味辛、性温，无毒。入肺、脾二经。广中者最佳，福建者力薄，浙产便又逊矣。陈久愈
佳。
去蒂及浮膜，晒干。
止嗽定呕，颇有中和之妙。清痰理气，却无峻烈之嫌。留白者，补胃偏宜，去白者，疏
通端
掌。
苦能泄气，又能燥湿，辛能散气，温能和气，同补药则补，同泻药则泻，同升药则升，
同降
药则降。夫脾乃元气之母，肺乃摄气之龠，故独入二经；气虽中和，然单服久服，亦损真元
。橘皮下气消痰，橘肉生痰聚气，一物也、而相反如此。
橘红∶性热。除寒下气、消痰散结。
味辛，性温，有毒。入心、脾、胃三经。柴胡为使。恶皂荚。畏雄黄、姜、鳖甲及乌头。
忌
羊血、海藻、饴糖。水浸五日，每日换水，去涎，姜矾同煮，汁干为度。
消痰燥湿，开胃健脾。咳逆呕吐，头眩昏迷。痰厥头痛，心下满坚。消痈可也，堕胎有
焉。
汪机曰∶脾胃湿热，涎化为痰，此非半夏，曷可治乎。时珍曰∶脾无湿不生痰，故脾为
生痰
之源，肺为贮痰之器；半夏治痰，为其体滑辛温也。俗以半夏为燥，不知湿去则土燥，痰涎
不生，非其性燥也，但恐非湿热之邪而用之，是重竭其津液，诚非所宜。按半夏主治最多，
莫非脾湿之证，苟无湿者，均在禁例。古人谓半夏有三禁，谓血家、渴家、汗家也。若无脾
湿，且有肺燥，误服半夏，悔不可追，责在司命，谨诸戒诸。
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. Those produced in Guangdong are the best; those from Fujian have weaker efficacy; those from Zhejiang are inferior still. The older it is stored, the better.
Remove the stalk and the floating membrane, then sun-dry.
It stops coughing and relieves vomiting, possessing a subtle harmonizing effect. It clears phlegm and regulates Qi, without the drawback of being harsh or acrid. Retaining the white pith favors tonifying the Stomach; removing the white pith favors unblocking and regulating Qi.
Bitterness can drain Qi and dry dampness; pungency can disperse Qi; warmth can harmonize Qi. When combined with tonifying herbs, it tonifies; when combined with purgative herbs, it purges; when combined with ascending herbs, it ascends; when combined with descending herbs, it descends. The Spleen is the mother of Original Qi (Yuan Qi), and the Lung is the bellows controlling the intake and output of Qi; therefore, this herb enters only these two meridians. Although its Qi action is moderate, single administration over a long period will also damage True Yuan (Zhen Yuan). Tangerine peel (Ju Pi) directs Qi downward and eliminates phlegm, while tangerine flesh generates phlegm and gathers Qi; though from the same source, their effects are so contrary.
Ju Hong (Tangerine Red Peel): Hot in nature. Dispels cold, directs Qi downward, resolves phlegm, and dissipates nodules.
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, toxic. Enters the Heart, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) serves as a guiding herb. It is incompatible with Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus (Sao Jia). It fears Realgar (Xiong Huang), Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Sheng Jiang), Testudinis et Chelydrae Carapax et Plastrum (Bie Jia), and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Wu Tou). Avoid mutton blood, Sargassum Herba (Hai Zao), and Malt Sugar (Yi Tang). Soak in water for five days, changing the water daily to remove saliva. Boil together with Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Sheng Jiang) and Alum (Fan Shi) until the liquid is dry.
Resolves phlegm and dries dampness, opens the appetite and strengthens the Spleen. Treats rebellious cough and vomiting, vertigo, and coma. Phlegm-jue headache, fullness and hardness below the heart. Can eliminate carbuncles, but may cause abortion.
Wang Ji said: "Damp-heat in the Spleen and Stomach transforms fluids into phlegm; without Ban Xia, how could this be treated?" Li Shizhen said: "The Spleen does not generate phlegm without dampness; thus, the Spleen is the source of phlegm generation, and the Lung is the vessel storing phlegm. Ban Xia treats phlegm because of its slippery texture and pungent-warm nature. Laypeople consider Ban Xia to be drying, not realizing that once dampness is removed, the earth becomes dry, and phlegm-fluids do not arise; this is not due to its inherent drying nature. However, one must fear using it when the pathogen is not damp-heat, as this would further deplete body fluids, which is indeed inappropriate. According to records, Ban Xia's indications cover mostly Spleen-dampness patterns. If there is no dampness, it falls under contraindications. The ancients stated that Ban Xia has three prohibitions: for patients with blood deficiency, thirst, and excessive sweating. If there is no Spleen-dampness but instead Lung-dryness, accidental ingestion of Ban Xia leads to irreparable regret; the responsibility lies with the physician. Be cautious and heed these warnings."