\r青葙子\pq33.bmp\r
青碧入肝疗目疾。苦寒退热治风淫。(青葙子一名草决明。即野鸡冠子。本经列之
下品。但其主治仅有唇口青三字。然唇口属脾。青色属肝。显系肝邪侮土之象。况此物性寒
。其子青碧色而成于秋。宜其能清肝火治目疾也。青葙子只可治目疾之因热邪者。属虚者不
宜用。不若决明子之兼有补性也。)
\r紫草\pq34a1.bmp\r
透肌凉血。甘寒咸滑相兼。宣窍通肠。包络肝经并入。若或痘疮热结。清心下导于二
肠。即使毒滞瘀凝。解里外松夫肌表。(紫草味甘咸而寒。入手足厥阴血分。凉血活血。通
水道。利大肠。性极寒滑。故痘疹不出。由于血热便闭者。宜之。阳虚便溏者。不可浪投。
紫草三月下子。九月子熟。有藤色紫取苗用。即紫草茸也。故又能松肌解表。)
\r土牛膝根\pq34a.bmp\r
生汁灌冲。可吐风痰喉闭。煎汤饮服。能除结热瘀留。入胃腑。味则辛苦而寒。
有小毒。功可泻热散肿。子名鹤虱同前性。治主驱虫独见长。(土牛膝根苦辛而寒。有小毒
。入胃。功专破血下降。煎服与怀牛膝同功。而无补性。生捣汁服。能大吐风痰。其渣和醋
调敷肿处。治喉风等证大效。鹤虱即其子也。性味相同。杀虫之功最优。或炒香为末。肉汁
和服。又名臭花娘草。土牛膝即其根也。生升熟降。皆以散泻为用。亦瞑眩之药。其子如虱
有毛刺。善黏人衣。闻之有狐气。比根叶为尤盛。杀虫之外。无他长耳。)
Qingxiangzi (Celosiae Semen)
The green color enters the Liver meridian to treat eye diseases. Its bitter and cold nature reduces fever and treats excess Wind pathogens. (Qingxiangzi, also known as Caojueming [Cassiae Semen], is the seed of the wild cockscomb. It is listed in the Lower Grade of the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, where its indications are limited to "blue lips and mouth." However, the lips and tongue belong to the Spleen, while the color green corresponds to the Liver, indicating a pattern of Liver pathogenic factors overacting on the Earth element. Furthermore, since this herb is cold in nature, and its seeds are green-blue and mature in autumn, it is suitable for clearing Liver fire and treating eye diseases. Qingxiangzi is only suitable for eye diseases caused by heat pathogens; it should not be used for deficiency patterns, unlike Juemingzi [Cassiae Semen], which possesses tonifying properties.)
Zicao (Arnebiae Radix et Rhizoma / Lithospermi Radix)
It penetrates the muscle layer and cools the blood. It combines sweet, cold, salty, and slippery properties. It opens orifices and unblocks the intestines, entering the Pericardium meridian and the Liver meridian. If there is heat accumulation in smallpox/rash eruptions, it clears Heart fire and directs it downward into the Large and Small Intestines. Even if toxic stagnation and blood stasis congeal, it resolves internal and external constraints, relaxing the muscle layer. (Zicao is sweet, salty, and cold, entering the Blood aspect of the Foot and Hand Jueyin meridians. It cools the blood, invigorates blood circulation, unblocks water passages, and benefits the Large Intestine. Its nature is extremely cold and slippery; therefore, it is indicated for cases where rash eruptions fail to emerge due to blood heat and constipation. It should not be indiscriminately administered to patients with Yang deficiency and loose stools. Zicao is sown in March and matures in September. A vine-like plant with purple color, using its seedling, is known as Zicaorong [Arnebiae Radix]. Thus, it can also relax the muscle layer and release the exterior.)
Tuniuxigen (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix)
Administered raw juice orally or flushed, it can induce vomiting of Wind-phlegm and treat throat obstruction. Taken as a decoction, it eliminates accumulated heat and lingering blood stasis. It enters the Stomach fu-organ. Its taste is pungent and bitter, and its nature is cold, with slight toxicity. Its functions include purging heat and dissipating swelling. Its seed is named Heshi [Daphne Genkwa Flower / Carpesii Fructus depending on context, here referring to Achyranthes seed], sharing the same nature, and excels specifically in expelling parasites. (Tuniuxigen is bitter, pungent, and cold, with slight toxicity, entering the Stomach meridian. Its function specializes in breaking blood stasis and directing flow downward. Decocted and taken internally, it has the same efficacy as Huainiuxi [Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix] but lacks tonifying properties. Raw crushed juice induces severe vomiting to expel Wind-phlegm. The dregs mixed with vinegar applied externally to swollen areas are highly effective for treating throat wind and similar conditions. Heshi refers to its seed, possessing the same nature and flavor, with superior vermifuge effects. It may be fried until fragrant, powdered, and taken with meat broth. Also known as Chouhuaniangcao [Stinking Flower Lady Grass], Tuniuxigen is its root. Raw use ascends and disperses, cooked use descends and purges; both utilize dispersing and draining actions. It is also considered a Mingxuan medicine [a drug causing adverse reactions to cure disease]. Its seeds resemble lice with bristles, adhering strongly to clothing, and have a strong fox-like odor, more so than the roots and leaves. Aside from killing parasites, it has no other significant merits.)