金樱子,味甘,微涩,气平、温,无毒。入肾与膀胱之经。涩精滑,止梦遗遗尿,杀寸
白虫
。此物世人竟采以涩精,谁知精滑,非止涩之药可止也。遗精梦遗之症,皆尿窍闭而精窍开
。不兼用利水之药以开尿窍,而仅用涩精之味以固精门,故愈涩而愈遗也。所以用金樱子,
必须兼用芡实、山药、莲子、薏仁之类,不单止遗精而精滑反涩。用涩于利之中,用补于遗
之内,此用药之秘,而实知药之深也。
或问金樱子乃涩精之药,先生谓涩精而精愈遗,必加利水之药同治,其论实精。但恐利
多而
精不能涩,意者治遗精者,多用金樱子为君,少用利药为佐使乎?曰∶利水过多,亦非治遗
之妙法,必须补多于涩之中,涩多于利之内,自然精足而不遗。尿窍开而精窍闭也。(〔批
〕二语定论。)
或问金樱子凌冬而色愈有神,其得于金气者深矣。金能生水,似能益精而不止涩精也。
不知
金樱子非益精之物,使金樱子益精,则必涩精而无不效矣。唯其止能涩精,而不能益精,所
以愈涩而愈遗也。
金樱子内多毛及子,必去之净,方能补肾涩精。其腹中之子,偏能滑精,煎膏不去其子,
全
无功效。
木通,即葡萄根也。味苦涩,气微寒。入膀胱。逐水气,利小便。亦佐使之药,不可不
用,
而又不可多用。多用泄人元气。
或疑木通利水,去滞气,亦有益之品,何先生谓是泄人元气?曰∶木通利水,何异于猪
苓,
但嫌其苦寒损胃,非若淡泻之无害也。胃气既伤,元气必耗,故用之为佐使,则有功无过。
倘多用之为君,则过于祛逐,元气必随水而走,安得不耗哉。
Jinyingzi (Rosa laevigata Fruit), with a sweet taste and slightly astringent flavor, has a neutral and warm nature, and is non-toxic. It enters the Kidney (Shen) and Bladder (Pangguang) meridians. It secures essence, stops nocturnal emission with dreams, enuresis, and kills tapeworms (Cestoda). People in the world actually harvest it to secure essence, who knows that seminal emission due to insecurity cannot be stopped merely by astringent medicines. The symptoms of nocturnal emission and emission with dreams are caused by the closure of the urinary orifice and the opening of the essence orifice. If one does not simultaneously use diuretic medicines to open the urinary orifice, but only uses astringent flavors to consolidate the essence gate, then the more one astringes, the more leakage occurs. Therefore, when using Jinyingzi, one must simultaneously use Qishi (Euryale seed), Shanyao (Dioscorea rhizome), Lianzi (Lotus seed), Yiren (Coix seed) and similar substances. This not only stops nocturnal emission but also effectively secures seminal leakage. Using astringency within diuresis, and tonification within retention, this is the secret of medication and demonstrates profound knowledge of herbs.
One asks: Jinyingzi is an herb for securing essence; the Master says that securing essence leads to more leakage, and diuretic medicines must be added for combined treatment. This argument is indeed precise. But I fear that excessive diuresis will prevent essence from being secured. Is it that in treating nocturnal emission, one should use Jinyingzi as the sovereign drug in large amounts, and use diuretic drugs as minister and envoy in small amounts? The answer is: Excessive diuresis is also not a subtle method for treating emission. One must have tonification exceeding astringency, and astringency exceeding diuresis. Naturally, essence will be sufficient and not leak. The urinary orifice opens while the essence orifice closes. ([Comment] These two sentences are the definitive conclusion.)
One asks: Jinyingzi becomes more vibrant in color through winter, indicating it deeply receives the Metal Qi. Metal generates Water, so it seems capable of benefiting essence rather than just securing it. However, Jinyingzi is not an item that benefits essence. If Jinyingzi could benefit essence, its efficacy in securing essence would be absolute. Precisely because it can only secure essence and not benefit it, the more it is astringed, the more leakage occurs.
Jinyingzi contains many hairs and seeds internally, which must be removed completely before it can tonify the Kidney and secure essence. The seeds within its abdomen specifically promote seminal lubrication/leakage. If the seeds are not removed when decocting into paste, it has no efficacy whatsoever.
Mutong (Vitis root), which is the root of the grapevine, has a bitter and astringent taste and a slightly cold nature. It enters the Bladder meridian. It expels water qi and promotes urination. It is also an auxiliary drug; it must be used, but not in large quantities. Overuse drains the body's Yuan Qi (Original Qi).
One doubts: Mutong promotes water flow and removes stagnant qi, so it should be a beneficial product. Why does the Master say it drains the body's Yuan Qi? The answer is: Mutong promotes water flow, what is the difference from Zhu Ling (Polyporus)? It is merely disliked for its bitter-cold nature damaging Stomach Qi, unlike mild diuretics that cause no harm. Once Stomach Qi is injured, Yuan Qi must be consumed. Therefore, using it as an auxiliary drug yields merit without fault. If used in large amounts as the sovereign drug, it excessively expels pathogens, and Yuan Qi will inevitably follow the water outwards. How can it not be consumed?