桑有数种。白桑叶大如掌而浓。鸡桑叶花而薄。子桑先椹而后叶。山桑叶尖而长。
俱取土内嫩根。剥皮用。
桑根白皮 气味甘辛寒。甘浓而辛薄。(有兼苦者。有兼辛者。必择用辛者乃合。)可升
可降。阳中阴也。入手太阴经。 续断桂心麻子为之使。 本经主伤中。五劳六极。羸瘦。
崩中绝脉。补虚益气。治肺气喘满。虚劳客热头痛。及唾血热渴。水肿腹满胪胀。调中下气。
消痰开胃。煮汁饮。利五脏。入散用。下一切风气水气。 方书治咳嗽嗽血吐血。鼻气耳聋
。声喑口病。中风往来寒热。虚劳发热。反胃胁痛。挛痹行痹香港脚。消瘅黄胆。泄泻。大小
便不通。小便不禁。溲血淋。肠鸣痫。 桑根皮泻肺中火邪。非泻肺气。泻邪即所以补正也
。(天益) 桑根皮虽入五脏。而以脾为主。盖伤中者。中土受伤。以致五脏劳极耳。羸瘦
即肉极。崩中绝脉即脉极。补虚者补脾土之虚。益气者益中央之气也。(之颐) 甘以固元
气之不足而补虚。辛以泻肺气之有余而止嗽。(东垣) 钱乙泻白散。治肺热咳喘。面肿身
热。用桑根皮炒一两。地骨皮焙一两。炙甘草五钱。每用一二钱。入粳米百粒。水煎。食后
温服。此方乃泻肺诸方之准绳。罗氏谓泻肺火邪。非泻肺气是也。 得天麦冬贝母沙参百部
五味子款冬薄荷甘草枇杷叶。为治嗽要药。 得芍药薏仁木瓜茯苓橘皮赤小豆。为治水肿之
神剂。 咳嗽吐血甚者。鲜桑根白皮一斤。米泔浸三宿。刮去黄皮。锉细。入糯米四两。焙
干为末。每服一钱。米饮下。消渴尿多。入地三尺桑根。剥取白皮。炙黄黑。锉。以水煮浓
汁。随意饮之。亦可少入米。勿用盐。 产后下血。桑白皮炙。煮水饮之。 小儿火丹。桑
根白皮煮汁浴之。或为末。羊膏和。涂之。
〔论〕 本经言桑根白皮补益功甚巨。按典术云。箕水星精。散而为桑。种树书云。根
下尝培龟甲。易茂不蛀。(龟神在坎。故桑以龟为食。)郭子章又言。桑无不宜之土。合而绎
之。则知此木乃水土合德以立命者。其气寒。其味甘。甘而有辛。犹人之脾气散精。上归于
肺。正水土合德之所化也。人身脾肾之气。至于肺。则归于在天之阳矣。阳畅而阴自降。则
能毛脉合精。行气于腑。腑精神明。留于四脏矣。桑根皮之治伤中劳极羸瘦及崩中绝脉。补
虚益气也。岂非甘寒而致用于辛者。阳固无阏。而阴自和以降欤。夫水土合德以为阴。犹中
土之从乎地气也。辛甘合德以为阳。犹中土之从乎天气也。此味主伤中益气。是其主脑。(阳
中之阴伤。如唾血热渴。及劳热喘满。此地气不升。而肾阴不至于肺也。阴中之阳伤。如肺
中水气。水肿腹胀。此天气不降。而肺阳不归于肾也。)盖本甘辛合而肾与脾同至肺。即甘
寒合而脾之至肺者。肺仍与之归肾。明其补益之所以然。岂得以泻肺热。利水气。印定桑皮
之用哉。且如以为降多升少。其功尤在下气。何又奏效于产后下血。及消渴尿多耶。此可悟
本经指称之义矣。 经于桑白皮。首主伤中。似伤中特为劳极羸瘦崩中绝脉之本。夫所谓中
者。何也。人生有形。不离阴阳。本于阴而透于阳。透于阳而又未离于阴。是之为中气。即
东垣所谓元气也。桑之根皮。合于亲下。为水土立地之用。然却有辛以至天者。远水土气化
而际肺。即由天而还返其立地之精。以归于极下。是则搏 而神其升降者。固在天表之肺。
故其功以平逆气。而止嗽定喘为多也。下而香港脚之治。则自地升天者。即能由天而降地。总
是一气之所贯耳。(自肾而合于中土以际肺。俾阴得畅于阳。即由肺而复合于中土以归肾。
使阳更育于阴。夫如是则阴阳还元。营卫和合。其功不独在肺矣。)又以桑皮疗水肿。乃得
夫气为血之先。血为气之御焉。盖先天之水所以生气。后天之气所以化水。后天之气化。则
阴根于阳而血生。后天之水化。则阳宅于阴而气益。以水即血之源。血又气之依也。是乃疗
崩中绝脉。补虚益气之实际。本经首主伤中。盖深悉于肺肾相因。而中土司升降之枢。兹物
有合焉者也。
(附)皮中白汁 小儿口疮白漫。拭净。涂之便愈。 又涂金刃所伤。燥痛。须臾血
止。仍以
(附)桑生黄衣。谓之金桑。其木必将槁矣。山家老树多生。湖桑少见。 气味与白
皮同。其除肺热之功。殆又过之。
缪氏。肺虚而小便利者。不宜。因寒袭肺发咳者。勿服。
〔辨治〕 出土者。用之杀人。须采土内嫩根。去骨。铜刀刮去薄皮。勿去皮上涎。其
药力在此也。 利水生用。咳嗽蜜炙或炒。
叶
以夏秋再生者为上。经霜者另取洗眼用。
气味苦甘寒。 除寒热止汗。(本经) 利五脏。通关节下气。嫩叶煎酒服。治一切风。
(日华子) 利大小肠。除香港脚水肿。(苏恭)止盗汗。经霜桑叶研末。米饮服。(丹溪) 去
老风宿血。鸡桑叶煮汁。煎膏服。(藏器) 风眼下泪。用腊月不落桑叶煎汤。日日温洗。
或入芒硝。 去手足风痹。取霜后叶煮汤淋渫之。微炙和桑衣煎服。治痢。并止金疮诸损伤
出血。(颂)桑麻丸。能益气血。祛风。四月采桑叶。酒拌。九蒸九晒。为末。胡麻或黑芝
麻去壳。九蒸九晒。另磨如泥。各等分。炼蜜为丸。每空心饥时。白汤下五六钱。仙家饵之
为引年止饥之要药。 养血宁心。老桑叶一斤。嫩桑叶末一斤。茯神八两。制人乳。共成一
斤。为末。炼蜜丸服。
〔论〕 桑叶性味甘寒。而以苦先之。故能致于火主之心而行血化。(以甘寒致于火生
则气和而血鬯)统观治效。大抵皆因和血之益。即以获治风之效者。夫桑叶治风。类以为金
能平木。岂知肝属风木。经所谓一阴为独使者。谓其下通命门。以升阴中之阳。上合心包络。
以降阳中之阴也。如甘寒之阴。至于主火之心。则肝以得升其阴中之阳矣。乃主火之心。合
甘寒之气化。则肝又得降其阳中之阴矣。风之为病。或病于阳之不升。或病于阴之不降。今
阴中之阳。肝既合之以升。而阳中之阴。肝又承之以降。此正金木相媾之元机。所由达包络
之血。使肝和而风息者也。
〔修治〕 煎汤研汁为末俱可。
椹
甘寒。味浓气薄。其性微凉。 养阴补肾。生津安神。利五脏关节。通血气。 酿酒服
。利水气消肿。(皆阴气得益之故) 根较寒。子较暖。用者详之。(士材) 甘寒益血而除
热
治服金石发热口渴。及小肠热者。采摘熟椹。微研。以布滤汁。瓦器熬成稀膏。量入白蜜熬
稠。贮瓷器中。每食后夜卧。抄一二钱。沸汤点服。 桑椹酒。能理百种风热。用椹汁三斗
。重汤煮至斗半。入白蜜二合。酥油一两。姜汁一合。煮令得所。瓶收。每服一合。和酒饮
之。亦可以汁熬烧酒。藏之经年。味力愈佳。 水肿胀满。水不下则满溢。下则虚竭还胀。
十无一活。宜桑椹酒治之。桑心皮切。以水二斗。煮汁一斗。入桑椹。再煮。取五升。以糯
饭五升酿酒饮。
〔论〕 桑本甘寒而兼辛。结于椹。则由辛而达甘寒之化。其精英固萃于此也。色乌赤。
固当入肾而益阴。总之。利水必以根皮为先。祛风则取枝叶为胜。至于乌椹益阴气。便益阴
血。血为水所化。故益血还以行水。风与血同脏。故益血又即以息风。然则此味益阴不较胜
乎。
缪氏。甘寒滑润而下行。脾胃虚寒作泻者。弗服。
枝
气味苦平。 主治祛风养筋。(士材) 取嫩条细锉。炒香。瓦器煮减一半。再入银器。
重汤煮减一半。服之。久久不患偏风。疗口渴及痈疽后渴。 桑木炙法。能通关节。去风寒
。出郁毒。凡痈疽发背不起发。或瘀肉不腐溃。及阴疮瘰 。流注 疮。顽疮恶疮。久不愈
者。未溃则拔毒止痛。已溃则补接阳气。用干桑木劈成细片。扎作小把。然火吹息。炙患处
。每吹炙片时。以瘀肉腐动为度。内服补托药。甚良。 紫白癜风。桑枝十斤。益母草三
斤。水五斗。慢煮至五升。去渣。再熬成膏。每卧时温酒调服半合。以愈为度。
柴灰
以灰淋汁。即桑霜。 用桑皮纸衬淘箩底。滚水淋下。瓷器盛之。 重汤煮干。别名木
。 气味辛寒。有小毒。能钻筋透骨。为敷痈疽拔疔。引诸散毒药攻毒之要品。 身面水
肿。取花桑枝烧灰淋汁。煮赤小豆。每饥即饱食之。不得吃汤饮。同丹砂雄黄乳香没药牛黄
龙脑香红白药子白芨白蔹。敷一切肿毒。止痛追毒有奇效。同铁锈蟾酥可拔疔。
〔总论〕 桑之用。总不外于甘寒。根白皮由甘寒而辛。致其用于中气。而即能裕血。
桑叶自苦而甘寒。致其用于血化。而还能达气。桑椹则独有甘寒而色乌。归其用于气血之元。
觉益阴良浓。若桑枝则惟有苦平。亦不离甘寒之体。而专行血化以息风。大抵在气则水之治
切。在血则风之功专。二语尽之矣。
Mulberry trees have several varieties. The leaves of white mulberry are palm-sized and thick. The leaves of chicken mulberry are patterned and thin. Sub-mulberry bears fruit before growing leaves. Mountain mulberry has pointed and long leaves.
The tender roots within the soil are harvested, and the bark is peeled off for use.
Sanggen (Morus Albae Cortex) Flavor: Sweet, Pungent; Nature: Cold. The sweet flavor is strong, while the pungent flavor is mild. (Some possess a bitter taste, some a pungent taste; one must select those with a distinct pungency to meet the medicinal standard.) It can ascend and descend; it is Yin within Yang. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), and Maziren (Cannabis Fructus) serve as its guiding herbs. *Shennong Bencao Jing* indicates it treats internal injury. It addresses Wu Lao Liu Ji (five exhaustion and six extremes, referring to various deficiency consumptive disorders), emaciation, Beng Zhong (metrorrhagia/menorrhagia), and pulse cessation. It tonifies deficiency and benefits Qi. It treats lung asthma and distension, headache due to deficient consumption and external heat, spitting blood, thirst due to heat, edema, abdominal fullness, and cutaneous swelling. It regulates middle Qi and directs rebellious Qi downward. It resolves phlegm and opens the stomach. Decocted in water and drunk, it promotes the free flow of the five Zang organs. When used in powders, it expels all wind and damp-water pathogens. Medical texts treat cough, hemoptysis, and hematemesis. Nasal obstruction, deafness, hoarseness, and oral lesions. Alternating chills and fever due to stroke. Fever due to deficient consumption. Regurgitation and hypochondriac pain. Spasmodic bi syndrome, wandering bi syndrome (arthralgia with migrating pain), and Hongjiao (podagra/foot qi). It eliminates Xiao Dao (wasting-thirst) and jaundice. Diarrhea. Obstruction of urination and defecation. Urinary incontinence. Hematuria and strangury. Intestinal borborygmus and epilepsy.
Sanggen clears fire pathogens from the Lung but does not deplete Lung Qi. Clearing pathogens is equivalent to supporting healthy Qi. (Note by Tian Yi) Although Sanggen enters the five Zang organs, it primarily focuses on the Spleen. "Internal injury" refers to damage to the Middle Earth (Spleen/Stomach), leading to extreme exhaustion of the five Zang organs. Emaciation corresponds to flesh extremity. Beng Zhong and pulse cessation correspond to pulse extremity. Tonifying deficiency means tonifying Spleen Earth deficiency; benefiting Qi means enriching the central Qi. (Note by Zhi Yi) Sweetness consolidates insufficient Yuan Qi and tonifies deficiency. Pungency drains excess Lung Qi and stops cough. (Note by Dong Yuan) Qian Yi’s Xie Bai San treats lung-heat cough and wheezing, facial swelling, and body heat. It uses one liang of stir-fried Sanggen, one liang of roasted Digupi (Lycii Cortex), and five qian of honey-fried Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). Take one or two qian per dose, add one hundred grains of Jingmi (Oryza Sativa Germ), decoct in water, and take warm after meals. This formula serves as the benchmark for formulas treating the Lung. Luo’s statement that it drains Lung fire pathogens rather than Lung Qi is correct. Combined with Tiandong (Asparagi Radix), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Shashen (Glehniae Radix), Baibu (Stemonae Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Kuandonghua (Verbasci Flos), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), and Pipaye (Eriobotryae Folium), it becomes an essential herb combination for treating cough. Combined with Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Yiren (Coicis Semen), Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Fuling (Poria), Chenni (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Chixiaodou (Vignaemen Radiatis Semen), it becomes a miraculous agent for treating edema. For severe cough with hemoptysis, take one jin of fresh Sanggen, soak in rice wash water for three nights, scrape off the yellow skin, chop finely. Add four liang of Nuomi (Oryza Sativa Japonica Group), bake until dry, and grind into powder. Take one qian per dose with rice drink. For wasting-thirst with polyuria, dig up a three-chi deep mulberry root, peel the white bark, roast until yellow-black, chop, and boil in water to make a concentrated juice, drink at will. A small amount of rice may be added, but do not use salt. For postpartum bleeding, roast Sanggen, decoct in water, and drink. For pediatric Huodan (erysipelas-like rash), bathe in juice boiled from Sanggen white bark, or apply powder mixed with sheep fat.
[Discussion] *Shennong Bencao Jing* states that Sanggen has significant tonifying effects. According to *Di Shu*, the star Jisi is the essence of Water Star, scattering to become mulberry. *Zhong Shu Shu* records that cultivating turtle shells under mulberry roots makes them grow vigorously and prevents insect damage. (Since the turtle spirit resides in Kan [Water], mulberry consumes turtles.) Guo Zizhang also stated that mulberry grows in any soil. Synthesizing these, we know this tree establishes life through the virtue of combined Earth and Water. Its nature is cold, its flavor is sweet, sweet yet pungent, similar to how Spleen Qi scatters essence upward to the Lung, which is precisely the transformation of combined Earth and Water. In the human body, Qi from Spleen and Kidney reaches the Lung and returns to the Heaven-Yang. When Yang flows freely, Yin descends naturally, allowing Mao Mai (skin and vessels) to combine essence, circulate Qi to the Fu organs, where Fu Qi becomes bright and clear, remaining in the four Zang organs. Does Sanggen’s treatment of internal injury, extreme exhaustion, emaciation, Beng Zhong, and pulse cessation, along with tonifying deficiency and benefiting Qi, not demonstrate the use of sweet-cold aided by pungency, securing Yang without obstruction so that Yin harmonizes and descends? Earth-Water combined virtue forms Yin, akin to Middle Earth following Earth Qi. Pungent-Sweet combined virtue forms Yang, akin to Middle Earth following Heaven Qi. This substance primarily treats internal injury and benefits Qi, which is its core principle. (Injury of Yang-within-Yin, such as spitting blood, thirst-heat, and labor-fever with asthma/distension, indicates Earth Qi failing to ascend and Kidney Yin failing to reach the Lung. Injury of Yin-within-Yang, such as water-Qi in the Lung, edema, and abdominal distension, indicates Heaven Qi failing to descend and Lung Yang failing to return to the Kidney.) Generally, because Sweet-Pungent harmonize, Kidney and Spleen reach the Lung together; even if Sweet-Cold harmonize, what Spleen sends to the Lung, the Lung still returns to the Kidney. This clarifies the rationale of its tonification. How can its use be limited merely to draining Lung heat and promoting water-Qi? Furthermore, if it were believed to descend more than ascend, with efficacy mainly in directing Qi downward, why would it be effective for postpartum bleeding and wasting-thirst with polyuria? This allows one to comprehend the meaning indicated in *Shennong Bencao Jing*. *Shennong Bencao Jing* prioritizes treating internal injury with Sanggen, implying that internal injury is the root of extreme exhaustion, emaciation, Beng Zhong, and pulse cessation. What is "Middle"? Humans have form, inseparable from Yin and Yang, rooted in Yin but penetrating Yang, penetrating Yang yet not leaving Yin; this is called Middle Qi, which is the Yuan Qi mentioned by Dong Yuan. Mulberry root bark adheres to the lower part, serving the function of establishing Earth and Water. Yet it possesses pungency reaching Heaven, distancing itself from Earth-Water Qi transformation to interface with the Lung, returning from Heaven to its foundational essence, descending to the lowest point. Thus, the gathering and spiritualization of ascending and descending reside in the Lung on the surface of Heaven. Therefore, its efficacy lies mostly in calming rebellious Qi, stopping cough, and stabilizing wheezing. Treating Hongjiao below involves ascending from Earth to Heaven, which then descends from Heaven to Earth, all connected by one Qi. (From Kidney combining with Middle Earth to interface with Lung, allowing Yin to flow freely in Yang; then from Lung recombining with Middle Earth to return to Kidney, allowing Yang to nurture Yin further. In this way, Yin and Yang return to origin, Ying and Wei harmonize, and its efficacy is not limited to the Lung alone.) Using Sanggen to treat edema relies on the principle that "Qi is the commander of Blood, Blood is the mother of Qi." Pre-heaven Water generates Qi, Post-heaven Qi transforms Water. When Post-heaven Qi transforms, Yin roots in Yang and Blood is generated; when Post-heaven Water transforms, Yang dwells in Yin and Qi increases. Since Water is the source of Blood, and Blood is the support of Qi, this is the practical basis for treating Beng Zhong and pulse cessation, tonifying deficiency and benefiting Qi. *Shennong Bencao Jing* prioritizes treating internal injury, deeply understanding the interdependence of Lung and Kidney, and the pivot role of Middle Earth in ascending and descending; this substance aligns with this theory.
(Attachment) White sap in the bark Treats white patches in pediatric mouth ulcers. Wipe clean and apply; it heals quickly. Also applies to injuries from metal blades causing dryness and pain; bleeding stops shortly after application.
(Attachment) Yellow fungal growth on mulberry is called Jin Sang (Golden Mulberry); the tree will eventually wither. Common in old mountain trees, rare in lake mulberries. Its flavor and nature are the same as the white bark. Its ability to clear Lung heat likely exceeds that of the white bark.
Mu氏 advises against use in cases of Lung deficiency with frequent urination. Do not use for cough caused by cold invading the Lung.
[Differentiation and Treatment] Roots exposed to air are toxic and should not be used. One must harvest tender roots from the soil, remove the woody core, scrape the thin outer bark with a copper knife, and preserve the mucus on the bark, as the medicinal power resides there. Use raw for promoting diuresis. Use honey-roasted or stir-fried for cough.
Leaf
Those regrown in summer and autumn are superior. Leaves after frost are separately collected for washing eyes.
Flavor: Bitter, Sweet; Nature: Cold. Clears chills and fever, stops sweating. (*Shennong Bencao Jing*) Promotes the five Zang organs, unblocks joints, directs Qi downward. Decoct young leaves in wine and drink to treat all wind conditions. (Ri Hua Zi) Benefits large and small intestines, clears Hongjiao edema. (Su Gong) Stops night sweats. Grind leaves after frost into powder, take with rice drink. (Dan Xi) Removes old wind and retained blood. Decoct chicken mulberry leaves, reduce to paste, and take. (Zang Qi) For wind-eye tearing, decoct mulberry leaves fallen in the twelfth lunar month, wash daily with warm liquid. Can add Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas). Removes hand and foot wind-bi. Decoct frost-after leaves, wash with hot liquid. Lightly roast and decoct with Sangyi (mulberry husk) to treat dysentery. Also stops bleeding from all metallic wounds. (Song) Sangma Wan benefits Qi and Blood, dispels wind. Harvest mulberry leaves in April, mix with wine, steam nine times and sun-dry nine times, grind to powder. Remove shell from Huma (Sesamum indicum) or black sesame, steam nine times and sun-dry nine times, grind into paste. Mix equal parts, bind with refined honey into pills. Take five to six qian on an empty stomach with warm water. Immortals use it as a key medicine for longevity and hunger suppression. Nourishes Blood, calms Heart. One jin of old mulberry leaves, one jin of young mulberry leaf powder, eight liang of Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), processed human milk, combined to one jin, ground to powder, bound with refined honey into pills.
[Discussion] Mulberry leaf is sweet-cold, preceded by bitter, thus reaching the Fire-master Heart to promote Blood transformation. (Sweet-cold reaching Fire-generation leads to harmonious Qi and smooth Blood.) Observing therapeutic effects, most derive from the benefit of harmonizing Blood, thereby achieving wind-dispelling effects. People often attribute mulberry’s wind-treating ability to Metal controlling Wood. However, Liver belongs to Wind-Wood. The Classic states "One Yin acts as sole messenger," meaning it connects downward to Mingmen to ascend Yin-within-Yang, and upward combines with Pericardium to descend Yang-within-Yin. When sweet-cold Yin reaches the Heart master of Fire, Liver ascends its Yin-within-Yang. Then, Heart combines with sweet-cold Qi transformation, allowing Liver to descend its Yang-within-Yin. Wind disease arises either from failure of Yang to ascend or Yin to descend. Now, since Liver combines to ascend Yin-within-Yang, and receives to descend Yang-within-Yin, this is the mechanism of Metal-Wood interaction, reaching Pericardium Blood, harmonizing Liver, and extinguishing wind.
[Processing] Can be decocted, juiced, or ground into powder.
Berry
Sweet, Cold; Strong flavor, thin aroma, slightly cool nature. Nourishes Yin, tonifies Kidney, generates fluids, calms Spirit, benefits five Zang organs and joints, unblocks Blood and Qi. Ferment into wine to promote water-Qi and reduce swelling. (Due to benefitting Yin Qi) Roots are colder, berries are warmer; users should note this. (Shi Cai Note) Sweet-cold benefits Blood and clears heat. Treats fever and thirst from ingesting mineral drugs, and Small Intestine heat. Pick ripe berries, crush slightly, filter juice through cloth, boil in earthenware to thick syrup, add white honey, boil until稠, store in porcelain. Take one or two qian after meals and before sleep, dissolve in boiling water. Sangshen Wine treats hundreds of wind-heat conditions. Use three dou of berry juice, double-boil until reduced to one dan half, add two he of white honey, one liang of butter, one he of ginger juice, cook appropriately. Store in bottle. Take one he per dose, mix with wine. Can also boil juice with liquor, storing for years improves potency. For edema and distension, if water does not pass, distension overflows; if it passes, deficiency remains with recurring distension; ten out of ten die. Treat with Sangshen Wine. Slice Sangxinpi, boil two dou of water to one dou juice, add mulberry berries, boil again to obtain five sheng, ferment with five sheng of glutinous rice wine, drink.
[Discussion] Mulberry is originally sweet-cold and pungent. Forming berries, it transforms from pungent to sweet-cold; its essence gathers here. Dark red color enters Kidney and benefits Yin. Generally, for promoting water, root bark is primary; for dispelling wind, branches and leaves are superior. Regarding dark berries benefiting Yin Qi and facilitating Yin Blood, since Blood is transformed from Water, benefiting Blood promotes Water movement. Wind and Blood share the same organ, so benefiting Blood extinguishes wind. Thus, does this substance not excel in benefiting Yin?
Mu氏 advises against use for those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold diarrhea due to its sweet-cold, slippery, and descending nature.
Branch
Flavor: Bitter, Neutral. Main action: Dispels wind, nourishes sinews. (Shi Cai Note) Take tender twigs, chop finely, roast until fragrant, boil in earthenware until reduced by half, transfer to silver vessel, double-boil until reduced by half, drink. Long-term use prevents hemiplegia, treats thirst and post-abscess thirst. Roasting mulberry wood unblocks joints, expels wind-cold, releases郁毒 (stagnant toxins). For carbuncles and back abscesses that do not suppurate, or necrotic tissue that does not ulcerate, as well as yin sores, scrofula, flowing abscesses, stubborn malignant sores not healing for a long time: before ulceration, it draws out toxin and relieves pain; after ulceration, it supplements Yang Qi. Split dry mulberry wood into thin slices, tie into small bundles, ignite fire and blow out, moxa/bake affected area. Blow and bake for a moment until necrotic tissue moves. Internal administration of tonifying and supporting medicines is very effective. For purple and white wind vitiligo, use ten jin of Sangzhi (Mulberry Twig), three jin of Yimucao (Leonuri Herba), five dou of water, slow boil to five sheng, strain, boil down to paste. Take half he with warm wine before sleep until cured.
Ash
Leaching ash with water yields Sangshuang (Mulberry Frost). Line a winnowing basket bottom with Sangpi paper, pour boiling water through, collect in porcelain. Double-boil until dry, alias Muyuan. Flavor: Pungent, Cold; slightly toxic. Penetrates sinews and bones. Essential for applying to carbuncles to draw out boils, and guiding other dispersing/toxic drugs to attack toxins. For body and facial edema, burn flowering mulberry branches to ash, leach juice, boil with Chixiaodou (Vignaemen Radiatis Semen), eat full meals when hungry, avoid drinking soup. Apply with Dansha (Cinnabaris), Xionghuang (Realgar), Rushiang (Boswelliae Resina), Moyao (Myrrhae Resina), Niuhuang (Bovis Calculus), Longnaoxiang (Borneolum Syntheticum), Hongbai Yaozi, Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma), Bailian (Ampelopsis Radix) to all swellings and toxins; remarkable effect in stopping pain and drawing out toxin. Combine with Tieshu (Ferrum Oxidatum) and Chansu (Bufonis Venenum) to draw out boils.
[General Discussion] The use of Mulberry generally revolves around sweet-cold. Root white bark transforms from sweet-cold to pungent, acting on Middle Qi, thereby enriching Blood. Leaf transforms from bitter to sweet-cold, acting on Blood transformation, thereby reaching Qi. Berry uniquely possesses sweet-cold and dark color, returning to the origin of Qi and Blood, feeling strongly beneficial to Yin. Branch possesses only bitter-neutral, yet不离 (does not depart from) sweet-cold body, specifically promoting Blood transformation to extinguish wind. Generally, regarding Qi, treatment of water is precise; regarding Blood, merit in dispelling wind is specialized. These two phrases summarize it all.