气寒。味苦。无毒。主消渴。身热。烦满大热。补虚安中。续绝伤。
天花粉气寒。禀天冬寒之水气。入足少阴肾经、足太阳寒水膀胱经。味苦无毒。得地南
方之
火味。入手少阴心经。气味俱降。阴也。膀胱者津液之腑也。心火内烁。则津液枯而病消渴
。膀胱主表。火盛则表亦热而身热也。其主之者。苦寒可以清火也。心为君火。火盛则烦满
大热。其主之者。寒以清之。苦以泄之也。火盛则阴虚。补虚者。清润能补阴虚也。阴者中
之守。安中者苦寒益阴。阴充。中有守也。其主续绝伤者。血为阴。阴虚则伤。阴枯则绝。
花粉清润。则虚者滋。枯者润也。实名（栝蒌）。甘寒之性。能解阳邪。所以主伤寒阳邪结
胸
也。
制 方:
花粉同川莲。治心火乘金消渴。同人参、麦冬。治肺津枯消渴。同麦冬、竹叶。治心火
烦渴
。实同川莲、枳实。名小陷胸汤。治伤寒结胸。
气平。味辛。无毒。主明目补中。除风伤。（一名恶实酒蒸拭净焙）
牛蒡子气平。禀天秋平之金气。味甘无毒。得地西方之金味。入手太阴肺经。气味降多
于升
。阴也。牛蒡气平清热。味辛散郁。郁热清。则目得血而能视矣。所以明目。中者阴之守也
。人身阴阳。求之升降。牛蒡辛平清肺。肺气下降则阴生。所以补中也。风伤于卫。卫附皮
毛。皮毛者肺之合也。辛平疏肺。则皮毛解散。所以除风伤也。
制 方:
牛蒡同紫草、犀角、生地。治痘血热不出。同桔梗、甘草。治风热咽痛。
[Tianhuafen / Trichosanthis Radix]
Nature: Cold. Flavor: Bitter. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Polydipsia (Xiao Ke), body heat, vexation with fullness and severe heat, tonifying deficiency, calming the middle jiao, healing severed injuries.
Tianhuafen has a cold nature, inheriting the cold water qi of winter from heaven, entering the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (the organ of cold water). Its flavor is bitter and non-toxic, deriving from the fire flavor of the southern earth, entering the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Both its nature and flavor are descending, belonging to Yin. The Bladder is the fu-organ of body fluids. When Heart Fire scorches internally, body fluids dry up, leading to polydipsia. The Bladder governs the exterior; when fire is excessive, the exterior also becomes hot, causing body heat. Tianhuafen treats these conditions because its bitter-cold nature can clear fire. The Heart is the Monarch Fire; when fire is excessive, it causes vexation, fullness, and severe heat. Tianhuafen treats these because its cold nature clears heat, and its bitter nature drains fire. Excessive fire leads to Yin deficiency. "Tonifying deficiency" refers to the ability of moistening-clearing properties to nourish Yin deficiency. Yin is the guardian within; "calming the middle" refers to the bitter-cold nature augmenting Yin. When Yin is sufficient, the middle jiao has a guardian. Regarding "healing severed injuries," blood belongs to Yin; Yin deficiency leads to injury, and dried-up Yin leads to severance. Tianhuafen is clear and moistening, thus nourishing the deficient and moistening the dried. Its real name is Gualou (Trichosanthes fruit). It has a sweet-cold nature capable of resolving Yang pathogens, hence it treats Jie Xiong (Chest Binding) caused by Yang pathogens knotting in the chest due to Cold Damage (Shang Han).
Prescription Formulation:
Tianhuafen combined with Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) treats polydipsia where Heart Fire overacts on Metal (Lung). Combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), it treats polydipsia due to drying of Lung fluids. Combined with Maidong and Zhuye (Bambusae Folium), it treats vexation and thirst due to Heart Fire. If used as the whole fruit (Shi) combined with Huanglian and Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), named Xiao Xianxiong Tang (Minor Sinking Chest Decoction), it treats Jie Xiong from Cold Damage.
[Niubangzi / Arctii Fructus]
Nature: Neutral. Flavor: Pungent. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Improving vision, tonifying the middle, dispelling wind injuries. (Also known as Eshi; processed by steaming with wine, wiping clean, and baking.)
Niubangzi has a neutral nature, inheriting the neutral metal qi of autumn from heaven. Its flavor is sweet and non-toxic, deriving from the metal flavor of the western earth, entering the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its descending qi exceeds its ascending qi, belonging to Yin. Niubangzi's neutral nature clears heat, and its pungent flavor disperses stagnation. Once stagnant heat is cleared, the eyes receive blood nourishment and can see; this is why it improves vision. The middle jiao is the abode of Yin. Human Yin and Yang seek balance through ascending and descending. Niubangzi's pungent-neutral nature clears the Lung; when Lung Qi descends, Yin is generated; this is why it tonifies the middle. Wind injury affects the Wei (Defensive) Qi, which attaches to the skin and hair. Skin and hair are the exterior correspondence of the Lung. Niubangzi's pungent-neutral nature diffuses Lung Qi, allowing the skin and pores to disperse; this is why it dispels wind injuries.
Prescription Formulation:
Niubangzi combined with Zicao (Arnebiae Radix seu Rhizoma), Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu - note: substitute with Buffalo Horn in modern practice), and Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix) treats varicella or smallpox rashes that fail to erupt due to blood heat. Combined with Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), it treats sore throat due to wind-heat.