味苦辛。入足少阴经。功专治健忘。得茯苓入肾通阳。得枣仁通心安神。去心。甘
草水浸一宿用。畏珍珠、藜芦。得茯苓、龙骨良。
味辛。入手少阴足太阴经。功专开发心阳。得犀角、生地、连翘。治热邪入络神
昏。去皮微炒用。秦艽为使。恶麻黄。忌饴糖、羊肉、铁器。
味酸苦。入足厥阴经。功专下达。生用逐瘀。熟用强筋。得肉苁蓉益肾。得杜仲补
肝。性下行滑窍。梦遗失精。及脾虚下陷。因而腿膝肿痛者禁用。下行生用。入滋补药酒浸
蒸。恶龟甲。畏白前。忌羊肉。堕胎。
味兼甘苦。入手太阴经。功专清头目风火。得枸杞便能下行悦肾。术、杞、地骨
皮为使。黄者入阴分。白者入阳分。紫者入血分。
味酸。兼咸苦甘辛。入手太阴足少阴经。功专敛肺经浮游之火。归肾藏散失之元
。得半夏治痰。得阿胶定喘。得吴茱萸治五更肾泄。瞳子散大。咳嗽初起。脉数有实火者忌
用。入滋补药蜜浸蒸。入劳嗽药生用槌碎核。若风寒在肺宜南产者。苁蓉为使。恶葳蕤。
味甘苦。入手太阴经。功专清肺热。得熟地入肾。得人参、五味、枸杞。同为生
脉之剂。性冷利。胃虚无热及泻者忌用。去心皮酒蒸。地黄、贝母为使。恶鲤鱼。
味甘。入手少阴太阴经。功专清心保肺。得地黄、阿胶、麻仁同为润经复脉之剂
。得五味子能都摄肺肾之津液。但性寒而泄。气弱胃寒人禁用。去心用。入滋补药酒浸。地
黄、车前为使。恶款冬花、苦参、青葙、木耳。
[Section 1]
Bitter and acrid. Enters the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. Its efficacy is specifically for treating forgetfulness. When combined with Poria Cocos (Fuling), it enters the Kidney to unblock Yang. When combined with Ziziphus Jujuba Seed (Suanzaoren), it unblocks the Heart and calms the spirit. The heart/core should be removed. Soak in Licorice Root (Gancao) water overnight before use. It opposes Pearl (Zhenzhu) and Veratrum Nigrum (Lilu). It works well when combined with Poria Cocos (Fuling) and Dragon Bone (Longgu).
[Section 2]
Acrid. Enters the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) and Foot-Taiyin (Spleen) meridians. Its efficacy is specifically to develop/unblock Heart Yang. When combined with Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao, note: usually substituted by Water Buffalo Horn in modern practice), Rehmannia Glutinosa Root (Shengdi), and Forsythia Suspensa (Lianqiao), it treats divine confusion caused by heat pathogens entering the collaterals. Remove the peel and stir-fry lightly before use. Gentiana Macrophylla Radix (Qinjiao) serves as an guiding herb. It is incompatible with Ephedra Herba (Mahuang). Avoid Yi Tang (Maltose), mutton, and ironware.
[Section 3]
Sour and bitter. Enters the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) meridian. Its efficacy is specifically to direct downward. Raw use expels blood stasis; cooked use strengthens sinews and bones. Combined with Cistanche Deserticola (Roucongrong), it benefits the Kidney. Combined with Eucommia Ulmoides Bark (Duzhong), it tonifies the Liver. Its nature is descending and slippery, opening orifices. Contraindicated for seminal emission during dreams, loss of essence, and leg/knee swelling and pain caused by Spleen Qi sinking. For downward directing effects, use raw; for inclusion in tonic wines, soak in wine and steam. It opposes Tortoise Plastron (Guijia). It fears Cynanchum Atratum Radix (Baiqian). Avoid mutton. It can induce abortion.
[Section 4]
Sweet and bitter. Enters the Hand-Taiyin (Lung) meridian. Its efficacy is specifically to clear wind-fire from the head and eyes. When combined with Lycium Chinense Fruit (Gouqi), it directs downward and pleases the Kidney. Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Zhushu), Lycium Chinense Fruit (Gouqi), and Lycium Barbarum Rootbark (Digupi) serve as guiding herbs. Yellow ones enter the Yin aspect; white ones enter the Yang aspect; purple ones enter the Blood aspect.
[Section 5]
Sour. Also salty, bitter, sweet, and acrid. Enters the Hand-Taiyin (Lung) and Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridians. Its efficacy is specifically to astringe floating fire of the Lung meridian and gather scattered Yuan Qi in the Kidney. Combined with Pinellia Ternata Rhizome (Banxia), it treats phlegm. Combined with Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao), it stabilizes asthma. Combined with Evodia Routei Fructus (Wuzhuyu), it treats early morning Kidney diarrhea. Contraindicated for dilated pupils, initial stage of cough, and rapid pulse with excess fire. For tonic medicines, soak in honey and steam. For chronic cough medicines, use raw and crush the pits. If Wind-Cold is in the Lung, Southern produced varieties are preferred. Cistanche Deserticola (Roucongrong) serves as a guiding herb. It opposes Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome (Weirui/Yuzhu).
[Section 6]
Sweet and bitter. Enters the Hand-Taiyin (Lung) meridian. Its efficacy is specifically to clear Lung heat. Combined with Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudi), it enters the Kidney. Combined with Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Schisandra Chinensis Fruit (Wuweizi), and Lycium Chinense Fruit (Gouqi), they together form the Shengmai Decoction. Its nature is cold and purgative/laxative. Contraindicated for empty Stomach without heat and for diarrhea. Remove the heart and peel, then steam with wine. Rehmannia Glutinosa Root (Dihuang) and Fritillaria Thunbergii Bulb (Beimu) serve as guiding herbs. It is incompatible with Carp (Li Yu).
[Section 7]
Sweet. Enters the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) and Hand-Taiyin (Lung) meridians. Its efficacy is specifically to clear the Heart and protect the Lung. Combined with Rehmannia Glutinosa Root (Dihuang), Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao), and Cannabis Sativa Seed (Haren), they together form a decoction for moistening channels and restoring the pulse. Combined with Schisandra Chinensis Fruit (Wuweizi), it gathers the fluids of the Lung and Kidney. However, its nature is cold and draining. Contraindicated for those with weak Qi and Cold Stomach. Remove the heart before use. For tonic medicines, soak in wine. Rehmannia Glutini Root (Dihuang) and Plantago Asiatica Seed (Cheqian) serve as guiding herbs. It opposes Adenophora Stricta Flower (Kuandonghua), Sophora Flavescens Root (Kushen), Celosia Cristata Seed (Qingxiang), and Wood Ear Mushroom (Mu'er).