宣，利气，豁痰
辛温入肺。通行经络，温中开胃，发汗散寒，利气豁痰，消肿止痛（痰行则肿消，气行
则痛止。为末醋调敷，消痈肿）。治咳嗽反胃，痹木香港脚，筋骨诸病（痰阻气滞）。久嗽肺虚
人禁用（丹溪曰∶痰在胁下及皮里膜外，非此不能达行。古方控涎丹用之，正此义。韩 三
子养亲汤，白芥子主痰，下气宽中；紫苏子主气，定喘止嗽；莱菔子主食，开痞降气。各微
炒研，看病所主为君。治老人痰嗽、喘满、懒食）北产者良。煎汤不可过熟，熟则力减。
芥菜子豁痰利气，主治略同。
即芜菁
泻热，利水，明目
苦辛。泻热解毒，利水明目（古方治目，用之最多）。治黄胆（捣服）腹胀（捣研滤汁
饮，或吐或利，腹中自宽，得汗愈），症瘕积聚，小儿血痢（蜜和汁服），一切疮疽（凡痈疽
捣敷皆良。醋调敷秃疮，盐捣敷乳痈。冬取根用），敷蜘蛛咬毒（陈藏器曰∶蔓菁园中无蜘
蛛。李时珍曰∶蔓菁子可升可降，能汗能吐能下，能利小便，明目解毒，其功甚伟，世罕知
用，何哉？）。根，捣敷阴囊肿大如斗；末服解酒毒；和芸苔（油菜也）根捣汁，鸡子清调，
涂诸热毒（单盐捣，不用芸薹亦可）。
宣，散血，消肿
辛温。散血消肿，捣贴乳痈丹毒（孙思邈曰∶捣贴丹毒，随手即消，其效如神），动疾
发疮。即油菜（道家五荤之一）。
子，与叶同功，治产难。
[White Mustard Seed]
Has the functions of promoting diffusion, regulating Qi, and resolving phlegm.
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, enters the Lung meridian. It can unblock collaterals, warm the middle and stimulate appetite, induce sweating to dispel cold, regulate Qi and resolve phlegm, reduce swelling and relieve pain (when phlegm moves, swelling subsides; when Qi flows, pain stops. Grind into powder, mix with vinegar for external application to eliminate carbuncles and swellings). Treats cough, regurgitation, numbness, beriberi, and various bone and joint diseases (due to phlegm obstruction and Qi stagnation). Contraindicated for those with prolonged cough and deficient Lung Qi (Zhu Danxi said: "Phlegm located under the hypochondrium or within the subcutaneous tissue cannot be reached by other herbs; only this herb can reach and act upon it." In ancient prescriptions like Kongxian Dan, it is used for this very reason. In Han's Sanzi Yangqin Tang, White Mustard Seed primarily resolves phlegm, descends Qi and broadens the middle; Perilla Seed primarily regulates Qi, calms asthma and stops coughing; Radish Seed primarily digests food, opens stagnation and descends Qi. All are lightly stir-fried and ground; one is chosen as the chief ingredient based on the specific condition. It treats elderly patients with phlegm-cough, wheezing and chest fullness, and poor appetite.) Those produced in the North are of superior quality. When decocting, do not overcook, as heat reduces efficacy.
Mustard seed has similar effects in resolving phlegm and regulating Qi, with roughly the same indications.
[Turnip Seed]
Has the functions of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and improving vision.
Bitter and pungent in flavor. Clears heat and detoxifies, promotes diuresis and improves vision (used most frequently in ancient prescriptions for eye disorders). Treats jaundice (take crushed), abdominal distension (crush, grind, filter juice and drink; may induce vomiting or diarrhea, leading to abdominal relief; recovery occurs with sweating), fixed masses and accumulations, pediatric bloody dysentery (mix juice with honey), all types of sores and ulcers (for any carbuncle or ulcer, crushed application is effective. Mix with vinegar for tinea capitis; crush with salt for mastitis. Use roots in winter). Apply to spider bites (Chen Zangqi stated: "There are no spiders in turnip gardens." Li Shizhen stated: "Turnip seed can ascend and descend, induce sweating, vomiting, and purgation, promote urination, improve vision, and clear heat and detoxify. Its merits are great, yet few know how to use it. Why?"). Roots, crushed and applied externally for massive scrotal swelling; powdered and taken internally to resolve alcohol toxicity; mixed with the root of Youcai (Brassica rapa var. oleifera) and crushed for juice, adjusted with egg white, applied to various heat toxins (using only salt for crushing, without Youcai, is also acceptable).
[Youcai / Rapeseed]
Has the functions of promoting diffusion, dispersing blood, and reducing swelling.
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature. Disperses blood and reduces swelling; crushed and applied externally for mastitis and erysipelas (Sun Simiao said: "Applied crushed for erysipelas, it clears up immediately with miraculous effect"), wind-movement inducing sores. This is Youcai (one of the Five Pungent Vegetables of Daoism).
Seeds have the same function as leaves, treating difficult labor.