气味酸、平，无毒。主心腹症瘕，坚积寒热，去痞疾、蚀肉、阴蚀、痔核恶肉。
【述】鳖甲气平，禀金气而入肺；味咸无毒，得水味而入肾。心腹者，合心下大腹小腹，
以
及胁肋而言也。症瘕坚硬之积，致发寒热，为厥阴之肝气凝聚；鳖甲气平，
可以制肝，味咸可以软坚，所以主之也。痞者，肝气滞也，咸平能制肝而软
坚，故亦主之。蚀肉、阴蚀、痔核恶肉，一生于鼻，鼻者肺之窍也；一生于二便，二便者肾
之窍也；入肺肾而软坚，所以消一切恶肉也。
气味咸、平、辛，无毒。主治小儿惊痫、夜啼，去三虫，灭黑 ，令人面色好，男
子阴痒病。（凡禀金气色白之药，俱不宜炒。）
【述】僵蚕气平为秋气，味辛为金味，味咸为水味，禀金水之精也。治惊痫者，金能平
木也
。治夜啼者，金属干而主天，天运旋转，昼开夜阖也。杀三虫者，虫为风木所化，金主肃杀
也，灭黑 、令人面色好者，俾水气上滋也。治男子阴痒者，金能制风，咸能除痒也。
徐灵胎曰，僵蚕感风而僵，凡风气之疾，皆能治之，盖借其气以相感也。
或问∶因风以僵，何以反能治风？曰∶邪之中人也，有气而无形，穿经透络，愈久愈深。
以
气类相反之药投之，则拒而不入，必与之同类者，和入诸药，使为响导，则药力至于病所。
而邪与药相从，药性渐发，或从毛孔出，或从二便出，不能复留矣。此即从治之法也。风寒
暑湿，莫不皆然。此神而明之之道，不专恃正治奏功矣。
[Trionyx Carapace]
Taste: Sour, Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats zheng jia (abdominal masses) in the heart and abdomen, hard accumulations accompanied by alternating chills and fever; removes pi ji (obstruction due to qi stagnation), corrodes flesh, treats yin erosion (ulceration of the genital area), hemorrhoidal nodules, and malignant necrotic tissue.
[Commentary]
The Qi of Trionyx Carapace is neutral, inheriting Metal Qi to enter the Lung Meridian; its taste is salty and non-toxic, inheriting Water taste to enter the Kidney Meridian. "Heart and abdomen" refers collectively to the epigastrium, greater abdomen, lesser abdomen, and hypochondriac regions. The hard accumulation of zheng jia, causing chills and fever, results from the condensation of Jueyin Liver Qi. Since Trionyx Carapace has neutral Qi, it can restrain the Liver; since its taste is salty, it can soften hardness. Therefore, it is indicated for this condition. Pi ji is caused by stagnant Liver Qi; its salty and neutral nature can restrain the Liver and soften hardness, thus it is also indicated. Malignant necrotic tissue such as corroded flesh, yin erosion, and hemorrhoidal nodules arises either from the nose (the orifice of the Lung) or from urination and defecation (the orifices of the Kidney). By entering the Lung and Kidney meridians and softening hardness, it eliminates all kinds of malignant tissue.
[Bombyx Batryticatus / Stiff Silkworm]
Taste: Salty, Neutral, Pungent. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats pediatric jing xian (convulsions with fright) and nocturnal crying; expels three types of parasites (San Chong); eliminates dark spots; improves complexion; treats pruritus of the male genitals. (Note: Herbs that inherit Metal Qi and are white in color should generally not be stir-fried.)
[Commentary]
The Qi of Bombyx Batryticatus is neutral, corresponding to Autumn Qi; its pungent taste corresponds to Metal, and its salty taste corresponds to Water. It inherits the essence of Metal and Water. Treating convulsions works because Metal controls Wood (Liver wind). Treating nocturnal crying works because Metal relates to Heavenly Stems and governs the sky; the rotation of celestial bodies dictates opening during the day and closing at night (regulating circadian rhythms). Killing parasites works because parasites are transformed from Wind-Wood Qi, and Metal possesses a肃杀 (astringing and killing) property. Eliminating dark spots and improving complexion works by allowing Kidney Water Qi to nourish upwards. Treating genital pruritus works because Metal controls Wind, and Saltiness removes itching.
Xu Lingtai stated: Bombyx Batryticatus becomes stiff after contracting Wind. Therefore, it can treat diseases caused by Wind pathogenic factors, utilizing resonance through its Qi.
A question arises: If it becomes stiff due to Wind, why can it treat Wind diseases? The answer is: When pathogenic factors invade humans, they possess Qi but lack form, penetrating meridians and collaterals, becoming deeper over time. If drugs with opposite properties are administered, the pathogen rejects them and does not accept entry. One must use drugs of similar nature to the pathogen, harmonizing them with other herbs to act as guides, leading the medicinal power to the site of the disease. Consequently, the pathogen follows the drug, the drug's nature gradually manifests, and the pathogen is expelled either through pores or via urination and defecation, unable to remain. This is the method of "treating according to similarity" (Cong Zhi). This applies equally to Cold, Wind, Summer-heat, and Dampness. This represents the profound and illuminating principle, achieving efficacy not solely relying on orthodox treatment (Zheng Zhi).