味甘，性平，无毒。入脾、肺二经。白术为使。反大戟、芫花、甘遂、海藻。恶远志。
忌猪
肉，令人阳痿。
补脾以和中，润肺而疗痿，退热止泻，坚筋长肌，调和群品，普治百邪。解一切毒，和
一切
药。稍止茎中作痛，节医肿毒诸疮。
外赤内黄，备坤离之色，味甘气平，资戊己之功。益阴除热，有裨金宫，故咳嗽、咽痛、
肺
痿均治也。安中扶正，补益土脏，故泻痢、虚热、肌肉均赖也。诸毒遇土则化，甘草为九土
之精，故百毒化。热药用之缓其热，寒药用之缓其寒，理中汤用之，恐其僭上，承气汤用之
，恐其速下。
黄宫绣谓“《伤寒论》、《金匮要略》两书中，凡为方二百五十，用甘草者，至一百二十
方
，非甘草之主病多，乃诸方必合甘草，始能曲当病情也。”
甘能作胀，故中满者忌之。呕家忌甘，酒家亦忌甘。
味甘、咸，性温，无毒。入肾经。形如茄子，色如玛瑙，红玉者良。烙去毛、酥炙。
益气而强志，健骨而生齿，去肢体酸疼，除腰脊软痛。虚痨圣剂，崩漏神丹。
角（茸生两月，即成角矣。）补肾生精髓，强骨壮腰膝。止崩中与吐血，除腹痛而安胎。
肉（甘温）补中强五脏，通脉益气力。
鹿禀纯阳之质，含生发之气，其性极淫。一牡常御百牝，肾气有余，足于精者也。故主
用最
多。专以壮阳道、补精髓为功。
茸∶较佳于角。
肉∶有益于脾。
上焦有痰热，胃家有火，吐血属阴衰火盛者，俱忌。（生角，消肿毒，逐恶血，
不及胶之用宏也。）鹿，山兽属阳，夏至解角，阴生阳退之象也。麋泽兽属阴，冬至解
角，阳生阴
退之象也。主用相悬，不可不辨。
Taste is sweet, nature is neutral, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen and Lung meridians. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) serves as an assistant herb. It is incompatible with Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix (Daji), Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua), Kansui Radix (Gansui), and Sargassum (Haizao). It is antagonistic to Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi).
Pork is contraindicated, as it causes impotence.
It tonifies the Spleen to harmonize the middle, moistens the Lungs to treat flaccidity syndromes, reduces fever and stops diarrhea, strengthens sinews and muscles, harmonizes various herbs, and broadly treats all pathogenic factors. It resolves all toxins and harmonizes all medicines. It slightly relieves pain in the urethra and effectively treats various swellings, toxic sores, and ulcers.
The exterior is red and the interior is yellow, possessing the colors of Kun (Earth) and Li (Fire). With a sweet taste and neutral aroma, it supports the functions of Wu (Earth) and Ji (Earth). It benefits Yin and eliminates heat, benefiting the Metal Palace (Lungs); therefore, it treats cough, sore throat, and lung flaccidity. It stabilizes the middle, supports righteousness, and tonifies the Earth Zang organ (Spleen); therefore, diarrhea, dysentery, deficiency-heat, and muscle conditions rely on it. All toxins transform when encountering Earth; Licorice Root (Gancao) is the essence of the nine soils, thus resolving hundred toxins. When used with hot-natured herbs, it moderates their heat; when used with cold-natured herbs, it moderates their cold. In Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), it is used fearing its upward rebellion; in Chengqi Tang (Descend Qi Decoction), it is used fearing rapid purgation.
Huang Gongxiu stated, "In the two books *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), out of two hundred and fifty formulas, Licorice Root (Gancao) is used in one hundred and twenty formulas. This is not because Licorice Root's primary indications are numerous, but because all formulas must include Licorice Root to accurately match the disease condition."
Sweetness can cause distension, therefore those with fullness in the middle jiao should avoid it. Patients with vomiting should avoid sweetness, and wine drinkers should also avoid sweetness.
Taste is sweet and salty, nature is warm, non-toxic. Enters the Kidney meridian. Shape resembles an eggplant, color resembles agate; those resembling red jade are superior. Scorch to remove hair, roast with butter.
It supplements Qi and strengthens willpower, fortifies bones and generates teeth, removes limb soreness and pain, and eliminates lower back and spine softness and pain. It is a sacred remedy for consumptive diseases and a miraculous pill for metrorrhagia and metrostaxis.
Antler (When the velvet antler grows for two months, it hardens into horn.) Tonifies the Kidneys, generates essence and marrow, strengthens bones, and fortifies waist and knees. Stops uterine bleeding and hemoptysis, removes abdominal pain, and calms the fetus.
Meat (Sweet and warm) Tonifies the middle, strengthens the Five Zang organs, unblocks vessels, supplements Qi, and enhances strength.
The deer possesses the quality of pure Yang, contains the qi of generation and growth, and its nature is extremely lustful. One male often mates with a hundred females; its Kidney Qi is abundant, sufficient in essence. Therefore, its main uses are most numerous. Its specific function is to strengthen the Yang pathway and supplement essence and marrow.
Velvet Antler: Superior to hardened horn.
Meat: Beneficial to the Spleen.
Contraindicated for phlegm-heat in the Upper Jiao, fire in the Stomach house, and hemoptysis due to Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire. (Raw horn reduces swelling and toxicity, expels bad blood, but is not as effective as Deer Antler Glue in broad application.) The deer is a mountain animal belonging to Yang; shedding antlers at Summer Solstice represents the generation of Yin and retreat of Yang. The elk is a marsh animal belonging to Yin; shedding antlers at Winter Solstice represents the generation of Yang and retreat of Yin. Their main uses differ significantly and must be distinguished.