味辛温。入手足厥阴经。功专疗妇人血闭无子。得细辛疗金疮止痛。得牡蛎疗头风
。得生犀角去痰清目。得腊茶疗产后头痛。得乌药疗气厥头痛。目泪多涕。木郁为病。然单
服多服。令人暴亡。经过三月用末空心热汤调一匙服。微动者是胎。齿败口臭水煮含之佳。
白芷为使。畏黄连、硝石、滑石。恶黄 、山茱萸。
味酸。入手足太阴经。功专制肝补脾。得人参补气。得当归养血。得白术补脾。得
川芎泻肝。得甘草治腹痛。得黄连止痢。得防风发痘症。得姜枣温经散湿。入药炒用。血分
醋炒。下痢后重生用。恶芒硝、石斛、鳖甲、小蓟。反藜芦。赤者利水行血。
味苦。入足厥阴经。功专治劳伤血证。得麦冬复脉内之阴。得木通导小肠之热。痘
症热甚。多服损胃。酒制不伤胃。生寒。干凉。熟温。
味甘。入足少阴经。功专生精填髓。得砂仁行气。酒煮和血。复得久曝得太阳真火
。能使虚阳归宿丹田。酒制上行外行。姜制则不泥。恶贝母。畏芜荑。忌莱菔、葱、蒜铜铁
器。得酒、门冬、丹皮、当归良。
味苦涩。入足厥阴经。功专消痈肿。益精髓。得当归、枸杞、菟丝、骨脂、芝麻
固精延年。得胡麻治大风疠疾。黑豆与首乌拌匀铺柳甑。入砂锅。九蒸九晒。用茯苓为使。
忌诸血、无鳞鱼、莱菔、葱、蒜、铁器。
Pungent and warm in nature. Enters the Hand and Foot Jueyin (Liver) meridians. Its efficacy is specifically for treating amenorrhea (blood obstruction) leading to infertility in women. When combined with Xixin (Asari Radix), it treats metal wounds and alleviates pain. When combined with Muli (Oyster Shell), it treats Toufeng (head wind/headache). When combined with Sheng Xijiao (Rhino Horn, raw), it resolves phlegm and clears the eyes. When combined with Lacha (aged tea), it treats postpartum headache. When combined with Wuyao (Lindera Root), it treats headache caused by Qi jue (Qi reversal). Symptoms of excessive tearing and nasal discharge indicate Bing due to Mu Yu (Wood stagnation/Liver Qi constraint). However, single or excessive use can cause sudden death. The correct usage involves processing for three months, grinding into powder, and taking one spoonful mixed with hot water on an empty stomach; a slight fetal movement indicates pregnancy. For decaying teeth and halitosis, boiling in water and gargling is beneficial. Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) serves as the guiding herb. It is incompatible with Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizome), Xiaoshi (Niter), and Huashi (Talcum). It opposes Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus).
Sour in taste. Enters the Hand and Foot Taiyin (Spleen) meridians. Its efficacy specifically restrains Liver excess and tonifies Spleen Qi. Combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), it tonifies Qi. Combined with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), it nourishes Blood. Combined with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), it tonifies the Spleen. Combined with Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), it drains Liver fire. Combined with Gancao (Licorice Root), it treats abdominal pain. Combined with Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizome), it stops dysentery. Combined with Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), it promotes the eruption of smallpox/rashes. Combined with Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Zao (Jujubae Fructus), it warms the meridians and disperses dampness. In decoctions, stir-fry before use. For blood-level disorders, stir-fry with vinegar; for dysentery followed by regeneration, use raw. It opposes Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Biejia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), and Xiaoji (Cirsii Herba). It is contrary to Lilu (Veratri Radix). Red-colored varieties promote urination and move blood.
Bitter in taste. Enters the Foot Jueyin (Liver) meridian. Its efficacy is specifically for treating blood syndromes caused by劳伤 (labor injury/exhaustion). Combined with Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), it restores Yin within the vessels. Combined mutong (Akebiae Caulis), it guides heat from the Small Intestine downward. In severe heat conditions of rashes, excessive use damages the Stomach. Wine-processing prevents damage to the Stomach. Raw form is cold and dry-cool; cooked form is warm.
Sweet in taste. Enters the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. Its efficacy is specifically for generating essence and filling marrow. Combined with Sharen (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), it moves Qi. Wine-boiling harmonizes blood. Further sun-drying for a long time absorbs the true fire of the Sun, enabling deficient Yang to return to the Dantian. Wine-processing makes the action ascend and move outward. Ginger-processing prevents cloying/stagnation. It opposes Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus). It fears Wuyi (Allophylus Seed). Avoid consuming Laifu (Radish), Cong (Scallion), Suan (Garlic), and copper/iron vessels. Combinations with Jiu (Wine), Mendong (Ophiopogon), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) are excellent.
Bitter and astringent in taste. Enters the Foot Jueyin (Liver) meridian. Its efficacy is specifically for resolving carbuncles and swellings, and benefiting essence and marrow. Combined with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), Guzhi (Psoraleae Fructus), and Zhima (Sesami Semen), it secures essence and prolongs life. Combined with Huma (Sesamum Indicum), it treats Dafeng Liji (leprosy/severe skin disease). Mix black beans with Shouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix), spread them in a willow steamer, place in a clay pot, and process through nine steamings and nine sun-dryings. Fu Ling (Poria) serves as the guiding herb. Avoid all meats, scaleless fish, Laifu (Radish), Cong (Scallion), Suan (Garlic), and iron vessels.