【气味】
辛平无毒。降也。为阳中之阴。手厥阴心包络手足太阳小肠膀胱之药。上能通心清
肺。治头痛。利九窍。下能泄湿热。利小便。通大肠。疗遍身拘痛。及下乳通经。故古方导
赤散用之。实泻南补北。扶西抑东之意也。
【气味】
苦寒无毒。（采得去壳皮草膜及油净用。）
【主治】
降火润肺燥。涤痰结。利咽喉。消痈肿疮毒。凡肺受火逼。失其降。下之令。则致
胸中有痰。得栝蒌甘缓润下之助。则痰自降。又能洗涤胸膈中垢腻郁热。为治消渴之神药。
故张仲景治胸脾痛引心背。咳唾喘息。及结胸满痛。皆用栝蒌实。实取其甘寒不犯胃气。逐
上焦之火。使痰气下降也。
【气味】
甘寒无毒。可升可降。阳中阴也。入手太阴经。
【主治】
肺气喘满。虚劳客热。调中下气。泻肺。利大小肠。降气散血。盖桑白皮甘以固元
气之不足而补虚。辛以泻肺气之有余而止嗽。此其功皆实则泻其子也。大抵为病脉气热盛。
咳
嗽而后喘。面肿身热。小水不利者宜之。谓泻邪所以补正也。若肺虚而小便自利者。桑皮之
性不纯良。不宜多用。
【气味】
辛寒无毒。阴中阳也。
【主治】
通利水道。疗肺壅上气。止喘促。除胸中痰饮。但葶苈属火。性急善下。与大黄同
功。病患稍涉虚者宜远之。
[Flavor and Nature]
Acrid, neutral, non-toxic. Descending in action. It belongs to Yin within Yang. It is a herb that enters the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin and the Small Intestine and Bladder Meridians of Foot-Taiyang and Hand-Taiyang. Superiorly, it can unblock the Heart, clear Lung heat, treat headache, and benefit the nine orifices. Inferiorly, it can drain damp-heat, promote urination, unblock the Large Intestine, treat generalized stiffness and pain, as well as promote lactation and unblock the meridians. Therefore, it is used in the ancient formula Daochi San (Guide Out Red Powder), embodying the intention of "draining the South [Heart Fire] and tonifying the North [Kidney Water], supporting the West [Lung Metal] and suppressing the East [Liver Wood]."
[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, cold, non-toxic. (After harvesting, remove the shell, skin, herbal membrane, and oil, then use the purified material.)
[Indications]
It descends fire, moistens Lung dryness, washes away phlegm nodules, benefits the throat, resolves carbuncles, sores, and toxins. Whenever the Lung is forced by fire and loses its descending function, causing phlegm in the chest, with the assistance of Trichosanthis Fructus (Gualou) which is sweet, mild, moistening, and descending, the phlegm will naturally descend. It can also wash away turbid and stagnant heat in the chest and diaphragm, making it a divine medicine for treating Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome). Thus, Zhang Zhongjing used Gualou Shi (Trichosanthes Fruit) to treat Xiong Bi (Chest Bi syndrome) with pain radiating from the chest to the back, coughing and spitting frothy sputum with wheezing, and Jie Xiong (Chest Binding) with fullness and pain. The fruit is chosen because its sweet and cold nature does not invade the Stomach Qi, drives away fire in the Upper Jiao, and causes phlegm-Qi to descend.
[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, cold, non-toxic. It can ascend and descend; it belongs to Yin within Yang. It enters the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin.
[Indications]
It treats Lung asthma, panting, and distension; deficiency labor with lingering heat; regulates the Middle Jiao and directs Qi downward; drains the Lung; promotes urination and bowel movements; directs Qi downward and disperses blood. The sweetness of Sangbaipi (Morus Alba Root Bark) consolidates insufficient Yuan Qi and tonifies deficiency, while its acridity drains excess Lung Qi and stops cough. These functions all follow the principle of "draining the son when the pathogen is excess." Generally, it is suitable for conditions where the pulse and Qi are hot and vigorous, preceded by cough followed by asthma, facial swelling, body heat, and difficult urination. This is because draining evil supplements the righteous Qi. However, if the Lung is deficient and urination is spontaneous and profuse, the nature of Sangbaipi is not purely benign, and it should not be used excessively.
[Flavor and Nature]
Acrid, cold, non-toxic. It belongs to Yang within Yin.
[Indications]
It promotes the free flow of water passages, treats Lung obstruction with rebellious Qi, stops panting, and eliminates phlegm-fluids in the chest. However, Tinglizi (Descurainiae Semen seu Lepidii Semen) belongs to Fire, has an urgent nature, and acts swiftly downward, sharing similar efficacy with Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma). Patients with even slight deficiency should avoid it.