\r秦艽\pq6a1.bmp\r
养血祛风。和营利水。疏肌解表。苦平略带微辛。散热润肠。入肝又能达胃。湿胜风
淫之证。赖以搜除。筋痹骨痿诸邪。仗其宣利。（秦艽出秦中。其根如罗纹相交。故名之。
味苦而辛。性平质润。虽有养血之能。毕竟散邪之品。然风邪在表宜用。解表者又非其所长
。只可于营血中搜除风寒湿三气痹闭之邪耳。又按秦艽苦胜于辛。全无甘味。苦能泄。辛能
散。故本经称其能散风逐湿。然散风湿之药多燥。此独偏润。故又为风药中润剂。观其质润
。罗纹相交。即知其祛风逐湿中。而能和营血行经络矣。）
\r白藓皮\pq6a.bmp\r
气寒善行。味苦能降。清脾胃之湿热。导水宣邪。治癣癞与疯疮。行皮达肺。（白
藓皮苦寒。直清肺脾湿热下行。故本经能治女子淋沥。阴中肿痛等证。亦谓其下行而祛湿热
也。肺主皮毛。脾主肌肉。肺脾之湿热清。则皮肉之疮疡可愈耳。功用不过如此。又此药味
兼微咸。能行血分。然沉阴之性。若下部虚寒者。不可用之。且其根有膻浊之气。又易败胃
。）
\r升麻\pq6.bmp\r
升至阴于下极。达胃疏风。鼓脾土以上行。入肠治利。辟邪解毒。辛甘发散为阳。治
痘消 。宣透松肌有效。带下脱肛等证。陷者举之。阴虚火动诸方。又当禁使。（升麻辛苦
甘温。气味俱薄。升也阳也。观本经辟邪杀鬼之治。其功可想。入脾胃二经。能升脾胃中清
气。使之不陷。解散脾胃表邪。解表生用。升气蜜炙用。出川中。根色紫黑。削去外皮。则
现青绿色。故又谓之绿升麻。此药入阳明升散之力太过。当审慎用之。）
Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix)
Nourishes blood and dispels wind. Harmonizes Ying (Nutritive Qi) and Li (Defensive Qi) while promoting diuresis. Unblocks the muscle layer and releases the exterior. Bitter in taste, neutral in nature, slightly acrid. Clears heat and moistens the intestines. Enters the Liver meridian and can also reach the Stomach. For syndromes characterized by excessive dampness and rampant wind, it relies on this herb to search out and eliminate pathogens. For various evils such as Jin Bi (Tendon Bi) and Gu Wei (Bone Atrophy), it depends on its dispersing and unblocking properties. (Qin Jiao originates from the Qin region; its roots intersect like woven patterns, hence the name. It tastes bitter and acrid, is neutral in nature, and has a moist texture. Although it has the ability to nourish blood, it is ultimately an herb that scatters pathogens. However, when wind pathogens are at the exterior, it is suitable for use, yet it is not its specialty to release the exterior; it can only be used to search out and eliminate pathogenic factors of wind, cold, and dampness obstructing the Ying and Blood levels. Additionally: Qin Jiao's bitterness outweighs its acridity, lacking any sweet taste. Bitterness can drain/descend, and acridity can disperse, so the *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it can scatter wind and drive out dampness. However, most herbs that scatter wind and dampness are drying, whereas this one is uniquely moistening, making it a moistening agent among wind-dispelling herbs. Observing its moist texture and intersecting root patterns, one can know that while dispelling wind and driving out dampness, it also harmonizes Ying-Blood and unblocks the meridians.)
Bai Xian Pi (Dictamni Cortex)
Cold in qi and good at moving; bitter in taste and capable of descending. Clears damp-heat from the Spleen and Stomach, guides water downward, and disseminates evil. Treats tinea, leprosy-like conditions, and severe skin ulcers. Moves through the skin and reaches the Lungs. (Bai Xian Pi is bitter and cold, directly clearing Lung and Spleen damp-heat and guiding it downward. Thus, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions it treats leukorrhea with dripping sensation and swelling/pain in the yin area, attributing this to its downward action to remove damp-heat. The Lungs govern the skin and hair, and the Spleen governs the muscles. Once damp-heat in the Lungs and Spleen is cleared, sores and ulcers on the skin and muscles can heal. Its functions are limited to this. Furthermore, this herb has a slightly salty taste and can move the Blood level. However, due to its sinking and yin nature, it should not be used for deficiency-cold in the lower jiao. Moreover, its root has a fishy/offensive odor and can easily damage Stomach Qi.)
Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma)
Raises Yin from the lowest extreme, reaches the Stomach to disperse wind, stirs Spleen Earth to ascend, enters the Intestines to treat dysentery, wards off evil and detoxifies. Acrid and sweet dispersing belongs to Yang. Effective for treating smallpox/rash resolution difficulties and effectively disseminating and loosening the muscle layer. For syndromes such as leukorrhea and rectal prolapse, applies the method of "raising those that have sunk." In formulas for Yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity, it should be prohibited. (Sheng Ma is acrid, bitter, sweet, and warm. Its aroma and flavor are both light/thin; it ascends and is Yang. Observing the *Shennong Bencao Jing*'s treatment of warding off evil and killing ghosts, its efficacy can be imagined. Entering the Spleen and Stomach meridians, it raises the clear Qi of the Spleen and Stomach, preventing it from sinking, and resolves exterior pathogens of the Spleen and Stomach. For releasing the exterior, raw use is preferred; for raising Qi, honey-fried use is preferred. Originating from Sichuan, the rhizome is purple-black; after peeling the outer skin, it reveals a green color, hence also called Green Sheng Ma. This herb enters the Yangming channel, and its ascending and dispersing power is too strong; it should be used with caution.)