气味苦平，无毒。主治痈肿疽疮，散结气，止痛除热，目中赤，小儿惊痫，温疟，
女子阴中肿痛，带下赤白。
（白蔹《本经》名白草，近道处处有之，二月生苗，多在林中，蔓延赤茎，叶如小桑，
五月
开花，七月结实，根如鸡鸭卵而长，三五枚同一窠，皮黑肉白。一种赤蔹，皮肉皆赤，而花
实功用相同。）
敛者，取秋金收敛之义，古时用此药敷敛痈毒，命名盖以此。有赤白二种，赋禀与白芨
相同
，故主治不甚差别。白芨得阳明少阴之精汁，收藏于下，是以作糊稠粘。白蔹乃蔓草，性
唯上延，而津液濡上，故兼除热清目，小儿惊痫，及女子阴中肿痛，带下赤白。又，治温疟
者，主清下焦之热，其性从
下而上也。
气味辛温，有毒。主治杀虫毒，鬼疰精物，辟恶气，不祥，逐邪，解百毒。
（鬼臼《本经》名九臼，《别录》名天臼。出九真山谷及冤句、荆州、峡州、襄州，近
以钱
塘余杭径山者为上，生深山岩石之阴。其叶六出或五出，如雁掌，茎端一叶如伞，且对东向
，暮则西倾，盖随日出没也。花红紫如荔枝正在叶下，常为叶所蔽，未常见日，故俗名羞天
花。一年生一茎，茎枯则作一臼，新根次年另生，则旧根中腐，新陈相易，九年乃作九臼，
九臼者有神，根形如苍术及黄精之岐曲，以连生臼窍为别也，臼形如马眼，故《本经》又名
马眼。）
鬼臼以九臼者为良，故名九臼。九，老阳之数也。阳者，天气也。故《别录》名天臼，
气味
辛温，禀太阳阳热干金之气，故主杀虫毒鬼痊精物，及恶气不祥，并逐邪解百毒。《金匮》
方治伤寒，令愈不复者，助太阳之气也。盖阳气者，若天与日，此花随天日旋转，而又不见
天日，犹天德唯藏，不自明也。
[ Bai Lian (Ampelopsis Japonica Root) ]
Taste and nature: Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Indications: Carbuncles, sores, ulcers, and boils; disperses stagnant Qi, relieves pain, clears heat, redness of the eyes, pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, warm malaria (a type of malaria characterized by predominant fever with mild chills), swelling and pain in the female genitalia, and leukorrhea with red and white discharge.
(Note: Bai Lian was named "Bai Cao" in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. It is found everywhere nearby, sprouting in February, mostly growing in forests, spreading with red stems, leaves resembling small mulberry leaves, flowering in May, bearing fruit in July. The root is elongated like a chicken or duck egg, with three to five tubers sharing the same clump, black skin and white flesh. There is a variety called Chi Lian, with both skin and flesh being red, but its flowers and fruits have identical functions.)
The term "Lian" (astringent/contracting) takes on the meaning of autumnal Metal Qi contracting. In ancient times, this herb was applied topically to contract and heal toxic carbuncles, hence its name. There are two varieties, red and white, which share similar endowments with Bai Ji (*Bletilla striata*, White Cohort Rhizome), thus their indications are not significantly different. Bai Ji obtains the essence and fluids of the Yangming Stomach channel and Shaoyin Kidney channel, storing them below, which is why it becomes thick and sticky when made into a paste. Bai Lian is a creeping herb; its nature extends only upward, and its fluids moisten the upper part, so it additionally clears heat and brightens the eyes, treats pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, as well as swelling and pain in the female genitalia and red-and-white leukorrhea. Furthermore, regarding the treatment of warm malaria, it primarily clears heat from the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner); its nature moves from below upwards.
[ Gui Jiao (Podophyllum Emodi Root) ]
Taste and nature: Pungent, warm, toxic. Indications: Kills parasites and toxins, expels evil spirits and essences causing "Gui Zhu" conditions (spiritual afflictions), repels foul Qi and inauspicious influences, drives out pathogenic factors, and resolves hundred poisons.
(Note: Gui Jiao was named "Jiu Jiu" in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* and "Tian Jiu" in the *Mingyi Bielu*. It originates from Jiuzhen Valley, Yuanju, Jingzhou, Xiazhou, and Xiangzhou. Currently, the best quality comes from Jingshan in Yuhang, Qiantang. It grows in the shade of deep mountain rocks. Its leaves emerge in six or five lobes, resembling a goose's webbed foot. At the tip of the stem, there is one leaf like an umbrella, facing east, tilting west at dusk, likely following the sun's rising and setting. The flowers are red-purple like lychee, located beneath the leaves, often hidden by them, rarely seeing sunlight, hence the common name "Xiu Tian Hua" (Shame Heaven Flower). It produces one stem per year; when the stem withers, it forms one "mortar" (tuber node). New roots grow separately the next year, causing old roots to rot, exchanging new for old. After nine years, nine mortars form. The nine mortars possess spiritual properties. The root shape is curved like Cang Zhu (*Atractylodes lancea*) and Huang Jing (*Polygonatum sibiricum*), distinguished by connected mortar pores. The mortar shape resembles a horse's eye, so the *Shennong Bencao Jing* also calls it Ma Yan.)
Gui Jiao is considered superior if it has nine mortars, hence the name "Jiu Jiu." "Nine" is the number of Old Yang. Yang represents Heavenly Qi. Therefore, the *Mingyi Bielu* names it "Tian Jiu" (Heavenly Mortar). With a pungent and warm taste, it inherits the Qi of Taiyang Yang Heat and Dry Metal. Thus, it treats killing parasites/toxins, expelling evil spirits/Gui Zhu essences, repelling foul/inauspicious Qi, driving out pathogens, and resolving hundred poisons. Formulas in the *Jin Gui Yao Lue* treat typhoid fever to prevent recurrence by assisting Taiyang Qi. Generally, Yang Qi is like Heaven and the Sun. This flower rotates with Heaven and the Sun yet does not see them, just as Heavenly Virtue hides itself without revealing itself.