\r桑寄生\pq92a1.bmp\r
壮骨强筋。补肝肾虚羸。苦甘平润。和营通络。治痹风痛着。关节舒和。且其养血
疏风。得附大桑之余气。又可安胎治产。都因寓木以生成。(桑寄生即桑树上所附之藤。然
种类不一。总以桑树上者为佳。甘苦性平。凡藤类像筋。故入肝又及于肾者。乙葵同源也。
以其得桑之余气。故能治风兼治湿者。风能胜湿也。统治筋骨间风寒湿痹。此物祛邪之力有
余。补养之功不足。所云补虚羸。益血脉者。亦邪除则正受益耳。)
\r猪苓\pq92a.bmp\r
淡渗分消。治各种癃淋。皆可自肠中下导。甘平赤黑。去诸般湿热。却能从釜底抽薪
。(猪苓生枫树下。得枫根之余气结成。状如猪屎。故名。外黑内赤。甘淡性平。入小肠膀
胱血分。分利湿热。湿热下降。则上焦之热渴止。表部之温疫解。亦里和表解之意也。然毕
竟淡渗燥利之品。耗亡津液。阴血不足者远之。)
\r雷丸\pq92.bmp\r
得竹之余气。苦寒能清热杀虫。感雷而成苓。阴毒可入肝达胃。(雷丸竹之苓也。生
于竹下土中。如猪苓茯苓之类。乃竹之余气。得天地郁蒸之气而成。其形如丸。苦寒有毒。
杀虫辟邪之外。别无所长。其所入亦不过肝胃而已。)
入胃清烦止呕逆。用治多灵。行皮达络埽邪氛。甘寒有力。(竹茹乃竹之二青。种类
颇多。均以淡竹为佳。味甘淡。性寒入肺胃。散逆气。清烦热。凡一切呕哕痈痿噎膈等证。
属上焦有热者。皆可用之。至行皮达络之意。亦以类相从耳。)
Sangjisheng (Taxilli Caulis)
Strengthens bones and sinews. Tonifies deficiency and emaciation of the Liver and Kidney. Bitter, sweet, neutral, and moistening. Harmonizes Ying (Nutritive) Qi and unblocks collaterals. Treats Bi syndrome with wind-dampness pain, relaxing and harmonizing joints. Furthermore, it nourishes blood and dispels wind. Having absorbed the residual Qi of the Mulberry tree, it can also calm the fetus and treat postpartum conditions. This is due to its containing the generating Qi of Wood. (Sangjisheng refers to the vines growing on mulberry trees. Although there are various species, those growing on mulberry trees are considered best. Sweet, bitter, and neutral in nature. All vine-like plants resemble sinews; thus, they enter the Liver meridian and extend to the Kidney, reflecting the principle that Liver and Kidney share the same source (Yi-Gui Tong Yuan). Because it absorbs the residual Qi of the mulberry tree, it can treat both wind and dampness, as wind can overcome dampness. It broadly treats wind-cold-damp Bi syndrome in the bones and sinews. This herb has sufficient power to expel pathogens but lacks tonifying efficacy. The claims of tonifying deficiency and benefiting blood vessels are merely because when pathogens are removed, Zheng (Upright) Qi benefits.)
Zhuling (Polyporus)
Pale and penetrating, it separates and dissipates. It treats various types of Lin syndrome (dysuria) and strangury, guiding them downward from the intestines. Sweet, neutral, red and black in color. It eliminates various damp-heat pathologies, acting like removing firewood from the bottom of a pot to extinguish the fire. (Zhuling grows under maple trees, formed by absorbing the residual Qi of maple roots. Its shape resembles pig feces, hence the name. The exterior is black and the interior is red. Sweet, pale, and neutral in nature. It enters the Blood aspect of the Small Intestine and Bladder meridians, separating and draining damp-heat. As damp-heat descends, heat and thirst in the Upper Jiao cease, and epidemic warmth at the surface resolves, illustrating the principle of harmonizing the Interior and resolving the Exterior. However, being a pale, penetrating, and drying diuretic, it consumes body fluids; those with insufficient Yin and Blood should avoid it.)
Leiwan (Omphalia lapidescens)
Absorbs the residual Qi of bamboo. Bitter and cold, it clears heat and kills parasites. Formed by sensing the energy of thunder, it addresses Yin toxicity by entering the Liver and reaching the Stomach. (Leiwan is a fungus generated by bamboo. It grows in the soil beneath bamboo, similar to Zhuling and Fuling, arising from the residual Qi of bamboo and the stagnant Qi of Heaven and Earth. Its shape is like a pill. Bitter, cold, and toxic. Besides killing parasites and dispelling evil, it has no other significant merits. Its therapeutic action is limited to the Liver and Stomach meridians.)
Enters the Stomach to clear irritability and stop vomiting/reversal of Qi. It is highly effective in treatment. Moves through the skin and reaches the collaterals to sweep away pathogenic atmospheres. Sweet, cold, and potent in action. (Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings) refers to the second green layer of bamboo. There are many varieties, but Danzhu (Light Bamboo) is preferred. Sweet, pale, and cold in nature. Enters the Lung and Stomach meridians. Disperses rebellious Qi and clears irritability and heat. It can be used for all conditions such as vomiting, hiccuping, carbuncles, flaccidity, dysphagia, and regurgitation, provided they belong to Heat in the Upper Jiao. The meaning of moving through the skin and reaching the collaterals is based on the principle of "like attracts like" or correspondence.)