味辛寒。入手太阴阳明经。足太阳经。功专降气止喘。治上气水蓄。得汉防己治阳
水暴肿。得大枣治肺壅喘急。有甜苦二种。甜者性缓。苦者性急。泄肺伤胃。宜与大枣同用
。得酒良。榆皮为使。糯米微炒。去米入汤剂。
味甘苦寒。入足太阳经。功专疗十二种水。得大黄、阿胶治妇人血结。得大麦面治
膜外水气。虚者忌用。面裹煨熟。用瓜蒂为使。恶远志。反甘草。仲景治心下留饮。与甘草
同用。取其相反以立功也。有治水肿及肿毒。均以甘遂末敷肿处。浓煎甘草服之。其肿立消
。
味苦寒。入足太阳经。功专治十二种水。得甘遂、白芥子疗水气胀满。得干姜治水
肿喘急。通经堕胎。误服损真气。白者伤人。浆水煮去骨。得大枣良。畏菖蒲。反甘草。
苦寒。入足太阳经。有毒。沉阴下行。与大戟、甘遂、相等。功专治水气胀满。若
喉痹不通。切薄片醋炒涂喉中良。堕胎。令人见鬼神。赤者伤人。只堪贴脐。入麝三分。捣
贴。小便利则肿消。黑豆汤浸蒸用。得蒜良。
味辛温。入足太阳经。功专泄水。治心腹胀满。水气寒痰。得大戟、甘遂为赘瘤焦
法。得大黄、甘草、大枣、芒硝治水肿支饮。陈久者良。醋煮过。水浸曝用。根疗疥子毒鱼
。反甘草。讼者取叶擦皮肤辄作赤肿假伤以诬人。虚者服必夭折。惟十枣汤用之为君药。
[Tingli] (Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semis)
Pungent in flavor, cold in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, and Foot-Taiyin Bladder Meridian. Its function is specialized in descending Qi and relieving asthma. It treats rebellious Qi and water retention. When combined with Han Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), it treats sudden severe edema of Yang Water type. When combined with Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), it treats lung congestion causing urgent wheezing. There are two types: sweet and bitter. The sweet type has a mild nature; the bitter type has an urgent/strong nature, which drains the Lungs and damages the Stomach, so it should be used with Dazao (Jujubae Fructus). Wine-processing improves its efficacy. Yu Pi (Ulmus Cortex) serves as the guiding herb. Lightly stir-fry with glutinous rice, remove the rice, and use Tingli for decoction.
[Yuanhua] (Genkwa Flos)
Sweet and pungent in flavor, cold in nature. Enters the Foot-Taiyin Bladder Meridian. Its function is specialized in treating twelve types of water disorders. When combined with Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), it treats blood stagnation in women. When combined with Damai Mian (Hordei Farinaceous), it treats water qi outside the membranes. Contraindicated in deficiency cases. Wrap in flour and roast until cooked. Gudi (Cucumeris Fructus) serves as the guiding herb. It is inimical to Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix). It is incompatible with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). Zhang Zhongjing used it together with Gancao when treating retained fluid under the heart, taking advantage of their antagonistic relationship to achieve therapeutic effect. Another method for treating edema and swelling/toxins involves applying powder of Gansui (Kansui Radix) to the swollen area and drinking a strong decoction of Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma); the swelling disappears immediately.
[Gansui] (Kansui Radix)
Bitter in flavor, cold in nature. Enters the Foot-Taiyin Bladder Meridian. Its function is specialized in treating twelve types of water disorders. When combined with Gansui (Kansui Radix) and Baijiezi (Sinapis Semen), it treats water qi causing distension and fullness. When combined with Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), it treats edema with urgent wheezing. It unblocks menstruation and induces abortion. Accidental ingestion damages true Qi. The white variety harms people. Boil in grain vinegar to remove bones (Note: literal translation of text). Combined with Dazao (Jujubae Fructus) yields good results. It fears Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma). It is incompatible with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma).
[Jingdaji] (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix)
Bitter in flavor, cold in nature. Enters the Foot-Taiyin Bladder Meridian. Toxic. It is heavy, yin, and descends. Its efficacy is equal to that of Daji and Gansui. Its function is specialized in treating water qi causing distension and fullness. If suffering from throat obstruction (Houbi), cut into thin slices, stir-fry with vinegar, and apply to the throat; this is effective. It induces abortion. It causes hallucinations of seeing ghosts and spirits. The red variety harms people. It can only be applied externally to the navel. Add 3 fen of Shexiang (Moschus), pound into paste, and apply. When urination becomes smooth, the swelling subsides. Soak in black bean soup and steam before use. Combined with Suan (Allium Sativum) yields good results.
[Shanglu] (Phytolaccae Radix)
Pungent in flavor, warm in nature. Enters the Foot-Taiyin Bladder Meridian. Its function is specialized in draining water. It treats epigastric and abdominal distension/fullness, water qi, and cold phlegm. Combined with Daji and Gansui, it is used in the scorching method for赘瘤 (fibroids/lipomas - literal: redundant tumors). Combined with Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas), it treats edema with obstructive fluid retention. Aged material is better. Boil in vinegar. Soak in water and sun-dry for use. The root treats sores and fish toxins (literal translation). It is incompatible with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). Litigants take its leaves to rub on the skin, causing redness and swelling to falsely injure others and frame them. Deficiency patients who take it will die prematurely. Only in Shizao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction) is it used as the sovereign herb.