味苦辛微寒。入手足太阴经。功专利水。治大腹水气。四肢面目浮肿。下痢肿满。
气急喘嗽。小便如血。得大黄、葶苈疗心下伏瘕。一名猫儿眼睛。
味苦。入手太阴足阳明经。功专劫痰截疟。得知母、贝母、草果治诸疟。得丹砂能
劫痰疟。得槟榔、草果治瘴疟。得甘草治肺疟。得豆豉、乌梅、竹叶治肾疟。得小麦、淡竹
叶治温疟。得黄连治久疟。得云母、龙骨治牝疟独寒。得麻黄、甘草、牡蛎治牡疟独热。得
甘草则吐。得大黄则利。若酒浸蒸或炒用则不吐。茎叶名蜀漆。功用略同。惟味辛。生用性
升。炒黑则缓。栝蒌为使。忌葱茗。
味辛寒。入手太阴足阳明经。功专吐膈上风痰。至苦有毒。入口即吐。善通顶。令
人嚏。风证多用之。虚者忌用。头生虮虱。以末掺之。疥癣虫疮。以末搅生麻油涂之。取根
去头用。黄连为使。反细辛、芍药、诸参。恶大黄。畏葱白。服之吐者。服葱白汤即止。与
酒同服杀人。
味甘淡。入手足太阳经。功专通滞。得琥珀、茯苓泻火利水。汗多禁用。古名通草
。今市所售。味苦。不知何故。俟考。
味淡色白。入手太阴足阳明经。功专引热下行。下乳汁。治五淋水肿。目昏耳聋。
鼻塞失音。退热催生。新通草瓦上烧存性研末。用二钱热酒冲服。治头痛牙关已闭者神效。
[Ze Qi (Euphorbiae Helioscopii Herba)]
Bitter, acrid, slightly cold. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridian. Its function is specifically to promote urination and reduce edema. It treats abdominal dropsy (ascites), edema of the four limbs and face, dysentery with abdominal distension, panting and cough due to qi rebellion, and hematuria. Combined with Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Tinglizi (Descurainiae Semen seu Lepidii Semen), it treats hidden masses and accumulations under the heart. Also known as Mao'er Yanjingcao (Cat's Eye Grass).
[Changshan (Dichroae Radix)]
Bitter. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridian. Its function is specifically to subdue phlegm and arrest malaria. Combined with Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), and Caoguo (Tsaoko Fructus), it treats various types of malaria; combined with Dansha (Cinnabaris), it can subdue phlegmatic malaria; combined with Binglang (Arecae Semen) and Caoguo, it treats miasma malaria; combined with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), it treats lung malaria; combined with Douchi (Sojae Semens Praeparatum), Wumei (Mume Fructus), and Zhuye (Phyllostachidis Folium), it treats kidney malaria; combined with Xiaomai (Tritici Semen) and Danzhuye (Lophatheri Herba), it treats warm malaria; combined with Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), it treats chronic malaria; combined with Yunmu (Micrum) and Longgu (Draconis Os), it treats Pin Malaria (malaria characterized by chills), manifesting as isolated cold; combined with Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Gancao, and Muli (Ostrea Concha), it treats Mu Malaria (malaria characterized by fever), manifesting as isolated heat. Used alone, Changshan induces vomiting; combined with Dahuang, it causes purgation. If soaked in wine, steamed, or stir-fried until black before use, it does not induce vomiting. Its stems and leaves are named Shuqi (Changshan's Stem and Leaf), with similar functions but an acrid taste. When used raw, its nature is ascending; when stir-fried until black, its action becomes mild. Trichosanthis Fructus (Gualou) serves as a guiding herb. Avoid consumption with scallions and tea.
[Lilu (Veratri Radix)]
Acrid, cold. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridian. Its function is specifically to vomit out wind-phlegm from the chest and diaphragm. Extremely bitter and toxic, it induces vomiting immediately upon entering the mouth. It effectively unblocks the head, inducing sneezing. It is frequently used for wind disorders, but contraindicated in deficiency patterns. For lice on the head, sprinkle the powder onto the affected area. For tinea, ringworm, and insect sores, mix the powder with raw sesame oil and apply. Use the root, removing the head. Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) serves as a guiding herb. It is incompatible with Xixin (Asari Radix), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), and all types of Renshen (Ginseng Radix). It clashes with Dahuang and fears scallion white. If vomiting occurs after ingestion, drinking scallion water will stop it. Co-administration with alcohol is fatal.
[Mutong (Akebiae Caulis)]
Sweet, bland. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Small Intestine meridian and Foot-Taiyin Bladder meridian. Its function is specifically to unblock stagnation. Combined with Hupo (Succinum) and Fuling (Poria), it clears fire and promotes urination. Contraindicated in cases of excessive sweating. In ancient times, it was called Tongcao. However, what is currently sold in the market has a bitter taste; the reason is unknown and awaits further verification.
[Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla)]
Bland, white in color. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridian. Its function is specifically to guide heat downward, promote lactation, and treat five types of strangury with edema, blurred vision, deafness, nasal congestion, loss of voice, fever reduction, and induction of labor. Burn fresh Tetrapanacis Medulla on a tile until carbonized (preserving its properties), grind into powder, and take 2 qian washed down with hot wine. This is miraculously effective for treating headache with locked jaw.