Pill) governs deficiency-type constipation due to coagulation of body fluids. Its warming and diffusing nature dissipates palpitations; processing method involves ginger juice and green salt. (Banxia tastes pungent, has a slippery quality, is warm in nature, and slightly toxic. It excels at coercing phlegm-water and guiding bowel movements. Once phlegm-water is removed, the Earth element becomes dry; the Spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness, hence it is suitable. The pungent taste scatters rebellious and knotted Qi well, thus resolving stagnation and regulating the middle. It is the holy medicine for treating vomiting and dispelling fluid pathogens. In summary, it is suitable for those with damp pathogens in the Spleen. However, it is contraindicated for individuals with Yin deficiency and dry blood.)
Nanxing (Arisaematis Cum Bile)
Warm and drying, capable of movement. Drives out wind-phlegm from the Liver. Bitter and pungent, toxic. Scatters hard accumulations in the Spleen. Nature is rigid and good at traversing the Yangming channel. Contraindicated during pregnancy. Processing method requires preservation in ox bile. Indicated for fright and epilepsy. (Nanxing is also known as Huzhang (Tiger Palm). Its rhizome is as large as a palm, surrounded by smaller tubers, all flat in shape, hence the name. Bitter, pungent, warm, and toxic. Enters the Taiyin, Yangming, and Jueyin channels. Treats wind-phlegm, scatters hard accumulations. But its nature is dry and tight, more fierce than Banxia. It can disperse blood and cause abortion. It must be processed with ox gallbladder juice to restrain its drying and fierce nature. It excels at treating wind-phlegm of the Liver and Gallbladder channels and is an essential herb for pediatric epilepsy and spasms.)
Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata)
Pungent in taste, hot in nature. Capable of rescuing the Primordial Yang of the Spleen and Kidney. Dry in quality, rigid in aroma. Can drive out cold-dampness from the Lower and Middle Jiao. Like a general who breaches gates and seizes doors, how can chronic cold be feared? Possesses the merit of swift action, instantly resolving deep-seated cold. Either warms the meridians and induces sweating, relying on this to unblock Bi syndrome (painful obstruction); or tonifies Qi and regulates Ying (Nutritive) level, where tonic medicines rely on it to gain strength. Wutou (Aconiti Radix) is the mother root of Fuzi. Pungent and hot, dispels wind. Tianxiong (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata) is the eldest of Wutou and Fuzi. Single in form without lateral buds. All are toxic and have distinct names. (Fuzu tastes sweet and pungent, is greatly warm, and toxic. Wutou resembles the mother tuber, Fuzi resembles the child tuber; they grow attached to the old root. Enters the Spleen and Kidney. Assists Primordial Yang, drives out cold-dampness. Its nature is rigid and fierce, like a bold general. Combined with exterior-releasing drugs, it disperses; combined with tonic drugs, it warms and tonifies. The nature and taste of Wutou are the same as Fuzi, but Fuzi excels in treating cold, while Wutou excels in treating wind. Fuzi can be used in tonic formulas, whereas Wutou cannot. Thus, the drying and dispersing nature of Wutou exceeds that of Fuzi. Tianxiong is the elongated form of Wutou without surrounding lateral buds, hence called "Xiong" (Male). Its nature, taste, and indications are the same as Wutou, but the size is larger. All these originate from Sichuan, planted and sold by locals. There is another type, Caowu (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix), which is wild. Although it can treat severe wind-Bi syndromes, advancing without hindrance and showing rapid results, it is a pungent, hot, and highly toxic substance and should not be used lightly.)