Library

[Harm] Its pungent and aromatic nature is biased towards dryness and dispersion; it is contraindicated for those with insufficient Yin and Blood. It is taboo for use in cases of seminal emission, sweating, or excessive perspiration. If used in large amounts or exclusively, it may also consume Qi and Blood, causing harm. Contact with iron vessels induces vomiting and reflux. It is antagonistic to Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) and is taboo when taken with Malt Sugar (Yitang, 饴糖), mutton, and iron vessels; Qinjiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae) serves as its guiding herb.

[Efficacy] Its aromatic quality opens orifices, while its pungent and warm nature promotes the flow of Qi. It disseminates the Five Viscera, opens the heart orifice, benefits the nine orifices, clarifies the ears and eyes, facilitates voice production, expels dampness and wind, drives out phlegm, dissolves accumulations, opens the stomach, broadens the middle jiao, and treats "Jinkou" dysentery (dysentery where the patient cannot eat due to spleen deficiency or heat-toxin obstruction). Although "Jinkou" (lockjaw/inability to open mouth) is often due to Spleen deficiency, it can also be caused by heat closing the chest and diaphragm. Using Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao, 山药) and Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang, 木香) are both inappropriate; only by adding Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Changpu, 石菖蒲) to Shenling Baizhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder), once the chest qi mechanism opens, appetite will naturally return. Its aromatic property benefits the orifices, opens the mind, and enhances wisdom, making it an excellent medicine for the Heart, Spleen, and Stomach. It can assist Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang, 地黄) and Asparagi Radix (Tian Dong, 天冬), aiding their disseminating and guiding functions. The juice of fresh Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma is slightly cool and more effective than the dried form.

[Processing] Harvested in the second and eighth lunar months, it grows between water and stones without touching soil. The roots are slender with dense nodes; one cun length containing nine nodes is considered superior. Remove the hairs and stir-fry lightly. Note: Crushing Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma to extract juice for oral administration acts like a general breaking through gates and doors, suitable for patients with excess Phlegm-Fire.

[Harm] It is strictly contraindicated for diseases characterized by Deficiency-Cold. It is taboo for patients with little Blood and deficient Qi, weak Spleen and Stomach, palpitations and insomnia due to Blood insufficiency accompanied by vexation, heat, restlessness, and thirst; postpartum insomnia, Fever due to Blood deficiency, diarrhea, and abdominal pain; pediatric smallpox, diarrhea due to Yang deficiency, and diarrhea after the eruption phase; elderly people's diarrhea due to Spleen-Stomach Deficiency-Cold; dawn diarrhea (Sundown diarrhea/complete digestion failure) in deficient individuals, known as Kidney Diarrhea; various symptoms of True Yin insufficiency with internal heat and vexation. All such conditions should avoid it. Violating this leads to critical danger. Long-term use of Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian, 黄连) and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Kushen, 苦参) may transform into Heat from Fire due to the drying nature of bitter flavors. Since fire flares upward manifesting as bitterness, bitter flavors are necessarily drying; dryness generates heat. Moreover, bitter-cold sinks and belongs to Yin, possessing a肃杀 (severe/killing) energy that damages the harmonious life-generating Qi. It is antagonistic to Chrysanthemi Flos (Juhua, 菊花), Scrophulariae Radix (Yuanshen, 元参), Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan, 僵蚕), and Dictamni Cortex (Baixianpi, 白藓皮). It fears Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Kudong, 款冬 - *Note: likely referring to Kuan Dong Hua/Adenophorae Radix contextually or specific incompatibility*) and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi, 牛膝). Pork is taboo as it causes diarrhea. Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin, 黄芩) and Draconis Os (Longgu, 龙骨) serve as guides; it overcomes Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Wutou, 乌头) and resolves Codonopsis/Castoris toxicity (*Note: Text says 'Baidu' which usually refers to Crotonis Fructus/Badou, but text says 'Wutou solves Badou poison', here translated as resolving Castoris/Croton toxicity based on common TCM interactions, specifically Crotonis Fructus*).

[Efficacy] Extremely bitter and cold, it purges Heart and Liver Fire and dries dampness. When administered together with Cassia Twig (Guigui, 官桂), it enables the intersection of Heart and Kidney within moments.

Li Dongyuan (Haicang) stated: Purging the Heart effectively purges the Spleen. According to the principle of "purging the son when excess," one may use Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, 甘草) to moderate its bitterness, or add Ginseng Radix (Renshen, 人参) to restrain it.

[Processing] According to the *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*: For Heart Fire, use raw; for Liver Fire, stir-fry with bovine bile; for Upper Jiao Fire, stir-fry with wine; for Middle Jiao Fire, stir-fry with ginger juice; for Lower Jiao Fire, stir-fry with salt water or child's urine; for Food Stagnation Fire, stir-fry with earth powder; for Damp-Heat in the Qi Level, stir-fry with Evodiae Fructus decoction; for Damp-Heat in the Blood Level, stir-fry with vinegar. For eye application, soaking in human milk is also acceptable. Harvest roots in the second and eighth lunar months and sun-dry. Sichuan-grown Coptidis Rhizoma is yellow, has soft hairs without hard spines, tastes slightly bitter and thin, and is ineffective. Roots harvested in the sixth and seventh lunar months are tight and suitable for collection. Yazhou Coptidis Rhizoma is slender, curved, slightly yellow, hairless with hard spines; Malihu Coptidis Rhizoma is black, fine, with hard spines like embroidery needle heads, shaped like chicken claws; these two varieties are the best. Note: Due to its bitter and drying nature, Coptidis Rhizoma is unsuitable for those with Blood deficiency and Heat, as entering the Heart may exacerbate Heart Fire.