本经名乌扇。即今扁竹。其叶横铺一面。故有乌 凤翼仙人掌等名。易通卦验云。冬
至射干生。三四月开花。或紫或黄或碧。六出大如萱。（丹溪独取紫花者）结房四隔。生子
极硬
根
取开紫花者。味辛苦。气平凉。微温有毒。阳中阴也。入手少阳少阴厥阴经。合入足少
阴少阳。枢机之气分药也。 主治咳逆上气。（玉函射干麻黄汤。治咳而上气。喉中作水鸡
声
利大肠。消结核。治胃痈便毒。并疗疟母。（有鳖甲煎丸） 射干属金而有木与火。行厥阴
太阴之积痰。使结核自消甚捷。（丹溪）禀金气而兼火。其所主治。悉取泄热散结之功。（仲
淳） 药对云。立春射干木兰先生。为柴
枢象。射干为始生之首。易于兴起而为介
便毒。取射干三寸与生姜同煎。食前服。利
阳气不下行留结而成。经云。五脏菀热。痈
射干味苦。能通利下行。又消瘀血也。（
煎令焦。去渣。每噙枣许取瘥。 喉痹不
取汁噙之。引涎出亦妙。又方。用紫蝴
立愈。 乳痈初肿。用扁竹根如僵蚕者
〔论〕 射干以冬至生。三四月开花结实。七月乃枯。其气大畅于木火。而告成于金。
丹溪
与火
火金
职
在
曰
气
以
者
夫
其
肠
泻
虽能降手少阳厥阴相火。泄热散结消肿病。然无益阴之性。故别录云。久服令人虚。凡
脏寒
〔修治〕 米泔浸一宿。晒干。
Ben Jing (Classic of Materia Medica) calls it Wu Shan (Black Fan). It is the modern Bian Zhu (Irises tectorii). Its leaves spread horizontally on one side, hence the names such as Wu Feng Yi (Black Phoenix Wing) and Zhang Xian Zhang (Cactus Palm). Yi Tong Gua Yan (Verification of Hexagrams in the Easy Communication) states: Irises tectorii grows at the Winter Solstice. It flowers in the third and fourth lunar months, with colors varying from purple to yellow or green. The flower has six petals, as large as a daylily. (Danxi selected only the purple-flowered variety.) The capsule has four compartments, containing extremely hard seeds.
Root
Select the root of the plant bearing purple flowers. Flavor: pungent and bitter. Qi: neutral and cool. Slightly warm, slightly toxic. It belongs to "Yang within Yin." Enters the Hand Shaoyang (Triple Burner), Hand Shaoyin (Heart), and Hand Jueyin (Pericardium) meridians. Also enters the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) and Foot Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridians. It is a medicine acting on the pivot mechanism's qi division. Main indications: cough with rebellious qi ascent. (Shegan Mahuang Tang in the Yu Han Fang treats cough with qi rebellion, where the throat makes a sound like a water frog.) Benefits the Large Intestine. Resolves phlegm nodules (Jie He). Treats stomach abscess (Wei Yong) and perianal abscess (Bian Du). Also treats malaria mass (Nuo Mu). (There is Biejia Jian Wan.) Irises tectorii belongs to Metal but possesses Wood and Fire qualities. It moves and dissipates accumulated phlegm in the Jueyin and Taiyin meridians, causing nodules to dissolve very quickly. (Danxi stated that it inherits Metal qi while combining Fire; its therapeutic actions entirely derive from the power to drain heat and dissipate nodules.) (Zhongchun said.) Yao Dui (Pairing of Medicinals) states: At Start of Spring, Irises tectorii and Magnolia officinalis sprout first, serving as the pivot image for Chai Hu. Irises tectorii is the head of initial growth, easy to rise and serve as a mediator... [Text appears fragmented here]. Perianal abscess: Take three cun of Irises tectorii and decoct with fresh ginger. Take before meals. Caused by Yang qi failing to descend and stagnating. The Classic says: Five Zang organs' stagnant heat causes abscesses... Irises tectorii is bitter, capable of promoting downward flow and unblocking, and also resolves blood stasis. (...) Decoct until charred, remove dregs. Each time hold a date-sized amount in the mouth until healed. Sore throat (Hou Bi)... Take the juice and hold in the mouth; drawing out saliva is also excellent. Another prescription: Use Zi Hu... heals immediately. Breast abscess (Ru Yong) in early swelling stage: Use Bian Zhu root similar in size to a silkworm pupa...
[Discussion] Irises tectorii grows at the Winter Solstice, flowers and fruits in the third and fourth lunar months, and withers in the seventh lunar month. Its Qi is greatly unblocked by Wood and Fire, and completes its cycle under Metal. Danxi stated: Although it can subdue the Ministerial Fire of the Hand Shaoyang and Hand Jueyin meridians, drain heat, dissipate nodules, and reduce swelling, it lacks properties to nourish Yin. Therefore, Ben Cao Bie Lu (Additional Materia Medica) states: Long-term use causes deficiency. In cases of Cold in the Zang organs...
[Processing] Soak in rice washing water overnight, then sun-dry.