味辛。入手太阴经。功专开痰止嗽。得白薇、贝母、百部。治肺实鼻塞。得黄连
敷口中疳疮。拣净花。甘草水浸一宿暴用。得紫菀良。杏仁为使。恶皂荚、硝石、玄参。畏
黄、贝母、连翘、麻黄、青葙、辛夷。虽畏贝母。得之反良。
味苦辛。入手太阴经。功专疗咳逆上气。得款冬、百部、乌梅治久咳。得白前、半
夏、大戟治水气喘逆。蜜水浸焙用。款冬为使。恶天雄、瞿麦、 本、远志。畏茵陈。白者
名女菀。
味咸甘温。入手太阴阳明经。功专散结气。得代赭石、半夏治噫气。得葱、新绛
治半产漏下。大肠虚者慎用。根能续筋。筋断者捣汁滴伤处。滓敷其下。半月不开。筋自续
。又名金沸草。
味甘苦微温。入手太阴经。功专治咳嗽杀虫。得生姜治经年寒嗽。去心皮酒浸焙用
。有小毒。洗衣去虱。
味苦。入手太阴足少阴经。功专清喉利膈。得甘草能载引上行入肺。为舟楫之剂。
开提气血。表散寒邪。清利咽喉。下痢腹痛腹满腹鸣。去浮皮。泔浸微炒用。畏龙胆、白芨
。忌猪肉。有甜苦二种。甜者名荠 。
味苦寒。入手太阴经。功专治热咳实证。得甘草治肺气喘急。亦可吐虫。千金方
单服治水肿。去筋膜。取子用。有毒。多服则吐利不止。捣末涂疔肿良。
[Kuandonghua (Flower of Tussilago Farfara)] Pungent in flavor. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its function is specifically to resolve phlegm and stop coughing. When combined with Baiwei (Radix Cynanchi Atrati), Beimu (Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae), and Baibu (Rhizoma Stemonae), it treats nasal congestion due to excess condition of the Lung. Applied externally with Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis) to the mouth, it treats gan sores (oral ulcers). Select clean flowers, soak in Licorice water overnight, then dry in the sun for use. It works well when combined with Ziwan (Radix Asteris). Xingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) serves as the guiding herb. It is incompatible with Zaojiao (Fructus Gleditsiae Sinensis), Xiaoshi (Natrii Sulfas), and Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae). It is adverse to Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Beimu, Lianqiao (Flos Forsythiae), Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae), Qingxiangzi (Semen Celosiae), and Xinyi (Flos Magnoliae Biondii). Although adverse to Beimu, their combination actually enhances efficacy.
[Baiqian (Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii)] Bitter and pungent in flavor. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its function is specifically to treat cough and rebellious Qi. Combined with Kuandonghua, Baibu, and Wumei (Fructus Mume), it treats chronic cough. Combined with Baiqian, Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparata), and Daji (Radix Euphorbiae Kansui), it treats wheezing and rebellious Qi caused by water retention. Soak in honey-water and bake for use. Kuandonghua serves as the guiding herb. Incompatible with Tianxiong (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata), Qumai (Herba Dianthi), Gaoben (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong), and Yuanzhi (Radix Polygalae). Adverse to Yichen (Herba Artemisiae Capillaris). The white variety is called Nuwan (Radix Asteris Tenuifolii).
[Xuanfuku (Flos Inulae)] Salty, sweet, and warm in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Its function is specifically to dissipate stagnant Qi. Combined with Daizheshi (Hematitum) and Banxia, it treats belching. Combined with Congbai (Caulis Allii Fistulosi) and Xinjiang (Stamen Gossypii Herbium), it treats leukorrhea or bleeding after miscarriage. Use with caution in cases of Large Intestine deficiency. The root can knit tendons; for severed tendons, crush and drip the juice onto the injury, and apply the dregs underneath. After half a month, the tendon will heal naturally. Also known as Jinfeicao.
[Sangbaipi (Cortex Mori)] Sweet and bitter, slightly warm in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its function is specifically to treat cough and kill parasites. Combined with Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens), it treats chronic cold coughs lasting years. Remove the pith and bark, soak in wine, and bake for use. It has slight toxicity. It can be used for laundry to remove lice.
[Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis)] Bitter in flavor. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Its function is specifically to clear the throat and benefit the diaphragm. Combined with Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), it guides the medicinal action upward into the Lung, acting as a "vessel agent" (to float other drugs). It raises and lifts Qi and Blood, disperses exterior Cold pathogens, clears and benefits the throat. It treats dysentery with abdominal pain, fullness, and borborygmi. Remove the floating skin, soak in rice washing water, and stir-fry lightly for use. Incompatible with Longdan (Radix Gentianae) and Baiji (Rhizoma Bletillae). Avoid pork. There are two types: sweet and bitter. The sweet one is called Qini (Radix Platycodonis or similar sweet root).
[Tinglizi (Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae)] Bitter and cold in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its function is specifically to treat excess heat-type cough. Combined with Gancao, it treats pulmonary asthma and急促 breathing. It can also induce vomiting of parasites. In the *Qianjin Fang*, taken alone, it treats edema. Remove the membranous connective tissue and use the seeds. It is toxic. Overdose causes continuous vomiting and diarrhea. Crushed into powder and applied to ding sores (carbuncles) is effective.
[Ziwan (Radix Asteris)] Sweet and slightly pungent in flavor. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its function is specifically to descend Qi and transform phlegm. Combined with Jiegeng and Sangbaipi, it treats cough with hemoptysis. Remove the head and root hairs, soak in Licorice water for a day and night, then bake for use. Avoid mutton.