金银花,一名忍冬藤。味甘,温,无毒。入心、脾、肺、肝、肾五脏,无经不入。消毒
之神
品也。未成毒则散,已成毒则消,将死者可生,已坏者可转。故痈疽发背,必以此药为夺命
之丹。但其味纯良,性又补阴,虽善消毒,而功用甚缓,必须大用之。(〔批〕金银花消毒
神
效,必宜多用,诚千古定论。)如发背痈,用至七八两,加入甘草五钱、当归二两,一剂煎
饮
,未有不立时消散者。其余身上、头上、足上各毒,减一半投之,无不神效。近人治痈毒,
亦多识用金银花,然断不敢用到半斤。殊不知背痈之毒,外虽小而内实大,非用此重剂,则
毒不易消。且金银花少用则力单,多用则力浓,尤妙在补先于攻,消毒而不耗气血,败毒之
药,未有过于金银花者也。故毋论初起之时与出脓之后,或变生不测,无可再救之顷,皆以
前方投之,断无不起死回生者。正勿惊讶其药剂之重,妄生疑畏也。或嫌金银花太多,难于
煎药,不妨先取水十余碗,煎取金银花之汁,再煎当归、甘草,则尤为得法。至于鬼击作痛
,又治之小者。止痢除温,益寿延龄,则不可为训矣。
或问金银花败毒则有之,而吾子曰补阴,得毋惑于《本经》长年益寿之语乎?曰∶金银
花补
之性实多于攻。攻毒之药,未有不散气者也,而金银花非惟不散气,且能补气,更善补阴。
但少用则补多于攻,多用则攻胜于补。故攻毒之药,未有善于金银花者也。若疑金银花为长
年益寿之药,则不可。盖至纯之品,始可长服以延龄,偏霸之味,只可暂投以奏效。金银花
只宜用之以攻毒,而不宜用之以补虚。若惑于长年益寿之说,始信金银花为补阴之药,则余
且劝人长服为添寿之助,何以止言攻毒哉。
或问金银花之解毒,近人亦多知之。然未有若吾子之赞叹甚神者,子欲显书之奇,罔顾
言之
大乎?曰∶金银花化毒,吾言止扬其十之五,余尚未尽言也。今因吾子之问,而罄悉之。夫
痈毒之初生也,其身必疼痛而欲死,服金银花,而痛不知何以消也;当痈毒之溃脓也,其
头必
昏眩而不能举,服金银花,而眩不知何以去也;及痈毒之收口也,其口必黑黯而不能起,服
金银花,而陷不知何以起也,然此犹阳症之痈毒也。若阴症之痈毒,其初生也,背必如山之
重,服金银花,而背轻如释负也;其溃脓也,心必如火之焚,服金银花,而心凉如饮浆也。
其收口也,肉必如刀之割,服金银花,而皮痒如爪搔也,然此犹阴症而无大变者也。倘若痛
痒之未知,昏愦之不觉,内可洞见其肺腑,而外无仅存之皮骨,与之食而不欲食,与之汤而
不欲饮,悬性命于顷刻,候死亡于须臾,苟能用金银花一斤,同人参五、六两,共煎汁饮之
,无不夺魂于垂绝,返魄于已飞也。谁谓金银花非活人之仙草乎。其功实大,非吾言之大也
。(〔批〕金银花神妙不测,真有如此。世人用铁箍散、夺命丹、万应膏,甚至操刀生割人
肉
者,安识此理而用此药乎。今读是编,如当头一针,通身汗下,顿失前非者,何异立地成佛
。倘迷而不悟,则永堕阿鼻矣。)
或问金银花散毒则有之,未必如是之神。曰∶金银花之功效,实不止此。金银花无经不
入,
而其专入之经,尤在肾、胃二经。痈毒,止阴、阳之二种,阳即胃,而阴即肾。阳变阴者,
即胃之毒入于肾也;阴变阳者,即肾之毒入于胃也。消毒之品,非专泻阳明胃经之毒,即专
泻少阴肾经之毒。欲既消胃毒,而又消肾毒之药,舍金银花,实无第二品也。金银花消胃中
之毒,必不使毒再入于肾脏;消肾中之毒,必不使毒重流于胃腑。盖金银花能先事而消弥,
复能临事而攻突,更善终事而收敛也。
或疑金银花性甚缓,而痈疽毒势最急,何以功用之大竟至如此,岂急症缓治之法欤?曰∶
痈
疽势急,治法不啻救焚,乌可以缓治之哉。金银花性缓,而用之治痈疽也,则缓而变为急矣
,况用之四、五两,以至半斤、一斤,则其力更专,而气更勇猛,此正急症急治之也。
Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), also known as Rendongteng (Lonicerae Caulis), has a sweet flavor and is warm in nature, non-toxic. It enters the five zang organs: Heart, Spleen, Lung, Liver, and Kidney, penetrating every meridian without exception. It is a divine product for detoxification. When pathogenic heat-toxin has not yet formed, it disperses it; when toxin has already formed, it eliminates it; those near death can be revived, and those already deteriorated can be restored. Therefore, for treating carbuncle and gangrene of the back (Fabei, a severe carbuncle on the back), this herb must be used as a life-saving elixir. However, its flavor is pure and benign, and its nature can nourish Yin. Although it excels at detoxification, its efficacy is relatively slow, so it must be used in large doses. ([Commentary] Jinyinhua has divine effects in detoxification and must be used in large amounts; this is indeed an unchanging conclusion through the ages.) For example, in cases of Fabei carbuncle, use 7 to 8 liang, add 5 qian of Gancao (Licorice Root) and 2 liang of Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), decoct one dose and drink it; there will be no case where it does not dissipate immediately. For other toxic sores on the body, head, or feet, reduce the dosage by half, and they will all achieve miraculous effects. In recent times, many people treat carbuncle toxins with Jinyinhua, but absolutely dare not use half a jin (approx. 500g). They do not realize that although the external appearance of back carbuncles may seem small, the internal toxin is actually vast; without such a heavy dose, the toxin is difficult to eliminate. Moreover, when used in small amounts, Jinyinhua's power is single-minded; when used in large amounts, its power is concentrated. Its particular brilliance lies in tonifying before attacking, detoxifying without consuming Qi and Blood. Among herbs that destroy toxins, none surpass Jinyinhua. Thus, whether at the initial stage, after pus discharge, or during sudden changes and moments of hopelessness, administering the aforementioned prescription will invariably bring the dying back to life. One should not be surprised by the heavy dosage nor blindly generate doubt and fear. If one dislikes the large quantity of Jinyinhua being difficult to decoct, one may first take more than ten bowls of water, decoct the juice of Jinyinhua, and then decoct Danggui and Gancao; this method is even more appropriate. As for pain caused by "Ghost Strike" (a sudden onset painful condition), it is merely a minor application. Claims that it stops dysentery, removes warmth, benefits longevity, and extends life should not be taken as standard doctrine.
Someone asked: "Jinyinhua does indeed destroy toxins, but you say it nourishes Yin. Are you confused by the words 'benefits longevity' in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*?" I replied: "The tonifying nature of Jinyinhua is actually greater than its attacking nature. Herbs that attack toxins invariably scatter Qi, whereas Jinyinhua not only does not scatter Qi but can also tonify Qi and excels at nourishing Yin. However, when used in small amounts, tonification exceeds attack; when used in large amounts, attack exceeds tonification. Therefore, among herbs that attack toxins, none are superior to Jinyinhua. If one doubts that Jinyinhua is a herb for long-term longevity, that is incorrect. Only extremely pure substances can be taken long-term to extend life; biased and domineering flavors can only be temporarily administered to achieve effect. Jinyinhua is suitable for attacking toxins but not suitable for tonifying deficiency. If one is confused by the theory of long-term longevity and believes Jinyinhua is a Yin-nourishing herb, I would advise people to take it long-term to add years to their lives, rather than only speaking of attacking toxins."
Someone asked: "Modern people also know that Jinyinhua detoxifies. But none praise it as miraculously as you do. Do you wish to display the奇 (wonder) of the book, disregarding exaggeration?" I replied: "Regarding Jinyinhua's ability to transform toxins, my words have only highlighted five-tenths of its efficacy; the rest remains unsaid. Now, due to your question, I will reveal everything. When a carbuncle toxin first arises, the body suffers intense pain bordering on death; taking Jinyinhua, one wonders how the pain disappears. When the carbuncle ulcerates and discharges pus, the head suffers dizziness making it impossible to lift; taking Jinyinhua, one wonders how the dizziness vanishes. When the carbuncle wound closes, the opening becomes dark and depressed, unable to heal; taking Jinyinhua, one wonders how the depression rises. However, this refers only to Yang-type (Heat-pattern) carbuncles. If it is a Yin-type (Cold-pattern) carbuncle, upon arising, the back feels heavy as if carrying a mountain; taking Jinyinhua, the back feels light as if burden removed. Upon ulceration, the heart feels like burning fire; taking Jinyinhua, the heart feels cool as if drinking syrup. Upon closing, the flesh feels like knife cutting; taking Jinyinhua, the skin feels itchy as if scratched by claws. Yet this still refers to Yin-type carbuncles without major transformation. If pain and itch are unknown, dizziness and confusion are insensible, internal organs are visible through the skin, and externally only skin and bone remain; given food but no desire to eat, given soup but no desire to drink, life hanging by a thread, awaiting death in an instant—if one uses one jin of Jinyinhua together with 5 to 6 liang of Renshen (Ginseng Root), decocts them together and drinks the juice, one will undoubtedly snatch the soul from the brink of death and return the spirit that has already flown away. Who says Jinyinhua is not a divine grass that saves lives? Its merit is truly great, not merely my exaggerated words. ([Commentary] Jinyinhua's divine and unpredictable effects are indeed as described. People who use Tiegusan (Iron Band Powder), Duomingdan (Life-Grabbing Pill), Wanyinggao (Universal Ointment), or even operate knives to cut human flesh alive, how could they understand this principle and use this herb? Reading this volume today is like a blow to the head, causing sweat to pour down the whole body and instantly correcting past errors; what difference is there from achieving Buddhahood in this very life? If one remains deluded and does not awaken, one will fall eternally into Avici Hell.)"
Someone asked: "Jinyinhua does disperse toxins, but surely not as miraculously as you claim." I replied: "The efficacy of Jinyinhua is indeed not limited to this. Jinyinhua penetrates every meridian, but its specific entry points are particularly the Kidney and Stomach meridians. Carbuncle toxins exist in only two types: Yin and Yang. Yang corresponds to the Stomach, and Yin corresponds to the Kidney. Yang transforming into Yin means Stomach toxin entering the Kidney; Yin transforming into Yang means Kidney toxin entering the Stomach. Detoxifying agents either specifically purge the Yangming Stomach meridian's toxin or specifically purge the Shaoyin Kidney meridian's toxin. To find a herb that eliminates both Stomach toxin and Kidney toxin, apart from Jinyinhua, there is truly no second choice. Jinyinhua eliminates toxin in the Stomach without allowing it to re-enter the Kidney; it eliminates toxin in the Kidney without allowing it to flow back heavily into the Stomach. This is because Jinyinhua can prevent toxin formation beforehand, attack fiercely when crisis occurs, and excel at convergence and healing afterward."
Someone doubted: "Jinyinhua's nature is very slow, while carbuncle and gangrene toxin trends are most urgent. Why is its efficacy so great? Is this the method of treating urgent conditions with slow remedies?" I replied: "Carbuncle and gangrene trends are urgent; treatment methods are akin to putting out a fire, how can one use slow treatment? Although Jinyinhua's nature is slow, when used to treat carbuncles and gangrene, slowness transforms into urgency. Moreover, when used in 4 to 5 liang, up to half a jin or one jin, its power becomes more focused and its Qi more vigorous. This is precisely the method of treating urgent conditions with urgent measures."