味甘温。入足厥阴经。功专活血通经。除症下胀。金疮要药。得骨碎补延胡索
。治折伤瘀血在腹内。大小便血。为末。茶调服即止。风入疮口肿痛。为末掺之即止。多服
令人吐利。
味苦微寒。入足厥阴经。功专破血通经。杀虫消胀。治气血症瘕痈疮阴肿。
味辛温。入足厥阴阳明经。轻浮上行。功专明目退翳。功胜菊花。亦治喉痹齿痛
。阳明风热。羯羊肝一具不洗。竹刀割开。入谷精草煮熟食之。或作丸茶下。治小儿雀盲。
得决明子、木贼、甘菊、密蒙花、生地治障翳。得防风为末。米饮服之。治目中翳膜神效。
忌铁。
味甘苦咸平。入足厥阴经。功专除风热。治一切目疾。作枕治头风。明目胜于黑
豆。俗呼马蹄决明。恶大麻仁。
味苦微寒。
入厥阴经。功专祛风热。镇肝明目。治青盲障翳虫疥恶疮。瞳子散大者
忌服。一名草决明。
味辛平轻虚。入手太阴经。功专清肺解热。散血止嗽。得马牙硝等分为末。砂糖和
丸芡子大噙之。治失音。但用马勃吹喉。治喉痹喉肿。以蛇退一条烧灰。同马勃绵裹一钱含
咽。治咽痛喉肿。立时即瘥。
Sweet in taste, warm in nature. Enters the Foot Jueyin (Liver) Meridian. Its function is specifically to invigorate blood and unblock the meridians. It eliminates mass accumulation (Zheng) and abdominal distension. It is an essential herb for treating metal weapon injuries (Jinchuang). When combined with Gu Sui Bu (Drynaria Rhizome) and Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome), it treats traumatic injuries with blood stasis accumulated inside the abdomen, as well as hematochezia and hematuria. Grind into powder, mix with tea water to take; bleeding stops immediately. If wind pathogens enter the wound causing swelling and pain, sprinkle the powder directly on the affected area to stop pain. Overconsumption causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature. Enters the Foot Jueyin (Liver) Meridian. Its function is specifically to break up blood stasis and unblock the meridians. It expels parasites and reduces distension. It treats Qi and Blood stagnation masses (Zhijia), carbuncles, sores, and genital swelling.
Pungent in taste, warm in nature. Enters the Foot Jueyin (Liver) and Foot Yangming (Stomach) Meridians. It is light, floating, and moves upward. Its function is specifically to brighten the eyes and remove nebulae (cataracts/opacities). Its efficacy surpasses that of Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower). It also treats Hou Bi (sore throat with obstruction) and toothache. For Wind-Heat in the Yangming channel, take one liver from a castrated male sheep (Jie Yang), do not wash it, cut it open with a bamboo knife, add Gu Jing Cao (Glehniae Fructus or related herb used here for eye issues, literally Grain Essence Grass), cook thoroughly, and eat. Alternatively, make into pills and take with tea. Treats pediatric nyctalopia (night blindness). Combined with Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen), Mu Zei (Equiseti Herba), Gan Ju (Chrysanthemum Morifolium), Mi Meng Hua (Flos Myopsidis), and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), it treats ocular opacities. Combined with Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), grind into powder, take with rice water; it is highly effective for treating ocular membranes. Avoid iron.
Sweet, bitter, and salty in taste, neutral in nature. Enters the Foot Jueyin (Liver) Meridian. Its function is specifically to clear Wind-Heat. It treats all types of eye diseases. Made into a pillow, it treats Tou Feng (head wind/headache). It brightens the eyes better than Hei Dou (Black Soybean). Commonly known as Ma Ti Jue Ming. It is incompatible with Da Ma Ren (Cannabis Seed).
Pungent in taste, warm in nature. Enters the Hand Taiyin (Lung), Foot Taiyin (Spleen), and Foot Jueyin (Liver) Meridians. Its function is specifically to warm the middle jiao and brighten the eyes. It directs downward to resolve fluid retention.
Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature. Enters the Jueyin Meridian. Its function is specifically to dispel Wind-Heat. It calms the Liver and brightens the eyes. It treats Qing Mang (blindness with clear cornea), opacities, parasitic scabies, malignant sores. Contraindicated for those with dilated pupils. Also known as Cao Jue Ming.
Pungent in taste, neutral in nature, light and void in texture. Enters the Hand Taiyin (Lung) Meridian. Its function is specifically to clear the Lungs, resolve Heat, dissipate blood stasis, and stop coughing. Combined with Ma Ya Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) in equal parts, grind into powder, mix with rock sugar to form pills the size of E Zhi (Euphorbia seed), hold in the mouth. Treats aphonia. Using only Ma Bo (Lycoperdon) blown into the throat treats Hou Bi and throat swelling. Take one snake skin, burn to ash, wrap one qian (approx. 3-5g) with Ma Bo in cotton, hold in the throat. Treats sore throat and throat swelling; recovery is immediate.
Bitter in taste, warm in nature, slightly sweet. Slightly toxic. Enters the Foot Jueyin (Liver) Meridian. Its function is specifically to promote bowel movement. It draws out toxins, generates flesh, and removes necrotic tissue. It is an essential external medicine. It can poison dogs. Fan Mu Bie (Strychnos Nux-vomica) treats Hou Pi (throat habit/chronic throat condition).