味苦，性寒，无毒。入肝、胆二经。恶菊花、玄参。忌猪肉。折之尘出如烟者真。
医小儿疳积惊痫，主虚家骨蒸久痢。
清肝胆之热，与黄连略似，但产于胡地者也。
胡黄连大苦大寒，脾虚血弱之人，虽见如上诸证，亦勿轻投，必不得已，须与补剂
同施
。
味苦、辛，性平，有小毒。入肝经。
虫积腹痛，入丸散用。
目前市售商品中有两种。药典中以菊科天名精之果实为正品。
味甘，性温，无毒。入脾、胃二经。
杀诸虫，治疳积。
杀虫药皆苦，使君子独甘，空服食数枚，次日虫皆死而出矣。忌饮热茶，犯之即泻。
使君子，为杀虫而设，苟无虫积，服之必致损人。
味苦，性寒，有小毒。入胃经。荔实，浓朴，蓄根，芫花，为使。恶葛根。酒蒸。
杀脏腑诸虫，除婴儿百病。
雷丸乃竹之余气，得霹雳而生，故名雷丸。杀虫之外无他长，久服令人阳痿。
（见外治）
味苦，性寒，入心经。
清心去热，止血治遗。渴者作茶，快膈忘机。
莲花瓣∶味苦、甘。镇心益色，驻颜轻身。
莲花须∶味甘、涩，性温，无毒。入心、肾二经。忌地黄、葱、蒜。清心而诸窍之出血
可止
，固肾而丹田之精气无遗。须发变黑，颜驻情怡。温而不热，涩而不滞，血家泻家，尊为上
剂。
[Picrorhizae Rhizoma (Huhuanglian)]
Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians (channels associated with the liver and gallbladder organs). Adverse to Chrysanthemi Flos (Juahua) and Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen). Contraindicated with pork. Authentic material is identified by smoke-like dust emerging when broken.
Treats pediatric gan-ji (malnutrition syndrome) and jing-xian (convulsions and epilepsy); governs gu-zheng (bone-steaming fever due to yin deficiency) and chronic dysentery in patients with deficiency.
Clears heat from the Liver and Gallbladder; similar to Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), but produced in Hu regions.
Picrorhizae Rhizoma is extremely bitter and cold. For individuals with Spleen deficiency and blood weakness, even if presenting with the aforementioned symptoms, it should not be administered lightly. If absolutely necessary, it must be used concurrently with tonic formulas.
[Radix Cynoglossi (Tianmingjing - Note: Text describes fruit of Cynoglossum officinale or similar Asteraceae, often referred to as Tianmujing/Tianmingjing in context of seeds/fruits for parasites)]
Bitter and acrid in taste, neutral in nature, slightly toxic. Enters the Liver meridian.
For abdominal pain due to parasitic accumulation, use in pills and powders.
Currently, there are two types on the market. The Pharmacopoeia identifies the fruit of the Asteraceae plant *Cynoglossum* (Tianmingjing) as the authentic drug.
[Quisqualis Fructus (Shijunzi)]
Sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians.
Kills various parasites and treats gan-ji.
Parasiticidal herbs are generally bitter, but Quisqualis Fructus is uniquely sweet. Taken on an empty stomach, a few fruits ingested will result in the death and expulsion of worms the next day. Contraindicated with hot tea; violating this causes diarrhea.
Quisqualis Fructus is designed for killing parasites. Without parasitic accumulation, its administration will inevitably harm the person.
[Polyporus Umbellatus (Leiwuan)]
Bitter in taste, cold in nature, slightly toxic. Enters the Stomach meridian. With *Lishi*, *Mouhu*, *Gegen*, and *Yuanhua* as guides/adjuvants. Adverse to *Gegen*. Steamed with wine.
Kills various internal organ parasites and cures myriad infant ailments.
Leiwuan is the residual qi of bamboo, born from thunderbolts, hence named Leiwuan. Its only merit is killing parasites; long-term use causes impotence.
(See External Treatment)
[Lotus Petal/Stamen]
Bitter in taste, cold in nature, enters the Heart meridian.
Clears the Heart and removes heat; stops bleeding and treats enuresis/spermatorrhea. For those thirsty, brew as tea; benefits the chest and promotes mental clarity.
Lotus Petals: Bitter and sweet in taste. Calms the Heart, enhances complexion, preserves youth, and lightens the body.
Lotus Stamens: Sweet and astringent in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Heart and Kidney meridians. Contraindicated with Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang), Allium fistulosum (Cong), and Allium sativum (Suan). Clears the Heart so that bleeding from various orifices can stop; secures the Kidney so that essence and qi of the Dantian are not lost. Blackens hair and beard, preserves facial appearance, and brings emotional joy. Warm but not hot, astringent but not stagnant. Highly esteemed as a superior formula for patients with blood disorders or diarrhea.