气味甘、平，无毒。主伤中，除痹，下气，补五脏虚劳羸瘦，强阴益精。久服浓
肠胃。
叶天士曰∶石斛气平入肺，味甘无毒入脾。甘平为金土之气味，入足阳明胃、手阳明大
肠。阴者，中之守也；阴虚则伤中，甘平益阴，故主伤中。痹者，脾病也；风、寒、湿三气
而脾先受之，石斛甘能补脾，故能除痹。上气，肺病也；火气上逆则为气喘，石斛平能清肺
，故能下气。五脏皆属于阴，而脾名至阴，为五脏之主。石斛补脾而荫及五脏，则五脏之虚
劳自复，而肌肉之消瘦自生矣。阴者宗筋也；精足则阴自强。精者，阴气之精华也；纳谷多
而精自储。肠者，手阳明大肠也；胃者，足阳明胃也；阳明属燥金，久服甘平清润，则阳明
不燥，而肠胃浓矣。（《新订》。）
张隐庵曰∶石斛生于石上，得水长生，是禀水面之专精而补肾。味甘色黄，不假土力，
是夺中土之气化而补脾。斛乃量名，主出主入，能营运中土之气而愈诸病也。
气味甘、寒，无毒。主风寒湿痹，乳难，养五脏，益气力，肥健，消水。久服耳
目聪明，不饥，延年，轻身，面生光，能行水上。
陈修园曰∶泽泻气寒，水之气也；味甘无毒，土之味也。生于水而上升，能启水阴之气
上滋中土也。其主风、寒、湿痹者，三气以湿为主，此能启水气上行而复下，其痹即从水气
而化矣。其主乳难者，能滋水精于中土而为汁也。其主“养五脏，益气力，肥健”等句，以
五脏主藏阴，而脾为五脏之原，一得水精之气则能灌溉四旁，俾五脏循环而受益，不特肥健
消水不饥，见本脏之功；而肺得水精之气而气益，肾得水精之气而耳聪，且形得水精之气而
全体轻，色得水精之气而面生光辉，一生得水精之气而延年，所以然者，久服之功。能行在
下之水而使之
园，一茎直上，无下行之性，故其功效如此。今人以盐水拌炒，则反掣其肘矣
[Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis)]
Flavor and Nature: Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. It primarily treats internal injury, dispels Bi syndrome (obstruction syndrome), directs rebellious Qi downward, tonifies the deficiency and emaciation of the five Zang organs caused by chronic exhaustion, and strengthens Yin and benefits essence. Long-term consumption moistens and thickens the intestines and stomach.
Ye Tianshi stated: Shihu has a neutral Qi that enters the Lung meridian, and a sweet flavor without toxicity that enters the Spleen meridian. Sweet and neutral are the flavors of Metal (Lung) and Earth (Spleen); it acts on the Foot-Yangming Stomach meridian and the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine meridian. "Yin" is the guardian within; when Yin is deficient, internal injury occurs. Shihu is sweet and neutral, benefiting Yin, thus it treats internal injury. "Bi" is a disease of the Spleen; when Wind, Cold, and Dampness invade, the Spleen is affected first. Shihu is sweet and can tonify the Spleen, thus it can dispel Bi. "Ascending Qi" is a disease of the Lung; when Fire Qi rebels upward, it causes asthma. Shihu is neutral and can clear the Lung, thus it can direct Qi downward. All five Zang organs belong to Yin, and the Spleen is named "Extreme Yin," serving as the master of the five Zang organs. Shihu tonifies the Spleen and shades the five Zang organs, so the deficiency and exhaustion of the five Zang organs will naturally recover, and muscle emaciation will naturally regenerate. "Yin" refers to the Sinews; when Essence is sufficient, the Sinews become strong. Essence is the refined part of Yin Qi; abundant food intake leads to stored Essence. The "Chang" (Intestines) refers to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine; the "Wei" (Stomach) refers to the Foot-Yangming Stomach. The Yangming meridians belong to Dry Metal. Long-term consumption of sweet, neutral, clearing, and moistening Shihu prevents Yangming from becoming dry, thereby making the intestines and stomach moist and thick. (New Edition.)
Zhang Yinan stated: Shihu grows on rocks and lives long with water, inheriting the concentrated essence of Water to tonify the Kidney. Its flavor is sweet and color yellow, not relying on Earth's power, but seizing the Qi transformation of Central Earth to tonify the Spleen. "Hu" is a unit of measurement; it governs exiting and entering, capable of circulating the Qi of Central Earth to cure various diseases.
[Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma)]
Flavor and Nature: Sweet, cold, non-toxic. It primarily treats Bi syndrome caused by Wind, Cold, and Dampness, difficult lactation, nourishes the five Zang organs, benefits Qi and strength, promotes robustness, and eliminates water retention. Long-term consumption makes the ears and eyes clear, reduces hunger, prolongs life, lightens the body, gives luster to the face, and enables one to walk on water.
Chen Xiuyuan stated: Zexihe has a cold Qi, which is the nature of Water; its sweet flavor without toxicity is the nature of Earth. Growing in water yet rising upward, it can stimulate the Yin Qi of Water to ascend and moisten Central Earth. Regarding its treatment of Wind, Cold, and Damp Bi, since these three pathogens prioritize Dampness, Zexihe can guide Water Qi upward and then return it downward, causing the Bi syndrome to transform through the movement of Water Qi. Regarding its treatment of difficult lactation, it can transform Water Essence in Central Earth into milk juice. Regarding the statements "nourishing the five Zang organs, benefiting Qi and strength, promoting robustness," this is because the five Zang organs store Yin, and the Spleen is the source of the five Zang organs. Once receiving the Qi of Water Essence, it can irrigate the four peripheries, allowing the five Zang organs to benefit from cyclic circulation. This manifests not only in the functions of the root organ such as robustness, eliminating water, and reducing hunger, but also: the Lung receives Water Essence Qi and breath becomes smooth; the Kidney receives Water Essence Qi and hearing becomes acute; the form receives Water Essence Qi and the whole body becomes light; the complexion receives Water Essence Qi and the face shines; the entire life receives Water Essence Qi and longevity is extended. The reason for this is the effect of long-term consumption. Zexihe can move the water below to make it circulate. Its stem grows straight up without a downward-nature, hence its efficacy. Nowadays, people stir-fry it with salt water, which counteracts its effects.