〔害〕禀苦寒之性，虑伤胃气而伤血，凡脾胃虚弱，及血虚发热者忌之。能泻有余之火，
心
肺无邪热者忌。心腹痛不因火者尤忌。小便不通，由于膀胱虚无气以化，而非热结小肠者亦
不可用。疮疡因气血虚，不能收敛，则为久冷败疮，非温暖补益之剂则不愈。所谓既溃之后
，一毫寒药不可用是也。世人每以治血，不知血得寒则凝，反为败症。
〔利〕苦寒，清心肺脾胃，治胸中懊 而安眠卧。疏脐下血滞而利小便。泻三焦之火，
使屈
曲下行。
栀皮苦寒性减，而清肤热之用长。
〔修治〕九月采实曝干，洗去黄浆，生用吐胃中邪热，当以伤寒类方参看，炒黑止血，
姜汁
炒止烦呕，内热用仁，表热用皮。苦寒之品，宜于实热者，盖伐生气故也。
〔害〕清而无补之品，痈疽溃后勿服，火热由于虚者勿服。苦寒碍胃，多饵即减食，脾
胃薄
弱，易作泄者勿服。
〔利〕苦寒，入心包、胆、三焦、大肠，手少阴主药也。除心经客热、阳明湿热、散诸
经血
凝气聚，利水通经。诸痛疡疮，皆属心火，故为疮家圣药。翘心更苦寒，泻心火尤胜。温热
入心营，非此不能治。
〔修治〕八月采取阴干，手搓用之。按连翘除血热，山栀治火郁，虽同入血分，治法两
途。
[Harm] Possessing the nature of bitter and cold, it is feared to damage stomach qi and injure blood. It is contraindicated for those with spleen and stomach deficiency weakness, as well as those with fever due to blood deficiency. It can drain excess fire; it is contraindicated for those whose heart and lungs do not have pathogenic heat. It is especially contraindicated for epigastric or abdominal pain not caused by fire. For urinary obstruction due to bladder deficiency where there is no qi to transform fluids, rather than heat binding in the small intestine, it should also not be used. For sores and ulcers caused by deficiency of qi and blood, unable to converge and heal, resulting in chronic cold and ruined sores, they will not heal without warm and tonifying agents. This refers to the principle that after ulceration, even a slight amount of cold medicine should not be used. People often use it to treat blood disorders, not knowing that blood coagulates when exposed to cold, which may instead lead to disastrous conditions.
[Benefits] Bitter and cold, it clears the heart, lungs, spleen, and stomach; treats chest restlessness (ao nao) and promotes sleep. It disperses blood stasis below the umbilicus and promotes urination. It drains fire from the San Jiao (Triple Burner), causing it to descend through its convoluted pathways.
Gardenia peel has reduced bitter-cold properties but is more effective in clearing skin heat.
[Processing] Harvest fruits in the ninth lunar month, dry them in the sun, wash away the yellow liquid. Used raw to induce vomiting of pathogenic heat in the stomach; refer to Shanghan Lun formulas for guidance. Charred to stop bleeding. Stir-fried with ginger juice to relieve irritability and vomiting. Use the kernel for internal heat, and the peel for exterior heat. Bitter-cold substances are suitable for excess heat patterns, as they serve to subdue vigorous life force (excess pathogenic factors).
[Harm] Gardenia is a substance that clears but does not tonify. Do not take it after abscesses or carbuncles have ulcerated. Do not take it if the fire-heat is due to deficiency. Bitter-cold substances hinder the stomach; excessive intake reduces appetite. Do not take it if the spleen and stomach are weak and prone to diarrhea.
[Benefits] Bitter and cold, enters the Pericardium, Gallbladder, San Jiao (Triple Burner), and Large Intestine meridians. It is the principal herb for the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) meridian. It eliminates guest heat in the Heart meridian and damp-heat in the Yangming meridian; disperses blood coagulation and qi stagnation in various meridians; promotes water metabolism and unblocks menstruation. All pains and sores/ulcers belong to Heart fire; therefore, it is the sacred medicine for practitioners treating sores. The heart of Forsythia is even more bitter and cold, making it superior for draining Heart fire. When warm-heat pathogens enter the Ying (Nutrient) level of the Heart, this herb is indispensable for treatment.
[Processing] Harvest in the eighth lunar month, dry in the shade, and rub with hands before use. Note: Forsythia clears blood heat, while Gardenia treats fire depression. Although both enter the Blood level, their therapeutic methods differ.