（山草）泻肠胃热毒
白头翁（专入肠胃）。味苦性寒。何书用此以治痢便脓血。经云。肾欲坚。急食苦以坚
之。痢
则下焦虚损。故以纯苦之剂以坚。如仲景之治挟热下痢之用白头翁汤之属是也。（汤用白头
翁黄连黄柏秦皮。）若使热结不除。则肾愈虚愈解而痢莫愈。又书何以用此以治瘟疟寒热。
齿痛骨痛。鼻衄秃疮疝瘕等症。亦因邪结阳明。服此热解毒清。则肾不燥扰而骨固。（齿属
肾。）胃不受邪而齿安。（龈属阳明。）毒不上侵而衄止。热不内结而疝与瘕皆却。（疝。用此
捣敷。）风无热炽。而小儿头秃得除矣。总皆清解热毒之力也。近根有白茸。得酒良。
（隰草）解胃府热毒并通乳汁
漏芦（专入胃）。味苦而咸。气寒有毒。凡苦则下泄。咸则软坚。寒则胜热。漏芦气味
俱备。
其性专入阳明胃经。故凡痈疽背发。乳汁不通。及预解时行痘毒者。咸须仗此以解毒邪。俾
邪尽从便出而解矣！（诸症非尽热毒而起。不得妄用。）然书又云。遗精尿血能止。亦因毒解
热除自止之意。非因漏芦寓有收涩之力也。但气虚疮疡不起。及孕妇有病者切忌。出闽中。
茎如油麻。枯黑如漆者真。甘草拌连翘为使。
（山草）泻热散结治瘰 等毒
山慈菇（专入肺）。味苦微辛。气寒微毒。功专泻热消结解毒。故凡症患痈疽。无名疔
肿。瘾
疹恶疮。蛇虺齿伤。瘰 结核等症。用此外敷。（醋磨涂。）固可解散。内服亦可调治。总为
结毒散结之方。（普济方治粉滓面 。用山慈菇夜涂旦洗。）但性寒凉。不可过服。根与慈葱
小蒜相类。去毛壳用。
(Mountain Herbs) Purging Heat-Toxin from the Intestines and Stomach
*Polygala tenuifolia* (Baitouweng, 白头翁) [Note: Botanical identification in TCM context often refers to *Pulsatilla chinensis* or related species, but strictly translating the text entity as Baitouweng/Polygala depending on specific lineage. WHO standard for Baitouweng is *Radix Pulsatillae*]. (Specifically enters the Intestine and Stomach meridians). It has a bitter taste and cold nature. Why do some texts use this herb to treat dysentery with pus and blood? The *Classic of Internal Medicine* states: "The Kidney desires firmness; urgently consume bitter substances to firm it." Dysentery causes deficiency and damage in the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner), thus pure bitter agents are used to firm the Lower Jiao. For example, Zhang Zhongjing's treatment of dysentery accompanied by heat using formulas such as *Baitouweng Tang* (Coptis Decoction) follows this principle. (*Baitouweng Tang* consists of *Baitouweng*, *Huanglian*, *Huangbai*, and *Qinpi*.) If the heat accumulation is not eliminated, the Kidney will become increasingly deficient and loose, and the dysentery will not heal. Furthermore, why do other texts use this herb to treat epidemic malaria with alternating chills and fever, toothache, bone pain, epistaxis (nosebleed), alopecia, scrofula-like sores, hernia, and mass accumulations? This is also because pathogenic factors accumulate in the Yangming Meridian. Taking this herb clears heat and detoxifies, preventing the Kidney from being disturbed by dryness-heat, thereby solidifying the bones. (Teeth belong to the Kidney.) The Stomach is not invaded by pathogens, so the teeth remain peaceful. (Gums belong to the Yangming Meridian.) Toxins do not invade upward, so nosebleeds stop. Heat does not accumulate internally, so hernias and masses recede. (For hernia, this herb can be crushed and applied externally.) Wind pathogens lack intense heat, and pediatric scalp alopecia is removed. In summary, these are all effects of clearing heat and resolving toxins. The roots near the base have white down; taking it with wine is beneficial.
(Lowland Herbs) Resolving Stomach-Fu Heat-Toxin and Promoting Lactation
*Rhapontici Rhizoma* (Loulu, 漏芦) [Botanical: *Rhaponticum uniflorum*]. (Specifically enters the Stomach meridian). It has a bitter and salty taste, and a cold nature with toxicity. Generally, bitter flavors drain downward, salty flavors soften hardness, and cold flavors overcome heat. *Loulu* possesses all these flavor and qi properties. Its nature specifically enters the Yangming Stomach Meridian. Therefore, for conditions such as carbuncles and sores, back abscesses, blocked lactation, and preemptively resolving epidemic pox toxins, one must rely on this herb to resolve pathogenic toxins, allowing the pathogens to exit completely through the bowels and be resolved! (Not all symptoms arise from heat-toxin; do not use blindly.) However, texts also state that it can stop seminal emission and hematuria. This is because once the toxin is resolved and heat removed, these symptoms stop naturally; it is not because *Loulu* possesses astringent properties. Nevertheless, it is strictly contraindicated for those with Qi deficiency causing non-suppurating ulcers, and pregnant women should avoid it. It originates from central Fujian. The stems resemble sesame seeds; those that are withered, black, and lacquer-like are authentic. Use licorice root mixed with *Lianqiao* (Forsythia Fruit) as an assistant/guide.
(Mountain Herbs) Purging Heat, Dissipating Nodules, and Treating Scrofula Toxins
*Bletillae Bulbus* (Shancigu, 山慈菇) [Botanical: *Bletilla striata* or *Cremastra appendiculata*]. (Specifically enters the Lung meridian). It has a bitter and slightly acrid taste, and a cold nature with slight toxicity. Its efficacy specializes in purging heat, dissipating nodules, and detoxifying. Therefore, for conditions such as carbuncles and sores, unnamed ding-boils, urticaria and malignant sores, snake and insect bites, and scrofula lymph node tuberculosis, it can be used externally for application. (Grind with vinegar for topical application.) It can indeed dissipate nodules; internal administration can also regulate and treat. It is generally a formula for dissipating nodule-toxins. (*Puji Fang* treats facial acne/blackheads by applying *Shancigu* at night and washing it off in the morning.) However, due to its cold and cooling nature, it should not be taken in excess. Its bulb resembles *Cicong* (likely referring to Allium varieties) and *Xisuan*; remove the hairy shell before use.