气寒，味微苦甘。微寒，阳中微阴也。无毒。
入手太阴经。
《象》云∶治肺中伏火，脉气欲绝。加五味子、人参。三味为生脉之剂，补肺中元气不
足。
《珍》云∶行经，酒浸、汤浸。去心，治经枯。
《心》云∶补心气不足，及治血妄行，补心不足。
《本草》云∶主心腹结气，伤中伤饱，胃络脉绝，羸瘦短气。身重目黄，心下支满，虚
劳客热，口干燥渴，止呕吐，愈痿蹶，强阴益精，消谷调中，保神，定肺气，安五脏，令人
肥健，美颜色，有子。地黄、车前子为之使，恶款冬花、苦瓠。畏苦参、青 。入手太阴。
《衍义》云∶治肺热之功为多，其味苦，但专泄而不专收，寒多人禁服。治心肺虚热及
虚劳。麦门冬、地黄、麻仁、阿胶，润经益血，复脉通心。二门冬、五味子、枸杞子，同为
生脉之剂。
气平，味甘。无毒。
《本草》云∶主中风暴热，不能动摇，跌筋结肉，诸不足。心腹结气，虚热湿毒，腰痛
，茎中寒，及目痛、 烂、泪出。久服，去面黑 。
《心》云∶润肺除热。
气微寒，味苦、平，阴中微阳。无毒。
入足太阳经。
《象》云∶除烦热，主风湿热邪结于内。去枝、梗，用叶。
《本草》云∶主风湿寒热，邪气热结，黄胆，通身发黄，小便不利，除头热，去伏瘕。
入足太阳。
仲景茵陈栀子大黄汤，治湿热也。栀子柏皮汤，治燥热也。如苗涝则湿黄，苗旱则燥黄
，湿则泻之，燥则润之可也。此二药治阳黄也。韩祗和、李思训治阴黄，茵陈附子汤，大抵
以茵陈为君主，佐以大黄、附子，各随其寒热。
《珍》云∶治伤寒发黄。
[Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix)]
Qi is cold, taste is slightly bitter and sweet. It has a slightly cold nature, representing yang with slight yin. Non-toxic.
Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Xiang states: Treats latent fire in the lungs, where pulse qi is about to cease. Add Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) and Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma). These three ingredients form the Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder), which tonifies insufficiency of primordial qi in the lungs.
Zhen states: Promotes circulation in the meridians; soak in wine or decoct in water. Remove the heart, treat dryness and withering of the meridians.
Xin states: Tonifies insufficiency of Heart Qi, treats reckless bleeding (such as hematemesis or epistaxis), and tonifies Heart deficiency.
Ben Cao states: Primarily treats knotting of qi in the chest and abdomen, internal injury from overeating, severance of stomach collateral qi, emaciation, and shortness of breath. Body heaviness, yellow eyes, fullness and distension below the heart, heat from exogenous pathogens in consumptive disease, dry mouth and thirst, stops vomiting, cures wei jue syndrome (limb weakness or coldness), strengthens yin and benefits essence, aids digestion and harmonizes the middle jiao, preserves spirit, calms lung qi, stabilizes the five zang organs, makes one robust and strong, beautifies complexion, and promotes fertility. Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) act as guiding herbs (shi). Avoid using with Kuan Dong Hua (Farfarae Flos) and Ku Hu (Bitter Bottle Gourd). Feared by Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) and Qing Wan Si (Celosiae Aristeae Flos). Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Yan Yi states: Its efficacy in treating lung heat is predominant. Its bitter taste specifically drains but does not specifically astringe; it is contraindicated for those with severe cold. Treats deficient heat of the heart and lungs, and consumptive disease. Mai Dong, Di Huang, Ma Ren (Semen Cannabis), and E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) moisten the meridians and benefit blood, restore the pulse, and unblock the heart. Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Radix), Mai Dong, Wu Wei Zi, and Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus) together constitute the Sheng Mai San.
[Wei Rui (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma)]
Qi is neutral, taste is sweet. Non-toxic.
Ben Cao states: Primarily treats sudden heat from wind-stroke, inability to move, tendon knots in muscles, and various deficiencies. Knotting of qi in the chest and abdomen, deficient heat and damp-toxin, lower back pain, cold sensation in the penis, eye pain, eyelid ulceration, and tearing. Long-term use removes facial dark spots.
Xin states: Moistens the lungs and clears heat.
[Yin Chen Hao (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba)]
Qi is slightly cold, taste is bitter and neutral, representing yin with slight yang. Non-toxic.
Enters the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian.
Xiang states: Clears vexing heat, primarily treats rheumatic-heat pathogenic factors knotted internally. Remove stems and branches, use only the leaves.
Ben Cao states: Primarily treats rheumatic-cold-heat, knotted heat from pathogenic factors, jaundice, generalized yellowing of the body, difficult urination, clears head heat, and removes hidden masses (fu jia). Enters the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian.
Zhang Zhongjing’s Yin Chen Hao Tang (Artemisia Scoparia Decoction) and Zhi Zi Da Huang Tang (Gardeniae and Rheum Decoction) treat damp-heat syndromes. Zhi Zi Bai Pi Tang (Gardeniae and Phellodendri Cortex Decoction) treats dry-heat syndromes. If the seedlings are waterlogged, the jaundice is damp-type; if drought-stricken, it is dry-type. Dampness should be drained, dryness should be moistened. These two formulas treat yang jaundice. Han Zhihe and Li Sixun treat yin jaundice using Yin Chen Fu Zi Tang (Artemisia Scoparia and Aconite Decoction); generally, Yin Chen serves as the sovereign herb, assisted by Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), adjusted according to cold or heat patterns.
Zhen states: Treats jaundice caused by cold damage (shang han).