气味苦寒，无毒。主治消渴，身热，烦满大热，补虚，安中，续绝伤。
（瓜蒌所在皆有之，三四月生苗，延引藤蔓，七月开花浅黄色，实在花下，大如拳，生
青至
九月熟黄，形如柿，内有扁子，壳色褐，仁色绿，其根直下，生年久者，长数尺，皮黄肉白
，入土深者良。《本经》气味主治合根实而概言之。至陶弘景以根名天花粉，又名瑞雪。后
人又分实名瓜蒌，子名瓜蒌仁，功用遂有异同。）
瓜蒌根入土最深，外黄内白，气味苦寒，盖得地水之精气，而上达之药也，其实黄色，
内如
重楼，其仁色绿多脂，性能从上而下，主治消渴、身热者，谓启在下之水精上滋，此根之功
能也。治烦满大热者，谓降在上之火热下泄，此实之功能也。补虚安中，续绝伤，合根实而
言也。水火上下交济，则补虚而安中，藤蔓之药能资经脉，故续绝伤。
（《乘雅》云∶瓜蒌根实补虚安中者，热却则中安，亦即所以补液之虚耳。）
气味苦寒，无毒。主治关格诸癃结，小便不通，出刺，决痈肿，明目去翳，破胎堕子
，下闭血。
（瞿麦今处处有之，根紫黑色，其茎纤细有节，高尺余，开花有红紫粉兰数色，斑斓可
爱，
人家多栽莳，呼为洛阳花，结实如燕麦，内有小黑子，其茎叶穗实与麦相似，穗分两岐，故
名瞿麦。雷 曰∶只用蕊壳，不用茎叶，若一时同用，令人气噎，小便不禁也。）
瞿者，如道路通衢，有四通八达之意。麦者，肝之谷，有东方发生之意。瞿麦一本直上，
花
红根紫，禀厥阴少阳木火之气化。苦者，火之味。寒者，水之性。气味苦寒，乃水生木而木
生火也。主治关格诸癃结，小便不通者，厥阴肝木主疏泄，少阳三焦主决渎也。出刺决痈肿
者，津液随三焦出，气以温肌肉，则肌肉之刺可出，而肌肉之痈肿可决也。明目去翳者，肝
通窍于目，肝气和而目明也。破胎堕子者，少阳属肾，肾气泄，则破胎堕子。下血闭者，厥
阴主肝，肝气通，则月事时行而下血闭。
[Flavor, Nature, and Indications]
Bitter in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome characterized by polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, and emaciation), body heat, irritability and fullness with intense heat, tonifies deficiency, calms the Middle Jiao, and reconnects severed injuries.
(Gua Lou Gen [Trichosanthes Radix] grows everywhere. Seedlings emerge in March and April, spreading via vines. Pale yellow flowers appear in July, with fruits developing beneath the flowers, about the size of a fist. Initially green, they turn yellow and ripe in September. The shape resembles a persimmon, containing flat seeds inside; the shell is brown, and the kernel is green. The root grows vertically downward; those that have grown for many years can reach several chi in length, with yellow skin and white flesh. Roots penetrating deep into the soil are of superior quality. The description of flavor, nature, and indications in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* summarizes both the root and the fruit. Later, Tao Hongjing named the root Tian Hua Fen [Trichosanthes Root], also known as Rui Xue. Subsequently, people distinguished the fruit as Gua Lou [Trichosanthes Fruit] and the seed as Gua Lou Ren [Trichosanthes Seed], leading to differences in their therapeutic functions.)
Gua Lou Penetrates deepest into the soil, with yellow exterior and white interior, bitter in flavor and cold in nature. It likely obtains the essence of water from the earth and acts as an herb that ascends to the exterior. Its fruit is yellow, with an internal structure resembling Chong Lou [Paris Polyphylla]; its kernels are green and oily, possessing the property of acting from above downwards. Treating Xiao Ke and body heat refers to initiating the ascent of water essence from below to nourish upwards; this is the function of the root. Treating irritability, fullness, and intense heat refers to descending and draining fire-heat from above; this is the function of the fruit. Tonifying deficiency, calming the Middle, and reconnecting severed injuries applies when considering both the root and the fruit together. When Water and Fire interact between the upper and lower Jiao, deficiency is tonified and the Middle is calmed. Vine-like herbs can nourish the meridians, thus enabling the reconnection of severed injuries.
(*Cheng Ya* states: The fruit and root of Gua Lou tonify deficiency and calm the Middle because eliminating heat brings peace to the Middle, which is essentially replenishing the deficiency of body fluids.)
[Flavor, Nature, and Indications]
Bitter in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats Guan Ge syndrome (a severe condition involving urinary retention and vomiting) and various Long Jie (obstructive disorders causing difficulty or inability to urinate), urinary obstruction, expelling spines/thorns, resolving abscesses and swellings, brightening the eyes and removing nebulae, inducing abortion, and promoting the discharge of stagnant blood.
(Qu Mai [Dianthus Superbus Herb] is found everywhere today. The root is purple-black. The stem is slender and jointed, growing over one chi tall. Flowers appear in red, purple, pink, and blue colors, looking beautiful. Many households plant it, calling it Luo Yang Hua [Luoyang Flower]. The fruit resembles oats, containing small black seeds. Its stems, leaves, and spikes resemble wheat, with bifurcated spikes, hence the name Qu Mai. Lei Xiao stated: Only use the stamen and husk, not the stems and leaves. If used together at once, it causes Qi stagnation and incontinence of urine.)
"Qu" implies a major intersection of roads, suggesting openness in all directions. "Mai" refers to the grain of the Liver, symbolizing the generative energy of the East. Qu Mai grows straight upward with red flowers and purple roots, inheriting the Qi transformation of Jue Yin Shaoyang Wood and Fire. Bitterness is the flavor of Fire. Coldness is the nature of Water. The bitter and cold flavor/nature represents Water generating Wood, and Wood generating Fire. Treating Guan Ge and various Long Jie with urinary obstruction occurs because Jue Yin Liver Wood governs free flow and drainage, while Shaoyang San Jiao governs the irrigation channels. Expelling spines and resolving abscesses happens because body fluids exit via the San Jiao, and Qi warms the muscles, allowing spines within the muscles to be expelled and abscesses to be resolved. Brightening the eyes and removing nebulae occurs because the Liver opens into the eyes; when Liver Qi is harmonious, vision is clear. Inducing abortion occurs because Shaoyang is associated with the Kidney; when Kidney Qi leaks, it induces abortion. Promoting the discharge of stagnant blood occurs because Jue Yin governs the Liver; when Liver Qi flows freely, menstruation proceeds regularly, and blood stasis is discharged.