（隰草）解心经热邪
连翘（专入心）。味苦微寒。质轻而浮。书虽载泻六经郁火。然其轻清气浮。实为泻心
要剂。
（连翘形像似心。但开有瓣。）心为火主。心清则诸脏与之皆清矣。然湿热不除。病症百出。
是以痈毒五淋。寒热鼠 。瘰 恶疮。热结蛊毒等症。书载皆能以治。（汪昂曰。凡痈而痛
者为实邪。肿而不痛为虚邪。肿而赤者为热结。肿而不结者为留气痰饮。）且经有言。诸痛
疮疡。皆属心火。连翘实为疮家圣药也。然多用胃虚食少。脾胃不足者慎之。况清而无补。
痈疽溃后勿服。火热由于虚者忌投。
（山草）降肝胆外感风邪痰火实结
前胡（专入肝胆）。味苦微寒。功专下气。凡因风入肝胆。火盛痰结。暨气实哮喘。（气
有余
便是火。）咳嗽呕逆。痞膈霍乱。及小儿疳气等症。升药难投。须当用此苦泄。俾邪去正复
。不似柴胡性主上升。引邪外出。而无实痰实气固结于其中也。按二胡均是风药。一升一
降。用各不同。若使兼有外感风邪。与痰火实结。而用柴胡上升。不亦如火益热乎？故必用
此下降。但症外感绝少。只属阴虚火动。并气不归元。胸胁逆满者切忌。（以其苦泄故也。）
皮白肉黑。味甘气香者良。半夏为使。恶皂荚。忌火。（今有剂片。以混当归片料。可恨。）
(Xi Cao) Resolves Heat Pathogens in the Heart Meridian
Qiaqiao (Forsythiae Fructus, 连翘) [specifically enters the Heart meridian]. It has a bitter taste and is slightly cold in nature. Its texture is light and floating. Although medical texts record its ability to drain stagnant fire from the six meridians, due to its light, clear, and ascending properties, it is actually an essential agent for draining Heart Fire.
(The shape of Qiaqiao resembles the heart, with a split at the apex.) The Heart governs Fire and is the Sovereign Organ. When Heart Fire is cleared, all other organs are thereby cleared. However, if Damp-Heat is not eliminated, myriad symptoms will emerge. Therefore, for conditions such as carbuncles and toxins, five types of strangury (Wu Lin, 五淋), alternating chills and fever, rat scrofula (Shu Liu, 鼠瘘), scrofula (Luo Li, 瘰疬), malignant sores, and heat-bound gu-toxin, texts record that this herb can treat them. (Wang Ang stated: For any carbuncle that is painful, it is an Excess pathogen; swelling without pain indicates a Deficiency pathogen; redness and swelling with induration indicate Heat binding; swelling without induration indicates stagnant Qi, Phlegm, or Fluid retention.) Furthermore, the Classics state: "All pain and sores/ulcers belong to Heart Fire." Qiaqiao is indeed the sacred medicine for treating sores. However, excessive use may damage Stomach Qi and reduce appetite; those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency should use it with caution. Moreover, since it clears heat but does not tonify, it should not be taken after carbuncles and ulcers have ulcerated. It is contraindicated when fire-heat arises from Deficiency.
(Shan Cao) Descends External Wind Pathogens in the Liver and Gallbladder, and resolves solid accumulations of Phlegm-Fire
Qianhu (Peucedani Radix, 前胡) [specifically enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians]. It has a bitter taste and is slightly cold in nature. Its function specializes in descending Qi. For cases where wind pathogens invade the Liver and Gallbladder, accompanied by flourishing fire and accumulated phlegm, as well as asthma due to Qi excess (where excess Qi becomes fire), coughing, vomiting and rebellious Qi, chest fullness and diaphragmatic obstruction, cholera-like disorder (Huo Luan, 霍乱), and pediatric malnutrition (Gan Ji, 疳气), ascending herbs are difficult to administer. One must use this bitter-draining herb to expel the pathogen and restore healthy Qi. This differs from Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, 柴胡), whose nature primarily ascends, drawing pathogens out, which is unsuitable when there are solid accumulations of phlegm and Qi within. Note: Both "Hu" herbs are wind-dispelling agents; one ascends and one descends, with different applications. If external wind pathogens coexist with solid accumulations of phlegm-fire, using Chaihu to ascend would be like adding fuel to the fire. Therefore, this descending herb must be used. However, external wind pathogens are rare in these specific presentations; if the condition belongs solely to Yin Deficiency with Fire Hyperactivity, or Qi failing to return to its origin, presenting with chest and hypochondriac rebellious fullness, it is strictly contraindicated. (This is due to its bitter-draining nature.) The quality is best when the skin is white, the flesh is black, the taste is sweet, and the aroma is fragrant. Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 半夏) serves as a guiding drug. It is incompatible with Zaojia (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina, 皂荚). It is contraindicated with fire-processing methods. (Currently, some decoction pieces are sold to pass off as Danggui slices, which is detestable.)