气味辛、温，无毒。主咳逆上气，头痛脑动，百节拘挛，风湿痹痛，死肌。久服
明目，利九窍，轻身长年。
张隐庵曰∶细辛气味辛温，一茎直上，其色赤黑，禀少阴泉下之水阴，而上交于太阳之
药也。少阴为水脏，太阳为水腑，水气相通行于皮毛，内合于肺；若循行失职，则病咳逆上
气，而细辛能治之。太阳之脉，起于目内 ，从巅络脑；若循行失职，则病头痛脑动，而细
辛亦能治之。太阳之气主皮毛，少阴之气主骨髓，少阴之气不合太阳，则风湿相侵。痹于筋
骨，则百节拘挛；痹于腠理，则为死肌；而细辛皆能治之。其所以能治之者，以气胜之也。
久服明目利九窍者，水精之气濡于空窍也；九窍利，则轻身而延年矣。
又曰∶宋元佑·陈承谓细辛单用末，不可过一钱，多则气闭不通而死。近医多以此语忌
用，而不知辛香之药岂能闭气？上品无毒之药何不可多用？方书之言，类此者不少。学人不
详
察而遵信之，伊芳黄之门，终身不能入矣！
气味苦、平，无毒。主心腹肠胃中结气，饮食积聚，寒热邪气，推陈致新。久服
轻身、明目、益精。（按∶经文不言发汗，仲圣用至八两之多，可知性纯，不妨多服，功缓
必须重用也。）
叶天士曰∶柴胡气平，禀天中正之气。味苦无毒，得地炎上之火味。胆者，中正之官，
相火之府；所以独入足少阳胆经，气味轻升，阴中之阳，乃少阳也。其主心腹肠胃中结气者
，心腹肠胃，五脏六腑也。脏腑共十二经，凡十一脏，皆取决于胆。柴胡轻清，升达胆气，
胆气条达，则十一脏从之宣化，故心腹肠胃中凡有结气皆能散之也。其主饮食积聚者，盖饮
食入胃散精于肝，肝之疏散又借少阳胆为生发之主也。柴胡升达胆气，则肝能散精，而饮食
积聚自下矣。少阳经行半表半里，少阳受邪，邪并于阴则寒；邪并于阳则热。柴胡和解少阳
，故主寒热之邪气也。春气一至，万物俱新。柴胡得天地春升之性，入少阳以生气血，故主
推陈致新也。久服清气上行，则阳气日强，所以轻身。五脏六腑之精华上奉，所以明目。清
气上行，则阴气下降，所以益精。精者，阴气之英华也。
[Asarum]
Odor and Flavor: Acrid, warm, non-toxic. Mainly treats cough with rebellious Qi (Ke Ni Shang Qi), headache with throbbing in the brain (Tou Tong Nao Dong), spasms and contractures of all joints (Bai Jie Ju Luan), bi-syndrome pain due to wind-dampness (Feng Shi Bi Tong), and necrotic muscle tissue (Si Ji). Long-term use brightens the eyes, benefits the nine orifices (Jiu Qiao), lightens the body, and prolongs life.
Zhang Yin'an stated: Asarum has an acrid and warm flavor. Its stem grows straight upward, and its color is reddish-black. It inherits the water-yin energy from the springs of the Shaoyin Kidney channel and communicates upward with the Taiyang Bladder channel. The Shaoyin Kidney is the Water Organ, and the Taiyang Bladder is the Water Bowel. Water Qi circulates through the skin and hair and internally connects with the Lung; if this circulation fails, it results in cough with rebellious Qi, which Asarum can treat. The Taiyang meridian originates at the inner canthus of the eye and links to the brain via the vertex; if its circulation fails, it results in headache with throbbing in the brain, which Asarum also treats. The Qi of Taiyang governs the skin and hair, while the Qi of Shaoyin governs the bone marrow. If Shaoyin Qi does not harmonize with Taiyang, wind-damp pathogens invade mutually. When bi-occlusion affects tendons and bones, it causes spasms and contractures of all joints; when it affects the interstices (Cou Li), it leads to necrotic muscle; Asarum can treat both. The reason for its efficacy is that it overcomes pathogenic factors with its Qi. Long-term use brightens the eyes and benefits the nine orifices because the essence of water nourishes the hollow orifices; when the nine orifices are unobstructed, the body becomes light and lifespan is extended.
It is further said: Chen Cheng of the Yuanyou era in the Song Dynasty stated that when used alone as a powder, Asarum should not exceed one qian (approx. 3-5g); excessive amounts cause Qi closure leading to death. Modern physicians often avoid using it due to this statement, failing to realize how acrid-aromatic herbs could close Qi? Why cannot high-grade non-toxic herbs be used in larger doses? There are many such statements in medical formularies. Scholars who do not investigate carefully but blindly follow them will never enter the gate of medicine!
[Bupleurum]
Odor and Flavor: Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Mainly treats knotted Qi in the heart, abdomen, intestines, and stomach; food stagnation; cold and heat pathogens; pushes out the old and brings forth the new (Tui Chen Zhi Xin). Long-term use lightens the body, brightens the eyes, and benefits Jing (Essence). (Note: The classic text does not mention inducing sweating. Zhang Zhongjing used up to eight liang, indicating its nature is pure and safe for frequent use; since its action is slow, heavy dosage is required.)
Ye Tianshi stated: Bupleurum has a neutral Qi, inheriting the central and upright Qi of Heaven and Earth. Its bitter flavor is non-toxic, deriving from the fire-flavor of the earth rising upwards. The Gallbladder is the official of centrality and uprightness, and the residence of Ministerial Fire; thus, it uniquely enters the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder channel. Its odor and flavor are light and ascending, representing Yang within Yin, which is Shaoyang. It treats knotted Qi in the heart, abdomen, intestines, and stomach. The heart, abdomen, intestines, and stomach encompass the Zang and Fu organs. There are twelve meridians connecting these organs, and the functions of eleven organs depend on the Gallbladder. Bupleurum is light and clear, ascending and promoting Gallbladder Qi. When Gallbladder Qi flows freely, the eleven organs follow in their dissemination and transformation; thus, any knotted Qi in the heart, abdomen, intestines, and stomach can be dispersed. Regarding food stagnation, food entering the stomach disperses its essence to the Liver, and the Liver's dispersing function relies on the Shaoyang Gallbladder as the master of growth and generation. Bupleurum ascends and promotes Gallbladder Qi, enabling the Liver to disperse essence, so food stagnation naturally descends. The Shaoyang meridian travels between the exterior and interior. When Shaoyang is invaded by pathogens, if the pathogen merges with Yin, there is chills; if it merges with Yang, there is fever. Bupleurum harmonizes Shaoyang, thus treating cold and heat pathogens. When Spring Qi arrives, all things are renewed. Bupleurum possesses the spring-rising nature of Heaven and Earth, enters Shaoyang to generate Blood and Qi, thus treating the pushing out of the old and bringing forth of the new. Long-term use allows Clear Qi to ascend, strengthening Yang Qi daily, hence lightening the body. The essence of the Zang and Fu organs is offered upwards, hence brightening the eyes. As Clear Qi ascends, Yin Qi descends, hence benefiting Jing. Jing is the brilliant essence of Yin Qi.