山草类下三十九种
（《本经》上品）
【释名】王连（《本经》）、支连（《药性》）。
时珍曰∶其根连珠而色黄，故名。
【集解】《别录》曰∶黄连，生巫阳川谷及蜀郡太山之阳。二月、八月采根。
弘景曰∶巫阳在建平。今西间者色浅而虚，不及东阳、新安诸县最胜。临海诸县者不佳。
用之当布裹 去毛，令如连珠。保升曰∶苗似茶，丛生，一茎生三叶，高尺许，凌冬不凋，
花黄色。江左者，节高若连珠；蜀都者，节下不连珠。今秦地及杭州、柳州者佳。
颂曰∶今江、湖、荆、夔州郡亦有，而以宣城九节坚重相击有声者为胜，施、黔者次之
，东阳、歙州、处州者又次之。苗高一尺以来，叶似甘菊，四月开花黄色，六月结实似芹子
，色亦黄。江左者，根若连珠，其苗经冬不凋，叶如小雉尾草，正月开花作细穗，淡白微黄
色。六、七月根紧，始堪采。恭曰∶蜀道者粗大，味极浓苦，疗渴为最。江东者节如连珠，
疗痢大善。澧州者更胜。时珍曰∶黄连，汉末李当之本草，惟取蜀郡黄肥而坚者为善。唐时
以澧州者为胜。今虽吴、蜀皆有，惟以雅州、眉州者为良。药物之兴废不同如此。大抵有二
种∶一种根粗无毛有珠，如鹰、鸡爪形而坚实，色深黄；一种无珠多毛而中虚，黄色稍淡。
各有所宜。
根
【修治】 曰∶凡使以布拭去肉毛，用浆水浸二伏时，漉出，于柳木火上焙干用。
时珍曰∶五脏六腑皆有火，平则治，动则病，故有君火、相火之说，其实一气而已。黄
连入手少阴心经，为治火之主药∶治本脏之火，则生用之；治肝胆之实火，则以猪胆汁浸炒；
治肝胆之虚火，则以醋浸炒；治上焦之火，则以酒炒；治中焦之火，则以姜汁炒；治下焦之
火，则以盐水或朴硝研细调水和炒；治气分湿热之火，则以茱萸汤浸炒；治血分块中伏火，
则以干漆末调水炒；治食积之火，则以黄土研细调水和炒。诸法不独为之引导，盖辛热能制
其苦寒，咸寒能制其燥性，在用者详酌之。
【气味】苦，寒，无毒。《别录》曰∶微寒。普曰∶神农、岐伯、黄帝、雷公∶苦，无
毒；李当之∶小寒。之才曰∶黄芩、龙骨、理石为之使，恶菊花、玄参、白藓皮、芫花、白
僵蚕，畏款冬、牛膝，胜乌头，解巴豆毒。权曰∶忌猪肉，恶冷水。
曰∶服此药至十两，不得食猪肉；若服至三年，一生不得食也。时珍曰∶道书言服黄
连犯猪肉令人泄泻，而方家有猪肚黄连丸、猪脏黄连丸，岂只忌肉而不忌脏腑乎？
【主治】热气，目痛 伤泣出，明目，肠 腹痛下痢，妇人阴中肿痛。久服令人不忘（
《本经》）。主五脏冷热，久下泄 脓血，止消渴大惊，除水利骨，调胃浓肠益胆，疗口疮（
《别录》）。治五劳七伤，益气，止心腹痛，惊悸烦躁，润心肺，长肉止血，天行热疾，止
盗汗并疮疥。猪肚蒸为丸，治小儿疳气，杀虫（大明）。羸瘦气急（藏器）。治郁热在中，烦
躁恶心，兀兀欲吐，心下痞满（元素）。主心病逆而盛，心积伏梁（好古）。去心窍恶血，解
服药
【发明】元素曰∶黄连性寒味苦，气味俱浓，可升可降，阴中阳也，入手少阴经。其用
有六∶泻心脏火，一也；去中焦湿热，二也；诸疮必用，三也；去风湿，四也；赤眼暴发，
五也；止中部见血，六也。张仲景治九种心下痞，五等泻心汤，皆用之。
成无己曰∶苦入心，寒胜热，黄连、大黄之苦寒，以导心下之虚热。蛔得甘则动，得苦
则安，黄连、黄柏之苦，以安蛔也。
好古曰∶黄连苦燥，苦入心，火就燥。泻心者，其实泻脾也，实则泻其子也。
震亨曰∶黄连，去中焦湿热而泻心火。若脾胃气虚，不能转运者，则以茯苓、黄芩代之
。以猪胆汁拌炒，佐以龙胆草，则大泻肝胆之火。下痢胃口热禁口者，用黄连、人参煎汤，
终日呷之，如吐再强饮，但得一呷下咽便好。
刘完素曰∶古方以黄连为治痢之最。盖治痢惟宜辛苦寒药，辛能发散开通郁结，苦能燥
湿，寒能胜热，使气宣平而已。诸苦寒药多泄，惟黄连、黄柏性冷而燥，能降火去湿而止泻
痢，故治痢以之为君。
宗 曰∶今人多用黄连治痢，盖执以苦燥之义。下俚但见肠虚渗泄，微似有血，便即用
之，又罔顾寒热多少，惟欲尽剂，由是多致危困。若气实初病，热多血痢，服之便止，不必
尽剂。虚而冷者，慎勿轻用。
杲曰∶诸痛痒疮疡，皆属心火。凡诸疮宜以黄连、当归为君，甘草、黄芩为佐。凡眼暴
发赤肿，痛不可忍者，宜黄连、当归以酒浸煎之。宿食不消，心下痞满者，须用黄连、枳实
。
颂曰∶黄连治目方多，而羊肝丸尤奇异。今医家洗眼，以黄连、当归、芍药等分，用雪
水或甜水煎汤热洗之，冷即再温，甚益眼目。但是风毒赤目花翳，用之无不神效。盖眼目之
病，皆是血脉凝滞使然，故以行血药合黄连治之。血得热则行，故乘热洗也。
韩 曰∶火分之病，黄连为主，不但泻心火，而与芩、柏诸苦药例称者比也。目疾，入
以人乳浸蒸，或点或服之。生用为君，佐以官桂少许，煎百沸，入蜜空心服之，能使心肾
交于顷刻。入五苓、滑石，大治梦遗。以黄土、姜汁、酒、蜜四炒为君，以使君子为臣，白
芍药酒煮为佐，广木香为使，治小儿五疳。以茱萸炒者，加木香等分，生大黄倍之，水丸，
治五痢。此皆得制方之法也。
时珍曰∶黄连，治目及痢为要药。古方治痢∶香连丸，用黄连、木香；姜连散，用干姜
、黄连；变通丸，用黄连、茱萸；姜黄散，用黄连、生姜。治消渴，用酒蒸黄连；治伏暑，
用酒煮黄连；治下血，用黄连、大蒜；治肝火，用黄连、茱萸；治口疮，用黄连、细辛。皆
是一冷一热，一阴一阳，寒因热用，热因寒用，君臣相佐，阴阳相济，最得制方之妙，所以
有成功而无偏胜之害也。
弘景曰∶俗方多用黄连治痢及渴，道方服食长生。
慎微曰∶刘宋王微《黄连赞》云∶黄连味苦，左右相因。断凉涤暑，阐命轻身。缙云昔
御，飞跸上 。不行而至，吾闻其人。又梁江淹《黄连颂》云∶黄连上草，丹砂之次。御孽
辟妖，长灵久视。骖龙行天，驯马匝地。鸿飞以仪，顺道则利。
时珍曰∶《本经》、《别录》并无黄连久服长生之说，惟陶弘景言道方久服长生。
《神仙传》载封君达、黑穴公，并服黄连五十年得仙。窃谓黄连大苦大寒之药，用之降火燥
湿，中病即当止。岂可久服，使肃杀之令常行，而伐其生发冲和之气乎？《素问》载岐伯言
∶五味入胃，各归所喜攻。久而增气，物化之常也。气增而久，夭之由也。王冰注云∶酸入
肝为温，苦入心为热，辛入肺为清，咸入肾为寒，甘入脾为至阴而四气兼之，皆增其味而益
其气，故各从本脏之气为用。所以久服黄连、苦参反热，从火化也，余味皆然。久则脏气偏
胜，即有偏绝，则有暴夭之道。是以绝粒服饵之人不暴亡者，无五味偏助也。又秦观与乔希
圣论黄连书云∶闻公以眼疾饵黄连，至十数两犹不巳，殆不可也。医经有久服黄连、苦参反
热之说。此虽大寒，其味至苦，入胃则先归于心，久而不己，心火偏胜则热，乃其理也。况
眼疾本于肝热，肝与心为子母。心火也，肝亦火也，肾孤脏也，人患一水不胜二火。岂可久
服苦药，使心有所偏胜，是以火救火，其可乎？秦公此书，盖因王公之说而推详之也。我明
荆端王素多火病，医令服金花丸，乃芩、连、栀、柏四味，饵至数年，其火愈炽，遂至内障
丧明。观此，则寒苦之药，不但使人不能长生，久则气增偏胜，速夭之由矣。当以《素问》
之言为法，陶氏道书之说，皆谬谈也。杨士瀛云∶黄连能去心窍恶血。
【附方】旧二十二，新五十三。
心经实热∶泻心汤∶用黄连七钱。水一盏半，煎一盏，食远温服。小儿减之。（《和剂
局方》）
猝热心痛∶黄连八钱。 咀，水煎热服。（《外台秘要》）
肝火为痛∶黄连（姜汁炒），为末，粥糊丸梧子大。每服三十丸，白汤下。左金丸∶用
黄连六两，茱萸一两。同炒为末，神曲糊丸梧子大。每服三、四十丸，白汤下。（丹溪方）
伏暑发热，作渴呕恶，及赤白痢，消渴，肠风酒毒，泄泻诸病，并宜酒煮黄龙丸主之。川
黄连一斤（切）。以好酒二升半，煮干焙研，糊丸梧子大。每服五十丸，熟水下，日三服。（
《和剂局方》）阳毒发狂，奔走不定。宜黄连、寒水石等分，为末。每服三钱，浓煎甘草汤
下。（《易简方》）骨节积热，渐渐黄瘦。黄连四分（切）。以童子小便五大合，浸经宿，微煎
三、四沸，去滓，分作二服。（《广利方》）小儿疳热流注，遍身疮蚀，或潮热，肚胀作渴。
猪肚黄连丸∶用猪肚一个（洗净），宣黄连五两。切碎，水和，纳入肚中缝定，放在五
升粳米上，蒸烂，石臼捣千杵，或入少饭同杵，丸绿豆大。每服二十丸，米饮下。仍服调血
清心之药佐之。盖小儿之病，不出于疳，则出于热，常须识此。（《直指方》）三消骨蒸∶黄
连末，以冬瓜自然汁浸一夜，晒干又浸，如此七次，为末，以冬瓜汁和丸梧子大。每服三、
四十丸，大麦汤下。寻常渴，只一服见效。（《易简方》）消渴尿多∶《肘后方》∶用黄连末，
蜜丸梧子大。每服三十丸，白汤下。《宝鉴》∶用黄连半斤，酒一升浸，重汤内煮一伏时，取
晒为末，水丸梧子大。每服五十丸，温水下。
崔氏∶治消渴，小便滑数如油。黄连五两，栝蒌根五两，为末，生地黄汁丸梧子大。每
牛乳下五十丸，日二服。忌冷水、猪肉。《总录》∶用黄连末，入猪肚内蒸烂，捣丸梧子大，
饭
》）破伤风病∶黄连五钱，酒二盏，煎七分，入黄蜡三钱，溶化热服之。（高文虎《蓼花洲闲
录》）小便白淫∶因心肾气不足，思想无穷所致。黄连、白茯苓等分，为末，酒糊丸梧子大
。每服三十丸，煎补骨脂汤下，日三服。（《普济方》）热毒血痢∶宣黄连一两。水二升，煮
取半升，露一宿，空腹热服，少卧将息，一二日即止。（《千金方》）赤痢久下，累治不瘥。
黄连一两。鸡子白和为饼，炙紫为末，以浆水三升，慢火煎成膏。每服半合，温米饮下。一
方∶只以鸡子白和丸服。（《胜金方》）
热毒赤痢∶黄连二两（切，瓦焙令焦），当归一两（焙），为末，入麝香少许。每服二钱，
陈米饮下。佛智和尚在闽，以此济人。（《本事方》）赤白久痢，并无寒热，只日久不止。用
黄连四十九个，盐梅七个。入新瓶内，烧烟尽，热研。每服二钱，盐米汤下。（杨子建《护
命方》）赤白暴痢，如鹅鸭肝者，痛不可忍。用黄连、黄芩各一两，水二升，煎一升，分三
次热服。（《经验方》）
冷热诸痢∶胡洽九盏汤∶治下痢，不问冷热赤白，谷滞休息久下，悉主之。黄连（长三
寸）三十枚（重一两半），龙骨（如棋子大）四枚（重一两），大附子一枚，干姜一两半，胶
一两半。细切。以水五合著铜器中，去火三寸煎沸，便取下，坐土上，沸止，又上水五合，
如此九上九下。纳诸药入水内，再煎沸，辄取下，沸止又上，九上九下，度可得一升，顿服
即止。（《图经本草》）下痢腹痛、赤白痢下，令人下部疼重，故名重下，日夜数十行，脐腹
绞痛。以黄连一斤。酒五升，煮取一升半，分再服，当止绞痛也。（《肘后方》）
治痢香连丸∶李绛《兵部手集》∶治赤白诸痢，里急后重，腹痛。用宣黄连、青木香等
分；捣筛，白蜜丸梧子大。每服二、三十丸，空腹饮下，日再服，其效如神。久冷者，以煨
蒜捣和丸之。不拘大人婴孺皆效。《易简方》∶黄连（茱萸炒过）四两，木香（面煨）一两，
粟米饭丸。钱仲阳香连丸∶治小儿冷热痢，加煨熟诃子肉。又治小儿泻痢，加煨熟肉豆蔻。
又治小儿气虚泻痢腹痛，加白附子尖。刘河间治久痢，加龙骨。朱丹溪治禁口痢，加石莲肉。
王
五疳八痢∶四治黄连丸∶用连珠黄连一斤（分作四分∶一分用酒浸炒，一分用自然姜汁
炒，一分用吴茱萸汤浸炒，一分用益智仁同炒，去益智，研末），白芍药（酒煮，切焙）四
两，使君子仁（焙）四两，广木香二两，为末，蒸饼和丸绿豆大。每服三十丸，米饮食前下，
日三服。忌猪肉冷水。（《韩氏医通》）伤寒下痢，不能食者。黄连一斤，乌梅二十枚（去核，
炙燥为末），蜡一棋子大，蜜一升。合煎，和丸梧子大。一服二十丸，日三服。又方∶黄连
二两，熟艾（如鸭子大）一团。水三升，煮取一升，顿服立止。（并《肘后方》）气痢后重，
里急或下泄。《杜壬方》
姜连散∶用宣连一两，干姜半两。各为末，收。每用连一钱，姜半钱，和匀，空心温酒
下，或米饮下。神妙。《济生方》秘传香连丸∶用黄连四两，木香二两，生姜四两。以姜铺
砂锅底，次铺连，上铺香，新汲水三碗，煮焙研，醋调仓米糊为丸。如常，日服五次。
Under the category of Mountain Herbs, 39 species.
(From *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica], Upper Grade)
[Names] Wanglian (found in *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Zhilian (found in *Yaoxing Lun* [Discussion on Drug Properties]).
Li Shizhen said: Because its rhizome is connected like pearls and has a yellow color, it is named accordingly.
[Collection and Explanation] *Bielu* [Newly Revised Records of Famous Physicians] states: Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) grows in the valleys of Wuyang and on the south slope of Mount Tai in Shujun. The roots are harvested in February and August.
Tao Hongjing said: Wuyang is located in Jianping. Those from the west now have a lighter color and are spongy, inferior to those from Dongyang, Xin'an, and other counties, which are the best. Those from Linhai counties are not good.
When used, they should be wrapped in cloth, rubbed to remove the hairs, until they resemble connected pearls. Baosheng said: The seedlings resemble tea plants, growing in clumps, with three leaves per stem, about one chi tall, remaining evergreen through winter, bearing yellow flowers. Those in Jiangzuo have high nodes resembling connected pearls; those in Shudu do not connect at the lower nodes. Those from Qin region, Hangzhou, and Liuzhou are now considered excellent.
Su Song said: They are also produced in Jiang, Hu, Jing, and Kuizhou prefectures, but those from Xuancheng, specifically the nine-joint variety that is hard, heavy, and makes a sound when struck, are superior. Those from Shizhou and Qianzhou are next best, followed by those from Dongyang, Shizhou, and Chuzhou. The seedlings grow over one chi tall, leaves resemble *Chrysanthemum indicum*, flowering yellow in April, fruiting in June with seeds resembling celery seeds, also yellow. Those in Jiangzuo have roots like connected pearls, their seedlings remain evergreen through winter, leaves resemble small pheasant-tail grass, flowering in fine spikes of pale white slightly yellow in January. Roots are firm in June and July, suitable for harvesting. Zhen Quan said: Those from the Shu road are thick and large, with an extremely bitter taste, most effective for treating Xiao Ke [Wasting-Thirst Syndrome]. Those in Jiangdong have nodes like connected pearls, very effective for treating Li [Dysentery]. Those from Lizhou are even better.
Li Shizhen said: In Han dynasty herbalist Li Dangzhi's materia medica, only those from Shujun that are plump, firm, and yellow were considered superior. In Tang times, those from Lizhou were deemed best. Although produced in Wu and Shu now, only those from Yazhou and Meizhou are good. The rise and fall of drugs is thus. Generally, there are two types: one type has thick roots without hairs but with pearls, shaped like hawk or chicken claws, firm, and deep yellow; the other type has no pearls, many hairs, and is hollow inside, with a slightly lighter yellow color. Each has its appropriate uses.
Root
[Processing] Lei Xiao said: Whenever using it, wipe off the flesh hairs with cloth, soak in grain water for two "Fu" periods (approx. 12 days), drain, and dry over willow wood fire.
Li Shizhen said: The five zang and six fu organs all have Fire. When balanced, health prevails; when agitated, disease occurs. Hence the concepts of Jun Fire [Monarch Fire] and Xiang Fire [Minister Fire], though essentially it is one Qi. Huanglian enters the Foot-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and is the principal drug for treating Fire: To treat Fire of the organ itself, use raw; to treat Excess Fire of Liver/Gallbladder, stir-fry with pig bile; to treat Deficiency Fire of Liver/Gallbladder, stir-fry with vinegar; to treat Upper Jiao Fire, stir-fry with wine; to treat Middle Jiao Fire, stir-fry with ginger juice; to treat Lower Jiao Fire, stir-fry with salt water or Natrii Sulfas ground fine mixed with water; to treat Fire of Damp-Heat in the Qi aspect, stir-fry after soaking in Evodia decoction; to treat latent Fire within Blood stasis masses, stir-fry with Drynaria powder mixed with water; to treat Fire of Food Stagnation, stir-fry with Loess ground fine mixed with water. These methods are not merely for guiding the drug, but because Pungent-Warmth can counteract Bitter-Cold, and Salty-Cold can counteract its drying nature. Application requires careful deliberation.
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic. *Bielu* says: Slightly Cold. Pu says: Shennong, Qibo, Huangdi, Leigong: Bitter, Non-toxic; Li Dangzhi: Slightly Cold. Zhang Zhicai says: Scutellariae Radix [Huangqin], Longgu [Fossil Bones], Lishi [Calcitum] act as assistants. Dislikes Chrysanthemi Flos [Juhua], Scrophulariae Radix [Xuanshen], Dictamni Cortex [Baixianpi], Genkwa Flos [Yuanhua], Bombyx Batryticatus [Baijiangcan]. Fears Adenophorae Radix [Kuandong], Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix [Niuxi]. Overcomes Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata [Wutou]. Resolves Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii [Badou] toxicity. Chen Cangqi says: Avoid pork, dislikes cold water.
Lei Xiao says: After taking this drug up to ten liang, do not eat pork; if taken for three years, never eat it in life. Li Shizhen says: Daoist texts state that eating pork while taking Huanglian causes diarrhea, yet medical formulas include Zhudu Huanglian Wan [Pig Stomach Coptis Pill] and Zhu Zang Huanglian Wan [Pig Intestine Coptis Pill]. Does one avoid meat but not viscera?
[Therapeutic Actions] Re-Energy [Hot pathogenic factor], eye pain with tearing, brightens eyes, abdominal pain with dysentery, swelling and pain in the female genitalia. Long-term use prevents forgetfulness (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats cold-heat imbalance in five zang, chronic purulent bloody diarrhea, stops Xiao Ke [Wasting-Thirst] and severe fright, removes water retention and strengthens bones, harmonizes stomach and intestines, benefits gallbladder, treats mouth ulcers (*Bielu*). Treats Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries, tonifies Qi, stops heart/abdominal pain, palpitations, irritability, moistens lungs/heart, promotes flesh growth and stops bleeding, treats epidemic febrile diseases, stops night sweats, sores, and scabies. Steamed in pig stomach into pills, treats pediatric Gan accumulation [malnutrition], kills parasites (*Daming Bencao*). Treats emaciation and rapid breathing (Chen Cangqi). Treats stagnant heat in the middle, irritability, nausea, dizziness with urge to vomit, epigastric fullness (Zhang Yuansu). Treats Heart disease with rebellious excess, Fu Liang [Heart Accumulation] (Li Gao). Removes evil blood from heart orifices, resolves drug poisoning...
[Invention/Discussion] Zhang Yuansu said: Huanglian is Cold and Bitter, strong flavor, ascending and descending, Yang within Yin, enters Foot-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Its uses are six: clears Heart Fire, first; removes Middle Jiao Damp-Heat, second; essential for all sores, third; removes Wind-Damp, fourth; treats sudden red eyes, fifth; stops bleeding in the middle, sixth. Zhang Zhongjing used it in the Nine Types of Epigastric Fullness and the Five Xiexin Decoctions [Drain Heart Decoctions].
Cheng Wuji said: Bitter enters Heart, Cold overcomes Heat. The Bitter-Cold of Huanglian and Dahuang [Rhei Radix et Rhizoma] guides empty Heat from the epigastrium. Roundworms move with sweetness, settle with bitterness. The bitterness of Huanglian and Huangbai [Phellodendri Cortex] settles roundworms.
Li Gao said: Huanglian is Bitter and drying. Bitter enters Heart, Fire follows dryness. To "Drain Heart" is actually to Drain Spleen; draining the child when the mother is excess.
Zhu Zhenheng said: Huanglian removes Middle Jiao Damp-Heat and drains Heart Fire. If Spleen/Stomach Qi is deficient and cannot transport/transform, substitute with Fuling [Poria] and Huangqin [Scutellariae Radix]. Stir-fried with pig bile and assisted by Longdan Cao [Gentianae Radix], it greatly drains Liver/Gallbladder Fire. For dysentery with hot mouth prohibiting food intake, use Huanglian and Renshen [Ginseng Radix] decocted, sipped throughout the day. If vomiting occurs, force drink again; once swallowed, improvement follows.
Liu Wansu said: Ancient formulas consider Huanglian the best for treating dysentery. Treating dysentery suits Pungent-Bitter-Cold drugs: Pungent disperses and opens stagnation, Bitter dries dampness, Cold overcomes heat, allowing Qi to flow smoothly. Most Bitter-Cold drugs cause purging, but only Huanglian and Huangbai are Cold yet drying, capable of lowering Fire, removing dampness, and stopping diarrhea/dysentery, hence they are the Sovereign drug for dysentery.
Kong Zongshi said: People today use Huanglian for dysentery, clinging to the idea of Bitter-drying. Commoners see loose stools with slight blood and use it immediately, ignoring the degree of cold/heat, wanting to finish the dose, often leading to critical conditions. If Qi is excess and illness is new, with much heat and bloody dysentery, it stops upon ingestion, no need to finish the dose. For deficiency and cold, do not use lightly.
Ming Hao said: All pain, itching, sores, and ulcers belong to Heart Fire. For all sores, Huanglian and Danggui [Angelicae Sinensis Radix] should be Sovereign, Gancao [Licorice Root] and Huangqin assistants. For sudden red swollen painful eyes, use Huanglian and Danggui soaked in wine and decocted. For undigested food and epigastric fullness, use Huanglian and Zhishi [Aurantii Fructus Immaturus].
Su Song said: There are many formulas of Huanglian for eyes, but Yanggan Wan [Sheep Liver Pill] is especially miraculous. Doctors now wash eyes with equal parts Huanglian, Danggui, and Shaoyao [Paeoniae Radix], decocted in snow water or sweet water, washing hot, rewarming when cool, very beneficial for eyes. For wind-toxic red eyes and corneal opacities, it is miraculous. Eye diseases are caused by blood vessel stagnation, so blood-moving drugs combined with Huanglian treat them. Blood moves with heat, hence washing while hot.
Han Zhihe said: For Fire branch diseases, Huanglian is primary, not just draining Heart Fire, but comparable to Huangqin, Huangbai, and other bitter drugs. For eye diseases, steam with human milk, apply or ingest. Use raw as Sovereign, assist with a little Guigui [Cinnamomi Ramulus], boil vigorously, add honey, take on empty stomach, allows Heart and Kidney to interact instantly. Add to Wuling San [Five-Ling Powder] and Huashi [Talcum], greatly treats nocturnal emission. Stir-fried with loess, ginger juice, wine, honey as Sovereign, Shijunzi [Quisqualis Fructus] as Minister, Shaoyao boiled in wine as Assistant, Muxiang [Aucklandiae Radix] as Guide, treats pediatric Five Gan. Stir-fried with Wuzhuyu [Evodiae Fructus], add Muxiang equal amount, double Shengdahuang [Rhei Radix et Rhizoma], water-pilled, treats Five Dysenteries. These all obtain the method of formula formulation.
Li Shizhen said: Huanglian is a key drug for eyes and dysentery. Ancient formulas for dysentery: Xianglian Wan [Fragrant Coptis Pill] uses Huanglian, Muxiang; Jianglian San [Ginger Coptis Powder] uses Ganjiang [Zingiberis Rhizoma], Huanglian; Bian Tong Wan [Variation Pill] uses Huanglian, Wuzhuyu; Jianghuang San [Ginger Turmeric Powder] uses Huanglian, Shengjiang [Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens]. For Xiao Ke, use wine-steamed Huanglian; for latent summerheat, use wine-boiled Huanglian; for lower bleeding, use Huanglian, Dasuan [Allium Sativum]; for Liver Fire, use Huanglian, Wuzhuyu; for mouth ulcers, use Huanglian, Xixin [Asari Radix et Rhizoma]. All are one cold/one hot, one yin/one yang, Cold used via Heat, Heat used via Cold, Sovereign/Minister assisting each other, Yin/Yang balancing, obtaining the essence of formulation, achieving success without bias/harm.
Tao Hongjing said: Secular formulas often use Huanglian for dysentery and thirst; Daoist formulas use it for longevity.
Shen Wei said: Liu Song Wang Wei's "Ode to Huanglian" says: Huanglian is bitter, mutually reinforcing. Breaks coolness, cleanses summerheat, extends life, lightens body. Once imperial tribute, flying carriage ascends. Arriving without moving, I have heard of this person. Also Liang Jiang Yan's "Ode to Huanglian": Huanglian is upper herb, next to Cinnabar. Resists evil, wards off demons, prolongs spirit, long vision. Driving dragons in sky, taming horses on earth. Wild geese fly with ritual, following the Way brings profit.
Li Shizhen said: *Bencao Jing* and *Bielu* have no saying on long-term Huanglian use for longevity; only Tao Hongjing mentions Daoist longevity. *Shenxian Zhuan* [Biographies of Divine Men] records Feng Junda and Heixue Gong both taking Huanglian for 50 years to become immortals. I suspect Huanglian is a Great Bitter, Great Cold drug, used to lower Fire and dry dampness, stop when illness is cured. How can it be taken long-term, letting肃杀 [killing/drying] energy prevail, destroying Shengfa Chonghe [generating/vibrant harmony] Qi? *Suwen* [Basic Questions] records Qibo saying: Five flavors enter stomach, each returns to its preferred organ. Long-term use increases Qi, normal transformation. Increased Qi for too long causes premature death. Wang Bing notes: Sour enters Liver as Warm, Bitter enters Heart as Hot, Pungent enters Lung as Clear, Salty enters Kidney as Cold, Sweet enters Spleen as Extreme Yin combining four natures, all increase flavor and benefit Qi, acting according to their respective organ Qi. Thus long-term Huanglian/Kushen [Sophorae Flavescentis Radix] causes heat, transforming into Fire; other flavors are similar. Long term causes organ Qi bias/extremity, leading to sudden death. Those who fast and take herbs without sudden death lack five-flavor bias. Qin Guan's letter to Qiao Xisheng on Huanglian: Heard you took Huanglian for eye disease, up to ten-plus liang, still not stopping, likely inadvisable. Medical classics say long-term Huanglian/Kushen causes reverse heat. Though Great Cold, extremely Bitter, entering stomach then Heart, long-term non-stop causes Heart Fire excess and heat, this is the principle. Moreover, eye disease originates from Liver Heat; Liver and Heart are Mother-Child. Heart is Fire, Liver is Fire, Kidney is solitary organ; humans suffer one Water failing to overcome two Fires. How can one take Bitter drugs long-term, causing Heart excess, using Fire to save Fire? Qin Gong's letter deduces from Wang Gong's theory. My Ming Dynasty Prince Jing had frequent Fire disease; doctor prescribed Jinhua Wan [Golden Flower Pill], Huangqin, Huanglian, Zhizi [Gardeniae Fructus], Huangbai, taken for years, Fire intensified, leading to cataracts and blindness. Observing this, Cold-Bitter drugs not only prevent longevity, long-term Qi increase/bias causes early death. Should follow *Suwen*, Tao's Daoist books are false talk. Yang Shiying said: Huanglian removes evil blood from heart orifices.
[Attached Formulas] Old 22, New 53.
Heart Meridian Excess Heat: Xiexin Tang [Drain Heart Decoction]: Huanglian 7 qian. Water 1.5 sheng, decoct to 1 sheng, warm take far from meals. Reduce for children. (*Heji Ju Fang*)
Sudden hot heart pain: Huanglian 8 qian. Cut, decoct in water, take hot. (*Waitai Miyao*)
Liver Fire Pain: Huanglian (stir-fried with ginger juice), powder, congee paste pill size of wu zi. Take 30 pills, white water down. Zuojin Wan [Left Metal Pill]: Huanglian 6 liang, Wuzhuyu 1 liang. Stir-fry together, powder, Shenqu paste pill size of wu zi. Take 30-40 pills, white water down. (Danxi Formula)
Latent summerheat fever, thirst, nausea/vomiting, red/white dysentery, Xiao Ke, intestinal wind/alcohol toxin, diarrhea: Jiuzu Hulong Wan [Wine-Boiled Yellow Dragon Pill] is indicated. Chuan Huanglian 1 jin (cut). Good wine 2.5 sheng, boil dry, bake, grind, paste pill size of wu zi. Take 50 pills, cooked water down, 3 times/day. (*Heji Ju Fang*)
Yang Du madness, running restlessly: Huanglian, Hanshui Shi [Aqua Calcitum] equal parts, powder. Take 3 qian, strong decoct Gancao Tang down. (*Yijian Fang*)
Bone/joint accumulated heat, gradual emaciation/yellowing: Huanglian 4 fen (cut). Boy's urine 5 he, soak overnight, slight boil 3-4 boils, strain, divide 2 doses. (*Guangli Fang*)
Pediatric Gan heat flowing, body sores/erosion, tidal fever, distended belly/thirst: Zhudu Huanglian Wan [Pig Stomach Coptis Pill]: Pig stomach 1 (cleaned), Xuan Huanglian 5 liang. Cut, mix with water, put in stomach, sew, place on 5 sheng jingmi [Japonica Oryzae Semen], steam till soft, stone mortar pound 1000 times, or add rice and pound, pill mung bean size. Take 20 pills, rice drink down. Assist with blood-regulating/heart-clearing drugs. Pediatric diseases are either Gan or Heat, must remember this. (*Zhizhi Fang*)
San Xiao bone steaming: Huanglian powder, soak in winter melon natural juice overnight, dry, soak again, repeat 7 times, powder, winter melon juice pill size of wu zi. Take 30-40 pills, barley water down. Ordinary thirst, one dose effective. (*Yijian Fang*)
Xiao Ke polyuria: *Zhouhou Fang*: Huanglian powder, honey pill size of wu zi. Take 30 pills, white water down. *Baojian*: Huanglian 0.5 jin, wine 1 sheng soak, double-boil 1 fu period, take dry, powder, water pill size of wu zi. Take 50 pills, warm water down.
Cui Shi: Treat Xiao Ke, slippery/frequent urination like oil. Huanglian 5 liang, Gualougen [Trichosanthis Radix] 5 liang, powder, Shengdihuang [Rehmanniae Radix] juice pill size of wu zi. Take 50 pills with cow milk, 2 times/day. Avoid cold water/pork. *Zonglu*: Huanglian powder, put in pig stomach, steam soft, pound pill size of wu zi, rice...
Traumatic wind: Huanglian 5 qian, wine 2 zhan, decoct to 70%, add Huangla [Beeswax] 3 qian, melt, take hot. (Gao Wenhu *Liaohuazhou Xianlu*)
White turbid urine: Due to Heart/Kidney Qi deficiency, endless thoughts. Huanglian, Bai Fuling [Poria] equal parts, powder, wine paste pill size of wu zi. Take 30 pills, Bobuzhi Tang [Psoraleae Decoction] down, 3 times/day. (*Puji Fang*)
Hot toxin bloody dysentery: Xuan Huanglian 1 liang. Water 2 sheng, boil to 0.5 sheng, expose overnight, take hot on empty stomach, rest lying down, stops in 1-2 days. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Red dysentery chronic, multiple treatments fail: Huanglian 1 liang. Egg white make cake, roast purple, powder, Jiangshui [Grain water] 3 sheng, slow fire boil to paste. Take 0.5 he, warm rice drink down. One formula: Only egg white pill. (*Shengjin Fang*)
Hot toxin red dysentery: Huanglian 2 liang (cut, tile-roast till charred), Danggui 1 liang (bake), powder, add Moschus少许. Take 2 qian, aged rice drink down. Monk Fozhi in Fujian saved people with this. (*Benshi Fang*)
Red/white chronic dysentery, no cold/heat, only long duration: Huanglian 49 pieces, Yanmei [Salicorniae Herba/Sour Plum] 7 pieces. Put in new bottle, burn till smoke gone, grind hot. Take 2 qian, salt rice soup down. (Yang Zijian *Huming Fang*)
Red/white acute dysentery, like goose/duck liver, unbearable pain: Huanglian, Huangqin 1 liang each, water 2 sheng, decoct to 1 sheng, divide 3 times, take hot. (*Jingyan Fang*)
Cold/Hot various dysenteries: Hu Qia Jiu Zhan Tang [Hu Qia Nine-Cup Decoction]: Treats dysentery, regardless of cold/hot/red/white, grain stagnation/resting chronic, all main. Huanglian (3 cun long) 30 pieces (1.5 liang weight), Longgu 4 pieces (chess piece size, 1 liang weight), Da Fuzi [Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata] 1 piece, Ganjiang 1.5 liang, Jiao [Gelatinum Corii Asini] 1.5 liang. Fine cut. Water 5 he in copper vessel, 3 cun from fire, boil, remove, sit on earth, boil stops, add water 5 he, repeat 9 up/down. Put drugs in water, boil again, remove, boil stops add, 9 up/down, estimate 1 sheng, take once, stops. (*Tujing Bencao*)
Dysentery abdominal pain, red/white dysentery, lower body heavy pain, called Chongxia, dozens of times day/night, umbilical/cramping pain: Huanglian 1 jin. Wine 5 sheng, boil to 1.5 sheng, divide 2 doses, cramping stops. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Treating dysentery Xianglian Wan: Li Jiang *Bingbu Shouji*: Treats red/white dysentery, tenesmus, abdominal pain. Xuan Huanglian, Qingmuxiang [Aquilariae Lignum] equal parts; pound/sieve, white honey pill size of wu zi. Take 20-30 pills, empty stomach drink, 2 times/day, effect like god. Chronic cold: Roasted garlic pound and mix pill. Adults/infants all effective. *Yijian Fang*: Huanglian (Wuzhuyu stir-fried) 4 liang, Muxiang (flour roasted) 1 liang, millet rice pill. Qian Zhongyang Xianglian Wan: Treats pediatric cold/heat dysentery, add roasted Hezi [Chebulae Fructus]. Treats pediatric diarrhea/dysentery, add roasted Rou Doukou [Myristicae Semen]. Treats pediatric Qi-deficiency diarrhea/dysentery abdominal pain, add Baifuzi [Typhonii Rhizoma] tip. Liu Hejian treats chronic dysentery, add Longgu. Zhu Danxi treats prohibited-mouth dysentery, add Shilianrou [Nelumbinis Semen]. Wang...
Five Gan Eight Dysenteries: Sizhi Huanglian Wan: Lianzhu Huanglian 1 jin (divide 4 parts: 1 part wine-soak stir-fry, 1 part natural ginger juice stir-fry, 1 part Wuzhuyu soak stir-fry, 1 part Yizhiren [Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus] stir-fry, remove Yizhiren, grind powder), Shaoyao (wine-boil, cut bake) 4 liang, Shijunzi Ren [Quisqualis Semen] (bake) 4 liang, Guangmuxiang [Aucklandiae Radix] 2 liang, powder, steamed biscuit dough pill mung bean size. Take 30 pills, rice meal before eating down, 3 times/day. Avoid pork/cold water. (*Hanshi Yitong*)
Shanghan dysentery, unable to eat: Huanglian 1 jin, Wumei [Mume Fructus] 20 pieces (pit removed, roast dry powder), La [Beeswax] 1 chess piece, Mi [Honey] 1 sheng. Combine boil, mix pill size of wu zi. One dose 20 pills, 3 times/day. Another formula: Huanglian 2 liang, Shuai Ai [Artemisiae Argyi Folium] (duck size) 1 ball. Water 3 sheng, boil to 1 sheng, take once, stops immediately. (Both *Zhouhou Fang*)
Qi dysentery heaviness, tenesmus or diarrhea: *Du Ren Fang*
Jianglian San: Xuanlian 1 liang, Ganjiang 0.5 liang. Each powder, store. Use 1 qian Lian, 0.5 qian Jiang, mix, empty stomach warm wine down, or rice drink down. Miraculous. *Jisheng Fang* Secret Xianglian Wan: Huanglian 4 liang, Muxiang 2 liang, Shengjiang 4 liang. Ginger line sand pot bottom, then Lian, then Xiang, fresh water 3 bowls, boil/bake/grind, vinegar adjust Cangmi paste pill. Usually, take 5 times/day.