味苦涩。入足厥阴少阳经。功专治风寒湿痹。得黄连、阿胶、白头翁治产后下痢。
以秦皮煎汤。日日温洗。治赤眼生翳效。细辛、大戟为使。恶吴茱萸。
味苦辛。入足太阴阳明经。功专祛风去湿杀虫。得苡仁、牛膝、川芎、羌活、地
骨皮、五加皮、生地酒浸饮。治风 顽痹。腰膝疼痛。以蛇床子合为末。用腊猪脂调搽风癣
良。
味甘微寒。入手少阴厥阴太阴经。功专消风散热。益水生光。治目赤肿痛 烂泪出
。心腹邪热结气痰痞。得细辛、竹叶煎水洗。治飞血眼。
味甘微寒。入足厥阴经。功专润燥。治目疾。得黄柏为丸。治目翳良。拣净酒润
焙用。
味辛平。性滑涎粘。入手太阴经。功专清肺凉血。散热止痛。或花或叶。或皮或
根。生捣或干研为末。蜜调涂一切痈疽。留头。干则换之再涂。初起则痛止肿消。已成则脓
出易敛。所云清凉膏、清露散、铁箍散、皆此物。如加赤小豆末或苍耳烧存性为末亦妙。经
水不止。以芙蓉花、莲蓬壳等分为末。米饮下二钱效。
味甘辛寒。入足厥阴手阳明经。功专凉血。治吐衄肠风下血。汤火伤。麻油调涂
。鼻衄以之烧灰塞鼻效。用红者良。
味辛温。入手太阴经。功专去恶气。散风毒。治香港脚肿痛。心腹胀满。洗毒疮。郑
洵美以柳子浓得香港脚。半夜痞绝。胁块如石。昏困欲死。传用杉木节一升。橘叶一升。无叶
以皮代。大腹槟榔七枚。连子捶碎。童便三升。煮分二服。服一服。少顷大下。块散气通。
名杉木汤。
[Cortex Fraxini] (Qinpi)
Taste: Bitter, astringent.
Meridian Tropism: Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.
Functions: Specifically treats Wind-Cold-Damp Bi syndrome (painful obstruction caused by wind, cold, and dampness pathogens).
Combinations: When combined with Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Coagulum Corii Asini (Ejiao), and Pulsatillae Radix (Baitouweng), it treats postpartum dysentery.
External Use: Decoct Cortex Fraxini in water and wash daily with warm liquid; effective for red eyes with corneal opacity (clouding of the cornea).
Interactions: Used with Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin) and Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix (Daji) as guiding herbs.
Contraindications: Adverse reaction with Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu).
[Cortex Acanthopanacis Senticosi] (Wujia Pi)
Taste: Bitter, acrid.
Meridian Tropism: Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian.
Functions: Specifically dispels wind, removes dampness, and eliminates parasites.
Combinations: When combined with Coicis Semen (Yiren), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong), Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Cortex Lycii Radicis (Digupi), Cortex Acanthopanacis Senticosi (Wujia Pi), and Rehmanniae Radix Recens (Shengdi), soaked in wine and drunk, it treats stubborn Bi syndrome and pain in the waist and knees.
External Use: Mix Selandri Semen (Chuanshenzi) into powder, blend with lard from the twelfth lunar month, and apply topically; effective for tinea corporis (wind xuan).
[Flos Chrysanthemi Indici] (Juhua)
Taste: Sweet, slightly cold.
Meridian Tropism: Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Functions: Specifically disperses wind-heat, clears liver heat, benefits vision, nourishes yin, and generates fluids.
Indications: Treats red, swollen, painful eyes with excessive tearing. Treats pathogenic heat, qi stagnation, and phlegm痞 (fullness/blockage) in the heart and abdomen.
External Use: Combine with Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin) and Houttuyniae Herba (Zhuyeqing), decoct in water, and wash externally; effective for "flying blood eye" (acute conjunctivitis or retinal hemorrhage-like conditions).
[Semen Cassiae] (Juemingzi)
Taste: Sweet, slightly cold.
Meridian Tropism: Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian.
Functions: Specifically moistens dryness and treats eye diseases.
Combinations: Combined with Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai) to make pills; effective for corneal opacity.
Preparation: Select clean seeds, moisten with wine, bake until dry, and use.
[Flos Hibisci Mutabilis] (Furong Hua)
Taste: Acrid, neutral.
Nature: Slippery, viscous.
Meridian Tropism: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Functions: Specifically clears lung heat, cools blood, dissipates heat, and relieves pain.
Usage: Flowers, leaves, bark, or roots can be freshly crushed or dried and powdered. Mix with honey and apply to all sores and carbuncles, keeping the head intact (not draining pus initially). Change application when dry. In early stages, pain stops and swelling subsides; in advanced stages with suppuration, pus drains easily and healing occurs. The formulas Qingliang Gao (Cooling Paste), Qinglu San (Clear Dew Powder), and Tiegu San (Iron Hoop Powder) are all derived from this herb. Adding Semen Phaseoli Vulgaris Rubri (Chixiaodou) powder or Xanthii Fructus (Cangerzi) calcined to retain its nature and powdered also yields excellent results.
Internal Use: For metrorrhagia (persistent menstrual bleeding), mix Flos Hibisci Mutabilis and Pericarpium Nelumbinis (Lianpengke) in equal parts into powder, take 2 qian with rice water; effective.
[Flos Sophorae Flavescentis / Fructus Sophorae Japonicae] (Huaihua/Huaijiao)
Taste: Sweet, acrid, cold.
Meridian Tropism: Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.
Functions: Specifically cools blood and stops bleeding.
Indications: Treats hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), intestinal wind bleeding (hematochezia), and burns/scalds. Apply mixed with Sesame Oil (Mahu You) topically. For epistaxis, burn to ash and pack into the nostrils; effective. Red-colored specimens are preferred.
[Lignum Camphorae Sinense] (Shanmu)
Taste: Acrid, warm.
Meridian Tropism: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Functions: Specifically eliminates foul qi, disperses wind-toxicity.
Indications: Treats podagra (gouty arthritis) with swelling and pain, abdominal distension and fullness, and toxic sores (for washing).
Case Record: Zheng Xunmei suffered severe podagra after consuming willow seeds. At midnight, he experienced sudden qi obstruction, hard masses in the hypochondrium like stone, coma, drowsiness, and near-death state. The transmitted formula uses Lignum Camphorae Sinense (Shanmu Jie) 1 sheng, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride (Juye) 1 sheng (use bark if leaves are unavailable), Arecae Semen (Dafu Binglang) 7 pieces (crushed with seeds), and Child's Urine (Tongbian) 3 sheng. Decoct, divide into two doses. After one dose, profuse bowel movement occurs shortly thereafter, masses dissipate, and qi flows freely. This formula is named Shanmu Tang.