味苦气沉。入足少阴经。功专去风湿。杀疳虫。得枳壳治风癞热毒。肾虚无热者勿
服。糯米泔浸蒸用。元参为使。恶贝母、菟丝子、漏芦。反藜芦。酒煎醋煎服之即吐。
味苦。入手太阴足阳明经。功专治消渴烦热。得麦冬清肺止渴。得地黄滋肾润燥。
得
人参治妊娠子烦。蓐劳骨蒸。久疟下痢。然苦寒伤胃滑肠。多服令人泻。得酒良。上行酒浸
。下行盐水拌。忌铁。
味苦涩。入足厥阴少阳经。功专清热去湿。得柴胡治目疾。得苍耳治耳中诸实症
。过服损胃。甘草水浸一宿曝用。小豆、贯众为使。忌地黄。
味咸寒。入足厥阴经。功专泻肝。散五脏郁火。解中下焦蓄蕴风热。治伤寒发斑。
得杏仁、柿饼治咯血。得硼砂、冰片名青黛散。吹喉痛。
味苦寒。入足厥阴少阳经。功专治瘟疫热毒。得犀角治阳毒发斑。得沙糖治中暑
发昏。
味甘气寒。入手足阳明太阳经。功专下气逐水。得茴香治水饮痛。得大黄治马脾风
病。若湿热在血分。胃弱气虚人禁用。得木香、干姜良。堕胎。
味苦辛寒。性燥而不淳。入足太阳经。功专下行。汉防己得黄柏知母。去下焦湿肿
。木防己得防风、葵子通小便淋涩。足伤寒湿为香港脚。寒湿郁而为热。湿则肿。热则痛。防
己为主。温加苡仁、苍术、木瓜、木通。热加芩、柏。风加羌活、萆 。痰加竹沥、南星。
痛加香附、木香。活血加四物。大便秘加桃仁、红花。小便秘加牛膝泽泻。痛连肩臂加桂枝
、威灵仙。痛连胁加胆草。若因肾虚足跟痛者。不可同论。即湿热在上焦气分。亦所禁忌。
治风宜用木防己。治水宜用汉防己。酒洗用。恶细辛。畏萆 。
[Kushen] (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix)
Taste bitter, nature heavy and sinking. Enters the Foot Shaoyin Meridian. Its function is specifically to dispel wind-dampness. It kills pinworms (Ganchong). When combined with Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), it treats wind-leprosy and heat-toxin. Contraindicated in cases of Kidney deficiency without heat. It should be soaked in rice water (Nuomigan) and steamed before use. Yuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix) serves as its guiding herb. It is incompatible with Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), and Loulu (Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba). It is chemically opposite to Lilü (Veratrum Nigrum). Decocting with wine or vinegar induces vomiting.
[Fangji] (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix - Han Fangji)
Taste bitter. Enters the Hand Taiyin and Foot Yangming Meridians. Its function is specifically to treat Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) with vexation and heat. Combined with Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), it clears the Lung and stops thirst. Combined with Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), it nourishes the Kidney and moistens dryness. Combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix), it treats Zhi Fan (fetal restlessness during pregnancy), Chulao Guzheng (postpartum consumption with bone-steaming fever), chronic malaria, and dysentery. However, its bitter-cold nature damages the Stomach and lubricates the intestines; excessive use causes diarrhea. Combination with wine enhances efficacy. For upward movement, soak in wine; for downward movement, mix with salt water. Avoid iron.
[Fangji] (Stephaniae Membranaceae Radix - Mu Fangji)
Taste bitter and astringent. Enters the Foot Jueyin and Foot Shaoyang Meridians. Its function is specifically to clear heat and remove dampness. Combined with Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), it treats eye diseases. Combined with Cang'erzi (Xanthii Fructus), it treats various excess syndromes in the ear. Overuse damages the Stomach. Soak in Licorice water (Gancao Shui) overnight, then sun-dry. Xiaodou (Adzuki Bean) and Guanzhong (Cyathulae Rhizoma) serve as guiding herbs. Avoid Dahuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata).
[Qingdai] (Indigo Naturalis)
Taste salty, nature cold. Enters the Foot Jueyin Meridian. Its function is specifically to purge Liver fire. It disperses stagnant fire in the five Zang organs. It resolves accumulated wind-heat in the Middle and Lower Jiao. It treats Shanghan Faban (rash due to Cold Damage). Combined with Xingren (Armeniacae Semen) and Shibing (Persimmon Fruit), it treats hemoptysis. Combined with Pengsha (Borax) and Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum), it forms Qingdai San (Indigo Powder). Blown into the throat for sore throat.
[Qingdai] (Indigo Naturalis - Alternative Entry)
Taste bitter, nature cold. Enters the Foot Jueyin and Foot Shaoyang Meridians. Its function is specifically to treat plague heat-toxin. Combined with Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu), it treats Yang Du Faban (rash due to Yang toxicity). Combined with Shatang (Sugar), it treats heatstroke with fainting.
[Gansui] (Kochiae Radix)
Taste sweet, nature cold. Enters the Hand and Foot Yangming and Taiyang Meridians. Its function is specifically to direct Qi downward and expel retained water. Combined with Huixiang (Foeniculi Fructus), it treats pain from fluid retention. Combined with Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), it treats Ma Pi Feng Bing (equine spleen wind disease). Contraindicated if damp-heat is in the Blood level, and in persons with weak Stomach and Qi deficiency. Combination with Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) and Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) is beneficial. It causes abortion.
[Fangji] (Stephaniae Tetrandrae/Membranaceae Radix - General Discussion)
Taste bitter and acrid, nature cold. Nature is drying but not pure. Enters the Foot Taiyang Meridian. Its function acts specifically downward. Han Fangji combined with Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) removes damp-swelling in the Lower Jiao. Mu Fangji combined with Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Kuizi (Abutili Semen) promotes urination for strangury. Hongxiangjiao (Podagra/Gout) results from Wind-Cold-Damp attacking the feet. Cold-Damp stagnates and transforms into Heat; Damp causes swelling, Heat causes pain. Fangji is the principal herb. For Cold patterns, add Yiren (Coicis Semen), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis). For Heat patterns, add Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex). For Wind patterns, add Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Bibi (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma). For Phlegm patterns, add Zhuli (Bambusae Sap), Nanting (Arisaematis Rhizoma). For severe pain, add Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix). For blood stasis, add Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction). For constipation, add Taoren (Persicae Semen), Honghua (Carthami Flos). For oliguria, add Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma). If pain radiates to shoulders and arms, add Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Weilingxian (Saposhnikoviae Radix). If pain radiates to hypochondrium, add Dancao (Gentianae Radix). Cases of heel pain due to Kidney deficiency cannot be discussed under this category. Even if damp-heat is in the Upper Jiao Qi level, it is contraindicated. For treating Wind, use Mu Fangji; for treating Water, use Han Fangji. Wash with wine before use. Incompatible with Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma). Feared by Bibi (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma).