〔害〕虽能泄肾中之热，除湿热生虫为厉，然气味苦寒，能损肾气，肝肾虚而无热者勿
服。
火衰精冷，真元不足，及年高之人，皆不宜服。
沈括《梦溪笔谈》云∶久用苦参擦牙，遂病腰痛，由其气伤肾故也。
〔利〕苦寒，入肾。除热祛湿，治痈肿疮疡，肠 下血，兼能利水，固齿明目，祛风杀
虫。
苦参子，一名鸦胆子。治肠风下血，能清肝明目，功同槐实。
〔修治〕八月采子，十月采根，曝干，糯米浓泔一宿，其腥秽气并浮在水面上，须重重
淘过
，即蒸三时，取晒切用。
〔害〕大寒凉润，必燥结有实火者，方可用。否则恐寒中，余同干地黄。
〔利〕苦寒微甘，大泻心肾实火，平血逆，除大热。
〔修治〕掘取鲜根洗净，竹刀切片，或捣汁用。
〔害〕气香而浊，极易作呕，胃弱服之即吐，凉血通瘀，故胃气虚寒，妇人血崩，经行
过期
不净，并妊娠者并忌之。若无瘀而血热妄行，及血虚而无外感者，皆不可用。
〔利〕苦辛微寒，入手足少阴厥阴血分，凉血去瘀生新，泻血中伏火，退无汗骨蒸。
治相火之功，胜于黄柏。红花者利，白花者补，宜分别之。
〔修治〕牡丹惟取白红单瓣者入药。二八月采根阴干，以铜刀劈破去骨，肉浓者佳。锉
如大
豆许，用酒细拌蒸干用，或切片酒炒用。
[Kushen]
[Harm] Although it can drain heat from the Kidney and eliminate diseases caused by damp-heat generating parasites, its bitter and cold nature damages Kidney Qi. It is contraindicated for those with Liver and Kidney deficiency without heat.
It is unsuitable for individuals with declining Fire (Yang), cold essence, insufficiency of True Yuan (True Origin), and the elderly.
Shen Kuo in *Dream Pool Essays* stated: Long-term use of Kushen to brush teeth leads to lower back pain, as its qi injures the Kidney.
[Benefits] Bitter and cold; enters the Kidney meridian. Clears heat, dispels dampness, treats carbuncles, sores, ulcers, and intestinal bleeding. It also promotes urination, strengthens teeth, improves vision, dispels wind, and kills parasites.
Kushen Zi (Seeds of Sophora flavescens), also known as Yaduanzi (Brucea javanica). Treats intestinal wind with bleeding; clears the Liver and improves vision; its efficacy is similar to Huai Shi (Sophorae Fructus Immaturus).
[Processing] Collect seeds in August, roots in October. Sun-dry them, then soak overnight in thick rice water. The foul odor will float on the surface; wash repeatedly until clean. Then steam for three shichen (6 hours), sun-dry, and slice for use.
[Xian Shengdi]
[Harm] Extremely cold, cool, and moistening. It should only be used for cases with dry stool accumulation and excess fire. Otherwise, it may cause Cold to strike directly into the interior (Han Zhong). Other contraindications are the same as Gan Dihuang (Dried Rehmanniae Radix).
[Benefits] Bitter, cold, and slightly sweet; strongly drains excess Fire from the Heart and Kidney, subdues rebellious Blood, and eliminates severe heat.
[Processing] Dig up fresh roots, wash clean, slice with a bamboo knife, or crush to extract juice for use.
[Mudanpi]
[Harm] Fragrant yet turbid; easily induces vomiting. Those with weak Stomach Qi will vomit immediately upon ingestion. Due to its ability to cool Blood and promote blood circulation to remove stasis, it is contraindicated for those with Stomach Qi deficiency and Cold, women with metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding), irregular menstruation with prolonged duration, and pregnant women. It is also unsuitable for those with spontaneous bleeding due to Blood Heat without stasis, or Blood Deficiency without external pathogenic invasion.
[Benefits] Bitter, acrid, and slightly cold; enters the Blood aspect of the Hand-Shaoyin, Foot-Shaoyin, and Jueyin meridians. Cools Blood, removes stasis, generates new Blood, drains latent Fire in the Blood, and relieves bone-steaming fever without sweating. Its efficacy in treating Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) surpasses that of Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex). Red-flowered Mudanpi is draining, while white-flowered Mudanpi is tonifying; they must be distinguished.
[Processing] Only single-petaled red or white varieties of Mu Dan are used medicinally. Collect roots in the second and eighth lunar months and dry in the shade. Split open with a copper knife, remove the woody core. Those with thick flesh are superior. Cut into pieces the size of soybeans, mix thoroughly with wine, steam until dry, or slice and stir-fry with wine for use.