味苦温。入手太阴阳明经。功专下气涩肠。得乌梅五味则收敛。得橘皮、浓朴则泄
气。得肉果治水泻下利。得人参治肺虚寒嗽。得陈皮、砂仁治冷气腹胀。佐白术、莲子治虚
寒久泻。佐樗皮治肠 便血。同蛇床、五味、山茱、续断、杜仲治虚寒带下。嗽痢初起。气
虚肺热。湿热。火冲气喘。均忌。用宜酒蒸。去核焙。生用清金行气。熟用温胃固肠。核止
咳痢。一名诃黎勒。
味辛温。入足阳明少阴经。功专消风顺气。得沉香治胸腹冷气。得益智仁治小便频
数。得茴香、青皮、良姜治五积切痛。得人参、沉香、槟榔各磨浓汁合煎。治诸喘。气血虚
而有内热者勿单服。酒浸一宿。炒或 研用。并疗猫狗百病。
味辛。入足厥阴少阴经。功专壮筋骨。除风湿。得地骨皮治虚劳。得丹皮、当归
治妇人血风。下部无风寒湿邪而有火。及肝肾虚而有火者勿服。远志为使。恶元参。叶作蔬
食。去皮肤风湿。
味苦温。入足阳明经。功专杀虫止利。得诃子、母丁香醋治休息利。得苍术、枳壳
治脾毒肠风。得干姜、白芍、黄柏治湿热白带。得参为末。每日空心温酒或米饮下二钱。治
年久脏毒血痢神效。性似寒。虚寒阴虚以及痢疾积滞未尽者勿服。去粗皮。醋炙或蜜炙。忌
猪肉热面。
味平滑利。入手太阳阳明经。功专通二便。利诸窍。行经脉。渗湿热。滑胎。下
有形留滞之物。治五淋肿满。嗽喘不眠。以醋调涂妒乳效。火灼伤以末涂之良。去粗皮。取
白用。
Bitter and warm. Enters the Lung (Taiyin) and Large Intestine (Yangming) meridians. Its function is specifically to direct Qi downward and astringe the intestines. When combined with Wu Mei (Mume Fruit) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry), it has an astringent effect; when combined with Ju Pi (Citrus Peel) and Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), it promotes the movement of Qi. Combined with Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg), it treats watery diarrhea and dysentery. Combined with Ren Shen (Ginseng), it treats cough due to Lung deficiency and cold. Combined with Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel) and Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), it treats abdominal distension caused by cold qi. With Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) and Lian Zi (Lotus Seed), it treats chronic diarrhea due to deficiency-cold. With Chu Pi (Catechu Bark), it treats hematochezia from the intestines. Combined with She Chuang Zi (Cnidium Fruit), Wu Wei Zi, Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit), Xu Duan (Dipsacus Root), and Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), it treats leukorrhea due to deficiency-cold. It is contraindicated in early stages of cough and dysentery, as well as in cases of Qi deficiency with Lung heat, damp-heat, and wheezing/panting due to flaming fire. It should be steamed with wine, pitted, and roasted for use. Raw form clears the Lungs and moves Qi; cooked form warms the Stomach and secures the intestines. The pit stops cough and dysentery. Also known as He Li Le.
Acrid and warm. Enters the Stomach (Yangming) and Kidney (Shaoyin) meridians. Its function is specifically to eliminate wind and regulate Qi. Combined with Chen Xiang (Aquilaria Wood), it treats cold qi in the chest and abdomen. Combined with Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit), it treats frequent urination. Combined with Hui Xiang (Fennel), Qing Pi (Unripe Citrus Peel), and Liang Jiang (Galangal), it treats severe pain caused by the Five Accumulations. Combined with Ren Shen, Chen Xiang, and Bing Lang (Areca Seed), each ground into thick juice and decocted together, it treats various types of asthma/wheezing. It should not be taken alone by those with Qi and Blood deficiency accompanied by internal heat. Soak in wine overnight, then stir-fry or grind for use. It is also used to treat various diseases in cats and dogs.
Acrid. Enters the Liver (Jueyin) and Kidney (Shaoyin) meridians. Its function is specifically to strengthen sinews and bones, and dispel wind-dampness. Combined with Di Gu Pi (Lycium Bark), it treats consumptive disease (Xu Lao). Combined with Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), it treats blood-wind syndrome in women. It is contraindicated in cases where there is no wind-cold-dampness in the lower body but there is fire, as well as in cases of Liver and Kidney deficiency with fire. Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root) serves as the guiding herb. It is incompatible with Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root). The leaves can be eaten as vegetables and remove wind-dampness from the skin.
Bitter and warm. Enters the Stomach (Yangming) meridian. Its function is specifically to kill parasites and stop diarrhea/dysentery. Combined with He Zi (Chebula Fruit) and Mu Ding Xiang (Cloves) processed with vinegar, it treats relapsing dysentery (Xiuxi Li). Combined with Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome) and Zhi Ke (Aurantium Fruit), it treats spleen toxicity and intestinal wind. Combined with Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), and Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark), it treats leukorrhea due to damp-heat. Ground into powder, taken orally twice daily on an empty stomach with warm wine or rice water, it is highly effective for treating long-standing visceral toxin bloody dysentery. Its nature resembles cold. It is contraindicated in deficiency-cold, Yin deficiency, and cases where dysentery pathogens have not been fully eliminated. Remove the coarse bark; process with vinegar or honey. Contraindicated with pork and hot noodles.
Sweet, smooth, and slippery. Enters the Bladder (Taiyang) and Large Intestine (Yangming) meridians. Its function is specifically to unblock both urine and feces, benefit all orifices, move through meridians, and leach out damp-heat. It has a lubricating effect that may induce abortion (slippery fetus) and expels tangible stagnant matter. It treats five types of strangury with swelling and fullness, cough, wheezing, and insomnia. Applied topically mixed with vinegar, it is effective for acute mastitis (Du Ru). For burns, applying the powder is beneficial. Remove the coarse bark and use the white inner part.