味辛，性温。入胃经。
破瘴疠之疟，消痰食之愆。
气猛而浊，故前人以仲由未见孔子时气象比之。
疟不由于岚瘴，气不实，邪不盛者并忌。
味辛、苦，性寒，有毒。入肝经。酒炒透。
疗痰饮有灵，截疟疾必效。
常山去老痰积饮，为疟家要药。必须好酒久炒令透，不尔使人吐也。
常山猛烈，施之强壮者多效。若稍稍挟虚，不可轻入。
味甘，性平，无毒。入脾经。
清热除瘟，消痈解毒。净咽喉，治龈舌。风温温毒，火丹疮疖。可宽膨胀，能疗痢血。
取用
其藤，通经入络。饮用其叶，祛暑止渴。
禀春气以生，性极中和，故无禁忌。乃清解热毒之良药也。藤名忍冬、另有专条。
味苦，性寒，无毒。入心、胃、胆、肾、大肠五经。
清热解毒，消肿凉血。除胸中火焰，散诸经血结。
手少阴主药也。诸疮痛痒，皆属心火，故为疮家要药。
连翘苦寒，多服即减食，谨之。
味辛，性寒，无毒。入肺，大肠二经。山茱萸、龙骨为使。畏丹砂、牡丹、藜芦。酒浸
蒸熟
，曝之。
中枯而大者，清肺部而止嗽化痰，并理目赤疔痈。坚实而细者，泻大肠，而除湿治痢，
兼可
安胎利水。
苦能燥湿，苦能泄热，苦能下气，故治疗如下∶经飘者上行，坚重者下降，不可不别也。
杨
仁斋谓∶柴胡退热，不及黄芩，不知柴胡苦以发之，出火之标，黄芩寒以胜热，折火之本。
又黄芩所清为腑热，柴胡所解为经热。
苦寒伤胃，证挟虚寒者均戒，女人虚胎亦不宜与。
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature. Enters the Stomach Meridian (Zu Yang Ming Wei Jing).
Breaks through malaria caused by miasma, eliminates ailments due to phlegm-dampness and food stagnation.
Its qi is fierce and turbid; therefore, predecessors compared it to the demeanor of Zhong You (Zilu) before he met Confucius.
It is contraindicated if the malaria is not caused by mountain miasma, or if the patient's healthy qi is deficient and pathogenic factors are not vigorous.
Pungent and bitter in flavor, cold in nature, toxic. Enters the Liver Meridian (Zu Jue Yin Gan Jing). Must be stir-fried thoroughly with wine.
Treats phlegm-fluid retention with spiritual efficacy, effectively arrests malaria.
Changshan (Dichroa Radix) removes old phlegm and accumulated fluids, serving as a crucial herb for malaria patients. It must be stir-fried thoroughly with good wine for a long time; otherwise, it induces vomiting.
Changshan is potent; it is effective when applied to robust individuals. If there is even slight deficiency, it should not be used lightly.
Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen Meridian (Zu Tai Yin Pi Jing).
Clears heat and eliminates epidemic toxins, dissipates carbuncles and detoxifies. Purifies the throat, treats gingival and lingual disorders. Addresses wind-warmth and warm-toxins, as well as erysipelas, sores, and boils. Can alleviate abdominal distension and treat dysentery with blood.
Usage:
Its vine unblocks meridians and enters collaterals. Its leaves are drunk to dispel summerheat and quench thirst.
Born receiving the qi of spring, its nature is extremely moderate and balanced; thus, it has no contraindications. It is an excellent medicine for clearing and resolving heat-toxins. The vine is known as Rendong (Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis), which has a separate entry.
Bitter in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters five meridians: Heart Meridian (Shou Shao Yin Xin Jing), Stomach Meridian (Zu Yang Ming Wei Jing), Gallbladder Meridian (Zu Shao Yang Dan Jing), Kidney Meridian (Zu Shao Yin Shen Jing), and Large Intestine Meridian (Shou Yang Ming Da Chang Jing).
Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and cools blood. Removes flame-like fire from the chest, disperses blood stasis in various meridians.
It is the principal herb for the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. All sores' pain and itching belong to Heart Fire; therefore, it is a key herb for treating sores.
Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) is bitter and cold; excessive consumption reduces appetite, so caution is advised.
Pungent in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters two meridians: Lung Meridian (Shou Tai Yin Fei Jing) and Large Intestine Meridian (Shou Yang Ming Da Chang Jing). Used with Cornus Officinalis Fructus (Shanzhuyu) and Dragon Bone (Longgu) as guiding herbs. Incompatible with Cinnabar (Dansha), Peony Root (Mudanpi), and Veratrum Rhizome (Lilu). Soaked in wine, steamed, and sun-dried.
Those that are hollow inside and large clear the Lungs, stop coughing, resolve phlegm, and regulate red eyes, ding-sores, and carbuncles. Those that are solid and fine purge the Large Intestine, dispel dampness, treat dysentery, and can also calm the fetus and promote urination.
Bitterness can dry dampness, bitterness can drain heat, and bitterness can direct qi downward; thus, therapeutic effects vary as follows: Light and floating materials ascend, while heavy and solid materials descend; this distinction must not be overlooked.
Yang Renzhai stated: Chaihu's ability to reduce fever is inferior to Huangqin; this reflects a lack of understanding that Chaihu's pungency disperses, releasing the superficial aspect of fire, whereas Huangqin's coldness overcomes heat, breaking the root of fire.
Furthermore, the heat cleared by Huangqin is Fu-organ heat, while the heat resolved by Chaihu is Jing-meridian heat.
Bitter-cold damages the Stomach; it is strictly prohibited for syndromes accompanied by deficiency-cold, and unsuitable for pregnant women with fetal deficiency.