一名佛耳草。一名鼠耳。原野甚多。二月生苗。茎叶柔软。叶长寸许。白茸如
三月开小黄花。成穗。四月结细子。如粟。（濒湖）
味甘酸。气平。性热。 款冬花为之使。 主治痹寒。除肺寒嗽及痰。大升肺气。调中
益气
〔总论〕 酸浆生于川泽。仲夏后吐华。结子深红。盖禀大火之令。而成于寒水之气化
者。
由
。而日华具有调中益气之说。经曰。气虚者寒也。是物宜之。
此马蹄决明。又有草决明。即青葙子也。以其亦能明目。用之者遂冒为决明子。误
盖青葙茎直如蒿。苗叶花实。与鸡冠相类。子在穗中。黑扁而光。粒同苋实。决明子叶
蓿而阔大。秋深结角。如初生细豇豆子。在角中状如马蹄。青绿色。故曰马蹄决明。其
稍大。而主治尤优。不可不审。（嘉谟）
味咸平苦甘。气微寒。足厥阴肝正药。亦入肾经。 除肝热。和肝气。主治青盲目淫。
肤赤
草）
芥黄
附案 一童子素有目疾。已愈。又因久衄。肾肝虚火俱动。致目赤。左 微痛。用姜汁
制生
胡五
每
〔论〕 决明子得水士阴经之气。而兼禀乎清阳者也。（本仲淳） 味咸走血。气寒对
治热。故
治优于青葙
分。及因风
即洛阳花。俗谓十姊妹。茎细有节。高一二尺。叶似石竹。梢巅开花。有红紫粉蓝。
斑斓数色。结实如燕麦。内子紫黑而匾。第在五月则黑。六月则黄。故宜采于夏至后。交小
暑节则迟矣。 又方书中南天竺草。即生瞿麦也。
穗（只用蕊壳。不杂茎叶。） 味苦微辛。气寒。阳中之阴。通心经。利小肠。 丹皮
为之使
肠与心为
肠别作病
利窍也。（
七钱五分。
七分。时时
〔论〕 瞿麦专取蕊壳。其用通心。能化血分之结泣。（破胎堕子而下闭血）夫血与小
水。是
合于火
者。且
治血分
但非
胞中
血海
胱。
性猛利。善下逐。凡肾气虚。小肠无大热者。忌之。胎前产后。一切虚人小水不利者。
禁用
〔修治〕 先以堇竹沥浸一伏时。漉出。晒干用。
[Curculigo Rhizome / Mouse Ear Grass]
Also known as Foer Grass (Fouercao) or Mouse Ear (Shuer). It grows abundantly in fields and wilds. Seedlings emerge in the second lunar month; the stems and leaves are soft. The leaves are about one cun long, covered with white down, resembling the appearance in the third lunar month. In the third month, small yellow flowers bloom, forming spikes. In the fourth month, fine seeds like millet are formed. (Cited from Li Shizhen)
The taste is sweet and sour; the nature is neutral; the thermal property is hot. Duan Dong Hua (Kalanchoe Flower) serves as its guiding herb. It treats Bi syndrome caused by cold, eliminates lung-cold cough and phlegm, greatly raises Lung Qi, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, and benefits Qi.
[General Discussion]
Suan Jiang (Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii) grows in rivers and marshes. It blooms after mid-summer and bears deep red fruits. This is because it inherits the command of Great Fire (Summer Fire) and completes its transformation through the Qi of Cold Water (Winter Water). Therefore, Ri Hua Zi states it can harmonize the Middle and benefit Qi. The Classics say: "Qi deficiency constitutes Cold." This substance is suitable for such conditions.
[Cassiae Semen]
This is Ma Ti Jue Ming (Horse-hoof Cassia Seed). There is also Cao Jue Ming, which is Qing Xiang Zi (Celosia Seed). Because Qing Xiang Zi can also brighten the eyes, users mistakenly substitute it for Jue Ming Zi, which is an error.
Generally, Qing Xiang Zi has a straight stem like Artemisia; its seedling, leaves, flowers, and fruits resemble Celosia cristata. The seeds are within the spike, black, flat, and glossy, similar in size to Amaranthus seeds. Jue Ming Zi leaves are like Medicago sativa but broader. In late autumn, it produces pods like young cowpeas; inside the pod, the seeds resemble horse hooves, greenish-blue, hence the name Ma Ti Jue Ming. Its efficacy is slightly superior, and its therapeutic action is more excellent; this must be carefully distinguished. (Cited from Jiamo)
The taste is salty, neutral, bitter, and sweet; the thermal property is slightly cold. It is the principal herb for the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian and also enters the Kidney Meridian. It clears Liver Heat and harmonizes Liver Qi. It treats blindness (Qing Mang), excessive eye discharge, and red skin.
[Case Record] A boy who previously suffered from eye disease, which had healed, subsequently developed chronic epistaxis. This moved the deficient fire of both the Kidney and Liver, causing redness of the eyes and slight pain on the left side. Using Ginger Juice... [text missing] Hu Wu... Each...
[Discussion]
Jue Ming Zi inherits the Yin Qi of the Earth and Water meridians and simultaneously possesses Clear Yang Qi. (Cited from Ben Zhongchun) Salty flavors enter the Blood aspect; cold thermal properties counteract heat; therefore... it is superior to Qing Xiang Zi... and due to Wind...
[Dianthus Caryophyllus Herb / Dianthi Herba]
It is also known as Luoyang Flower, commonly called Ten Sisters. The stem is thin and jointed, one to two chi high. The leaves resemble Dianthus superbus. Flowers bloom at the tips, displaying various colors such as red, purple, pink, and blue. It bears fruit resembling oats; the inner seeds are purplish-black and flat. They turn black in the fifth month and yellow in the sixth month; thus, they should be harvested after the Summer Solstice. Harvesting after the Minor Heat solar term is too late.
Additionally, Nan Tian Zhu Cao in medical formularies refers to growing Dianthi Herba.
Spikes (using only the calyx and corolla, without stems and leaves.)
The taste is bitter and slightly pungent; the thermal property is cold; it belongs to Yin within Yang. It unblocks the Heart Meridian and promotes urination via the Small Intestine. Mu Dan Pi serves as its guiding herb.
The intestine and heart are related... treating the intestine separately as a disease... promoting orifices. (Cited from...) 7 qian 5 fen. 7 fen. At all times...
[Discussion]
Dianthi Herba specifically uses the calyx and corolla; its function unblocks the Heart and can resolve stagnation and fluid retention in the Blood aspect. (Note: It induces abortion and expels retained blood.) Blood and Xiao Shui (urine) are... combined with Fire... Moreover... treating the Blood aspect... but not... Bao Zhong (uterus)... Xue Hai (Blood Sea)... Pang Guang (bladder).
Its nature is fierce and penetrating, good at descending and expelling. For those with Kidney Qi deficiency and no significant heat in the Small Intestine, it is contraindicated. During pregnancy and postpartum, and for all deficient persons with difficult urination, it is strictly prohibited.
[Processing]
Soak first in Jin Zhu Li (Bamboo Sap from Dianthus/Bambusa species) for one Fu period (approx. 24 hours), drain, and sun-dry for use.