味甘酸而润。入手少阴足少阳经。功专安神定志。得人参、茯苓治盗汗。得辰砂
、乳香治胆虚不寐。炒用。恶防己。
味苦辛。入足厥阴经。功专治肝虚。得羊肾治肾虚腰痛。得牡蛎治虚汗。得糯米、
山药、枣肉治胎漏胎坠。得补骨脂、青盐、枸杞能壮肾阳。或酥酒炙。蜜炙盐酒炒。姜汁炒
。炒断丝用。恶元参。
味甘苦而平。入足少阴经。功专益肝肾。安五脏。强腰膝。明耳目。得旱莲草、
桑椹治虚损百病。惟阴虚者宜之。否则腹痛作泻。冬至采佳。捣汁熬膏。净瓶收固。埋地中
七日。以之点风火赤眼神效。即冬青子也。叶苦平。除风散血消肿。治头痛目昏诸恶疮肿。
以水煮叶。汤贴 疮溃烂神效。
味甘。入足太阴少阴经。功专软骨。得茯苓治水气臌胀。研末涂身面石疽。水浸取
沉香。酒蒸用。皮治水肿气满尤捷。以汁和白芨飞面。调和接纸。永不解脱。叶甘凉。祛湿
热。治老少下痢瘴痢。为末。白痢姜汤下。赤痢沙糖汤下。一名谷实。
味甘。入手太阴经。得地骨皮泻肺。得白茯苓利水。得糯米治咳嗽吐血。肺气虚
及风寒作嗽者慎用。续断、桂心为使。忌铁。
味甘苦。入手足太阴经。功专去风湿拘挛。得桂枝治肩臂痹痛。得槐枝、柳枝、桃
枝洗遍身痒。
味甘酸温。色紫黑。入足厥阴少阴经。功专补水利五脏关节。安魂镇神。聪耳明目
。生津止渴。解金石药之燥。并利水消肿。醒酒乌须。多食致衄。晒干为末。蜜丸良。鲜者
煎膏入蜜炼稠。点汤服。名文武膏。能治瘰 。入烧酒经年愈佳。
(Suanzaoren, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae) Sweet and sour in taste, moistening. Enters the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) and Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridians. Its function is specifically to calm the mind and stabilize the will. Combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Fuling (Poria), it treats night sweats. Combined with Chen Sha (Cinnabar) and Rushi (Olibanum), it treats insomnia due to Gallbladder deficiency. Used after stir-frying. Adverse reaction with Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix).
(Xuduan, Dipsaci Radix) Bitter and acrid in taste. Enters the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) meridian. Its function is specifically to treat Liver deficiency. Combined with Yangshen (Kidney of Sheep), it treats lower back pain due to Kidney deficiency. Combined with Muli (Concha Ostreae), it treats spontaneous sweating. Combined with Nuomi (Oryza Sativa Germ), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), and Zaorou (Mesocarp of Jujube), it treats fetal leakage (vaginal bleeding during pregnancy) and threatened abortion. Combined with Buguzhi (Fructus Psoraleae), Qingyan (Halitum), and Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), it strengthens Kidney-Yang. Can be processed with lard or wine, honey-roasted, salt-wine fried, or ginger juice-fried. Use when the fibers break upon snapping. Adverse reaction with Yuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix).
(Dongqingzi, Ilicis Fructus) Sweet, bitter, and neutral in taste. Enters the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian. Its function is specifically to benefit the Liver and Kidney. Calms the five Zang organs. Strengthens the waist and knees. Clarifies the eyes and ears. Combined with Hanliancao (Ecliptae Herba) and Sangshen (Mori Fructus), it treats various consumptive diseases. Suitable only for those with Yin deficiency; otherwise, it causes abdominal pain and diarrhea. Best harvested on the Winter Solstice. Crushed and juiced, then boiled into a paste. Stored tightly in clean bottles. Buried in the ground for seven days. Applying it to the eyes cures wind-fire red eyes effectively. This is Dongqingzi. Its leaves are bitter and neutral. Dispels wind, dissipates blood stasis, reduces swelling, and relieves toxicity. Treats headache, blurred vision, and various malignant sores and swellings. Boil the leaves in water and apply the decoction externally to ulcerated sores; highly effective.
(Gushi, Sorghum Fruit) Sweet in taste. Enters the Foot-Taiyin (Spleen) and Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridians. Its function is specifically to soften bones. Combined with Fuling (Poria), it treats distension due to water retention. Ground into powder and applied topically to Shiju (hard tumors). Soak Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum) in water, take the liquid, and steam with wine. The peel is particularly effective for treating edema and abdominal fullness. Mix its juice with Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma) and refined flour to paste paper; it never detaches. Its leaves are sweet and cool. Disperses damp-heat. Treats dysentery and malarial dysentery in both young and old. Ground into powder: administer white dysentery with ginger soup, red dysentery with sugar water. Also known as Gushi.
(Wuweizi, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) Sweet in taste. Enters the Hand-Taiyin (Lung) meridian. Combined with Digupi (Lycei Cortex), it drains Lung heat. Combined with Baifuling (Poria), it promotes urination. Combined with Nuomi (Oryza Sativa Germ), it treats coughing and hemoptysis. Use cautiously in cases of Lung Qi deficiency and cough caused by wind-cold. Xuduan (Dipsaci Radix) and Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus) act as guiding herbs. Avoid iron.
(Weilingxian, Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma) Sweet and bitter in taste. Enters the Hand-Taiyin (Lung) and Foot-Taiyin (Spleen) meridians. Its function is specifically to dispel wind-dampness and relieve spasms and contractures. Combined with Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), it treats bi-syndrome pain in the shoulders and arms. Washing the whole body with decoctions of Huaizhi (Stem and Twig of Sophora), Liuzhi (Stem and Twig of Salix), and Taozhi (Stem and Twig of Persica) treats generalized pruritus.
(Nvzhenzi, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus) Sweet, sour, and warm in taste. Purple-black in color. Enters the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) and Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridians. Its function is specifically to tonify fluids and promote diuresis, nourishing the five Zang organs and joints. Calms the soul and stabilizes the spirit. Improves hearing and vision. Generates saliva and quenches thirst. Relieves dryness caused by metallic and mineral medicines. Promotes diuresis and reduces edema. Revives from alcohol intoxication and darkens gray hair. Excessive consumption causes epistaxis. Sun-dried and ground into powder; best taken as honey pills. Fresh fruit boiled into a paste with refined honey, taken mixed with water, named Wenwu Gao. Treats Luoli (scrofula). Aged in strong liquor for several years for better efficacy.